Land Off Welham Lane Great Bowden Design & Access Statement

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Land Off Welham Lane Great Bowden Design & Access Statement LAND OFF WELHAM LANE GREAT BOWDEN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT PREPARED BY PEGASUS GROUP | PEGASUS DESIGN ON BEHALF OF RICHBOROUGH ESTATES LTD BIR.4732_7A | NOVEMBER 2015 “ GOOD DESIGN IS A KEY ASPECT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IS INDIVISIBLE FROM GOOD PLANNING AND SHOULD CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO MAKING BETTER PLACES FOR PEOPLE’’ PARAGRAPH 56, NPPF 20 12. CONTENTS PAGE 05 1 PAGE 11 2 PAGE 17 3 PAGE 65 4 INTRODUCTION PLANNING POLICY SITE & CONTEXTUAL INVOLVEMENT CONTEXT ASSESSMENT PAGE 71 5 PAGE 81 6 PAGE 119 7 DESIGN EVOLUTION DESIGN PROPOSALS SUMMARY AND DESIGN CODE FRAMEWORK NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS DESIGNED TO BE VIEWED AS A3 DOUBLE SIDED Pegasus Design Pegasus Design 5 The Priory Old London Road Canwell Sutton Coldfield B75 5SH www.pegasuspg.co.uk I T 0121 308 9570 I F 0121 323 2215 Prepared by Pegasus Design Pegasus Design is part of Pegasus Group Ltd Prepared on behalf of Richborough Estates Ltd. November 2015 Project code BIR.4732_7A Contact: Urban Design - Charlotte Lewis COPYRIGHT The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Crown copyright. All rights reserved, Licence number 100042093. 4 LAND OFF WELHAM LANE, GREAT BOWDEN | DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT THIS STATEMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY PEGASUS DESIGN ON BEHALF OF RICHBOROUGH 1 ESTATES LTD D A O R M A THE H SITE D L A O R N O T T E U S W L A N G T O N R O A D T E E R T S N I A M LAND OFF WELHAM LANE, GREAT BOWDEN | DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT 6 01 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT Planning Statement & Statement of (c) Explain the Policy adopted as to access, Community Involvement and how policies relating to access in 1.1 This statement has been prepared by Fisher German relevant local development documents have Pegasus Design (part of Pegasus Group) been taken into account; on behalf of Richborough Estates Ltd, 1.3 This statement has been prepared in G M Pope, CP Egerton-Warburton and accordance with Article 9 of the Town (d) State what, if any, consultation has been G Worthington to accompany an outline and Country Planning (Development undertaken on issues relating to access planning application for a residential Management Procedure) (England) to the development and what account has development at land off Welham Lane, Order 2010, as amended June 2015, been taken of the outcome of any such Great Bowden, Leicestershire. All matters which requires certain applications to consultation; and be accompanied by a Design and Access are reserved, save for access. (e) Explain how any specific issues which Statement. The purpose of this statement might affect access to the development 1.2 This statement should be read in is to explain: conjunction with the following supporting have been addressed. “How the proposed development is a drawings and documents which accompany 1.5 This document has been prepared in L suitable response to the site and its the application: A accordance with: N G THE setting and demonstrate that it can be T Topographical Survey O adequately accessed by prospective • BFL12. Building for Life. The Design SITE N BWB Consulting Ltd Council 2012; and users” R O Heritage Desk Based Assessment A • Design and Access Statements and how D Cotswold Archaeology Para. 30, Panning Policy Guidance, March 2014. to write, read and use them. Commission Desk Study Site Report for Architecture and the Built Environment ASL 1.4 The Town and Country Planning (CABE) 2006. Agricultural Land Classification (Development Management Procedure) D ADAS UK Ltd (England) Order 2010 (as amended 2013) O A W E L H A M R Arboricultural Survey also states the following requirements: Midland Forestry Ltd “(2) An application for planning permission Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to which this article applies shall be & Landscape strategy accompanied by a statement (“a design and D A Tyler Grange LLP O access statement”) about: R Extended Phase 1 Ecology Survey, Bat N (a) The design principles and concepts that O Emergence & Hedgerow & Great Crested T T have been applied to the development; and U Newt Surveys S Just Ecology Ltd (b) How issues relating to access to the Transport Statement development have been dealt with. T PTB Transport Ltd M A I N S T R E E (3) A design and access statement shall: Flood Risk Assessment & Foul Water and (a) Explain the design principles and Utilities Assessment BWB Consulting Ltd concepts that have been applied to the development; Sustainability & Economic Statements Turley (b) Demonstrate the steps taken to appraise the context of the development and how Proposed Indicative Masterplan, Proposed Building Distances Plan and