Environment and Planning

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Environment Report - May 2025

The main thrust is looking at how best to manage and improve what the parish has already got. The message here is to do the minimum necessary for safety and keeping public paths clear. So, let the wild flowers grow round trees and at the back of wide verges, for example. Management means understanding what is actually required and the correct time of year to do it. For example, all our Public Footpaths through the parish have different care needs, even the same footpath at different points. Our hedges need cutting at different times – in August if vision splays are compromised or in March to allow berries to develop for winter feed for birds.

TABS continues to try and look after the Manor Field Pond. It was frustrating that wet conditions prevented the annual clear-out with the digger and now there isn’t enough water! Efforts continue to build up the plants in the surrounding meadow, marsh and woodland habitat.

The bushes on the Telford Way Green are steadily getting more established and generally looking good. Please could locals water them if we get a dry spell(!).

Judith Lord May 2025

Planning Report - May 2025

TABS monitors planning at both the strategic and local level and has responded where these would adversely affect the area.

Starting with the local Planning Applications we have, as usual, checked these throughout the year and responded to HDC on any which might affect the parish as a whole or might set an unwelcome precedent. It has been a relatively quiet year. Some items of note:

The 73-bed Care Home for Cinnamon Luxury Care commenced construction last December. TABS was concerned that the sand bank at the back of the site, which had some holes in it, should be inspected for possible resident badgers. This was done and no animals were found.

Lidl have proposed a store off Zouche Way. This has had a mixed reception and HDC has yet to decide whTether to approve it.

Land adjacent to Manor Field. Bungalows have been proposed here plus an extra car park for Manor Field, which would ease the present parking issues for the recreational area and Café 55.

The proposed Scraptoft North development of 1200 houses on the Golf Course north of Scraptoft has proved to be not viable (poor road access, buried asbestos and the cost of providing affordable housing and community amenities). So HDC had to find an alternative location for these houses in Thurnby, Bushby & Scraptoft. This they have done in the:- 

Harborough District New Local Plan which is an update of the current Local Plan to extend its validity to 2041. HDC has produced a draft plan detailing their ambitions for the future development of the District. This includes their proposed policies for meeting the Government requirements for house building.

New sites for housing are proposed East of Zouche Way and South of Covert Lane. 

The Plan also deals with all other aspects relevant to the future of the District such as roads, business premises, the green and blue environment, climate change etc. TABS responded to the Consultation and supported many of these policies as they would benefit all of us. However, we objected to the intrusive location of proposed future housing sites and the problems they will generate for the area.

Neighbourhood Plans allow local communities to set planning policies and they are taken into account by Planning Authorities when deciding whether to approve planning applications. Thurnby and Bushby started producing a Neighbourhood Plan but this halted with Covid. There are now plans to pick it up again. TABS has previously offered help, particularly on environmental aspects when required.

TABS will continue to respond to future consultations and planning applications where appropriate.

Mike Lord  May 2025​