District votes to consult on blueprint for growth

A consultation on the final draft version of the Blaby District Local Plan will go ahead in July following a Council vote.

Councillors tonight (30 June) voted to launch a six-week consultation with communities, stakeholders and residents on the District’s vision for growth over the next 17 years.

The Council has been preparing the new Local Plan since 2019 and is now at the Regulation 19 consultation stage – the final round of consultation before the plan is submitted to a government planning inspector for review.

Without an up-to-date plan development can still happen, but the Council has less control over where and how.

The consultation launches on 8 July and close at 12pm on 24 August. Those interested in the blueprint document are invited to comment on whether the plan is compliant and sound; meaning it is:

• Positively prepared – focusses on meeting community needs
• Justified – based on evidence
• Effective – can be achieved and is based on joint working with neighbouring councils and organisations
• Consistent with national policy

Representations should be made online at www.blaby.gov.uk/local-plan. Detailed guidance will be published to help people understand how to comment. All Local Plan documents and evidence will be available on the Council’s website. Paper copies of the plan will also be available at the Council offices and in libraries across the District.

All representations will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration at examination.

Drop-in events

To support communities in understanding the plan a series of drop-in events are also being held across the District. 

Councillor Mike Shirley, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Strategic Growth, said: “The Local Plan aims to deliver homes, jobs and infrastructure in the right places, while protecting what matters most to our communities. Following many years of evidence-gathering, review and engagement, we are now ready to launch our final round of consultation. This is an important final step to ensure our plan meets the law and national planning policy, and is considered sound.

“Since our previous consultation in 2021 we have received updated housing figures from the government and have had to look again at how we can support the creation of more than 11,000 homes across the District over the next 17 years. 

“I would encourage anyone looking to comment to come to our drop-in events and learn more about the plan and speak to our team about completing the consultation. Comments must focus on specific points, including whether the plan has been prepared positively, in collaboration with communities and neighbouring authorities, and meets the needs of our growing population.”

Key statistics

Allocations in the local plan, covering up to 2042 include:

• 11,195 homes – an average of 659 a year
• 25% affordable housing on sites with more than 10 homes
• Homes for older people and specialist needs
• Self or custom build opportunities
• 53 hectares of employment land, covering offices, industry and warehousing and distribution.
• Infrastructure including roads, schools, healthcare and community facilities delivered alongside development
• Two new planned communities (long-term strategic sites) expected from the 2030s:
  - Whetstone Pastures – up to 4,500 homes
  - Land west of Stoney Stanton – up to 5,165 homes