Site Location the design of the development takes that Plan context into account; Pegasus Design LAND OFF WELHAM LANE, GREAT BOWDEN | DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT 7 DOCUMENT FORMAT SITE AND CONTEXT OVERVIEW 1.13 The site has a shallow gradient which rises from a low of 72.7 metres AOD (above 1.6 Following this Introduction, the document 1.9 The application site (hereafter referred ordnance datum) to the north to a high of sets out a planning policy context, together to as ‘the site’) is located on the northern 78.2 metres AOD to the south. In an east- with an assessment of the site and its edge of Great Bowden, a predominantly west direction, the site falls very slightly context. A summary of consultation and residential village situated approximately from 76.7 metres to 75.0 metres AOD. engagement then follows. An overview of 6 kilometres to the south of Market the proposal is provided in Section 6, which Harborough. The site falls within the 1.14 Access to the eastern area of the site can sets out key principles of the proposal jurisdiction of Harborough District Council be gained from Welham Lane which leads and a high level design code framework in and Leicestershire County Council. southwards into Great Bowden via the A6 the context of the criteria of Building for to the north. Access can also be gained via 1.10 Great Bowden has a distinctive and Life 12. A summary then concludes the Langton Road which borders the western characterful two part settlement pattern document. site boundary. Both streets conjoin with which straddles a railway line. The village Welham Road before heading further 1.7 This Design and Access Statement is comprises a diverse range of buildings of southwards into the village centre. structured as follows: varying ages, types and architectural styles set amongst a network of landscaped 1.15 No Public Rights of Way exist within the Section 1 Introduction greens and open spaces. The majority of site. The site leads to an adjacent public Section 2 Planning Policy context the village is designated a Conservation footpath to the west which can be accessed via Langton Road. As part of a wider Section 3 Site and contextual assessment Area and has retained a distinct non-urban character and physical separation from network, this route provides links to Market Section 4 Involvement Market Harborough. Harborough to the south and Foxton to the Section 5 Design Evolution west. 1.11 Local amenities and services are located Section 6 Design proposals and design code within the central part of the village which 1.16 Welham Road meets with Welham Lane framework is situated approximately 350 metres to the to the north, Nether Green to the east Section 7 Summary south of the site, on Dingley Road and Main and Langton Road to the west and is an Street. Great Bowden Academy is located established residential street comprising a RICHBOROUGH ESTATES off Gunnsbrook Close in the southern area Grade II listed building, detached 2 storey of the village and is situated approximately houses and bungalows. 1.8 Richborough Estates Ltd specialises in 780 metres from the site. The Robert Smyth 1.17 Great Bowden Conservation Area borders identifying brownfield and greenfield Academy is the closest secondary school the northern edge of the village and clips development opportunities for residential and is situated in Market Harborough, 2 the south eastern edge of the site in front of and commercial use. Richborough Estates kilometres to the south of the village. the juncture of Welham Road and Welham operates across the UK with a proven Lane. track record for successfully delivering 1.12 The site is sustainably located on the high quality and responsive developments. northern urban edge of Great Bowden The company works very closely with with countryside extending beyond to the the landowner, local communities, local north and west of the site. Centered upon planning officers and Parish Councils to National Grid reference SP 745892, the site create the most mutually beneficial plans. is 22.05 acres/ 8.93 hectares in size and comprises two fields of improved grassland Further information can be found at: with small woodland copses and a number www.richboroughestates.co.uk of species-poor hedgerows and trees. The site is presently used for sheep and cattle grazing. 8 LAND OFF WELHAM LANE, GREAT BOWDEN | DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT DESIGN VISION: 1.23 The overall vision is based upon the following design principles: 1.18 This Design and Access Statement is 1.19 The over-arching vision for land off submitted to accompany the following Welham Lane, Great Bowden, is to create • To provide the right ingredients for a description of development: an attractive, high quality and sustainable balanced new community based on a sustainable movement framework which ‘Outline planning permission for neighbourhood that responds positively to its urban and landscape surroundings.
