August 2025 - Our Month in Review
A Place to Grow – Open Day
We spent some time earlier last month at our Place to Grow - Open Day Event.
It is an amazing place to visit.
Many thanks to all the Blaby District Council staff and volunteers that make it such a special place. Also great to see our Armed Forces Coffee morning members have their own plot.
Waste Collection Changes Consultation
The consultation ends at noon on Friday 8 August and addresses two changes for household waste management. From 31 March 2026, all Councils in England must provide a separate weekly food waste collection using designated caddies; this will help generate energy, create fertiliser, cut emissions, and reduce costs. For cardboard, starting 1 November, excess cardboard left beside recycling bins will not be collected! Cardboard must fit inside the bin with the lid closed to improve crew safety and recycling quality.
Blaby District Council Cabinet
Putting faces to the names of the new Cabinet at Blaby District Council together with their portfolio responsibilities.
Back Row, left to right:
Nick Chapman: Community & Economic Development
Les Phillimore: Housing, Community and Environmental Services
Ben Taylor: Leader of Blaby District Council
Nigel Grundy: Neighbourhood Services & Assets
Front Row:
Mike Shirley – Planning & Strategic Growth
Cheryl Cashmore: Health, Leisure, Climate and Economic Development, Deputy Leader of Blaby District Council
In July we had our Full Council at Blaby District Council.
The cabinet exec talked about much of the good work happening around the District, including:
✔️ Brockington Academy work placement - These involved students designing a new attraction, meeting different teams to see how the Council responds to such schemes.
✔️ Job and Skills Fair - Last week we ran another successful job fair event, with 23 stall holders with plenty of job vacancies on offer.
✔️ Our Armed Forces flag raising ceremony - this was on the 27th June to mark Armed Forces Day.
✔️ In-House ICT Transition - This project is now complete and brings much needed up to date technology for our officers and members, allowing us to explore new ways of working that will benefit residents.
✔️ Tourism Summit - Local partners and businesses met up at Stanton Lakes on the 18th June to see the progress of our Tourism Growth Plan.
✔️ Net Zero Week - This week we have taken part in the Net Zero week by offering specialised training for our staff to help them make greener choices.
We also agreed some key reports that included much needed affordable housing funding, increased air quality across the district and how we as an organisation are committed to eradicating modern slavery, through polices and procurement changes.
'Recipe for disaster' Leicestershire homes plan refused amid multiple concerns
Controversial plans for 98 new Leicestershire homes dubbed "a recipe for disaster" have been refused. Nearly 200 objections were raised against the plans for land north of Leicester Road in Sharnford with planning officers advising decision makers to reject the plans.
Applicant Jim Abraham had originally submitted plans for 134 homes for the land, but later reduced this to 98 when going before Blaby District Council (BDC). However, it was just as controversial with 189 objections logged against the scheme.
At BDC's planning meeting, many issues were raised about the development including highways, flooding, sewage and infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the Sharnford community, Chris Howard said: "This is not bad planning, it's a recipe for disaster."
He continued: "Firstly, inadequate road infrastructure and HGV traffic volume. Our own network is not fit for this scale of development. The B4114, a former trunk road, remains overrun by traffic and heavy goods vehicles. The Sharnford traffic action group has recorded over 1,000 HGVs passing through our village on day one. No new infrastructure is proposed, no bypass, no mitigation."
Mr Howard also claimed the area's sewage system was "already at breaking point" and frequently "backs up". He said: "This isn't a rare event, it's part of a recurring unresolved problem. The utility provider has given no indication of how it would support additional demand."
Mr Howard was not alone in his criticism as Councillor for BDC's Fosse Highcross ward and Chairman of Sharnford Parish Council, Mike Shirley, also spoke against the plans. He said the parish council fully supported the planning officer's recommendation to refuse the application on the grounds that Sharnford is designated as a smaller village.
He claimed the highways authority's view that the scheme would not adversely impact traffic was a "blinkered view". He added: "We assert that the cumulative impact of already approved housing applications in Sapcote, Broughton Astley, Croft, Cosby, and Burbage, and the potential three new villages on land west of Stoney Stanton, in addition to the recently approved biodigester one mile from Sharnford, will all feed traffic onto the B4114 through Sharnford."
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Ronan Donohoe said he believed council officers' recommendation to reject the homes was "flawed". He said: "No other approved scheme in Blaby combines open market, affordable, and self-built housing. According to the housing strategy officer, the developer has exceeded affordable housing policy obligations"
He said amenities and local services were "all within a reasonable walking distance" and boasted "dedicated lit footways". Mr Donohoe argued that BDC's case officers had "incorrectly weighted multiple benefits and disbenefits" from the scheme and had leant "clearly out of kilter", focusing on perceived negatives instead.
He added: "The conclusion is, in our view, flawed."
Amid the concerns, BDC councillors voted in line with recommendations and unanimously refused the proposal.
Councillor Activities
The following is just a brief review of July’s activities and a plan for August with the emphasis on Fosse Highcross Ward. During August, Blaby District councillor committee meetings and the Fosse Highcross parish
council meetings are in recess, returning to a full timetable in September. Your district councillors Ben and Mike will continue through August with their cabinet roles, attending many meetings with council officers and residents.
