Agenda Reports Pack

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby summon you to attend a meeting of the COUNCIL to be held in the Council Offices, Station Road, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2DR on TUESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2010 at 7.00 pm for the transaction of the business set out in the Agenda below.

Yours faithfully

Council Offices Wigston 21 September 2010

Chief Executive

A G E N D A Page No’s

1. The Meeting will be called to order to receive the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and Members are asked to remain standing while the Meeting is led in Prayer. 2. Apologies for absence 3. Declarations of Interests 4. To read, confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held 1 - 5 on 20 July 2010 (attached) 5. Mayor's Announcements, to include:- (a) Schedule of Engagements (attached) 6 (b) Forthcoming Charity and Council Events (c) Correspondence, if any 6. Petitions and Deputations 7. Notices of Motion 8. Leader's Statement(s) 9. Reports of the Chief Executive (attached) (a) Report of Constitutional Task Group 7 - 11 10. Reports of the Director of Community Services (attached) (a) Oadby and Wigston Core Strategy – Adoption 12 - 170

11. To receive the Minutes of meetings of the following Committees, Forums and Outside Bodies : (attached) (a) Development Control Committee - 8 July 2010 171 - 175 (b) Minutes of Reconvened Meeting of Development Control 176 - 180 Committee - 14 July 2010 (c) Youth Forum - 15 July 2010 181 - 184 (d) Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 26 July 2010 185 - 187 (e) Highways Forum - 29 July 2010 188 - 196 (f) Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership - 2 August 2010 197 - 199 (g) Place Shaping Working Group - 3 August 2010 200 - 205 (h) Multicultural Group - 4 August 2010 206 - 207 (i) Development Control Committee - 5 August 2010 208 - 212 (j) Residents' Services Committee - 10 August 2010 213 - 218 (k) Senior Citizens Forum - 16 August 2010 219 (l) Standards Committee - 23 August 2010 220 - 223 (m) Wigston Residents' Forum - 23 August 2010 224 - 227 (n) South Wigston Residents' Forum - 24 August 2010 228 - 232 (o) Oadby Residents' Forum - 25 August 2010 233 - 237 (p) Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 26 August 2010 238 - 242 (q) Development Control Committee - 2 September 2010 243 - 247 (r) Resources and Regeneration Committee - 14 September 2010 248 - 252 12. To authorise the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to all contracts, orders, deeds and other documents arising out of the Minutes and reports referred to in the foregoing items 13. Reports of Members appointed by the Council to serve on Outside Bodies 14. The Press and Public are likely to be excluded from the remainder of the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (Exempt Information) 15. Judicial Review (Oral report by the Head of Legal and Licensing)

TO ASSIST THE MAYOR IN CHAIRING THE MEETING, MEMBERS WHO ARE INTENDING TO PRESENT REPORTS OF OUTSIDE BODIES ARE REQUESTED TO LET THE CLERK (D ALLEN) KNOW BY MONDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, PLEASE) Agenda Item 4

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON 0N TUESDAY, 20 JULY 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor M Griffiths - Mayor

Councillor Mrs L M Broadley – Deputy Mayor

Councillors: T S Biring, G A Boulter, J W Boyce, K M A Brown, M O Carrara, M H Charlesworth, Mrs E M Connell, Mrs S A Dickinson, Mrs L Eaton, Ms C L Edmonston, C S Gore, Mrs J M Gore, Mrs S Z Haq, P A Hings, J Kaufman, Mrs H E Loydall, K J Loydall, Mrs R I Sylvester and J Vickerstaff (21)

Independent Members of Standards Committee: Messrs C Caban, D Henderson and G D England.

Officers: D Walton, M Cregg, Mrs A Court, Mrs D Watson and D Allen.

Apologies for absence were received from: Councillors L A Bentley, Mrs S A Dickinson, D A Gamble, R E R Morris and Mrs S B Morris.

Min . Narrative Officer Ref. Responsible

11. PRAYERS

The meeting was led in prayer by Reverend Mrs E Price

12. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

No declarations of interests were made at this point.

13. MINUTES

In regard to Minute 55(d) of Council held on 20 April 2010 (Members’ Allowance Scheme 2010-2011 – Report of Independent Remuneration Panel), the meeting noted the comment made at the time that the Opposition would not be voting in favour of the report’s recommendations. Subsequently, discussion took place to differentiate between a recorded vote and the right to require an individual vote to be recorded (as provided for in Council Rules 16.5 and 16.6) and advice was given in this regard by the Head of Legal and Licensing.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held DWA on 20 April 2010 and those of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 11 May 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

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14. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a) Schedule of Engagements: The meeting noted the events attended by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor since the previous meeting, as shown in Report page 13.

(b) Forthcoming Charity and Council Events : Attention was drawn to the following:- • The Civic Dinner to be held in the Club Room at Leicester Racecourse on Saturday, 30 October 2010. • The Civic Service to be held at the Baptist Church at Oadby on Sunday, 7 November 2010

(c) Correspondence : On behalf of the Council, the Mayor had sent a letter of congratulations to Mrs Sandhu, Head Teacher of Oadby Launde School, in recognition of her award of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Honours List.

15. LEADER’S STATEMENT(S)

Councillor Boyce referred to the change of Government and, at a time of uncertainty, he felt unable to comment on the impact that this would on the Council and the services it provides. Certain regimes of inspection were to be changed or abandoned, including Comprehensive Area Assessment, and advice had been received to ignore the Regional Spatial Strategy. In the light of the latter and the uncertainty this might bring, Councillor Boyce commented that a watching brief would be kept on the progress of a County Council planning application involving a sizeable residential proposal at Hospital Lane, Blaby, which might have some impact on the Borough.

In the face of the Spending Review in October, it was felt that the Council was in a reasonable position to withstand it effects while noting that the Government would encourage Councils to have a zero percentage Council Tax rise next year. Despite this, the Council could be reasonably assured that service levels would be maintained. Councillor Boyce undertook to report further in this regard as the situation became clearer.

At this point, the Mayor announced that there would be an additional, urgent item of business to consider prior to the conclusion of the meeting.

16. REPORTS OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Consideration was given to the reports of the Chief Executive as set out in report pages 14-19, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

(a) Governance of the Council’s New Operating Model

In introducing the report, Councillor Boyce drew particular attention to the Diagram of the Operating Model (page 15 refers), explaining how it had evolved and that further changes may occur later, bringing a higher

Page 2

degree of democracy. It was noted that some of the names of the Committees and other bodies were likely to be changed.

Moving the adoption of the report’s recommendations, Councillor Boyce explained that the Constitutional Task Group would report its initial views to Members at a special meeting, then review and refine its proposals before bringing a final report to Council for approval. Members heard that matters concerning responsibilities for finance and resources would also be considered by the Task Group, though it was envisaged that the strategic committee would set budgets and, thereafter, the service committee would operate the services within the constraints of the budget. It was noted that the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership would now be known as the Community Safety Partnership.

A motion by Councillor C Gore to have a Member of the Opposition as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was withdrawn on the understanding that the proposal would be referred for consideration by the Constitutional Task Group.

RESOLVED: That (1) The proposed governance arrangements be approved and adopted; and (2) The Constitutional Task Group develops the detail of the governance MH/AC arrangements and reports back to the Council.

(b) Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

The Head of Legal and Licensing explained the reasoning for commencing the review process in good time ahead of next year’s May Local Elections and added that account would be taken of the feedback/representations made following the recent General Election. The meeting noted the consultation arrangements prior to the final report to the November meeting of the Resources and Regeneration Committee. It was requested that the outcome of the consultations be brought before all Members prior to the Resources and Regeneration Committee meeting to allow for all Councillors views to be taken into account.

RESOLVED: That the timetable to carry out the review of Parliamentary GJW polling districts and polling stations, as outlined in the report, be approved.

17. MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES, FORUMS AND OUTSIDE BODIES

From the Chair, the Mayor moved acceptance of the Minutes listed below. (a) Multicultural Group – 7 April 2010 (b) Development Control Committee – 8 April 2010 (c) Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership – 12 April 2010. (d) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 27 April 2010. (e) Development Control Committee – 10 May 2010. (f) Senior Citizens’ Forum – 12 May 2010. (g) Youth Forum – 25 May 2010.

Page 3 (h) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 26 May 2010. (i) Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership – 7 June 2010. (j) Multicultural Group – 8 June 2010 (k) South Wigston Residents’ Forum – 9 June 2010. (l) Development Control Committee – 10 June 2010 (m) Residents’ Services Committee – 15 June 2010. (n) Oadby Residents’ Forum – 16 June 2010. (o) Place Shaping Working Group – 17 June 2010. (p) Standards Committee – 21 June 2010 (q) Wigston Residents’ Forum – 21 June 2010. (r) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 24 June 2010. (s) Resources and Regeneration Committee – 29 June 2010 (t) Licensing and Regulatory Committee – 7 July 2010.

In connection with Minute 4 of the Overview and Scrutiny meeting held on 26 May 2010, Councillors Boyce, Mrs Gore, Kaufman, Mrs Loydall and Swift declared interests and vacated the Chamber during the consideration of those Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes only. Councillor Charlesworth declared an interest and remained in the meeting. Reference was made to an article appearing in a local newspaper that called into question the process adopted by the Council in the selection of advice provision for the Borough. The Head of Legal and Licensing outlined the process and assured Members that the action taken had been correct, and undertook to respond to the author of the article to avoid the risk of Councillors becoming involved.

Regarding minute 4(k) of the Resources and Regeneration Committee meeting of 29 June 2010 – Internal Audit Report, Councillor C Gore agreed that the unissued reports should be brought before the Committee, but it was an explanation about the period of time taken to conduct an audit concerning housing rents/benefits that had not been budgeted for that was sought. At that time, it had been agreed to report back on the matter to the next meeting of the Committee as an exempt item, if necessary. Councillor Boulter responded, giving an explanation how the situation had arisen. The Interim Director of Resources provided further background information and it was agreed that a report be submitted, as requested.

Councillor Mrs Gore drew attention to typing errors in the minutes at pages 37 and 107.

Upon a motion by the Mayor, duly seconded and carried, it was

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Committees and Forums listed at (a) to (t) above be received, subject to the matters raised above.

At this point, the Mayor took the opportunity to introduce and welcome Mr C Caban and Mr D Henderson who had recently been appointed as Independent Members of the Standards Committee.

18. COMMON SEAL

RESOLVED: That the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to all contracts, orders, deeds and other documents arising out of the Minutes and Reports in the foregoing items.

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19. REPORTS OF MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL TO SERVE ON OUTSIDE BODIES

There were no such reports at this meeting.

20. ITEM ADMITTED TO THE MEETING UNDER SECTION 100B (4)(b) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

By reason of special circumstance in that an additional item of business needed to be considered before the next meeting of the Council, the Mayor was of the opinion that the following items should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.

21. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Messrs Caban, England, Henderson and Allen left the meeting at this point (7.45 p.m.)

22. JOB EVALUATION

The meeting received a report from the Head of Legal and Licensing, copies of which were circulated at the meeting. The recommendations contained in the report were approved and adopted. Councillor Charlesworth requested that the relevant department ensures appropriate steps are put into place for the future to deal with any further such matters.

The meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.

