Fosse Highcross Councillor Surgery Event
17th August, 10am at Sapcote Pavilion
Over the last few weeks, we have been delivering our annual update leaflet. We believe it is important to show what we have been up to as your District Councillors for Fosse Highcross, as everyone is not on social media. While we do much more than what can fit on a leaflet, we hope residents see we are working all year round to show how we appreciate the privilege of being a Councillor.
Thank you so much to all the volunteers helping us deliver our leaflets.
On the leaflet this we have advertised our Councillor Surgery on the 17th August, 10am at the Sapcote Pavilion. This is open to all residents within the Fosse Highcross area, including these villages: Aston Flamville, Elmesthorpe, Sapcote, Sharnford and Wigston Parva.
If you have any local issues you would like to discus, please come along. Or if you just want to put a face to your Councillors and say hello, residents are more than welcome.
Around the District
Bright future for Fosse Meadows
Future investment to improve and conserve biodiversity at popular nature area Fosse Meadows has been secured through a lease arrangement with Green Circle Nature Regeneration; a not-for-profit organisation.
Blaby District Councillors agreed to the lease arrangements at the recent Full Council meeting through which Green Circle will take over the management of Fosse Meadows for the next two decades.
The organisation is a Community Interest Company, which exists to benefit the community not private stakeholders. Its remit is to conserve and improve the natural environment while maintaining and broadening public access.
It has already been working with the Council on an informal basis for the last 18 months, looking at ways to enhance biodiversity at Fosse Meadows and make it financially sustainable.
Green Circle have used the Community Payback scheme to provide extra hands-on work at the reserve maintaining and improving the site at no additional cost to the Council.
Designated nature zones have been created, leaving areas untouched and protected. This has meant more wildflowers providing a habitat boost for bugs and a feeding bonanza for birds while encouraging footfall in a well-managed manner.
By taking on the lease and being more formally involved Green Circle can not only extend such initiatives but also tap into external funding streams which would not be available to the Council.
Nigel Grundy, Blaby District Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: "Fosse Meadows is the jewel in the crown of our nature reserves and as such we want to ensure it is protected for future generations. As a Council we have limited resources in terms of the finances and staff to be able to deliver the improvements we would like to see and which the area deserves.
"Through this lease arrangement with Green Circle, we can maintain our ownership of Fosse Meadows while providing a new way to manage the site with many more opportunities for investment and enhancement."
Cosby Yarn Bomb
Cosby Yarn Bomb is always an excellent annual District event. This year the event focused on the Paris Olympics.
Well worth a visit!
Councillor Activities
During July there have been many training events, meetings, and social events, attended by one or both of your councillors but with some changes /cancellations due to the General Election.
- General Election – 4th
- Training – Handling Abuse - 10th
- Sapcote Parish Council – 11th
- District Council – 16th
- Sharnford Parish Council – 18th
- Training – Handling Online Abuse
- Planning Committee – 25th
- Elmesthorpe Parish Council – 25th
- Audit & Corporate Governance Committee Meeting – 30th
During August there are very few training events and/or meetings attended by your councillors with just one planned:
- Fosse Highcross District Councillor Surgery – 17th
News
- A Bright Future for Fosse Meadows
- A new vision for Active Travel
- Big boost for Good Causes
Important Event in September
Following on from a successful Flood Warden Engagement event last September, the Local Resilience Forum is already planning this year’s event.
This will take place at Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Leicester Road, Glenfield, LE3 8RA from 11.00am to 3pm on Saturday 14th September 2024. The event is aimed at current Flood Wardens and anyone who is interested in becoming a Flood Warden in the near future.
If you're not sure what the Flood Warden role involves and want to find out more, do come along and join us. We have a number of guest speakers lined up, including the Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood Authority (Leicestershire County Council), Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, the Resilience Partnership and others.
You will need to register using this link https://forms.office.com/e/8N7jHDignb or use the QR Code on the poster. We look forward to seeing you on the day.
HNRFI Update – Examination
The Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange will remain in our monthly reports until the final decision is made by the Secretary of State
Executive Summary
Overview
An application has been made by Tritax Symmetry (formerly DB Symmetry) to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order (DCO). The development is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and is called the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI).
HNRFI update – Examining Authority’s recommendation sent to Secretary of State
Rail hub concerns raised in letter to Ministers
Blaby District Council leader Terry Richardson has written to the new Secretary of State for Transport and the new deputy Prime Minister outlining major concerns with the proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI).
The 662-acre scheme from developers Tritax Symmetry is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and is due to be decided by the Secretary of State, Louise Haigh MP, following a recommendation by the Planning Inspectorate.
The plans feature a rail hub and 850,000sqm of warehousing on countryside southwest of Elmesthorpe between the M69 and Leicester to Birmingham train line.
Cllr Richardson has congratulated both Ms Haigh and Angela Rayner on their recent appointments and urged them to ‘carefully consider the negative social, environmental and economic impacts of the HNRFI on the residents of Blaby District’.
He highlights particular concern with the failure to fully assess the scheme’s highways impacts. This, he warns, could overload the already hectic M1/M69 junction and actually hamper further economic growth.
Cllr Richardson said: "With a new Secretary of State and deputy PM in post I felt it was my duty to raise our concerns about the far-reaching adverse impacts the HNRFI scheme would have on our District.
"We have always opposed these ill-thought-out plans. The rail hub would destroy vast swathes of countryside and change the rural character of our District forever. We can only hope Ms Haigh takes our concerns on board when deciding the fate of this scheme."
A decision on the HNRFI scheme is expected by 12 September. For full details of the letters see: Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange
New Local Plan
The new Labour Government is proposing a raft of changes to planning. These will be consulted on over the next month under a document called the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
We will monitor the impacts this has on our New Local Plan and update residents when we learn more.
For the latest info on our new local plan, please see Blaby District Council’s dedicated webpage: https://www.blaby.gov.uk/planning-and-building/local-plan/new-local-plan/
Major Blaby District Planning Applications
23/1071/OUT -. Land Adjacent To Leicester Road And Foston Road, Countesthorpe.
Outline planning application for the development of up to 170dwellings (Use Class C3) with vehicular access points from Leicester Road and Foston Road and associated highway improvements.
Application Approved by Planning Committee on 25th July 2024
24/0424/HH - 18 Stanton Road Sapcote Leicester Leicestershire LE9 4FQ
Single storey front extension and new roof to the porch and garage.
Application Approved by Planning Committee on 25th July 2024
24/0455/FUL - 27 And 29 Bosworth Way, Leicester Forest East
Alteration to combine into one property and to change of use from Dwelling (C3) to Children's Care Home (C2) - For Children aged between 4 and 11.
Application Approved by Planning Committee on 25th July 2024
24/0511/OUT - Land North Of Leicester Road Sapcote
Outline Application for the residential development of up to 80 dwellings and associated infrastructure (all matters reserved except access).
Local Minor Planning Applications
24/0554/FUL - Springfield Farm Donkey Lane Sapcote Leicester Leicestershire
Conversion of outbuildings to two residential dwellings (Class C3), change of use of land to residential garden and parking.
Planning Enforcement
E24/0192/COURES – 24 Billington Road East, Elmesthorpe
Business operating on site.
PDF version of this newsletter can be downloaded from the link below.
