General Election
It was a long 24-hour stint on polling day and overnight at the election count, held in the Leisure Centre, Loughborough. We were delighted that Peter Bedford was elected as the first MP for Mid Leicestershire.
We enjoyed the campaigning and speaking to residents, and we would like to thank everyone who came out to vote. We were expecting the turnout to be lower than usual, and it was; the average turnout across the Mid Leicestershire area was 63.53% as opposed to 69.6% in the old Charnwood constituency in 2019.
Telegraph Poles
Charnwood Planning Department were notified by BT of the proposed installations of 8 to 10 metres wooden telecommunications poles around the village. These notifications are submitted in accordance with Regulation 5 of the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 (as amended). It is a notification of intention to utilise permitted development rights and therefore there is no opportunity to object as they are installed without the need for any permissions if the location is safe on highway terms.
Below is a list of the ones we have been made aware of, but residents have contacted us about other locations around the village where notices have been attached to telegraph poles. Here is a list of the locations we have been officially informed about:
- Opposite 53 Stadon Road
- Outside 1 Bencroft Close
- Outside 35 Charles Drive
- Outside 158 Andrew Road
- Outside 7 De Montfort Court
- Rear of 52 Hollow Road
- Rear of 13 Link Road
- Outside 1 Princes Close
- Outside 63 and 85 Charles Drive
- Outside 195 Link Road
- Outside 173 Cropston Road.
We are also aware that some of these poles have been fitted in the middle of pavements and we are currently working with the highways department at the county council to raise our concerns.
Planning Refusal
As you are aware, we have been robustly objecting to various planning applications made in Anstey without, in our view, the required infrastructure to support the growth.
We were therefore relieved when we were informed that Charnwood’s Planning department had decided to refuse the planning application for 80 houses off Gorse Hill. Before the planning department could issue the refusal decision, the applicant withdrew their application.
The developer may well come back again with a revised planning application for the land, but for now, we are grateful that all our and our residents’ efforts to thwart this over-development have paid off.
Charnwood Borough Council Local Plan
A consultation is underway over proposed changes to the draft Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 as the process to develop it reaches an advanced stage.
Several phases of consultation have been carried out in recent years and the plan is currently being scrutinised by independent planning inspectors in the examination phase. Following a series of public hearings, there is now a consultation on some main modifications.
This consultation takes place from Wednesday July 17 until 5pm on Wednesday September 4.
For more information about the consultation and how to take part, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/localplan.
Paper copies of the modifications will also be placed in the Council offices in Southfield Road, Loughborough. Responses can be submitted in writing to the Local Plans Team, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2TN.
When the consultation ends, the planning inspectors will consider any comments made before writing a report to the Council about if the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 is sound (acceptable) based on the changes made as part of the main modifications’ consultation.
Fly Tipping Fines
Two fines totalling £800 have been issued following reports of fly-tipping in Charnwood.
The Borough Council is continuing to act against those illegally dumping waste in the area.
Fly-tipped domestic waste on Deans Lane in Woodhouse Eaves was reported to the Council on June 10. The fly-tip of black bags and cardboard boxes also contained evidence linking it to an individual from Loughborough who admitted to the offence, leading to a £400 fixed penalty notice.
Another £400 fine was handed out after a builder’s bag of construction waste was discovered on Anstey Lane in Thurcaston on June 12. Evidence was recovered linking it to an address in Anstey. The individual living at the address admitted to paying an unregistered third party to dispose of the waste, which was subsequently fly-tipped.
Residents are being encouraged to continue reporting issues via the online forms on the website ‘report it’ page: www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/report
People responsible for environmental offences such as fly-tipping and littering in Charnwood will now face higher fines after the Government gave councils the option to increase the fines.
The council decided to increase the fine amounts from July 1, 2024, to the rates below:
- Fly-tipping - From £400 to £1,000
- Waste duty of care - From £400 to £600
- Litter - From £150 to £500
- Fly posting and graffiti - From £150 to £500
- Non-compliance community protection notice - From £100 to £500.
Carbon Footprint and Biodiversity
Four new electric vehicles have been acquired as part of Charnwood Borough Council’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions. The new electric vehicles include two in the street management department, which have been upgraded to newer electric technology.
Two new electric vehicles have also been purchased for officers in the pest control team to use when travelling to residents around the borough.
A trial is underway to increase biodiversity in locations across Charnwood.
The Borough Council is reducing mowing in 16 locations to boost wildlife and insect numbers on land it owns as part of a three-year trial. The trials will see mowing reduced in the areas from 10 times a year to 2 and the biodiversity levels will be closely monitored to measure the increase in wildlife and insects.
The trial began in May 2024 and results will be examined before a decision is made on whether the reduced mowing schedule will continue permanently and be expanded to other areas.
If you have any issues or concerns, we are here to help.