Page 5 Agenda Item 5a Events attended by Mayor 12 July – 19 September 2010

1. 1st Oadby Boys’ Brigade Awards Evening at Oadby Baptist Church 2. Greeting Judges of East Midlands in Bloom at OWBC 3. Presentation of certificate for Schools’ Gardens Competition at Little Hill Primary School, Wigston 4. Leicester University Summer Degree Congregation at De Montfort Hall, Leicester 5. University of Leicester Senate and Council Dinner at Beaumont Hall, Oadby 6. Age Concern Oadby & Wigston Community Fun Day at Age Concern, Wigston 7. Networking/Open Evening at Oadby and Wigston Muslim Association Community Centre, Oadby 8. Chairman of Leicestershire County Council’s Reception at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse Eaves 9. Fun Day at Cedar Court and Magna Care Centre, Wigston 10. Opening of Multi Faith Centre at South Leicestershire College 11. Green Flag Raising Ceremony at Peace Memorial Park, Wigston 12. Multicultural Group AGM and Social Event at OWBC 13. Civic Visit to Leicester Children’s Holiday Centre, Mablethorpe 14. Summer Sports Programme Presentations at Uplands Park, Oadby and Willow Park, Wigston 15. Annual Rent Day – “Ceremony of the Socks” at Wigston Framework Knitters Museum 16. Official Launch of Leicestershire Walking Week at Watermead Park, Syston 17. Drinks Reception to Celebrate 150 th Anniversary of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce at Leicester Stage Hotel, Wigston 18. Supersonicboom ‘Make Some Noise’ 2010 Family Fun Day at Blaby Road Park, South Wigston 19. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Beating Retreat and Reception at Oakham 20. Student Award Evening at Guthlaxton College, Wigston 21. Opening of ‘The Gift Box’, The Parade, Oadby 22. Opening Day of ‘First Class Learning’, Oadby at Trinity Methodist Church, Oadby 23. RBL Women’s Section Leics & Rutland County – Dedication of new County Standard at St Mary de Castro Church, Leicester 24. Charity Event at The Wheel Inn, Oadby 25. Rotary Club of Oadby Meeting and Lunch at the Leicester Stage Hotel, Wigston 26. Opening of Wheelchair Accessible Play Area at the Menphys Nursery, Wigston 27. Charnwood Borough Council – Great Central Railway Civic Dinner at Loughborough 28. RAFA (Great Glen Branch) Battle of Britain Service at the Church of St James the Greater, Leicester

Events attended by Deputy Mayor 11 May – 11 July 2010

1. Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Awards at Snibston Discovery Museum, Coalville 2. Official Launch of Leicestershire Walking Week at Watermead Park, Syston 3. Charity Fashion Show in aid of Rainbows at Wigston Royal British Legion 4. Opening of Garden at Willows Court Care Home, Wigston 5. Summer Sports Programme Presentations at Uplands Park, Oadby and Willow Park, Wigston 6. Oadby & Wigston Charity Show at Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby 7. August Fete (fund raiser for Oadby & Wigston Lions Club) at the Chartwell Arms, Wigston 8. Chairman of Harborough District Council’s Civic Service at St Mary’s Church, Bitteswell Page 6 Agenda Item 9a

Full Council 28 September Decision 2010

Title: Report of the Constitutional Task Group

Author: Mark Hall, Chief Executive

1 Introduction

1.1 The Constitutional Task Group met in August 2010 to consider the following issues. a. Guidance to Councillors sitting as Trustees on outside bodies b. Standard’s Board Members attendance for exempt items at Committee c. Governance issues relating to the Council’s new operating model

The remainder of this report sets out the conclusions of the group and proposes a series of recommendations to Council.

2 Information

2.1. Guidance for Councillors sitting as Trustees on Outside Bodies Over the years, there have been occasions where individual members have been appointed by the Council to sit on various outside bodies. In this situation, the individual member is a “nominated Trustee” as opposed to having been directly appointed by the charity/outside body. It appears, historically, that these nominations arose where the organisation’s own governing document required a member of the Council to sit on their board or where the Council wished to nominate a member to have a “watching brief” for example on organisations where the Council provides funding.

Despite being appointed in a different way, nominated Trustees have the same legal duties and responsibilities as any other charity Trustee. Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity. They must ensure it is solvent, well-run and delivers the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up, for the benefit of the public. To act outside of their powers is a breach of trust.

It has recently been highlighted the difficulties that can arise for members, where being a Trustee can give rise to a conflict of interest between their duties as a Trustee and the taking part as a member in the decision making process at Council meetings. This is because whether a nominated Trustee or one appointed directly by a charity organisation, the member is required by the Council’s Code of Conduct to register such an interest as a personal interest. This is because the Code provides for the disclosure of an interest where the member holds “a position of control or management in any body

Page 7 which they are appointed or nominated by their authority and any body directed to charitable purposes”

In addition to declaring a personal interest whenever Council business relates or affects the charity where a member is a Trustee, for example a grant funding application, then as the matter affects the financial position of that body, the member may also need to declare a prejudicial interest and withdraw from the meeting for that item.

On this basis on the balance for members to be able to participate in the decision making of Council business, the Task Group at its meeting on 11 August proposed the recommendations as set out below.

The first two recommendations are only in relation to Council nominated Trustees. A member’s status as a Local Authority Councillor does not prevent a member serving on an outside body in a personal capacity provided this is not inconsistent with the member’s duties as a Councillor. A member should ensure that the outside body has in place indemnity cover for Trustees. However members do need to be aware that the position is exactly the same in relation to declaring a personal and maybe a prejudicial interest where matters relating to that outside body are the subject of council business.

It is being in the “position of management” as a Trustee that gives rise to the potential for a prejudicial interest, (which is usually related to financial issues, such as grant funding being awarded) which prevents the member from taking part in the decision making. Members are entitled to substitute providing the substitute member has complied with any training requirements of a particular committee.

A possible option for members who wish to be involved in outside bodies and not necessarily be excluded from taking part in Council business, is to do so, in an observing or facilitating capacity rather than being in a position of management for that body.

3 Financial Implications

3.1 There are no significant financial implications at this time. Further work will be done as the new operating model develops.

4 Recommendations

4.1 Councillors Sitting as Trustees on Outside Bodies

Due to the inherent conflicts the Constitutional Task Group recommends to Council that, subject to further work being done by officers to identify the extent and implications of the Council withdrawing Trustees from individual organisations particularly local charities, that:

Page 8 a. The Council should no longer appoint Councillors as Trustees to outside bodies. b. The Chief Executive should write, on behalf of the Council, to those bodies where members presently sit as Council appointed Trustees to explain the situation and that Councillors will no longer be able to represent the Council as appointed Trustees. c. Councillors should still be able to act as Trustees in their own capacity if they wish (i.e. not appointed by Council), but they would have to declare the relevant interests and act accordingly.

4.2 Standard’s Board Members attendance for exempt items at Committee

The Constitutional Task Group recommends to Council that:

a. The Council is content to give the Independent Members of the Standards Board the freedom to attend for confidential items if they wished to demonstrate transparency of the process as long as the Independent Members attending understood they were bound by the Code of Conduct particularly confidentiality

4.3 The Council's New Operating Model

Further to the report approved at the last Council meeting the Constitutional Task Group recommends to Council that:

a. The number of members on each committee

Development Control/ Licensing & Regulatory * The number of members should not be reduced on the basis that: * A more robust and continuous training package should to be introduced * ALL members should be intensively trained and should not be allowed to sit on either committee unless they have undergone and been part of the continuous training programme * Work should be done on establishing and strengthening protocols at these committees to ensure there is a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of officers and members in the process * Members will be consulted prior to the training programme being designed in order to ensure that any issues of concern are addressed as part of it * A comprehensive continuous training package is presently being worked up for Development Control and Council is asked to delegate responsibility for that to the Planning Manager in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of DC who will in turn consult other members as to the content and focus

Since the Constitutional Task Group met a very comprehensive and successful training session for members of Licensing has taken place in relation to the conduct of hearings on an application for a premises

Page 9 licence under the Licensing Act 2003. This training was limited to those members appointed to the Licensing and Regulatory committee because the Licensing Act 2003 sets out that a sub-committee ie a panel, must be constituted from the members of the Licensing Committee, by legislation there is no provision for substitution on a sub-committee. This specific area of training will be carried out at least twice a year.

Training for all members to gain an understanding of licensing and regulatory issues generally, will take place at least twice a year, with additional sessions as and when necessary for example when specific relevant legislation is introduced. This will allow for substitution on the Licensing and Regulatory committee and it will also keep all members informed of developments, such as the new provisions under the Police and Crime Act 2009 which allow members to make representations in their own right on Licensing Act 2003 applications.

Service Development & Service Delivery Committees • Should consist of 9:2 = 11 members

Overview & Scrutiny • Should consist of 7:2 = 9 members

Tendering Board • Should consist of 3:1 = 4 members b. Overview & Scrutiny.

* Overview & Scrutiny should meet 8 times a year as opposed to the present 12 * Overview & Scrutiny should focus on the following key aspects – Specific future developments/projects, Performance Management, Internal Audit Reports, prioritised Service Reviews, call in of decisions. * The focus should be on the quality of scrutiny rather than quantity * There should be enough flexibility in the work plan to enable members and the Council to react to local and national developments as they occur and refer these to Overview & Scrutiny * Overview & Scrutiny should be chaired by the controlling group. It was agreed that Chairmanship of the Group should be reviewed dependant upon the size of the controlling and opposition group. This would only happen if and when the controlling and opposition groups were of a similar in size. c. The number of committees that members should sit on

* This should largely be an issue of mathematics based on the decisions above and also should reflect the fact that Overview and

Page 10 Scrutiny members should not sit on either of the Service Committees in order to keep them “pure”.

d. The outline role of the new committees

* The Service Development Committee should take responsibility for the coordination of, leading on and the setting of the Council’s overall budget with final approval being given by Full Council.

* The governance structure should be reviewed by Overview & Scrutiny once it had been in operation for a period of time.

e. Member Champions

* The issue of Champions should to be completely reviewed in the light of the new structures and changes in national directives and policy by the new coalition government. The present set up is too complicated and confusing.

Email: [email protected] Tel: (0116) 2572 600

Implications : The new operating model goes to the heart of everything the Council does Health Environment Community Safety Human Rights Equal Opportunities Risk Assessment Value for Money Equalities Legal

Page 11 Agenda Item 10a

Full Council Tuesday 28 Decision September 2010

Title: Oadby and Wigston Core Strategy - Adoption

Author: Adrian Thorpe, Forward Plans Manager

1 Introduction

1.1 The Core Strategy forms a key document within the Borough’s Local Development Framework. It sets out the Vision, Spatial Objectives and Strategic Policies for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

1.2 Having undergone numerous stages of public consultation and most recently a Public Examination the Council is now in a position to Adopt the Core Strategy.

2 Information

Preparation and Content of the Core Strategy

2.1 The Core Strategy, which sits within the Council’s Local Development Framework, is a statutory Development Plan Document which provides the core policies for the Borough up to 2026. It has been in preparation for a number of years and is required to be prepared in accordance with relevant Legislation.

2.2 Members have been involved in the preparation of the Core Strategy through Place Shaping Member Working Group, All Member Briefings and approval of each draft of the Core Strategy prior to periods of public consultation and Submission.

2.3 The Core Strategy includes a shared Vision with the Oadby and Wigston Local Strategy Partnership and its Sustainable Community Strategy. It includes a number of Spatial Objectives that indicate what is intended to be achieved up to 2026. It includes a Spatial Strategy which sets out how much development is to be provided in the Borough, where it is to be provided and key principles related to employment areas, design, sustainability and infrastructure.

2.4 The Core Strategy also includes a number of policies essential to ensure that development is sustainable; protects important assets and meets the needs of the community. For example, it requires the provision of affordable housing, that development is related to the regeneration of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston, that Green Wedges and the Countryside are protected and that development achieves a gain in the amount and value of Green Infrastructure.

2.5 Once adopted, all of the policies in the Core Strategy will form part of the Development Plan for the Borough and will be used in the development management process.

Page 12 Public Involvement

2.6 Legislation related to preparing Local Development Frameworks changed during the preparation of the Core Strategy. This led to a number of opportunities for local people to become involved in consultation on the document. Most recently, public consultation took place at ‘publication’ and ‘submission’. This met the requirements of the most recent Legislation and the Council’s own Statement of Community Involvement which also forms part of the Local Development Framework.

Submission and Public Examination into the Soundness of the Core Strategy

2.7 Following the final stage of public consultation the Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for Independent Public Examination by The Planning Inspectorate. The Submitted version of the Core Strategy formed the version of the document that the Council wished to adopt.

2.8 Inspector Jill Kingaby BSc(Econ) MSc MRTPI was appointed to conduct the Examination into the Soundness of the Core Strategy which lasted from 25 January 2010 to 13 August 2010. Soundness relates to whether proper procedure has been followed in the preparation of the document and whether the content of the document represents the most appropriate in the light of all of the possible alternatives.

2.9 During the Examination a number of Public Hearings were held between 27 April 2010 and 6 May 2010. The Hearings were Chaired by the Inspector and attended by a number of Participants who had outstanding issues with the Soundness of the Core Strategy and Officers of the Council. Hearings covered the following Matters:

• Matter 1: Context and General Approach • Matter 2: The Spatial Strategy for Development • Matter 3: Housing • Matter 4: Economic Development • Matter 5: Climate Change and Renewable Energy; Flood Risk and the Water Environment • Matter 6: Countryside, open and green spaces • Matter 7: Transport • Matter 8: Infrastructure and Delivery

2.10 During the Hearings a number of further changes to the Core Strategy were agreed. These changes added to the clarity of the Core Strategy and provided greater consistency and certainty in relation to some of the policies and issues. None of the changes resulted in any fundamental amendments or changes in direction. The Inspector required that the changes be consulted upon between 19 May 2010 and 16 June 2010.