Recommended publications
  • Network Rail MHLSI Works.Pub
    Midland Main Line Electrification programme 247 KEY MMLe — Midland Main Line Red potenal locaon of Hs2 Brown Leicester to Burton Line Purple West Coast Main Line Green Birmingham to ugby Black other lines Yellow diamonds %uncons POST HENDY REVIEW—UPDATE The Hendy Enhancements delivery plan update (Jan 2016) Electrification of the Midland Main Line has resumed under plans announced as part of Sir Peter Hendy’s work to reset Network Rail’s upgrade programme. Work on electrifying the Midland Main Line, the vital long-distance corridor that serves the UK’s industrial heartland, will continue alongside the line-speed and capacity improvement works that were already in hand. Electrification of the line north of Bedford to Kettering and Corby is scheduled to be completed by 2019, and the line north of Kettering to Leicester, Derby/Nottingham and Sheffield by 2023. Outputs The Midland Main line Electrification Programme known as the MMLe is split into two key output dates, the first running from 2014-2019 (known as CP5) and the second, 2019-2023 (CP6). There are a number of sub projects running under the main MMLe programme which are delivering various improvements in the Leicestershire area. Each sub project has dependencies with each other to enable the full ES001- Midland Main Line electrification programme to be achieved A number of interfaces and assumptions link to these programmes and their sub projects will affect Leicestershire. ES001A- Leicester Capacity The proposed 4 tracking between Syston and Wigston is located under sub project ES001A - Leicester Capacity which can be found on page 27 of Network Rails enhancements delivery plan .
    [Show full text]
  • Location and History Setting
    LOCATION AND HISTORY Great Bowden lies midway between Leicester and Northampton on the Leicestershire side of the county boundary, surrounded by the rich pastureland of the Welland Valley and located in hunting country. Although almost contiguous to the town of Market Harborough, Great Bowden retains its individuality and village character. The two settlements were formally separated in 1995 when Great Bowden was granted parish status. The village comprises approximately 449 houses and had a population of 1017 according to the 2011 census Aerial Photograph of Great Bowden and the surrounding hills Great Bowden, mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), was once the centre of a Saxon royal estate. By royal charter (1203) its neighbour, Market Harborough, was established as a trading centre, which became the commercial staging post in the district. Although Market Harborough now dominates the area, Great Bowden still maintains its separate identity, with Agriculture continuing to be the main local economy. Towards the end of the 19th century until the l920's Great Bowden was well known for its horse breeding, which has since been replaced by its hunting interests,being the base for the Fernie Hunt. The construction of the Grand Union Canal in 1809 provided a fuel supply and transport system for the local brickyard, whose products are still in evidence in the village. The canal's brief period of importance was challenged by the construction of the local railway in 1850, which split the village in half, compromising its historic integrity. In recognition of its special character a large part of the settlement has been designated a Conservation Area, which includes most of the older buildings within the village.
    [Show full text]
  • Church Langton Settlement Profile Introduction
    Church Langton Settlement Profile Introduction General Location: Church Langton village (lying north) along with East Langton village (lying south) both constitute the civil parish of East Langton (hereby referred to as ‘Church Langton’), as well as both being part of five villages known collectively as ‘the Langtons’ (with Tur Langton to the north, West Langton to the west, and Thorpe Langton to the East). Beyond the parish’s borders with other Langton villages, the village also borders Great Bowden to the south and Stonton Wyville to the north-east. Church Langton lies 5 miles north of Market Harborough, and 4 miles east of Kibworth with the A6 passing less than 1 mile south of the parish. The 13th century-constructed Church of St Peter is the parish’s most distinguished feature; a collegiate-type church of strikingly large proportions that sits 400ft above sea-level whilst also forming the parish’s historic separation. Overall, the parish is linear in form, stretching for almost 2 miles (north-south), with most community services and facilities being centrally located. East Langton is separated from Church Langton by Langton Road that dissects the parish into a northerly and southerly area. Langton Brook runs west-east through the southern tip of the parish, before joining the River Welland to the east. The East Midlands Trains line also crosses the southerly tip of the parish in a similar movement. The village of Church Langton is identified as a Selected Rural Village in the Core Strategy and as such, is outlined as a settlement that would potentially benefit from the support of limited development such as rural housing.
