A Government appointed Inspector has rejected 4 out 5 planning appeals by developers and landowners and upheld the decision taken by Harborough District Council’s Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for a total of 325 houses.  The sites where planning permission has been refused are: Coles Nursery – 175 dwellings, East of Station Lane, Scraptoft […]

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning polices for England and reduces more than 1000 pages of guidance and requirements on Councils to just over 50 pages. This key document is now a “material consideration” when dealing with planning applications and preparing local plans. Since the draft NPPF was published in […]

Simon Galton has given strong support to SHIRE grant applications in Tilton and Skeffington. Both applications have recently been approved by the County Council, helping projects put forward by local communities to go ahead. A project group set up in Tilton to build a new children’s play area has worked hard over the past two […]

Leicestershire County Council is currently consulting on proposals to reduce or cut public transport in Leicestershire for students, the disabled and the elderly, which could go ahead if too few people respond to the Consultation. Local Councillor Simon Galton said: “The old phrase ‘use it or lose it’ springs to mind here. If people don’t […]

Come along and tell us what you think about the latest major planning application in Thurnby and Bushby to build 175 dwellings on the site of Coles Nursery, Uppingham Road, Thurnby. Harborough District Council (HDC) is required to identify sites for around 470 dwellings in Thurnby, Bushby and Scraptoft. Outline approval has been given for […]

The pressure to build large numbers of houses on greenfield sites in Thurnby and Scraptoft continues with the news last week that Jelsons  submitted an appeal against the Council’s decision to refuse permission for up to 130 houses off Pulford Drive in Thurnby. This means that a Government appointed Inspector will review the Council’s decision and will be able […]

Leicestershire is to have two representatives on a national board responsible for the Environment and housing issues in Local Government. Following internal party elections, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Leicestershire County Council, Simon Galton, will join David Parsons on LGA’s Environment and Housing Programme Board. One of the Board’s key responsibilities is planning […]

Following repeated arson attacks and criminal damage on the Hall in recent weeks, Cllr Amanda Burrell and I attended a site meeting on 26th May with owners of the Hall and key agencies including Planning, Building Control, English Heritage and the Police. I was shocked at the deterioration of the hall since I was last on […]

Many local residents will be pleased to hear that all four planning applications were turned down at the Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday evening, including the Davidson application which had been recommended for approval by the Planning Officers.  Having considered all the information presented, my colleague Cllr Amanda Burrell and I argued that as this […]

Planning officers at Harborough District Council have released their recommendations in respect of the 5 major planning applications In Scraptoft, Thurnby and Bushby ahead of the special Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 8th March. The full report on each application can be accessed on the Council’s website www.harborough.gov.uk. In a surprise development, the application on land south […]