2.11 The responses to the public consultation were taken into account by the Inspector in preparing her report. Following the consultation, the Government announced the revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies (in the East Midlands the Regional Plan). The Inspector asked for the Council's views on the likely effect of this on the Core Strategy to which the Council responded accordingly. The Inspector concluded that the revocation of the Regional Plan would not

Page 13 have any significant effects on the Core Strategy, however, she did ask that all references to the Regional Plan be removed from the document and this has been done.

2.12 The Borough Council formally received the Inspector’s Report on 13 August 2010. The Inspector has concluded that, with the amendments recommended in her report, the Core Strategy is Sound. Almost all of the recommendations specified are based on points raised and suggestions put forward by participants during the Examination and do not alter the thrust of the overall strategy.

2.13 The Inspector’s Report sets out the detail of the issues that were taken into account during the Examination process and of the matters that were discussed at the Hearings. It contains all of the Inspector’s recommendations and the exact changes that need to be made to the Core Strategy are shown in a series of Annexes. The Inspector’s Report also contains a Non Technical Summary which summarises the Inspector’s overall conclusion. The Non Technical Summary is reproduced below:

Non-technical Summary

This report concludes that the Oadby and Wigston Core Strategy provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Borough over the next 15 years. The Council has sufficient evidence to support the strategy and can show that it has a reasonable chance of being delivered.

A limited number of changes are needed to meet legal and statutory requirements. The principal changes can be summarised as follows:

a) Chapter 3: A Spatial Portrait of the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, should be amended to provide a consistent and concise picture of the economic, environmental and social issues facing the Borough; b) References to Eco Towns and Pennbury Eco Town should be removed; c) Policy 1: Spatial Strategy and Policy 2: Development in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston should state how much new housing, new employment land, new office and retail floorspace is planned in each of the main centres and Direction for Growth; d) Policy 8: Climate change and renewable energy should be changed so that it complies with current national policy and has sufficient flexibility to remain relevant if further changes are made; e) Policy 11: Affordable Housing should be amended to be more specific as to the target for affordable housing provision but more flexible so as to allow for consideration of individual site circumstances and viability.

Almost all the changes recommended in this report are based on points raised and suggestions put forward by participants during the Examination which were agreed by the Council. They do not alter the essential thrust of the Council's overall strategy.

Page 14 2.14 Although the changes that the Inspector requires to be made are termed as recommendations, the Inspector’s Report is in fact binding on the Council since the changes referred to in the recommendations are considered by the Inspector to be essential to ensure the Soundness of the Core Strategy. These recommendations therefore have to be implemented prior to the adoption of the Core Strategy. The adoption of the Core Strategy must be advertised in a local newspaper.

2.15 A copy of the Inspector’s Report is available to view on the Council's website at the following link:

http://www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/Home/Planning/Forward%20Plans/Local%20 Development/Inpectors%20Report.aspx

A copy is also available to view at the Council Offices (available from Main Reception) together with a copy of the Core Strategy document showing the recommendations incorporated (in coloured font). A copy of the actual version to be adopted (with the recommendations fully incorporated) is attached as Appendix 1.

3 Financial Implications

3.1 The Council has budgeted in the region of £85,000 towards the cost of the Public Examination into the Core Strategy. Some of this has already been spent, for example, the statutory Programme Officer post to administer the Examination process. Some money is already committed. The invoice from The Planning Inspectorate to cover the Planning Inspectors costs is awaited.

4 Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1) Adopt the Core Strategy for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0116 257 2645

Implications Health Policies in the Core Strategy contribute towards improving people’s health. The Core Strategy contains a Spatial Objective concerned with ‘promoting healthy lifestyles’. Environment Policies in the Core Strategy contribute towards protecting and improving the environment. The Core Strategy contains a Spatial Objectives concerned with ‘enhancing green infrastructure’, ‘green wedges and the countryside’ and ‘enhancing local heritage’. Community Safety Policies in the Core Strategy contribute towards improved community safety. The Core Strategy contains a Spatial Objectives concerned with ‘empowering a safe community’. Human Rights The Local Development Framework process of which the Core Strategy is a part aims to ensure that everyone’s human rights are taken into account through the drafting of spatial policies.

Page 15 Equal Opportunities Anyone who wishes to get involved and comment on the draft document has several opportunities during the course of its preparation. Risk Assessment Adoption of the Core Strategy reduces the risk of inappropriate development in the Borough by providing an up to date set of local policies against which development can be managed. Value for Money Preparing a Core Strategy is an expensive task, partly a result of the costs charged by the Planning Inspectorate to undertake a Public Examination. However, at each stage in the process Value for Money has been a consideration. For example, consultation stages were often combined with consultation on other documents. Equalities No significant implications. Legal The Core Strategy is a statutory document and has been prepared in the context of all relevant Legislation.

Page 16 Oadby and Wigston Core Strategy

Development Plan Document

Adopted 28 September 2010

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Contents

Foreword Page

Equalities Statement Page

Chapter 1: Introduction Page

Chapter 2: The Policy Context Page

Chapter 3: A Spatial Portrait of the Borough of Oadby and Wigston Page

Chapter 4: The Borough of Oadby and Wigston in 2026 – the Vision Page and our Spatial Objectives

Chapter 5: Achieving Sustainable Development – Our Spatial Page Strategy

Chapter 6: The Natural Environment Page

Chapter 7: Infrastructure and the Built Environment Page

Chapter 8: Delivery and Monitoring Frameworks Page

Appendix 1: Housing Trajectory Page

Appendix 2: Infrastructure Plan Page

Appendix 3: List of Saved Local Plan Policies to be Superseded by Page the Core Strategy

Appendix 4: Glossary Page

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List of Policies

Core Strategy Policy 1 Spatial Strategy for Development in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston Page

Core Strategy Policy 2 Development in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston Page

Core Strategy Policy 3 Regeneration Schemes Page

Core Strategy Policy 4 Sustainable Transport and Accessibility Page

Strategy Policy 5 Green Infrastructure Page

Core Strategy Policy 6 Green Wedges Page

Core Strategy Policy 7 The Countryside Page

Core Strategy Policy 8 Climate Change and Renewable Energy Page

Core Strategy Policy 9 Flood Risk and the Water Environment Page

Core Strategy Policy 10 Community Infrastructure Page

Core Strateg y Policy 11 Affordable Housing Page

Core Strategy Policy 12 Housing Needs of the Community Page

Core Strategy Policy 13 Provision of Gypsy and Traveller Sites Page

Core Strategy Policy 14 Design and Sustainable Construction Page

Core Strategy Policy 15 Landscape and Character Page

Core Strategy Policy 16 Community Facilities and Places of Worship Page

Core Strategy Policy 17 Open Space and Facilities for Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Page

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List of Figures

Figure 1: The Developme nt Plan Page Figure 2: From Spatial Portrait to Spatial Objectives Page Figure 3: Oadby and Wigston Spatial Strategy – Approach to Housing Delivery Page

Figure 4: Housing Trajectory Page Figure 5: Key Diagram Page Figure 6: Characterisation of Centres Page Figure 7: List of Retail and Shopping Centres within and Beyond the Borough Boundary Page

Figure 8: Strategic Green Infrastructure Page Figure 9: Code Levels for Mandatory Minimum Standards in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Page

Fi gure 10: Projected household and optimum housing stock up to 2016 Page Figure 11: Seven Key Urban Design Objectives Page Figure 12: Landscape Character Assessment Page Figure 13: Quality and Access Standards for open space, sport and recreational facilities in Oadby and Wigston Page

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Foreword

We feel privileged to live and work in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston. The things we enjoy about the Borough of Oadby and Wigston result, of course, from the interaction of our local communities and the built and natural environment. Sometimes the existence of key features are incidental, sometimes they have evolved over a period of time, and sometimes they have been planned; whatever the case, we need to try and ensure that in the future, our communities have the same opportunities to enjoy all that is best about Oadby and Wigston.

It would be naive to say that things should or will remain the same; the Borough faces many pressures and challenges that can only be dealt with by tackling each issue with a thoughtful and evidenced approach. We must, for example, find sustainable solutions for meeting people’s housing needs, supporting the provision of high quality employment, protecting the natural environment and addressing all the economic, environmental and social issues that face our communities today and also in the future.

The process for preparing new planning documents to guide the Borough in implementing the vision for our community is a long and complex procedure. We have to consider a range of issues, consult widely with our partners and representative organisations, commission specialist studies and consider existing evidence. This process has enabled us to produce the document now before you based on a solid set of principles from which to deliver a better future for our communities and local businesses.

This Core Strategy provides a clear vision for how new development can address the challenges we face and identifies where and when new development will take place in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston up to 2026. It outlines how much development will take place and how it will be achieved.

The spatial objectives and policies will set the context for other documents in the Local Development Framework and will therefore, help to shape the way our communities today and in the future will work and live their lives.

Councillor John Boyce Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council

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Equalities Statement

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council seeks to celebrate our diversity. It does, however, recognise that individuals and communities may experience unlawful discrimination in many ways despite equality laws and many examples of good practice in the Borough.

The Council considers equality as a basic human right and believes that all groups should be treated with respect and valued equally. We actively oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination.

As a Council we believe that no one within our community should be disadvantaged, irrespective of where they live, gender, age, disability, religious belief, race and sexual orientation.

We will ensure that every effort is made to provide key services to all. Oadby and Wigston Borough Council actively encourages public engagement and participation from all sections of the community in all aspects of decision making and provides a variety of ways and means of doing so.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 The Borough of Oadby and Wigston is relatively small, largely urbanised and adjoins the south east corner of Leicester City. All of the Borough's urban areas fall within the Leicester Principal Urban Area. It has a population of some 55,795 and is 2,345 hectares in area, with an average density of 24 people per hectare. The majority of the population reside within the three main urban settlement centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston, which occupy just over 60 per cent of the Borough. There are also a small number of residential properties located within the vicinity of Kilby Bridge which is on the southern edge of the Borough.

What is the Local Development Framework?

1.2 In 2004, the ‘planning system’ was amended under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act . This resulted in Local Plans and Structure Plans being replaced by a ‘two tiered’ plan led system comprising of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks. When combined, these determine how the planning system shapes local communities. The Oadby and Wigston Borough Local Development Framework will replace adopted policies in the saved Oadby and Wigston Borough Local Plan as set out in Appendix 3. On the 6 th July 2010, Regional Spatial Strategies were formally revoked under Section 79 (6) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, and no longer form part of the Development Plan for the purposes of Section 38 (6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Although Regional Spatial Strategies have been revoked and will be abolished, the evidence base underpinning them is still a valid consideration. 7

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1.3 A Local Development Framework is a ‘folder’ of documents prepared by district councils, unitary authorities and national park authorities, that outline how spatial planning will be implemented, managed and monitored within the local area.

Figure 1: The Development Plan

What makes up the Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework?

1.4 Listed below are the documents that make up the Borough Council’s Local Development Framework. More detail on these can be found within the Borough Council’s Local Development Scheme.

Local Development Documents • Statement of Community Involvement

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Development Plan Documents • Core Strategy • Allocations • Oadby and Wigston Town Centre Masterplans Area Action Plan

Supplementary Planning Documents • Residential Areas • Conservation Areas • Planning for Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency • Developer Contributions • Guidelines for New Development

What is the Core Strategy?

1.5 The Core Strategy is the foremost Development Plan Document (DPD) within the Local Development Framework. Over time, it will be complemented by other more detailed development plan documents setting out site allocations and general policies to determine planning applications which must all be in conformity with the Core Strategy. Once adopted, these various development plan documents will replace the existing Local Plan Policies.

1.6 The Core Strategy sets out the vision, spatial objectives and planning strategy for the Borough up to 2026. The Core Strategy provides the basic principles and policies that will steer built development and the use of land, establishes the overall general scale and location of development, and the approach to the key issues facing the Borough. In summary, the Core Strategy:

• Contains a clear vision from which spatial objectives, strategic policies, monitoring and implementation frameworks will flow; • Is linked to the sustainable communities agenda, helping determine the broad location of new housing and employment land necessary to meet the level of local need required within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston; and • Is guided by sustainable development principles.