    [Show full text]
  • Market Harborough Neighbourhood Profile 2008
    Market Harborough Neighbourhood Profile 2008 Harborough Priority Neighbourhood Profile Central Market Harborough April 2008 Produced by the Research and Information Team, Chief Executive’s Department, County Hall, Leicestershire County Council 1 Market Harborough Neighbourhood Profile 2008 CONTACTS For further information please contact: Neighbourhood Profiles Economic Research Crime and Disorder Rosemary Sutton Harry Mistry Jefferson Hardy Research & Information Team Research & Information Team Research & Information Team Leicestershire County Council Leicestershire County Council Leicestershire County Council County Hall County Hall County Hall Glenfield Glenfield Glenfield LE3 8RA LE3 8RA LE3 8RA T: 0116 305 7262 T: 0116 305 7259 T: 0116 305 7419 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Land Use Demography Census / Community Information Alex Lea Felicity Manning Robert Radburn Research & Information Team Research & Information Team Research & Information Team Leicestershire County Council Leicestershire County Council Leicestershire County Council County Hall County Hall County Hall Glenfield Glenfield Glenfield LE3 8RA LE3 8RA LE3 8RA T: 0116 305 6803 T: 0116 305 7260 T: 0116 305 6891 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 2 Market Harborough Neighbourhood Profile 2008 CONTENTS 4 Purpose of Report Older People 5 Boundary Maps 27 Benefits take up and Older People 6 Aerial View 7 Demographic Profile Economic Development 9 Ethnicity and Religion 28 Employment 29 Unemployment
    [Show full text]
  • East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement Introduction
    East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement Introduction This Consultation Statement has been prepared to fulfil the legal obligations of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012. Section 15(2) of Part 5 of the Regulations sets out what a Consultation Statement should contain. According to the Regulations, a Consultation Statement:: a) contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan; b) explains how they were consulted; c) summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted; d) describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. This document provides a record of the engagement that took place at the various stages of the plan’s evolution. The main methods used to publicise the consultation and engagement process are documented, along with the main findings from the engagement. Figure 1 – Neighbourhood Area. Designated on 9 October 2013 Page 1 of 11 Regulations and government guidance: Stage 1: deciding to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan The Parish Council (PC) took the decision to undertake a Neighbourhood Plan at its meeting on 15 July 2013 Stage 2: defining the neighbourhood The Parish Council applied to the local planning authority on 9 August 2013 to designate the neighbourhood as identified above. A formal engagement period provided members of the public and other key stakeholders an opportunity to submit comment on the proposed neighbourhood plan area and proposed neighbourhood planning body for East Langton. The proposed neighbourhood planning body was East Langton Parish Council and the proposed neighbourhood planning area is shown in Fig 1 above.
    [Show full text]
  • Langtons' and District Newsletter
    Langtons’ and District Newsletter Spring Edition 2020 February Fill Dyke An old saying goes, "February fill dyke, be black or be it white; Be it white, 'tis better to like." This roughly means that rain and snow are both welcome in February, although snow is preferable. Well it’s certainly been black this year. Harborough District Council are encouraging parish councils to put in place Community Response Plans in the event of an incident such as severe weather. Tur Langton Parish Council has theirs and East Langton Parish Council’s is nearly completed (see p 7). The plan provides a guide as to how and where the local community may support the Emergency services in terms of information and providing predetermined resources where appropriate. Let’s hope we never have to use it. Keep safe. Roz Folwell Stonton Wyville taken by G. Devereaux-Batchelor Printed by Omniprint, Market Harborough 1 2 Church Langton CE (AIDED) Primary School Young Voices The pupils in years five and six were very fortunate to have the opportunity to perform as part of a six thousand strong choir at the Young Voices concert at the Birmingham Arena. Supported by a very keen team of teachers, the children sang with a wide range of acts including Tony Hadley and alongside street dance group Urban Sounds. This is part of our ongoing opportunities for the pupils to take part in musical performances to different audiences. As part of the Spark Festival, a celebration of the arts taking place in Leicester during February, we were delighted to welcome an IndoJazz band to perform to the children.
