19 August 2017

Consultation Summary

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Quorn Neighbourhood Plan

Introduction

in event on Neighbourhood Planning on 19 August 2017. The event took place between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm at the Village Hall.

Neighbourhood Plan and to seek comments on the emerging topics – including Local Green Space and environment; community facilities and amenities; housing and design; transport and employment.

The drop-in event was promoted in a variety of ways:

✓ Press - Advertised in the Quorndon magazine, Loughbrough Echo, Quorn News magazine and Radio Leicester.

✓ Posters – placed on parish and community noticeboards, delivered to each household and handed out in Station Road the day before the event.

✓ Social Media – Facebook page created, Nextdoor page created, Village website. ✓ A sandwich board was in place outside the venue on the day.

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Quorn Parish Council through the Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Committee organised a drop-

The aim of this event was to help engage the community in the development of the

A total of 157 people attended the event.

Format of Event

Members of the Advisory Committee welcomed attendees on arrival and asked them to complete a contact sheet to record attendance. The arrangements for the day were explained.

followed by the Advisory Committee on behalf of the Quorn Parish Council. Copies of explanatory booklets were available on the display stands.

Copies of finalised Neighbourhood Plans were available for people to read as they walked around the displays and enjoyed the refreshments that were available. The work of the local Primary School in developing logos was presented on display boards in the centre of the room.

topic related to planning and development, including:

✓ Environment – existing designations and Local Green Space criteria

✓ Transport, Employment and Community Facilities Display

In addition, people were invited to identify open spaces which are important to them by placing

up to 3 green stickers on a map of the parish which they value for views; and up to 3 blue

stickers on areas good for recreation.

A further map of the parish offered people the chance to identify sites where housing

development is not welcomed, and sites where residential development would be acceptable.

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The first displays introduced Neighbourhood Planning and described the process that is being

Consultation on key issues

A series of display boards were spread across the room, each of which focused on a different

✓ Housing –mix, design, location and heritage

Display Boards

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Having read the displays, attendees were asked to comment on each topic using post-it notes and to place them on flip-chart paper alongside each display. A large map of the Parish was available and people were invited to place up to 3 blue dots on areas of recreation and up to 3 green dots in places enjoying good views. A further map was available for people to indicate where they would prefer housing development to be located. The following is a record of each of the comments made:

VISION: What do you think?

Excellent. Positive and realistic

Really good. Well done!

I support the Vision. I see limiting any more expansion of the quarry as being massively

important to the future of Quorn

Please listen to us – and let it be seen that both Parish and Borough comments are there!

I fully support the creation of the Neighbourhood Plan. Main concerns: (1) primary school.

Is size sustainable long-term with 3 classes this year in reception? (2) family facilities,

including sports. We have lost pool, tennis courts, since I was a child....

I support the Vision if it is true! We have more than enough houses in the village! More

houses equals more parking and more surgery capacity needed

As long as Quorn remains a village and does not become part of Loughborough. Do we have

enough doctors’ surgeries, schools etc for more people to live here?

A good first draft – thank you. I’d suggest more affordable homes; encouraging less car use;

more wildlife habitats; greater contribution from schoolchildren

Social housing is not about whether it is a good thing, but WHERE it would be best. That

includes public transport, affordable shopping and proximity to those shops.

Thank you for your hard work. I support the Vision 5

More affordable and social housing. Larger doctors’ surgery

More affordable housing needed. 2 people agreed

Quorn has seen far too much development in the last 10 years – no more!

Quorn should remain a village, unconnected to any other settlement. Community spirit

thrives when there is a heart to a place and Quorn should retain a commercial heart. Any

new buildings should reflect need and must retain the character of the village

We don’t want any more OAP housing please. 1 person responded: RUBBISH! How

discriminatory!

Need to consider accessible housing for young people to keep the demographic mixed

Development of new care home essential

Regarding proposals for nursing home and behind that retirement apartments and

bungalows – what about parking, medical facilities etc needed for such a large number of

elderly people? Will a bus stop be provided outside the development? (land by football

ground)

What about another school if there is going to be expansion?