1.7 The Core Strategy is consistent with the evidence base of the revoked East Midlands Regional Plan (2009) and national planning policy, as expressed within Planning Policy Guidance, Planning Policy Statements, Circulars and Ministerial statements. It also acts as a key implementation mechanism for the Leicestershire Sustainable Community Strategy and more locally the Oadby and Wigston Sustainable Community Strategy, prepared by the respective Local Strategic Partnerships.

So what is Spatial Planning?

1.8 The importance of spatial planning is recognised internationally and is derived from the need to integrate the complex array of policy documents, territorial strategies, legislative systems and differing cultural approaches across the European Union.

1.9 The principles of spatial planning are consistent across all levels whether it be concerned with local, regional or national strategies. In Britain, spatial planning can be defined as: 9

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“Planning that goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function…This will include policies which can impact on land use by influencing the demands on, or needs for, development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting or refusal of planning permission and which may be implemented by other means.” (Source: Planning Portal)

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Chapter 2: The Policy Context

2.1 In producing the Core Strategy for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, a number of documents were considered in order to provide evidence to underpin policies within the Core Strategy. This chapter provides an overview of the strategic documents referred to and their relevance to the Core Strategy.

National Strategies and Policy

2.2 Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance Notes are prepared by national government to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on current planning policy and the operation of the planning system. They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other national and European plans and strategies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.

2.3 The guidance set out in Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance Notes has been taken into account in the preparation of the Core Strategy.

Regional and Sub Regional Strategies and Policy

2.4 The East Midlands Regional Plan was revoked on 6 July 2010. However, the evidence base that informed the document is still in existence and relates to some of the Policies in the Core Strategy.

2.5 Local Authorities within the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area work together on a number of different strategies, partnerships and processes such as the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment. These generally advocate a more ‘joined up’ partnership approach, allowing the local authorities in Leicester and Leicestershire to tackle pressing issues together, for example, through the preparation of joint evidence base to support Core Strategies.

Spatial Relationship between the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, Leicestershire and Leicester City

2.6 Within Leicester and Leicestershire the overall strategy and priorities are set by Leicestershire Together (the Leicestershire Local Strategic Partnership) and One Leicester (the Leicester City Local Strategic Partnership). Priorities are delivered and monitored through Sustainable Community Strategies (one for each Local Strategic Partnership), a Multi Area Agreement and a Local Area Agreement. For example, the Leicestershire Local Area Agreement seeks to deliver the ambitions outlined in the Sustainable Community Strategy, making a measurable difference to inhabitants of Leicestershire.

2.7 Although located in Leicestershire, it is important that the Borough of Oadby and Wigston has regard to the spatial policy framework for Leicester City, given the Borough’s location immediately adjacent to Leicester City and within the Leicester Principal Urban Area.

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2.8 The Borough of Oadby and Wigston also has its own Local Strategic Partnership and Sustainable Community Strategy. The Local Strategic Partnership brings together, at a local level, the different parts of the public, private, community and voluntary sectors allowing different initiatives and services to support one another and to work together more effectively.

2.9 The Oadby and Wigston Sustainable Community Strategy is based upon the same top-level objectives from the Leicestershire Together Sustainable Community Strategy and derives nineteen priorities from the forty nine priorities contained within the Leicestershire Together Sustainable Communities Strategy. These were determined based upon research carried out by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council through the preparation of a ‘State of the Borough’ report in 2008 following full consultation with all residents, Councillors, staff and partners. These priorities will be the drivers for delivery to provide tangible outcomes in the Borough, for example, priorities and outcomes relating to issues of strategic housing.

2.10 The Local Development Framework, and in particular the Core Strategy, is the process through which priorities of the Sustainable Community Strategy with a spatial or land use focus will be delivered, hence the strong relationship with the Local Development Framework and the Core Strategy.

2.11 A Local Infrastructure Partnership has been established as a sub group of the Local Strategic Partnership. This provides an example of how provision of new infrastructure will deliver some of the Local Strategic Partnership’s priorities as well as supporting growth through the new development that the Local Development Framework aims to deliver.

Local Strategies and Policy

2.12 Local strategies and policies are the most detailed and locally specific of all the strategy and policy levels considered. Documents produced by the Borough Council use national, regional and sub regional strategies and policies as the base context to guide local and area specific documentation and agreements. For example, the Oadby and Wigston Economic Development Strategy is very locally specific and deals with particular issues within the Borough itself, but is based upon principles and strategies set out in the National Economic Strategy.

2.13 However, locally specific documents to the Borough, as well as using varying levels of governance for guidance, also use locally specific evidence such as the Oadby and Wigston Corporate Plan and the ‘State of the Borough’ report, in order to reflect the Borough Council’s local vision and priorities.

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Chapter 3: A Spatial Portrait of the Borough of Oadby and Wigston

Introduction

3.1 The Spatial Portrait provides a broad picture of the physical characteristics and the current economic, environmental and social conditions that exist in the Borough. It describes the consequent issues and challenges in the context of the Sustainable Community Strategy. It concludes with a summary of the issues and challenges that the Core Strategy will address. These provide the foundation for the Vision and Spatial Objectives in Chapter 4. This process is shown in Figure 2.

The Borough – A Snapshot

Physical Characteristics

3.2 The Borough of Oadby and Wigston is located immediately to the south east of Leicester City. The urban areas of the Borough fall entirely within the Leicester Principal Urban Area resulting in a strong spatial relationship between the two places despite the differences in size and population. The Borough plays an important role in providing residents of the Leicester Principal Urban Area with a link to the countryside due to its position to the south of the urban area.

3.3 Initially, the Borough consisted of two distinct villages. Oadby, a large village by the 1860s, established itself around agriculture. It expanded rapidly in the early 1900s as wealthy Leicester City businessmen built large family houses immediately to the east of the village. These houses still remain as fine examples of the Arts and Crafts movement, although many are now in the ownership of the University of Leicester which established its Oadby Campus after the Second World War.

3.4 Wigston, originally two settlements, was amalgamated into Wigston Magna in 1529. The two settlements were linked by a series of ‘Lanes’ which still remain. The canal and railway brought further growth to what had been a predominantly agricultural community, resulting in further development to meet industrial and housing needs. This continued after the Second World War with numerous housing estates rapidly extending the size of the town.

3.5 South Wigston, a new town developed in the late nineteenth century (by Orson Wright the owner of a large brickworks) follows the tradition of setting up ‘model’ towns by Victorian philanthropists. Unlike other ‘model’ towns of the time, it was not just intended to house workers of the brickyard. Other commercial premises, particularly associated with the clothing industry were established right from the start. The railway was key to this development. The Victorian barracks, now used as the Territorial Army Headquarters, predated this growth. The current mature trees, open space and road layout to the north of the barracks date from the 19 th century Glen Parva Grange Estate. This history, is still very much evident today, although South Wigston has continued to grow through the establishment of local authority and private housing estates. 13

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The Community - Population and Demographics

3.6 At the last Census (2001) the population of the Borough was 55,795. Of this 48.3 per cent were male and 51.7 per cent female. The Borough has an ageing population, with only 19.8 per cent under the age of 16 years of age. The average age in the Borough is above the national average (38.7 years) with an average age of 39.3 years.

3.7 Wigston is the largest of the three settlements with a population of 25,645 people. Oadby has the second largest population with 22,679 people and South Wigston has a population of 7,471 people.

3.8 Oadby is generally the most affluent area in the Borough. For example, in the 2001 Census the average weekly household income by ward in Oadby ranged from between £410 and £690. This reflects the fact that although Oadby does contain some less prosperous wards, this is often masked by the more prosperous wards. In Wigston, weekly household income ranged from £430 to £560 and in South Wigston it was £530. The census also indicated that less people own a car or van in Wigston and South Wigston compared to Oadby.

3.9 The trend for larger family homes has continued throughout the twentieth century in the north east of Oadby, such as in Oadby Grange Ward. This has resulted in the settlement having more large homes compared to the rest of the Borough. There are more than twice the number of households with 8 rooms or more in Oadby compared to Wigston. In contrast, 38.15 per cent of dwellings in South Wigston are terraced houses. These are built to a high density, particularly to the south of the railway line. Houses in Wigston are predominately semi detached and detached.

3.10 In recent years, the Oadby and Wigston Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has worked closely with a number of key stakeholders including the Leicestershire Constabulary to reduce crime and disorder in the Borough. The Partnership has identified 4 main local priorities to address in the Borough which are; anti-social behaviour; acquisitive crime (crimes against property); drugs and alcohol; and, crimes against the person.

3.11 The 2001 Census identified that there is above average in-migration to the Borough from within the UK, but very low from outside the country. The neighbouring City of Leicester which also lies within the Leicester Principal Urban Area, has a high number of new National Insurance number registrations from overseas nationals, reaching a level four times higher than the national average.

3.12 The Borough’s non-white population is large by national standards at 17.5 per cent, compared to 11.3 per cent in England as a whole. In particular, the Borough records a higher share of Asian or British Asian people than the national average.

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The Centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston

3.13 Wigston is the Borough’s main town centre and contains the largest variety of shops, services and facilities. The town is centred around the partly pedestrianised Bell Street, The Arcade and Leicester Road to the north. Bull Head Street provides the town with a bypass and there are a number of small car parks scattered around the town. Wigston is one of only two town centres within the Leicester Principal Urban Area (the other being Beaumont Leys to the north of Leicester City) and therefore fulfils an important town centre function for residents living in the south of the Leicester Principal Urban Area.

3.14 Oadby is a large district centre with a smaller, but nevertheless good, range of shops, services and facilities which are mostly located along The Parade. Car parking is situated to the east and west and is easily accessed from the north and south of the town. Oadby is particularly influenced by the presence of two out of centre supermarkets on the A6. A third has recently been given planning permission although this is located close to the centre. Therefore, it is intended that the centre will benefit from linked trips made to the supermarket.

3.15 South Wigston is a medium sized district centre extending the length of Blaby Road. This results in the centre being strung out with the largest concentrations of shops, services and facilities located at either end. Many of the properties and retail units clearly date back to the origins of the settlement. South Wigston Library and Community Centre is located on Bassett Street to the south of Blaby Road. A large supermarket is located opposite Blaby Road Park at the eastern end of Blaby Road. South Leicestershire College, open from 2010, is also adjacent to the park further concentrating and reinvigorating the centre in this location.

3.16 Each of these centres are of equal importance to many local people. There is a tendency, particularly amongst older residents of Oadby and South Wigston, not to travel out of ‘their’ settlement to access other shops, services and facilities that are available within the Borough. This leads to each of the centres providing a similar range of opportunities, albeit at a different scale. This arrangement is a result of the way in which the three settlements have evolved and a perception that if needs are not met by the nearest centre it is unlikely that the other centres in the Borough will meet the needs either. It is also a result of the limited public transport services that operate between the three centres, particularly as far as older people are concerned, in comparison to the established links to the City of Leicester.

3.17 The centres, particularly Wigston, are not only influenced by their proximity to each other, but their proximity to Leicester City Centre and the Fosse Shopping Park in Blaby District. Both of these offer large amounts of retail floorspace and attract national retailers. Leicester City Centre offers a wide range of services and facilities. Nevertheless, the Borough’s centres are valued by the Borough’s residents. However, they have suffered from a lack of investment, particularly in relation to their public realm, quality of design and in terms of making the best use of sites within their spatial setting. This has an impact on footfall and the prospects for their future vitality and viability, the types of retailers interested in locating in the centres and the speed at which empty units are brought back into use.

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The Environment

3.18 The Borough has good access to the open countryside via the Brocks Hill Country Park, the Green Wedge between Oadby and Wigston, the Green Wedge adjacent to the north east of Oadby, parks and open spaces, the River Sence, and the Grand Union Canal. Green Wedges are defined in the glossary and Chapter 6.

3.19 There are other areas which contribute to the Borough’s Green Infrastructure such as Fludes Lane Woodland, Oadby Grange Country Park, Leicester Racecourse and Oadby and Glen Gorse Golf Courses. Furthermore, the Limedelves and part of the Grand Union Canal between Kilby and Foxton are classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and, in part, a Regionally Important Geological Site.

3.20 There are 321 allotment plots in the Borough which play an important role in contributing to the natural environment and in promoting healthy lifestyles. However, due to the urban nature of the Borough there is a considerable demand for additional allotment plots which cannot be met, with 131 people currently on the waiting list.