    [Show full text]
  • Council, Minutes, 2019, 10, 02
    Minutes 2/10/19 East Langton Parish Council Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting 2nd October 2019 held at the Community Hall, Church Langton at 7.30 p.m. Present: Cllr M Browne, Cllr R. Folwell (chair), Cllr H Munro. In attendance: Alison Gibson (clerk) Action 1. 137/19 - To receive apologies for absence and to consider whether to approve reasons – Cllr John Loney, away. Cllr Stuart Cartwright, prior commitment. It was resolved to approve these reasons for absence District Councillors Phil King and Simon Whelband 2. 138/19 - Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and granting of dispensations Cllr Browne, item 11.2.1 To agree response to application 19/10475/NOT as lives in close proximity to the property, no dispensation applied for. Cllr Folwell, item 11.3 - Update on Planning application 19/00876/FUL as she lives in close proximity to the site, has a dispensation “to participate in, or participate further in any discussion of that business / matter” to the next election 3. 139/19 – to approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held 7th August 2019 - Resolved that the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7/8/19 be approved and adopted as a true record 4. 140/19– Public questions and comments on items on the agenda – none present 5. 141/19 – Chairman’s Report • Community Safety Meeting - Cllrs Folwell and Munro to discuss Cllrs Folwell taking this forward / Munro • Allotments – ongoing, no further information • Pump to go on Village Green – Clerk to resend information about checking for underground services to Cllr Folwell to that this can be Cllr investigated to enable the licence to be applied for from Folwell Leicestershire County Council.
    [Show full text]
  • Langtons' and District Newsletter
    Langtons’ and District Newsletter Spring So What Happened to Edition the Christmas Edition 2019 of the Newsletter? Well, I was just finishing laying up the edition when I slipped and fell in the garden resulting in a three and a half hour operation to put a rod in my B6047 Tur Langton right tibia leaving the fibia to find its own way back from the twist fractures I had sustained. I have to thank the surgeon’s and staff at the Royal Infirmary for the excellent care I received during my ten day stay and to all those who sent best wishes for my recovery. I’d also like to thank Sue Lambert for her help delivering the Newsletter in Thorpe Langton after she took over from Irene Ward, and for the news items she sent me over the years. We wish her well in her new home. Talking about new homes, I’d like to welcome, on behalf of the Langton Community Hall Committee, all the new residents that have just moved into Church Langton. We have had quite a number of families move into the village and we hope they settle in well and join in the community activities. Being ’out of commission’ showed how the magazine really needs help in the process of contacting advertisers and contributors, writing up articles and laying up etc. We also need someone to deliver the Newsletter in Thorpe Langton. If you think you can spare a little time every three months please let me know. And when you have an event you’re planning and have held, don’t forget to advertise and take photos to let us know what’s happening in the district.