We need to be mindful of possibly an additional primary school with the growth in the

village. Each intake at St Barts is now 75 reception children each year

If we are encouraged to “get on our bikles” could we have bike parking in the village

centre?

As one of the 65 plus group, I feel we need traffic calming/ crossings on Leicester Rd with

the amazing amount of traffic coming through village

Development, existing and proposed off Farley way I believe has a negative impact on

traffic through village.

Summary:

There was overwhelming support for the vision as displayed. Comments emphasised the

desire for Quorn to remain a village and there was concern to ensure that the infrastructure is

in place to meet the needs of a growing population – from schools, health care, transport and

retail. Strong support was expressed for more affordable housing and for development to

meet the needs of older people and people with care and support needs.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES:

Keep the Old School development – our young families need it more than we need parking

Quorn Old School: now this is going ahead, introduce maker workshop space and

encourage older, skilled craftsmen/women to pass on skills and know-how

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I do hope the Old School Project is successful – far more important to save this than to

build a co-op

Would be a shame to lose the Old School building despite the cost of the project – does its’

community “end use” need a re-think?

The Old School has been a shameful waste of money – seems badly managed – I see no

value in keeping it

Old School – total waste of money. Nothing seems ever to get done. 4 years for a roof? Sell

it while you can – it’s a money pit!

The redevelopment of the Old School is a shocking waste of money – no car park; struggling

to find a use for it, etc etc

Yes, the Old School should go – would relieve parking situation

Old School is quite an eyesore. Think that land could be better used

Make the Old School into a car park

Wasting funds on Old School is nonsense.

We agree. There was no vote on this project

Turn Old School into a swimming pool and leisure centre

Can we have our swimming pool back please!

Stop people using the car park all day – residents only, so it’s an amenity for us. Why not a

warden more often?

Station Rd car park should be for shoppers only – not a free car park for bus users. Sell

permits to those who park there all the time, but restrict spaces so that shoppers can park

The churchyard is used as a doggie toilet. I have seen 5 people in 20 mins – no leads and

dogs pooing! Raise funds there and fine them!

Where are our CPO’s? Not sighted any this year!

Summary:

Most comments were in relation to the future use of the Old School, with viewpoints mixed as

to the benefit of its development. Other comments related to the need for a swimming pool

and the inadequacy of car parking in Quorn.

EMPLOYMENT:

Encourage small businesses – creative, IT etc; and offer low-rent starter units?

Supporting small businesses. Supporting local shops which sell things we need, i.e. food

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Summary:

This attracted the least comment – with those expressing a view indicating support for small

businesses.

HOUSING:

Who are the Borough planners representing?

The colour and small B and W maps are misleading as they don’t show the Quorn Plan

boundary

Have the land but NOT allowed to build a bungalow!

Expanding the village is destroying its beauty and appeal – enough is enough

Quorn should not expand any further

Please do not build any more properties in Quorn – it cannot accommodate any more –

especially large homes/3 storey buildings which are not in keeping with the village. Quorn is

meant to be a village!

No available land to build on

7 properties around us off Farley Way have 22 cars/vans currently – average 3 per

property!

There have been far too much housing development in the last 10 years

If more housing is allowed, developers must pay for more facilities – e.g. Doctor, schools,

open spaces, etc.

Housing needs to allow those already living in the village to stay here (younger people -

starter homes, and older people downsizing)

More bungalows required. This would free up existing housing in the village (family homes)

for families to move into

No bungalows

We will need to build more along northern edges with mixture of rented and occupier

owned

Housing Association/social housing flats earmarked for young people to rent please. Less

exclusive/expensive accommodation

Homes for elderly and disabled

Too many executive/ 5 bed plus homes

Housing should not be considered in isolation but account for speeding traffic, parking and

loss of green spaces

Any over-55s development should be central to the village not on the outskirts.

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Summary:

A number of people took the opportunity to express the view that no more housing should take

place in Quorn – however this is beyond the scope of the Neighbourhood Plan. Many comments

related to the need for an appropriate mix of housing to be provided to address the current

imbalance in favour of larger dwellings and the need for additional facilities to keep pace with

the development, along with an awareness of the impact on transport-related issues.