3.21 In total, there are 10 Conservation Areas which are influential in maintaining the townscape of the Borough. Nine of these were designated by the Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and benefit from individual Conservation Area Appraisals and a Conservation Area Supplementary Planning Document which together assist with their positive management. The Grand Union Canal Conservation Area was designated by Leicestershire County Council and also benefits from a Conservation Area Appraisal. There are 35 Listed Buildings and Structures present in the Borough. There are no identified Buildings at Risk. There are a number of parks and open spaces in the Borough although the potential exists to improve their quality, particularly in relation to equipped play and sports facilities.

Housing

3.22 In 2001, 93 per cent of the Borough’s total dwelling stock consisted of houses or bungalows with only 7 per cent consisting of flats, maisonettes and apartments. In terms of specific housing types, the single largest component is semi-detached dwellings with a 49 per cent share.

3.23 The average household size in Oadby and Wigston Borough was 2.45 people in 2001 which is above the Leicestershire average of 2.43 people. The Borough has a relatively small share of one person households (26 per cent), below the national average of 30 percent and the Leicestershire average of 27 per cent.

3.24 Overall the housing quality within the Borough is very good. Of the total housing stock, 85 per cent of dwellings are owner occupied, which is far above the regional and national averages of 72 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.

3.25 The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2007/08) identified that the Borough has a significant shortfall in affordable housing provision. Based upon the number of new dwellings that the Borough is required to provide up to 2026, the study identified that the Borough has a shortfall of 214 affordable dwellings per year. This equates to a shortfall of 238 per cent. Although

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the Core Strategy plan period is until 2026 and the study only covered the period to 2016, it does identify that there is presently a significant shortfall in affordable housing in the Borough.

3.26 Housing in Oadby and Wigston Borough also plays an important role in accommodating people who work in Leicester City and the wider County. Reasons for this include the Borough’s proximity to the wide range of employment opportunities that exist in Leicester City and the good reputation of schools in the Borough.

The Economy

3.27 The 2001 Census identifies that 40,522 of the Borough’s population (aged 16-74 years of age) are registered as eligible to work, although 2,663 of these were classified as full-time students and school children.

3.28 The Local Labour Market Bulletin gives a working age population for the Borough of 34,100. Of this figure, in February 2010, the Borough’s unemployment rate stood at 3.2 per cent. It was highest in South Wigston at 5.1 per cent and lowest in Oadby at 2.7 per cent. It was 3.2 per cent in Wigston. This compares to a Leicester and Leicestershire unemployment rate of 4.1 per cent and the national unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent.

3.29 The 2001 Census indicates that the Borough has a relatively weak knowledge economy with 65 per cent of the Borough’s residents qualified up to and including National Vocational Qualification Level 1 and 2 and 27 per cent qualified to Level 3, 4 and 5 equivalents. The Borough’s economy is also influenced by the fact that a proportion of residents, particularly the higher skilled, travel outside of the Borough to work. However, the Borough does have a growing local business culture. The sustainability of existing businesses is good, the qualification attainment rate amongst school leavers is good and the Borough has lower levels of unemployment and lower claimant rates than within the City and County generally.

3.30 These issues are, partly, a consequence of the Borough’s proximity to Leicester City because it is more difficult to retain some types of skills given the range of jobs and salaries available in Leicester City or other larger settlements such as Northampton or Nottingham.

3.31 The Borough has a number of identified employment areas. These are areas of land designated for uses defined as employment by the Use Classes Order. Much of the accommodation on the identified employment areas lacks the quality and flexibility required by modern industry. In addition the environment, general layout and accessibility is poor. Whilst there is relatively low turnover of businesses, there is a lack of interest in the units that do become available for new employment uses. This is largely due to the quality of units and the identified employment areas having poor accessibility to the larger trunk roads such as the M1 and M69 compared to other nearby districts.

3.32 As a result of this, there is frequent interest for the use of land within identified employment areas for non-employment uses. Despite this, it is important to retain employment land to meet local need arising from existing businesses wishing to

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expand and for smaller business units to support start-ups. There is limited demand for land in the Borough for storage and distribution type employment uses.

3.33 One significant undeveloped parcel of land which has previously been considered for employment uses is the Wigston Railway Triangle. It remains undeveloped due to the difficulties and costs associated with providing access over the railway into the site. Furthermore, Wigston Triangle is also a designated Local Wildlife Site due to the presence of some rare species important to the biodiversity of the Borough. Originally, only the south-eastern side had been designated but this has now been extended to the entire triangle.

3.34 One of the major land users in Oadby, and employers and catalysts for inward investment in the Leicester Principal Urban Area, as well as within Oadby itself, is the University of Leicester. The University has had a presence in the Borough for over 50 years and over this time has expanded its facilities which now provide student accommodation, conferencing and sports facilities. The presence of the Campus contributes to the local economy by increasing the use of the facilities and services in Oadby district centre, and the sports facilities are used and enjoyed by local clubs and groups. The University has plans to continue improving and expanding its facilities and replacing outdated accommodation.

3.35 South Leicestershire College will relocate from Wigston to South Wigston from September 2010, allowing it to offer a broader range of courses, particularly in relation to business and sports development, and to have a positive impact on the local economy of South Wigston because of its proximity to the district centre.

3.36 Tourism in the Borough plays a small yet important role in the local economy in relation to the centres of Wigston, Oadby, South Wigston and Kilby Bridge as well as large areas of green space including Brocks Hill Visitors Centre and Country Park, Oadby Golf Course, Leicester Racecourse, Glen Gorse Golf Course and Oadby Grange Country Park.

Transport

3.37 The Borough is crossed by three radial highways that serve the City of Leicester, the A6, the A5199 and the B5366, while the B582 serves as an orbital route linking the three centres within the Borough. Since the completion of the Southern District Distributor Road, the A563 has created a link across the northern fringes of the Borough and provides access to the M1 and M69 motorways. Access to the A14 in Northamptonshire is provided by the A6 which passes through Oadby. The Borough’s roads do suffer from congestion, particularly at peak times.

3.38 Public transport within the Borough is in some locations relatively poor with a limited bus service operating between South Wigston and Oadby, Wigston and Oadby and between some residential areas, Parklands Leisure Centre, Brocks Hill Visitor Centre and Country Park and the Borough’s town and district centres. Generally however, public transport services to Leicester City from the town and district centres are relatively frequent.

3.39 The Borough has access to the Leicester to Birmingham railway line via South Wigston Station. This mode of transport provides a regular service to Leicester and

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onward to Nottingham and the north, as well as Nuneaton and Birmingham to the south west. Passengers can change at Leicester to access the Midland Mainline to London.

3.40 The Eastern District Distributor Road was originally a proposed transport allocation agreed by Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council to complete the City’s outer ring road between the M1 and M69 motorways and the A47, in Oadby. The Eastern District Distributor Road, it was considered, would help to relieve congestion on the A6 between Oadby and Leicester. However, the proposal has not come to fruition despite the route being safeguarded in a number of previous plans. It is now even less likely to come forward as the Eastern District Distributor Road, as proposed, because some of the route has been affected by development outside of the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

Kilby Bridge

3.41 The hamlet of Kilby Bridge is located to the south of the Borough, within a 20 minute walk of Wigston town centre and is a part of the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area. The settlement is separated by the A5199 and is situated on the north bank of the Grand Union Canal. The River Sence is nearby and parts of the settlement are liable to flooding. The hamlet consists of a number of residential properties, small scale commercial car sales and a public house. Located slightly out of the main Kilby Bridge settlement, there is a small canal side moorings yard and a canal vessel maintenance yard.

3.42 Kilby Bridge is a unique settlement in the Borough and due to its character and setting; it is an attractive and valuable asset. To the east of the settlement, there is a Site of Special Scientific Interest of which part is a Regionally Important Geological site.

Issues and Challenges

3.43 The snapshot of the Borough gives rise to a number of issues and challenges, which are identified below:

3.44 The community - population and demographics

• An ageing population • Culturally diverse - more Asian and British Asian people than the national average • Location within the Leicester Principal Urban Area immediately to the south of Leicester City • Spatial relationship between Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston

3.45 The Centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston

• Differing role and scale of each centre

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• Proximity to Leicester City and Fosse Shopping Park which provide a wide range of retail opportunities and services close to the Borough • Residents perception of what each centre offers in comparison to Leicester City Centre • Regeneration of the centres to improve their vitality, viability and spatial setting, the range of retail opportunities and services available and to increase footfall

3.46 The Environment

• Access to the countryside for residents living in the Leicester Principal Urban Area • The presence of a broad range of Green Infrastructure, including green wedges • A shortage of allotments and limited opportunities to create new plots

3.47 Housing

• The housing stock is influenced by the Borough’s location and role within the Leicester Principal Urban Area • The Borough is a desirable place to live • Higher than average household size and owner occupied housing indicates the presence of a greater number of families • A significant shortfall of affordable housing units

3.48 The Economy

• A relatively low unemployment rate • A weak knowledge economy but a growing local business culture • The Borough’s economy is influenced by the presence of Leicester City • Identified employment areas are less attractive to businesses which is leading to pressure from other uses and a reduction in the amount of employment land • There is a need to retain employment land in the Borough to meet local need from existing businesses wishing to expand and for smaller business units to support start-up businesses

3.49 Transport

• East west routes through the Borough, and beyond towards the M1 and M69, suffer congestion, particularly at peak times • There are reasonable public transport links from each of the centres to Leicester but limited public transport links between the centres of South Wigston and Oadby, and Wigston and Oadby.

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3.50 Kilby Bridge

• There is an opportunity to improve and revitalise the character of Kilby Bridge which is the only settlement in the Borough outside of the Leicester Principal Urban Area • A need to protect Kilby Bridge’s environmental and biodiversity qualities • An opportunity for Kilby Bridge to play a greater role in terms of tourism and providing access to the countryside and the Grand Union Canal

Oadby and Wigston Sustainable Community Strategy

3.51 Chapter 2 explains the relationships between the Core Strategy and the two Local Strategic Partnerships and Sustainable Community Strategies covering the Borough. Within the Borough, Local Strategic Partnership partners are working to deliver 19 priorities. Whilst all are likely to have some relevance to a spatial document as strategic as the Core Strategy, 12 priorities are directly relevant.

3.52 This section sets out the 12 Sustainable Community Strategy priorities that are directly relevant to the issues and challenges that are identified above, describes the relationships between them and sets out how the issues and challenges will be tackled by the Core Strategy, via its vision and spatial objectives.

The housing needs of the people of Leicestershire are met

3.53 The Core Strategy will identify sufficient land to accommodate the Borough’s housing requirement to 2026. It will aim to ensure that issues of design take account of the Borough’s location within the Leicester Principal Urban Area and that a broad range of housing types are provided to reflect the needs of the local community.

An increase in the provision of affordable housing

3.54 The Core Strategy will aim to reduce the shortfall in affordable housing provision in the context of new development. This will need to be linked to the Borough’s additional housing requirement. It will also need to be informed by an assessment of viability, to ensure that the amount of new affordable housing can be viably provided. Whilst the Core Strategy can ensure that the shortfall in affordable housing does not worsen, it is less able to reduce the existing deficit.

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Quality employment sites and premises are more widely available

3.55 The Core Strategy will aim to increase the quality of the employment land available in the Borough, particularly in relation to employment areas to meet the needs of existing businesses wishing to expand and business start ups. The Core Strategy will need to balance the availability of employment land and premises in the context of the overall strategy for employment land in the Leicestershire Housing Market Area which, for example, involves making available strategic employment sites associated with areas of major housing growth outside of the Borough.

A prosperous and dynamic economy driven by innovation A highly skilled motivated and innovative population and more people in high value jobs

3.56 The Core Strategy will aim to provide the spatial planning context that will allow what is currently a rather weak knowledge economy to benefit from an increasingly strong local business culture. Within the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston this will be through the identification of land for new employment uses that will secure regeneration and facilitate a more prosperous and dynamic economy in the centres. Outside of the centres this will be achieved through the identification of land linked to additional housing growth. The Core Strategy will also support opportunities to maximise the role that the growth of the Borough’s educational institutions can play. However, the Core Strategy will also provide a degree of realism in relation to the extent that these priorities can be achieved in the Borough in comparison to other locations in the Leicestershire Housing Market Area, such as Loughborough.

