Housing Growth in Leicestershire

1 February 2008

Content

• Approach to Housing Growth in Leicestershire

• Growth east/ south east of Leicester

• What we are doing

Approach to Growth

• Leicestershire already taking substantial housing growth

• 96,000 homes 2001-26 (City + County)• ‘Urban regeneration and concentration’ –

Leicester and the county’s towns• 25,000 homes on ‘sustainable urban extensions’

– greenfield but eco-town principles• Based on evidence and considered through the

planning system (eg Regional Plan)

Approach to Growth

• County Council advised on housing figures and growth locations in Draft Regional Plan

• Supported by evidence– Constraints and opportunities exercise – Transport assessments– Sustainability appraisal– ‘Impressive’ (RSS Panel Report)

• Supported by Government funding (New Growth Point)

Approach to Growth

• Draft Regional Plan – housing growth locations– Adjoining Leicester

• To north/ north east in Charnwood• To west in Blaby

– Adjoining sub-regional centres• Coalville• Hinckley• Loughborough

• RSS Panel supported this approach but…– also identified need for further growth and…– highlighted potential of Leicester to Burton Corridor

E/ SE of Leicester

Growth to east/ south-east of Leicester– not proposed in advice of County Council– Not included in Draft Regional Plan– Not recommended by Independent Panel

Why?– High cost of transport infrastructure– New M1 junction– Sustainability appraisal

• Lack of transport infrastructure• Major landscape and heritage constraints

E/ SE of Leicester

Other evidence and issues

• Employment land studies (O&W and Harb)– No case for strategic site due to poor

communications

• Feasibility of new rail stations

• Impact on regeneration and housing provision in Leicester

Alternatives

If further growth needed other locations should be examined

• Panel preferred urban extensions to north and west of Leicester than to south or east

• Panel highlighted potential of Leicester to Burton corridor for major growth

• Wherever growth goes it should be high quality, low carbon, with local employment – not unique to Eco-town

What we are doing

County Council is• Seeking more information on what is proposed• Highlighting issues of concern to Government• Preparing to respond to formal consultation• Working with district councils on possible

distribution of higher housing numbers• Commissioning studies to ensure major growth

locations are supported by firm evidence

Conclusions

Our initial view is that

• Government’s aspirations for major sustainable growth can be met in Leicestershire without Pennbury

• There are alternatives

• Alternatives should be considered against each other through normal planning process