Dot exercise: People were asked to place red dot in places where new housing development was

not preferred and a green dot where new housing would be acceptable.

HERITAGE – Any other important buildings?

Thatched Pavilion, Bowls club

Chaveney Manor House and Quorn Hall

Dower House and Gardens (should be listed Grade 2)

Caves Field. Cricket Club and grounds

Should Quorn Grange be added to the listing status? 9

Quorn House now owned by TARMAC

Summary:

The small number of comments made identified buildings to be considered for inclusion in a

local list of important buildings.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

More affordable housing to allow youngsters and older people to remain in the village. I

person agreed.

Affordable housing for young and elderly

More affordable housing for the younger residents. Parking must be included in all new

houses

What about the young who can’t afford to live in the village?

I agree with housing for young people who live in the village, eg starter homes and

affordable rent

Starter homes best bet for young people to be attracted to the village keeping it vibrant

More affordable homes and bungalows needed

Need more bungalows – less 3 storey housing

We need more affordable housing – not apartments for rich elderly

We don’t really need any more huge homes – but family homes which are affordable

More affordable housing for the elderly (over 60’s) – near the village!

Need affordable housing for those already in the village – younger people, first-time

buyers, elderly down-sizers

Too few affordable homes

Need bigger emphasis on affordable homes and social rent. Also prevent second homers

(now 1:10 of home owners)

The country needs affordable housing – especially “social”/smaller units. Not more 4-5-

bedroom properties

All new homes should have one parking space for each resident plus at least one more for

visitors/tradesmen

Just moved to Quorn – v few bungalows and/or apartments available (3 bed), so had to buy

a house bigger than we really need

Develop the old primary school as affordable housing for the elderly

New homes must think about energy efficiency. Children need gardens. Building materials

should fit village character

No room for new houses. No parking room now. Not affordable anyway. This is not London. 10

Summary:

Respondents were strongly in support of affordable housing to be made available for young

people, families and elderly people. Reference was also made to the need for appropriate

parking spaces; consideration for energy efficiency measures and one person commented on

the need to prevent people owning second homes in the village.

DESIGN:

Any new housing should be aesthetically attractive, and not the vile, soul-less “Ikea”

housing developers typically build (e.g., area round Meynell Rd)

Need more smaller units – not 4-5 bed executive housing. Build to high energy efficiency

standards

Consider energy efficiency measures

Maximise energy efficiency (former code 6). 3 storeys but with more generous

(older)space standards. Minimum garden size. Encourage vernacular architecture and

materials

Renewable energy

Must retain and reflect the character of the village so that Quorn retains its village identity

Latest homes built towards Barrow and on the old pine shop site are varied and interesting

Developers should aim to build new houses that are in keeping with the older houses in

Quorn. Many new builds around here are not, and stick out like sore thumbs

Too many new homes are 3 storey and out-of-scale with existing houses

Reinforce provisions of village design statement

Think about parking with new homes

New houses need to have parking for at least 2 cars to be realistic

Just out of interest why do builders refrain from putting solar panels on new properties?

Summary

There were a wide range of views expressed by respondents. Most support was for design to

be broadly in keeping with the character of the village and the scale of dwellings, recognising

the need for compliance with the Village Design Statement. Views were mixed about 3-storey

dwellings whilst the need for energy efficiency to be incorporated was well-supported.

Reference was also made to sufficient car parking being provided.

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ACCESS AND HIGHWAYS.

Stop nursery staff parking along the A6. Rawlins should provide parking for them, there’s

room at the front of the building.

Parking by staff opposite Lime Tree Nursery all day 6:45 am to 6:00 pm a nightmare.

Car parking is an issue always.

Parking on double yellow lines outside Ameril on Leicester Road. 7 days a week. Nothing is

ever done about it. A bad accident waiting to happen.

Please take measures to stop inappropriate parking in the centre of the village.

Parking in Station Road car park taken up by many residents who don’t have parking.