The impact of traffic on communities and individuals is reduced Growth of road congestion is reduced Access to services and facilities is enhanced

3.57 The Core Strategy will aim to reduce the impact of traffic and road congestion by supporting the regeneration of the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston and ensuring that new development is located within them, or close to Wigston, the largest of the Borough’s three centres and which has the widest range of services and facilities. This will reduce peoples’ need to travel and maximise opportunities for people to use public transport, particularly when travelling between the centres of South Wigston and Oadby, and Wigston and Oadby, where public transport is currently most limited, but congestion is at its most severe. With this approach, the Core Strategy will help to improve accessibility to a range of services and facilities particularly for vulnerable people for whom access is a particular challenge. The Core Strategy will also aim to encourage people to walk or cycle as an alternative to using cars.

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Increased resident satisfaction with the built environment and improved green infrastructure An enhanced accessible natural environment with improved protection

3.58 The Core Strategy will aim to ensure that all new development is built to a high standard, particularly in the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston, the areas most sensitive to development and areas where significant new development will be proposed. The Core Strategy will identify Green Infrastructure assets and where they combine to form green infrastructure corridors through the Borough. It will identify means by which Green Infrastructure and the wider natural environment can be protected, improved, increased and where appropriate better accessed, particularly in relation to new development.

Newer developments are built to higher design, security and environmental standards and are better supported by services and infrastructure Our contribution to climate change is reduced

3.59 The Core Strategy will aim to improve the quality in the design of buildings throughout the Borough both in relation to appearance and the environmental standards that they meet. In particular the Core Strategy will aim to ensure that sustainable design is an integral feature of all new development. The Core Strategy will aim to facilitate the regeneration of the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston to achieve high quality design, especially in relation to the public realm.

Key issues and challenges that will inform the Core Strategy’s Vision and Spatial Objectives

3.60 Having considered the key issues and challenges in the context of the priorities of the Oadby and Wigston Local Strategic Partnership and its Sustainable Community Strategy a number of key issues and challenges have been identified. These are the main things that the Core Strategy’s Vision and Spatial Objectives needs to take into account and they therefore form the basis for Chapter 4 of the Core Strategy. This will ensure that the Core Strategy and the Sustainable Community Strategy will work effectively together to ensure that the Borough’s community, economy and environment can flourish up to 2026.

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Key Issues and Challenges to 2026 Reduce the shortfall in affordable housing Housing types appropriate for the community Housing design reflective of the Borough’s location The regeneration of the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston The quality of the built environment Protection and enhancement of green infrastructure Better availability and quality of employment land A more prosperous and dynamic economy A realistic increase in the number of people in high value jobs Locate development so as to improve public transport and reduce car use Reduce traffic congestion on east west routes Sustainable design is integral to new development

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Figure 2: From Spatial Portrait to Spatial Objectives The Centres of Economy Housing Environment (inc Transport Oadby, Wigston Kilby Bridge) and South Wigston

SPATIAL PORTRAIT - SUMMARY

- Lack of investment - Poor quality - Shortfall in - Need to conserve - Poor access in - Ill-definedfFuture employment areas affordable housing and enhance national road role - low retention rates network of skilled workers - Congestion within - Low skill / low the Borough wage economy

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY – DIRECTLY RELEVANT PRIORITIES

- Impact of traffic on - Quality - Housing needs of - Increased resident - reduce road communities and employment sites the people of satisfaction with the congestion individuals to be and premises to be Leicestershire to be built environment reduced more widely met and Green - Access to services available - An increase in the Infrastructure and facilities to be - A prosperous and provision of - Enhance enhanced dynamic economy affordable housing accessible natural driven by innovation - New development environment - A highly skilled, to be built to higher - Contribute to motivated and design, security and reduction of the innovative environmental impact of climate population standards change - More people in high value jobs

KEY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES TO 2026

- Regeneration of - Better availability - Reduce the - Housing design to - Local development the centres of and quality of shortfall in reflecting the to improve public Oadby, Wigston employment land affordable housing Borough’s location transport and and South Wigston - A more - Housing types - Enhance the built reduce car use prosperous and appropriate for the environment - Reduce traffic dynamic economy needs of the - protection and congestion on east/ - A realistic increase community enhancement of the west routes in the number of Green Infrastructure people in high value - Ensure jobs sustainable design is integral to new development

VISION

People aspire to live in Oadby and Wigston because it is a safe, clean and attractive place with a prosperous economy, vibrant town centres and healthy, empowered communities

SPATIAL OBJECTIVES

- Growth of the - Improve - Sustainable - Protect and - An accessible Leicestershire employment design and enhance Green Borough Principal Urban opportunities infrastructure Infrastructure Area - Balanced Housing - Green Wedges, - Regeneration of Market Green Infrastructure town and district corridors and the centres countryside - Promote healthy - Enhance local lifestyles heritage - Empower a safe community - Wigston town centre - Oadby district centre -S. Wigston district centre

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Chapter 4: The Borough of Oadby and Wigston in 2026 – the Vision and our Spatial Objectives

4.1 The Vision and Spatial Objectives form the heart of the Core Strategy. They set the context under which the planning policy framework for Oadby and Wigston will operate, both within the Core Strategy Development Plan Document and other Local Development Documents within the Local Development Framework.

The Vision for Oadby and Wigston

4.2 The Vision for Oadby and Wigston has been agreed by the Local Strategic Partnership for the Borough with the involvement of the local community. The Local Strategic Partnership consists of representatives from the broad range of service providers that operate within the Borough, including Local Authority, Education, Health, Police and Fire Service.

4.3 The Vision is contained within the Sustainable Community Strategy for Oadby and Wigston and is also set out below:

People aspire to live in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston because it is a safe, clean and attractive place, with a prosperous economy, vibrant town centres and healthy empowered communities.

The Vision - A Spatial Perspective

4.4 The Core Strategy develops key themes of the Vision to provide a spatial perspective. It provides an interpretation of how the Borough might look in 2026, given the influence that the Local Development Framework will have on delivering the Vision. This interpretation is based on the outcomes of a range of public consultation that has been undertaken, including consultation on the priorities of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, priorities of the Local Strategic Partnership and various planning policy documents such as Town Centre Masterplans.

4.5 It is the role of the Local Development Framework, in particular the Core Strategy, to ensure that the spatial planning policy framework is in place to ensure that the Vision can be delivered:

Vibrant town centres…..

4.6 In 2026, Wigston and Oadby town centres are the heart of the Borough offering a range of quality shopping, employment, civic and leisure opportunities. The district centre of South Wigston contains a similar range of services, albeit on a smaller scale, and there is a strong network of local centres, all contributing to the overall sustainable mix of facilities throughout the Borough, reducing the need for local people to travel.

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4.7 Local residents are proud of the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston. They are clean and have a high standard of public realm and vernacular architecture. The network of public squares and open spaces are always busy. Each centre has its own special character with direct links to the green infrastructure network throughout the Borough.

A prosperous economy…..

4.8 In 2026, new employment opportunities exist in Wigston and Oadby town centres, particularly in office accommodation. There are some new employment units in the urban areas of South Wigston and Wigston, in particular offering accommodation for small businesses with good public transport links across the Borough and reasonable access to the main highway network. This is allowing businesses on some of the older, poor quality industrial estates to relocate.

4.9 The provision of a range of housing and educational opportunities throughout the Borough has provided employers with a skilled workforce and has been particularly successful in retaining the skills of local people in the Borough. Fast, frequent and affordable public transport between the Borough and Leicester City Centre ensures that local residents enjoy the benefits of living so close to one of the United Kingdom’s major cities.

Healthy empowered communities…..

4.10 Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston are all prosperous and healthy communities in their own right. Residents have fair and equal access to services, feel a part of the local community and have excellent opportunities to support one another, participate and socialise. They enjoy living in the Borough because they have been involved in the process of change over the last 15 years or so. Residents have good access to a network of high quality cultural, educational and health facilities in the Borough itself and benefit from having direct access to specialist facilities in Leicester.

4.11 There is a diverse mix of housing types available and the emphasis on establishing more affordable homes throughout the Borough means that everyone has a secure home in which to live.

Safe, clean and attractive…..

4.12 In 2026, all new development in the Borough is of the highest standards of design, particularly in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and on new sites within and adjoining the urban area. Investment in the Borough’s Green Infrastructure has enhanced biodiversity and created a stronger understanding within local people about their role in the conservation of habitats and species and the links with the urban environment. The quality of Conservation Areas and other heritage assets has benefited from careful and positive management.

4.13 People feel safe on the streets and in their homes because design has been a key component in keeping anti social behaviour to an absolute minimum. All new development has integrated measures to conserve energy, achieve sustainable energy generation, minimise waste and to ensure the sustainable management of any waste that is produced.

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4.14 Local residents will benefit from increased opportunities to access the open countryside, the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal, particularly in the vicinity of Crow Mills in South Wigston and Kilby Bridge in Wigston. There will continue to be a good range of leisure and recreational facilities including leisure centres, allotments, golf courses, a racecourse and playing fields.

The Spatial Objectives

4.15 In order to ensure that the Vision and Strategy can be effectively delivered, the Core Strategy sets out a number of Spatial Objectives. The Spatial Objectives focus on the key issues that need to be addressed to achieve the Vision. They consist of a ‘headline’ and some detail as to why each objective is a key issue locally.

4.16 The Spatial Objectives play a key role in linking policies together to ensure that the Vision is delivered in the most sustainable, joined up and coherent manner. Therefore, the Spatial Objectives are presented under the key themes of the Vision.

Vibrant town centres…..

4.17 Spatial Objective 1: Regeneration of Town and District Centres Town Centre Masterplans and associated policies and land allocations will deliver regeneration, investment and growth in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston. These will be the focus for new development, particularly retail, local services, community facilities, housing and employment.

4.18 Spatial Objective 2: Wigston Town Centre Reinforce the role of Wigston Town Centre as the Borough’s main town, in particular in terms of encouraging greater national retailer representation and civic function, whilst continuing to support the important role of small independent retailers which create a unique mix within the town.

4.19 Spatial Objective 3: Oadby Town Centre Establish Oadby as a small Town Centre catering for smaller independent and specialist shops, cafes and restaurants to reflect its location close to the affluent Oadby Grange ward and University of Leicester’s Oadby Campus which provides residential accommodation for almost 2000 students situated in a student village.

4.20 Spatial Objective 4: South Wigston District Centre Continue regeneration initiatives in South Wigston District Centre following the opening of a major supermarket and the significant investment in South Leicestershire College. Continue improvements to Blaby Road Park taking advantage of its location close to the Grand Union Canal. Facilitate the establishment of new housing and employment related development to attract and retain young professionals and prosperous households in South Wigston.

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A prosperous economy…..

4.21 Spatial Objective 5: Improved Employment Opportunities Existing employment areas will be protected for employment uses to ensure local employment opportunities for the Borough’s residents. New employment land will be provided in the Town Centres, in South Wigston and in the Direction for Growth at Wigston to provide opportunities for fresh employment areas and accommodation to meet the needs of local businesses wishing to grow and those wishing to establish new businesses in the Borough. There will be better access to the road network. The new employment areas will provide opportunities to consider relaxing the need to protect the existing employment areas for employment uses beyond 2026 and to investigate their use for alternative types of development more appropriate to the local area.

Healthy empowered communities…..

4.22 Spatial Objective 6: Growth of the Principal Urban Area Establish one Direction for Growth adjacent to the Principal Urban Area in Wigston to meet the Borough’s housing allocation whilst focusing investment in Wigston to support the regeneration of Wigston Town Centre. A mix of uses will provide local services and affordable housing and a range of housing types to cater for the Borough’s needs. Small business starter units will provide new employment opportunities for the Borough’s residents. High quality public transport will provide fast and frequent links to Wigston and Leicester City Centre, with the potential to link into a mass rapid transit system, such as a tram line to Wigston, if necessary.

4.23 Spatial Objective 7: A Balanced Housing Market Ensure adequate affordable housing and a sustainable blend of choices to meet local need. The focus of new housing will be in Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston Town Centres to facilitate their regeneration. There will be one Direction for Growth to Wigston to support its function as the Borough’s main town in terms of national retailer representation and civic function.

4.24 Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure Contribute to regional, national and global initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce flood risk; minimise waste; achieve sustainable waste management; and, develop renewable energy resources. Promote and implement sustainable high quality designs that reduce damaging emissions in our environment and are in keeping with the character of our Borough. Given the built up nature of the Borough mixed use schemes and medium to high density land use will be encouraged on suitable sites. This will make the best use of land to accommodate a wide range of uses and infrastructure to support the local community and its economy.

