Within the past 48 hours we have been informed that an outline planning application for around 250 dwellings on the two fields to the east of Pulford Drive has been submitted to Harborough District Council (HDC). The application has been made by Jelson Ltd who own most of the fields immediately bordering the houses on Pulford Drive. Access to the site would be via the two gaps left when Pulford Drive was extended in the 1980’s and all traffic would exit onto Station Road/Lane.

The fields that Jelson want to build on are currently outside the “limits to development” for Thurnby and Scraptoft and are therefore classed as “greenfield” land. However, the Government requires HDC to allocate land for approximately 2800 dwellings over the next 15 years. As reported in a recent Focus, the Council was due to publish a new Local Plan known as the Core Strategy for consultation in January. This will set out how much development should take place over the plan period and identify broad locations. The Strategy has been delayed until September due to concerns about traffic implications and this has resulted in several developers deciding not to wait for the strategy and submitting speculative planning applications.

What happens next? Thurnby and Bushby Parish Council is holding its Annual Parish Meeting next Monday, 10th May in Fernvale School Hall at 7.30pm. The application is in the process of being registered by the Council but by Monday we hope to have more information and copies of the plans. Please come along to the meeting and find out more about what is being proposed. Your local councillors will also be asking HDC to hold a public meeting as part of the formal consultation process on the planning application.

As information becomes available we will put it on this website  including how to view the plans on the HDC website as soon as we know the application’s reference number. We can also keep you informed by email if you send your email address to us at thurnbyhoughtonward@yahoo.co.uk

Watch this space!!!!!