Suggest charges for these cars- money raised could be used elsewhere.

Car parking – dangerous parking junction Mansfield Street/Station Road/Stoop Lane

junction. Yellow lines needed.

Parking is an enormous problem. Illegal some of it.

Need more parking. Doctor’s inadequate size to expand the village.

Parking has become an issue because there are already too many properties that have

been built in Quorn. Stop building in Quorn.

Ask neighbourhood watch to take photos of illegal parking and send to Parish Council.

Parking – a key problem with new and existing housing. Barrow Road houses between

Farnham Street and White Street experience parking problems from their neighbours

further down the road. Who have 3/4 cars per household!!!!

Need for parking for 2 cars in new build housing.

Parking and safety – should Quorn Cross be pedestrian only?

Extra car park in village centre badly needed. School Lane parking, residents have a hard

time of it. Yes, I am aware it is a public highway, however modern times have to be taken

into consideration.

Double parking on yellow lines and illegal parking throughout the village.

Traffic heavy on Meynell Road at rush hours – cameras would keep the speeds down.

Parking a problem by strangers leaving cars on pavement and away for many days.

Will need to introduce resident permit parking in critical areas e.g. Station Road.

Make the car park pay and display with barriers. Short stay free but stop all day/half day

parking by cost.

Consider making the main car park area ‘pay and display’ to prevent it being used as a ‘park

and ride car park’ which seems to be the case!

Parking problematic in centre of village.

More parking please and control of parking near St Bart’s School at drop-off/pick-up times

– v. dangerous at times.

More development = more traffic. We desperately need traffic control in the village.

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Enforce the parking rules (I have counted 12 times cars parked illegally in one visit to the

centre).

New build housing must be given parking spaces – most families now have at least 2 cars

and our roads are becoming parking lots.

Fire engine access is difficult to Station Road/Swinfield Road because of double parking

outside the Appletree Pub. Potentially lethal.

Parking on the cemetery on Church Lane. Not good enough.

Allow (has been discussed) parking opposite Rawlins – slows the traffic.

Meeting Street/Chancery Road have many dangerous bends made worse by thoughtless

parking on bends near corners. Needs more control. Also a way of making drivers stop

using these roads as a rat run.

Inconsiderate/illegal; parking needs controlling.

Agree!

No parking at the mini roundabout near the White Horse.

Prevent parking all day in our village – we need the spaces ourselves!

Parking in Centre of village makes road crossing hazardous especially by the Cross.

Traffic congestion on Station Road and availability of parking space for shoppers, affecting

businesses.

Car parking can be challenging – need long stay a little walk away.

Crossing needed near Co-Op.

Cheverey Road sees cars racing at 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. Please do something about it.

Pedestrianise Quorn Cross!

Improve the footpath along Station Road – very rough for the elderly.

Pedestrian crossing in village (Woodlane?)

Crossing (pedestrian) near Wood Lane end of village.

Pedestrian crossing needed Mountsorrel end of the village – none between war memorial

and Mountsorrel. 3 at other end of the village.

Controlled pedestrian crossings required along Farley Way

Limited cycle access away from A6. Could be improved to promote cycle to school etc.

A cycle path is urgently required along Woodhouse Road all the way to Woodhouse Eves.

This is a very busy cycle route!!

Plan recommended cycle routes through the village and think about the cyclists experience.

Noise barriers and monitoring along A6 and Farley Way.

With current levels of housing, speed limit on Farley Way should be reduced to 30 as traffic

speeds currently are well over 40 nearer 50/60 MPH. Also enforce 7.5 tonne weight limit on

Farley Way.

Traffic lights and crossing needed on Farley Way.

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Speed signs on Farley Way to be changed from 40 MPH to 30 MPH due to buildings now

being built on both sides of the road. No sleeping policemen, ramps or squares.

30 MPH speed limit required on Farley Way.

Good idea.

30 MPH needed on Farley Way.

For ease of traffic re-open Barrow Road to allow access to the village.

Traffic speed along Leicester Road a major concern. Wood Lane Island in particular.