JULY
· Monthly catch-up with Blaby DC executive director – 1st
· Licensing & Regulatory Training – 1
· Veteran Coffee Morning – 2nd
· Jobs & Skills Fair – 2nd
· Sharnford fete committee wash-up – 2nd
· Portfolio Holder Catch-up – 3rd
· Planning Obligations Committee – 3rd
· Planning Committee observation, + speak on Sharnford application – 3rd
· Sapcote Parish Council Meeting – 3rd
· Blaby District Council Meeting – 8th
· Lubbesthorpe Health Centre Opening Ceremony – 11th
· Local Development Group – 15th
· Sharnford Parish Council Meeting – 17th
· A5 Transport Partnership – County Hall – 18th
· Portfolio Holder Catch-up – 30th
· Planning Committee Observation – 31st
News Release
· Public air quality portal goes live
· New affordable housing scheme supported
· Tourism project challenge for students
· Supported homes project launch
· Housing bid for golf course rejected
New Local Plan
We continue to work on our Local Plan which will guide growth across the District up to 2041, shaping where housing, employment and retail sites should be developed and where development should be restricted. Regular meetings of district councillors and officers, chaired by Cllr Mike Shirley, will be held leading up to the November Reg.19 date.
May 2025 Update
Due to the Government’s revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the impact of the imposition of mandatory housing targets, the Council is taking the opportunity to review and refresh some key evidence, and to engage with strategic partners, to ensure the plan is compliant with the new legislation. As such, the Council now intends to publish the Regulation 19 Local Plan in November 2025.
The Regulation 19 provides an opportunity for public consultation on the Local Plan. Following on from the consultation phase, revisions will be made to the Local Plan before it is submitted for Examination. At the Examination stage the Local Plan will be examined by an independent Inspector who will consider the Plan against the Government’s criteria.
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
The Planning Committee has been actively reviewing these applications as part of the district’s ongoing development initiatives. Particular attention is being given to the impact of these projects on local infrastructure, green spaces, and community amenities, ensuring that future growth aligns with sustainable and inclusive planning principles. Upcoming meetings will further address the concerns raised during public consultations, with an emphasis on balancing housing needs and preserving the unique character of each area.
24/0760/OUT - Land off Sycamore Way, Littlethorpe
Outline application for erection of up to 14 dwellings
Application deferred by Planning Committee on 3rd July 2025
24/0834/OUT - Land north of Leicester Road, Sharnford
Outline application for erection of up to 98 dwellings
Application refused on officer’s recommendation by Planning Committee on 3rd July 2025
25/0104/RM - Land of Foston Road / Leicester Road, Countesthorpe
Reserved Matters application for erection of up to 170 dwellings
Application approved on officer’s recommendation by Planning Committee on 3rd July 2025
24/0574/OUT – Blaby Golf Range, Lutterworth Road, Blaby
Outline application for redevelopment of site with up to 200 residential dwellings.
Application refused on officer’s recommendation for by Planning Committee on 31st July 2025
25/0267/OUT – Thurlaston Sawmills Ltd, Enderby Road, Thurlaston
Demolition of existing industrial building and erection of Research & Development buildings.
Application approved on officer’s recommendation by Planning Committee on 31st July 2025
25/0459/FUL – Enderby Leisure Centre, Mill Lane, Enderby
First floor extension to replace existing conservatory.
Application approved on officer’s recommendation by Planning Committee on 31st July 2025
Minor Planning Applications in Fosse Highcross
25/0494/HH - Easton House Hinckley Road Aston Flamville Hinckley Leicestershire
Erection of boundary wall and gates (includes part demolition/rebuild of existing boundary wall)
Planning Appeals in Fosse Highcross
25/0755/HH – 12 Buckinghams Way, Sharnford
Appeal to Secretary of State against Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for new pitched roof and dormer extension to existing annexe.
A5 Members Partnership
National Highways Update – 18th July 2025
Part of Mike Shirley’s role is to represent Blaby District Council on the A5 Members Partnership, which is attended by over 80 members including MP’s, County Councillors, Town, City, District & Borough Councillors, who all represent counties, districts, and cities which are affected by the A5 which is part of the Strategic Road Network and passes through their areas of responsibility in the Midlands.
The detailed schemes that affect Fosse Highcross ward are as follows:
M69 to Gibbet Hill Roundabout – potential options for improvement – April to July 2026
Hinckley Railway Bridge – 3 to 4 full weekend closures of A5. Diversion routes to be confirmed – Construction dates to be confirmed.
High Cross & Smockington Hollow – urgent work to address 200m of drainage ditch reprofiling work. Improvement to signage, introduction of red surfacing within High Cross junction to improve awareness of junction. Introduction of VAS signage to alert drivers on the A5 of vehicles waiting at High Cross to enter carriageway. – Dates to be confirmed for 2026/27 with additional funding being sought.
Bike Safe
With the aim of improving the safety and awareness of motorcyclists across the region National Highways has entered into an agreement for discounted BikeSafe courses available to the general public.
We have 147 discounted places available on these BikeSafe courses, but the offer will only be available until 31/3/26, so we’d encourage people to get in touch if they want to take advantage of the opportunity. The BikeSafe course is usually £84, but with the voucher it would cost just £49. The course will give motorcyclists advice and guidance, both theory and practical, in how to ride safely and keep themselves safe while riding. More information is available at: https://bikesafe.co.uk/derbyshire/
All Police Forces across the Midlands, except for Nottinghamshire, offer the BikeSafe courses, and the discount should be honoured with all of the region’s forces. Residents of Nottinghamshire would still be able to join a course, but it would have to be in another county.
PDF version of this newsletter can be downloaded from the link below.