4.25 Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough Enhance mobility to Leicester and within the Borough, particularly east-west links between South Wigston and Oadby via Wigston. Promote the use and development of ‘Smarter Choices’ and sustainable transport (including travel planning, working from home, public transport, cycling and walking). Ensure good access to facilities by delivering a highway network and transport system that is accessible, efficient and affordable to the entire community, as well as encouraging the reduction of private car use.

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4.26 Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Identify opportunities to provide new allotments in the Borough in order to tackle the existing deficit and to support healthy lifestyle projects, such as the Green Earth Community Garden Project and managing open spaces such as Fludes Lane. Encourage walking and cycling and provide access to community health services. Facilitate the development of improved, high quality leisure and recreation facilities throughout the Borough.

Safe, clean and attractive…..

4.27 Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community Work with the Local Strategic Partnerships to build a safe and cohesive Borough. Incorporate principles that reduce crime and improve community safety in all new development. Empower the community by establishing high quality public buildings and open spaces close to where people live; by delivering public and voluntary sector initiatives to promote social inclusion; and by promoting community cohesion through participation, interaction and understanding.

4.28 Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure Development should be respectful of the natural environment, landscape and townscape character and contribute towards Biodiversity Action Plan targets of protecting, creating and managing and enhancing important habitats and green assets. Due to the predominantly urban nature of the Borough to ensure that new development includes proposals to enhance the landscape and biodiversity, for example, through planting trees, creating ponds and other natural habitats.

4.29 Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and The Countryside Improve access for local people to our natural environment and key Green Infrastructure assets to enhance the value of their leisure time. Protect and enhance the Green Wedges by limiting development to appropriate uses, as well as safeguarding our open spaces for sport and other forms of recreation. Encourage small scale development in the countryside that provides for employment, leisure and residential development essential to the needs of the rural economy.

4.30 Spatial Objective 14: Enhancing Local Heritage Encourage the enhancement and preservation of historically significant buildings, archaeological sites, conservation areas, parks and other cultural assets providing opportunities for people to access and understand our local heritage. Produce a Regeneration Scheme for Kilby Bridge to enhance access to and understanding of the Grand Union Canal and its environs whilst protecting the hamlet’s heritage and biodiversity interest.

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Chapter 5: Achieving Sustainable Development – Our Spatial Strategy

Core Strategy Policy 1 Spatial Strategy for Development in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston

In order to deliver the regeneration of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and their associated communities and to achieve the objectives of the Leicester Principal Urban Area the Borough Council will:

• Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 1,800 new dwellings (90 dwellings per annum) between 2006 and 2026.

• Identify land for the development of 5,800 square metres of office floor space to be provided in the centres of Wigston and Oadby and 1.3 hectares of industrial and warehousing land between 2008 and 2026. Freehold land and premises should account for at least 25per cent of the total requirement

• Focus development in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston. Provide a target of approximately 170 new dwellings within the centre of Wigston, 80 new dwellings in Oadby and 150 new dwellings in South Wigston. Achieve the development and redevelopment of suitable previously developed land and buildings and the implementation of the proposals within the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan areas and within the South Wigston Masterplan area through: § the adoption of the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Document(s); § the adoption of the Allocations Development Plan Document (in the case of South Wigston); § the preparation of development briefs; § working in partnership with other bodies; and, § assembling sites where necessary, including the use of compulsory purchase powers in appropriate circumstances

• Provide a target of approximately 200 new dwellings on suitable land outside of Oadby and Wigston Town Centre Masterplan areas and outside of the South Wigston Masterplan area but within the Leicester Principal Urban Area. Suitable sites will be identified in the Allocations Development Plan Document

• Make provision for one Direction for Growth of approximately 450 new homes adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area on land to the south east of Wigston in the Allocations Development Plan Document. This will reinforce the role of Wigston as the Borough’s main town. The Direction for Growth will include in the region of 2.5 to 3.5 hectares of new B1 and/or B2 employment land which will eventually

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replace the equivalent amount of poor quality employment land located within existing Identified Employment Areas in the Borough. A mix of uses will provide local services, affordable housing and a range of housing types to cater for the Borough’s needs. High quality public transport links should be in place to provide fast and frequent links to Wigston Town Centre and Leicester City Centre

• Prioritise development within the Leicester Principal Urban Area to support the regeneration of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and their associated communities. To achieve this development of the Direction for Growth will be programmed not to start before 2017

• Ensure high quality sustainable design and layout that makes the most economical use of land and respects the local context and community safety. Within the Leicester Principal Urban Area, new development will make good use of previously developed land and buildings. Housing development on sites of 0.3 hectares and above should, where viable and appropriate, achieve an average density of 40 dwellings per hectare or more.

• Work in partnership with other agencies and organisations to identify and coordinate the provision and funding of infrastructure and facilities (including Green Infrastructure) required to meet the needs of planned development and to safeguard and enhance key existing biodiversity, environmental, social, cultural and economic assets

• Seek opportunities to achieve the regeneration of the Identified Employment Areas in the Borough. The main focus will be on providing land for smaller employment uses and for existing employment uses to expand within the Borough where this is the most sustainable approach. Until such time that replacement employment land has been delivered, Identified Employment Areas will be retained for employment use. Where it is recognised to be the sustainable approach, existing employment land and premises outside of Identified Employment Areas will be retained for employment uses

This Policy will assist in the delivery of all of the Spatial Objectives

5.1 The Spatial Strategy for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston derives from the Vision and Spatial Objectives. It is , therefore, underpinned by the Spatial Portrait of the Borough and the Vision and Priorities of the Oadby and Wigston Local Strategic Partnership and Leicestershire Together which are set out in their respective Sustainable Community Strategies.

5.2 The Spatial Strategy also takes account of the policy context relating to the Borough as set out in Chapter 2. One of the main policy drivers that has shaped the Spatial Strategy is the fact that the built up part of the Borough is wholly located within the Leicester Principal Urban Area. The Spatial Strategy reflects the key role that the Borough of Oadby and Wigston plays in shaping the Leicester Principal Urban Area , both in supporting the regeneration of Leicester and in the spatial

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relationship that exists between the Leicester Principal Urban Area and the main towns in Leicestershire. It is recognised that this relationship is of benefit to the whole of the Leicestershire Housing Market Area, including Oadby and Wigston, particularly in terms of supporting the local economy, strategic green infrastructure and shaping how people go about their daily lives.

5.3 All development should be consistent with the creation of balanced mixed communities and provide a safe and attractive environment in keeping with the surroundings.

Housing Growth

5.4 The Spatial Strategy makes provision for a minimum of 1,800 new dwellings (90 dwellings per annum) between 2006 and 2026. The need for this amount was fully evidenced through the process of the preparation of the revoked East Midlands Regional Plan and the amount is consistent with Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’s representations made in respect of this. Provision will be made for this level of growth within the various Development Plan Documents in the Local Development Framework.

5.5 Figure 4 shows the position with regard to the delivery of the total housing allocation for Oadby and Wigston. The table indicates the number of dwellings required to be delivered having taken account of completions and existing commitments. It shows where the remainder of the dwellings to be delivered will be provided in line with the Spatial Strategy for the Borough. Actual site allocations will be made in the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Document(s) and in the Allocations Development Plan Document. Figure 5 illustrates these figures graphically as a housing trajectory (see also Appendix 1).

Housing Requirement for the Borough of Oadby and 1,800 Wigston: 2006-2026 Housing Completions: 1 st April 2006 to 31 st March 2009 285 Existing Housing Commitments as of 31 st March 2009 479 Remaining Housing to be provided: 200 9-2026 1036 Housing opportunities identified in the Wigston and Oadby 393 Town Centre Masterplan areas and within the South Wigston Masterplan area Masterplan dwelling breakdown Wigston 166 Oadby 81 South 146 Wigston Housing opportunities identified within the Leicester 191* Principal Urban Area outside of the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan areas and outside of the South Wigston Masterplan area Direction for Growth adjoining the Leicester Principal 452 Urban Area to the south east of Wigston Figure 3: Oadby and Wigston Spatial Strategy – Approach to Housing Delivery *Figures do not sum due to rounding

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Source: Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, August 2009, Table 1: Deliverable and Developable Sites within 5 years and Developable Sites within 5-10 years (excluding remaining Allocations)

5.6 The Borough Council will apply the Plan Monitor Manage approach to deliver the Spatial Strategy.

Figure 4: Housing Trajectory

5.7 Although the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment is likely to take into account many sites that would previously have come forward as windfalls, given the urban nature of the Borough and the location of the built up area entirely within the Leicester Principal Urban Area windfalls are still expected to come forward. For example, residential conversions and single dwellings in the curtilage of an existing dwelling.

5.8 Planning Applications involving proposals for windfalls should be considered in the context of Strategy Policy 1 which sets out the most sustainable approach to the location of residential development in the Borough. Consistent with paragraph 59 of Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (2010), a windfall allowance has not been taken into account within the Spatial Strategy’s approach to housing delivery. Any windfalls coming forward from 1 st April 2009 will therefore be additional to the Housing Requirement for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston of 1,800 dwellings between 2006 and 2026.

5.9 The Spatial Strategy provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate additional dwellings coming forward as windfalls. They will be taken into account through an annual review of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the Borough Council will continue to Plan Monitor Manage the housing supply during the plan period through the preparation of an Annual Monitoring Report.

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Employment Growth

5.10 A Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area Employment Land Study was published in October 2008 with the involvement of all of the Leicestershire district councils, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. Its aim was to pull together a number of other employment land studies (including an Oadby and Wigston Employment Land and Premises Assessment published in March 2006) and to establish a joint approach to employment land planning and delivery up to 2026.

5.11 The report concludes that being situated within the Leicester Principal Urban Area Oadby and Wigston forms part of the wider Leicester office, industrial and warehousing market. The supply demand gap analysis suggests an additional requirement for 11,500 square metres of offices and 9* hectares for industrial and warehousing development.

5.12 The scope for meeting these requirements within the Borough is limited. The main opportunities are: for up to 5,800 square metres of offices as proposed within the Masterplans for Oadby (1,125 square metres) and Wigston (4,675 square metres) town centres; 1.3* hectares of industrial and warehousing land (comprising 0.8 hectares at the Sports Field off Tigers Way completed in 2009 and 0.6 hectares at Land West off Magna Road, Magna Industrial Estate an outstanding allocation); and, through the more intensive use of the existing stock. The 3.1 hectare Wigston Railway Triangle site is constrained by the need for a railway bridge and cannot be considered as part of the available development land.

5.13 Based on the outcome of the Oadby and Wigston Employment Land and Premises Assessment published in March 2006, 25per cent of employment land and premises should be provided as freehold because there is currently a lack of freehold land and premises available in the Borough.

5.14 In the absence of additional suitable land in the Borough, the balance of 5,700 square metres of offices and 7.6* hectares of industrial and warehousing land will be added to effective demand in the City of Leicester and the neighbouring districts of Blaby and Harborough. This demand is reflected within the proposed employment land allocations identified in the report for the New Business Quarter, Leicester and Sustainable Urban Extensions in Blaby and South Charnwood.

5.15 Therefore, the employment land requirement set out within the Spatial Strategy is consistent with the outcomes of this study.

*Figures do not sum due to rounding

Regenerating Identified Employment Areas

5.16 The Borough’s Identified Employment Areas accommodate development falling within Use Classes B1, B2 or B8. The areas have developed and evolved over a number of decades and the premises are often not appropriate for more technology or knowledge based activities. To bring them up to an appropriate standard will require significant and comprehensive regeneration. The State of Oadby and Wigston report published in October 2008 notes that the Borough’s economy is small in scale, productivity is low and there has been a gradual decline

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in earnings and employment in recent years. However, the Borough’s economy is underpinned by a strong local business culture. There are high levels of skilled residents, many of whom are employed outside of the Borough due to a weak knowledge economy in Oadby and Wigston. It is a priority of the Oadby and Wigston Local Strategic Partnership to improve the economic performance of the Borough. In 2009 the Borough Council published an Economic Development Strategy with initiatives that will support the Borough’s economy.