    [Show full text]
  • East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Summary of Representations Submitted by Harborough District Council to the Independent Examiner
    East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Summary of representations submitted by Harborough District Council to the independent examiner pursuant to Regulation 17 of Part 5 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Name Policy Full Representation /Page Andrew Granger and 1. Introduction Co 1.1. Andrew Granger & Co. Ltd specialises in the promotion of strategic land for residential development and commercial uses. As a company we are heavily involved in the promotion of client’s land through various On behalf of Neighbourhood Plans and also have vast experience in contributing to the Local Plan preparation process throughout Leicester Diocesan the country. Board of Education 1.2. On behalf of our client, the Leicester Diocesan Board of Education, we have sought to work with the East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Group, in promoting the subject site, land rear of the Hanbury Centre, Church Langton (Appendix 1), for residential development. 1.3. The document provides a written submission to Harborough District Council on the East Langton Neighbourhood Plan Submission Consultation. 2. Planning Context 2.1. We have made Harborough District Council (HDC) aware of the sites availability for development through various submissions, including to the ‘Call for Sites’ as part of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). We have also submitted a response to the HDC Local Green Space Consultation in which we have objected to the designation of the site as Local Green Space. 2.2. We have informed the East Langton Parish Council of the site’s development potential. The Parish Council was informed that the site was being promoted for residential development at a meeting on 23rd December 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Foxton Neighbourhood Development Plan: Submission
    ABSTRACT The Foxton Neighbourhood Plan has given the chance for all residents and businesses to have their say on future development within the parish and influence how their neighbourhood evolves. By working together, FOXTON we have ensured that the area develops in a way that meets the needs of everyone. NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2016-2031 Foxton Neighbourhood Development Plan: Submission Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Neighbourhood Plans ...................................................................................................... 1 The Foxton Neighbourhood Plan Area ......................................................................... 1 How we prepared the Plan ............................................................................................. 1 Sustainable Development ............................................................................................... 4 Key Issues ............................................................................................................................ 4 Vision ................................................................................................................................... 5 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 5 Implementation ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Market Harborough Strolls
    Short walks in Market Harborough Strolls on your Doorstep Key This booklet contains 10 walks in and around Market Time Distance (miles / km / steps) Harborough, designed to introduce local walking opportunities. The walks range from a 15 minute stroll Type of surface/gradient to a 4 hour circular walk from Market Harborough taking Flat Gradual uphill Moderate uphill in the village of Great Bowden. There is information and grading for each walk to help you Difficulty decide which is most suitable for you. The times given are for Beginners Intermediate Advanced guidance only and may vary according to your ability and whether you stop en-route. The easiest and shortest walks are Wheelchair Pushchair Stiles / listed first. So if you fancy doing something different, the Friendly Friendly Gates challenge is to complete all the walks, building up to nearly 34000 steps! Or you could Toilets Benches Play Area just pick and choose from the ones Walking boots required, closest to home. Other Information Muddy in places Some of the routes Please remember when walking in this booklet to follow the countryside code require some and to wear appropriate clothing map reading and footwear. skills. 10 9 8 Routes 1 Rectory Lane 6 Market Harborough and back 2 Lubenham Village 7 Union Wharf 7 3 Welland Park 8 Foxton Locks 4 Little Bowden 9 Great Bowden Village Recreation ground 10 Market Harborough 5 Views from the edge and Great Bowden 6 5 2 3 1 All maps in this booklet are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Bowden Settlement Profile Introduction
    Great Bowden Settlement Profile Introduction General Location: Great Bowden lies in the Welland Valley immediately to the north of Market Harborough (approx. 0.5 miles) and south of the A6 by a similar distance. The easterly border of the parish forms the south-east edge of Harborough District, with Great Bowden lying in close proximity to the Borough of Kettering. Aside from its borders with Market Harborough (south) and Kettering Borough (east), Thorpe and East Langton parishes are to the north with both West Langton and Foxton lying to the west. Great Bowden’s parish boundaries are, in general, determined by the River Welland (to the east) and the Grand Union Canal (to the west), with Langton Brook determining the entirety of Great Bowden’s northern extremity. Great Bowden manages to retain its village identity despite its close proximity to Market Harborough through the maintenance of a physical and visual area of separation known as ‘Bowden Ridge’ which determines the mile long southern boundary that both areas share. The Midland Mainline cuts through the centre of the village as it heads north to Leicester. Great Bowden is one of the oldest settlements in Leicestershire due to its Anglo-Saxon origins and predates Market Harborough by several hundred years, with the town originally being a smaller offshoot of the wealthier and larger Great Bowden (as demonstrated by the village church; St Peter and St Paul being the Mother Church to Market Harborough’s St Dionysius). Nonetheless, the village was effectively absorbed into Market Harborough civil parish in 1927 after the town’s continuous expansion over consecutive centuries, and not re- granted independent parish status again until 1995.
    [Show full text]