I have concerns about the amount of traffic through the village and the speed – meeting

Street is already bad!!

Bus stops are important.

Busses – would be helpful to have a service later at night.

Evening bus services are too infrequent.

Is there really a public right of way NW of Kinchley Lane? (Shown on map) linking through

cemetery to footpath along east of river.

Summary:

This section attracted the most comments.

Over 30 people commented on parking-related issues and drew attention to a range of areas

where there was concern. These included parking along Station Road, by the Nursery, in the

centre of Quorn, at the Doctor’s surgery along Farley Way and at Quorn Cross. Proposed

solutions include making the car park a pay and display, preventing people parking in the car

park all day; introducing resident parking permits; allowing parking opposite Rawlins,

enforcing existing laws and ensuring that new housing has sufficient off-road parking.

Other concerns included speeding along Farley Way, improving footpaths, the need for

pedestrian crossings and a better bus service.

ENVIRONMENT

Quorn’s individuality should be preserved. Surrounding fields that adjoin other

towns/villages must be kept as green field sites and not built upon.

Increase footpaths and cycle paths and reduce car use.

Please map all existing areas with some form of protection (on a single map).

Protect green spaces between neighbouring settlements.

Avoid development of agricultural land.

Keep ‘green’ area separate from Loughborough to ensure Quorn retains its identity.

Here here. 14

Yes!

Nature trails like parish walks to encourage understanding of habitats.

Trees should be retained in new developments and more tree preservation orders – plant

more trees to help prevent flooding.

Develop land on Quorn side of River Soar opposite Proctors fields as a country park.

Restrict the development of the Railway (Great Central) this is of little environmental

benefit and adds to pollution in the village.

Preserve/increase diversity of wildlife.

Keep green gaps between Loughborough and villages.

Protect Quorn’s identity i.e. from Shelthorpe, Loughborough etc. ….

Ensure all wildlife and SSSI sites are protected.

Preserve green/open space that is of vital importance for wildlife.

New footpath.

Maintain footpath around Quorn and Barrow.

Maintain/improve footpaths in association with neighbouring parishes to encourage

walking and wildlife e.g. canal and river access.

Improve and increase footpaths, especially Wood Lane (Quorn – Kinchley Lane).

Hedges and verges need to be maintained on the bends of Wood Lane next to Quarry.

Extremely dangerous.]

Any further expansion of the quarry must be resisted. The impact on the environment,

landscape and community is at its limit.

Build on brown land or where Borough Councillors reside! Keep green spaces in Quorn.

Summary

There was strong support for maintaining the green spaces between Quorn and adjoining

settlements (most notably Loughborough). There was also strong support for

maintaining/improving footpaths and for protecting wildlife. The protection of trees and

hedges was also referenced, with individual comments about the need to develop brown field

sites in preference to fields, and for resisting the expansion of the Quarry.

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Dot exercise: People were asked to place up to 3 green dots where there was a good view and up to

3 blue dots in areas good for recreation ….

What happened to David Wilson Homes contributing to the swimming pool?

What happened to the swimming pool money raised in 1970?

Swimming Pool.

Spend money on re-establishing the swimming pool and sort out the car parking situation.

This is a village not a town.

Make pubs etc. take down notices after events have taken place – fly posting can exist for

months after the event.

No more room at doctor’s surgery or St Bart’s School. Quorn is full!

Need to ensure both land and foul drainage can cope with current development before

further planning granted.

Leisure facilities like Mountsorrel complex.

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INFRASTRUCTURE

If more housing is built, developers must be made to include more facilities for the village –

schools, doctor’s surgery size, play areas, open spaces.

Play area in or near Wood Lane.

Further car parking for the village centre.

Second Primary School will soon be required for rapidly expanding village.

Pumping Station near Pool Farm can’t cope with present level of housing in and around

Farley Way so no more housing should be allowed between Farley Way and the bypass.

Summary

Views were mixed about what additional infrastructure is required to support further

development. There were 4 comments about the need for a swimming pool, and other

contributions included the need for a bigger Doctor’s surgery, better drains, leisure facilities, a

play area, car parking and a second Primary School

ANYTHING ELSE?

Vital to involve young people in the planning process

A commitment to becoming a greener village – restricting vehicle use – encouraging

walking a cycling and better public transport

Protect green spaces. Strengthen design standards within conservation area especially

house window design and materials (not upvc)

Retain open views adjacent to Quorn station and Gt Central railway

Developing the community to support our most vulnerable residents to stay “safe, well and

happy” and be included in decisions

Make Quorn safer for everyone – by controlling the speed of traffic, thank you

Need to slow down traffic through the village – speed signs are not an eyesore, they are a

necessity!

Please please do something about the speeding motorists on Chaveney Rd and Meeting

street

We need speeding controls on Chaveney Rd

Flashing speed signs are required – essential at Meeting St

Noise pollution from fast moving traffic – more speed control needed (all day)

Apply speed management/cameras – something to prevent Chaveney Rd-Meeting St being

used as a rat run for Quarry workers and speeding Mums!

Quarry lorries pull out too fast at the roundabout

Speed of traffic through Quorn – especially School Lane and Wood Lane – all too fast!

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School Lane has become a race track. With 3 exits from the park, speed limits should be 20

mph

Oh yes! Please sort out the traffic on School Lane. It’s often used a race track. We need

cameras, speed bumps and resident parking

As above for Wood Lane!

Speed humps on School Lane?

Speeding on Soar Rd gets worse. 60 mph not at all unusual, as well as Meynell Rd

Speeding on Leicester Rd needs electric speed restrictions. 1 person agreed

Parking on part of Stafford Orchard should be considered – no good burying heads – we

have to have more village parking. Long-term parkers must be deterred on main car park

Consider the open road approach to slow down vehicles – remove kerbs, etc as in some

continental villages and towns

Car park needs more control of long-stay cars

Parking on Station Rd should be ticketed - machines are available for free 1-hour tickets

Provide safer alternatives for cyclists

Stop cyclists riding on the pavements in Quorn

Cut down on all the hanging brambles etc along the footpaths

Build footpath along Wood Lane to Mountsorrel

Prevent litter from teenagers and others parking outside nursing home opposite Stafford

Orchard!

Dog fouling – disgusting. People do not care where their dogs poo

The shop fronts and especially the flats above need modernising badly

Station Rd shops are an eyesore and not in character with our lovely village

The village shops should be refurbished to give a more attractive centre to village with

more stylish architecture.

Summary:

Amongst a diverse range of comments made, the largest single issue was in relation to the

speed of traffic through the village and the need for measures to reduce its impact. Other

contributions included the need for a commitment to environmental issues, traffic related

concerns and the need to improve the appearance of the shop fronts on Station Road.

LOGO

A group consisting of three members of the NPC shared the brief for a logo with the Head

Teacher at St. Bartholomews Primary School. Year 5 (age 9-10) discussed the purpose of the

Neighbourhood Plan with a teacher then worked in small groups to draft their ideas for a logo

design. A very positive response resulted in 18 entries. These were considered by the Graphic

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Design group member and six selected to be seen by the NPC with a view to merging ideas for

a suitable logo. An analysis of the ideas was presented with the brief and logo entries and

displayed at the Saturday morning Open Meeting. Participants from the village were invited

to put a star on those designs that they believed expressed good ideas. These constellations

mainly coincided with the initial opinion of the designer with one exception which concerned

the outline of the logo. The majority of participants selected a Q shape but there was much

discussion about the validity of the village outline shape. It was suggested that villagers

supporting the NP could wear a metal badge of the logo as they went about their daily lives

thus advertising their involvement and interest. The outcomes are being reviewed by the

designer who is tasked with producing two designs - one with a Q shape and one with the

village shape for the NPC to consider and decide on a suitable design

Overall summary.

This was a very successful event – attracting a large number of residents and stakeholders

who contributed to a vibrant and interactive session.

The comments made will form part of the evidence base and will be taken into account in the

next stage of the development of the Neighbourhood Plan.

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