5.17 The Oadby and Wigston Employment Land and Premises Assessment, published in March 2006, found that the majority of businesses in the Borough are small with only 10 per cent employing more than 50 people. As paragraph 3.32 of the Spatial Portrait identified there is a particular need for small business units in the Borough and therefore provision of smaller units should be a priority when regenerating existing employment land and/or when establishing new employment land.

5.18 The poor availability of suitable land and premises is seen as a constraint to growth and companies are particularly concerned about the poor environment and image of employment areas and congestion problems, both within Identified Employment Areas and more generally across the Borough. This has led to poor take up of employment land and premises for employment uses; a consequential increase in non employment uses in the Identified Employment Areas and, a decline in the overall quantity and quality of employment land within the Borough.

5.19 The Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area Employment Land Study, published in October 2008, indicate that a large proportion of the industrial and commercial stock was developed prior to 1970.

5.20 Both the Oadby and Wigston Employment Land and Premises Assessment and the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area Employment Land Study identify a lack of land in the Borough to provide significant allocations of new employment land. The Leicestershire Housing Market Area Employment Land Study redistributes the employment land requirements arising from need generated within the Borough but which cannot be met in the Borough to the New Business Quarter, Leicester and Sustainable Urban Extensions in Blaby and South Charnwood.

5.21 Given this background, the Spatial Strategy provides the flexibility for a detailed review of land and premises within the Borough on non identified and Identified Employment Areas to inform the Allocations Development Plan Document. It is planned that a study will be commissioned of all of the Identified Employment Areas within the Borough to determine an implementation plan in relation to sites where environmental and other improvements would regenerate the employment areas to provide a climate to counter the trends identified in the State of Oadby and Wigston report.

5.22 The study will also identify sites where it may be more appropriate to stop protecting the Identified Employment Areas and to allow a change to other uses. It will inform the Allocations Development Plan Document in terms of the amount of replacement employment land that is to be provided as part of the Direction for Growth and the type of employment land that should be provided, in particular the split between B1 and B2 employment land taking into account that which is to be or

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has already been lost, demand for new employment land and the nature of the mix of uses within which the new employment land is to be located.

5.23 An overriding principle in relation to the Direction for Growth is the need to establish a balance between the amount of employment land and housing provided. Whilst precision is difficult due to the varying economic climate and uncertainty over the types of businesses that might wish to locate within the Direction for Growth at the time of its development, evidence suggests that in the region of 2.5 to 3.5 hectares of employment land is appropriate. It is intended that masterplanning will further inform the actual amount of employment land to be provided within the Direction for Growth which will be allocated in the Allocations Development Plan Document.

5.24 In order to achieve the regeneration of the Identified Employment Areas a high standard of design and landscaping will be required in relation to all employment development. Some of the Identified Employment Areas in the Borough are located very close to residential areas. In such cases employment development should not have a detrimental impact upon those residential areas.

5.25 Waste management uses can have similar characteristics to those industrial uses best suited to Identified Employment Areas. Consistent with Planning Policy Statement 10 (July 2005) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Waste Development Framework waste management uses may be suitably located within Identified Employment Areas.

5.26 For development likely to result in the contamination of land, water or air particular consideration will be given to proposals to mitigate the effects upon future occupants and/or the environment through the Development Control process.

Growth of the Centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston

5.27 The Spatial Strategy is set around the principle that the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston will be the focus for new development up to 2026. This means they will accommodate a significant amount of growth up to 2026 and that development elsewhere in the Borough should have regard to the Spatial Objectives associated with these centres. This will assist in their regeneration which is a key principle upon which this Core Strategy is based, reflecting the Vision and Spatial Objectives.

5.28 In order to achieve this strategy Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has already prepared Masterplans for all three centres. The Borough Council has also ensured that the Masterplans have been incorporated into the Local Development Framework in order to assist with their effective implementation and therefore, delivery of the Spatial Strategy. The Masterplans for Wigston and Oadby have been incorporated into the Area Action Plans process from the outset and the Masterplan for South Wigston will be incorporated into the Allocations Development Plan Document process (which will cover the whole Borough with the exception of the centres of Oadby and Wigston).

5.29 The Masterplans make provision for a wide range of different uses including almost 40 per cent of the remainder of residential development and the majority of the new employment land to be provided in the Borough. Furthermore, additional retail,

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services, cultural and civic facilities will be supported. The Masterplans also take account of public realm, traffic and transport issues in order to make spending time in the centres a more pleasant experience for the local community. They also aim to create a complementary offer between all centres to ensure that they do not begin to compete with each other and that they can operate within the wider retail hierarchy. Wigston is the largest of the three centres and the Spatial Strategy aims to reinforce this role through the approach to housing delivery in the Borough set out in Figure 4.

5.30 Given the importance of all three centres to the delivery of the Spatial Strategy, the Borough Council is committed to working with its partners to deliver the Masterplans and associated policy framework through mechanisms such as the Local Strategic Partnership and its associated Local Infrastructure Partnership. Development Briefs will also be prepared and if necessary, compulsory purchase powers will be used to assemble sites.

Growth of the Principal Urban Area outside of the Centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston

5.31 The Spatial Strategy supports housing development on suitable land within the Leicester Principal Urban Area outside of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston. This reflects the Spatial Objectives to provide new housing development in locations that are easily accessible to the centres in order to support their regeneration.

5.32 However, as well as housing, these locations play an important role in supporting a wide range of other uses, for example, Identified Employment Land, employment premises, local shops, places of worship, public houses, doctor’s surgeries and dental practices. Often it is important that these facilities are available locally and contribute towards a mix of land uses within the Principal Urban Area. Therefore, whilst the encouragement of new housing development in these locations forms an important element of the Spatial Strategy, the Development Control process will provide the mechanism for ensuring a sustainable mix of uses in the Leicester Principal Urban Area outside of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and that where necessary and appropriate, non residential uses are retained, and new non residential uses established, to maintain this mix of uses.

5.33 The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment is the main way in which the Borough Council identifies the capacity of the Leicester Principal Urban Area to accommodate new housing growth and this is kept up to date on an annual basis. However, due to the nature of the Leicester Principal Urban Area, even with such a detailed assessment, it is very difficult to identify how much land is likely to come forward up to 2026.

5.34 Given the uncertainty over being able to plan for future housing land availability within the Leicester Principal Urban Area it is acknowledged that the estimate of dwellings to be delivered in the Principal Urban Area outside of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston will be subject to change either through sites accommodating more development than anticipated, detailed evidence to be prepared for the Allocations Development Plan Document indicating that sites are unsuitable, or unanticipated windfall sites.

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5.35 However, the Spatial Strategy is flexible enough to be able to accommodate some fluctuation. The effect of any significant higher housing delivery on infrastructure will be closely monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report and should be taken into account when determining future housing provision for the Borough.

5.36 With regard to unanticipated windfall sites, a key consideration in relation to the development control process will be an assessment of the extent to which proposals are consistent with, and will not hinder, the spatial strategy and the overall approach to housing delivery in the Borough as set out in Figure 4.

Direction for Growth to the South East of Wigston

5.37 The Direction for Growth will form an extension to the Leicester Principal Urban Area within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston. This is necessary because it is not appropriate or possible to accommodate all of the housing growth to be provided in the Borough within the Leicester Principal Urban Area and because there is a need to provide some new employment land in the Borough, as previously demonstrated in figure 4 and paragraphs 5.16 to 5.26.

5.38 The term Direction for Growth is used within this Core Strategy to describe the identification of greenfield land on the edge of the Leicester Principal Urban Area for mixed use development. It is significantly smaller in comparison to the Sustainable Urban Extensions that are likely to be provided in a number of district council areas. However, despite this distinction the general principles in relation to Sustainable Urban Extensions will still apply in that development, infrastructure and stakeholders will be required to come together to provide a highly sustainable development.

5.39 For consistency, given that in the context of the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area the Direction for Growth in the Borough is not of sufficient size to be considered a ‘strategic allocation’ in terms of the Core Strategy, it will be allocated in the Allocations Development Plan Document. A Masterplan and/or Development Brief will also be required. No development should take place on the land identified for the Direction for Growth until the land has been allocated and the Masterplan and/or Development Brief approved.

5.40 In preparing the Core Strategy a number of different options for accommodating a Direction for Growth were identified. These took account of location and the number of separate Directions for Growth that might be required. The refinement of these options into the Spatial Strategy has been influenced through consultation, preparation and analysis of evidence.

5.41 The requirement for only one Direction for Growth was established early on in the process of preparing the Core Strategy. The amount of housing growth to be provided in the Borough would not require significant levels of development adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area and evidence relating to infrastructure provision and the sustainable accommodation of greenfield growth indicated that a single Direction for Growth would offer the most sustainable approach.

5.42 The Spatial Strategy incorporates a Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston because this best fits with the Vision and Spatial Objectives for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

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5.43 Wigston Town Centre is identified as the Borough’s main town. It has the greatest potential for growth and the Town Centre Masterplan makes provision to reinforce this by encouraging greater national retailer representation and civic function , whilst continuing to support independent retailers in Wigston. A complementary role for Oadby is proposed, catering for smaller independent and specialist shops, cafes and restaurants.

5.44 The Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston lies within a fifteen minute walk of Wigston Town Centre and, combined with the housing growth proposed for Wigston Town Centre itself within the Town Centre Masterplan, will directly contribute towards the Vision and Spatial Objectives for Wigston Town Centre and the Borough as a whole.

5.45 An Assessment of Highways and Transportation Implications for Oadby and Wigston Borough and Harborough District was published in April 2009 with the involvement of Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and The Highways Agency. It identifies the Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston as having the potential to accommodate growth without having significant negative impacts on the wider highway network.

5.46 The Assessment identified the following benefits of providing the Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston: • improvement to existing bus priority provision which is a key element of being able to provide competitive advantage over the car • direct access to University, Hospital, major education facilities and employment opportunities • direct links to the Borough’s largest centre (Wigston) with an associated higher level of local facilities. The provision of local services can help reduce the need to travel and the urban fringe areas of the Welford Road corridor are within comfortable walking and cycling distance of Wigston Town centre • the Borough’s only rail station is within relatively close proximity and readily accessible by cycle • additional traffic generation on to the Welford Road corridor does not impact the existing significant air quality issues concentrated on the London Road/A6 corridor although some impact on the Welford Road Air Quality Management Area would be generated

5.47 The Assessment identified that any development adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area would require some mitigation works and these will need to be consistent with the mitigation strategies and overall approach set out in the Assessment. Any development which would create significant new traffic generation directly onto Newton Lane would likely need to provide improvements to the Newton Lane/Welford Road junction. There is limited ability to provide physical enhancements at this junction for side road movements without requiring third party land. As a result, development which incorporated a direct linkage to the Welford Road would be advantageous.

5.48 Consistent with Wigston being the Borough’s main town, there is currently better capacity within existing infrastructure to accommodate a Direction for Growth and also better opportunities to develop new infrastructure in support of housing

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growth. A Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities Growth Infrastructure Assessment was published in May 2009 with the active involvement of a wide range of local authorities and service providers.

5.49 It identified, for example, that there is currently greater capacity in the existing schools and colleges in Wigston to accommodate growth. In addition, a Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston will be closer to the state of the art facilities that will be offered at the new South Leicestershire College in South Wigston from 2010. These facilities will provide learning and skills development opportunities for a wide cross section of the community.

5.50 The Growth Infrastructure Assessment also identified as a significant challenge, the costs of assembling the necessary funding for the establishment of new infrastructure to support growth and the need for carefully planned solutions. The Spatial Strategy achieves this by linking growth in Wigston, the Borough’s main town, to the growth of the Leicester Principal Urban Area on land to the south east of Wigston. Therefore, any additional infrastructure requirements can be established so as to support the regeneration and growth of Wigston Town Centre and the Direction for Growth.

5.51 The Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston will be within easy walking distance of Kilby Bridge. It therefore relates directly to the Strategic Objective of enhancing access to and understanding of the Grand Union Canal and its environs through the provision of a Regeneration Scheme which should be prepared for this area (see Core Strategy Policy 3). A River Soar and Grand Union Canal Strategy was published in June 2009 with the involvement of all local authorities responsible for the stretch between Kilby Bridge and Loughborough Meadows, Leicestershire County Council, British Waterways and a number of other organisations. This forms the basis for linking growth to the south east of Wigston to a major green infrastructure asset running through Leicester and Leicestershire and for directing funding towards enhancement of its value both in terms of biodiversity and access to the natural environment.

5.52 Similarly, the Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston will be within easy walking distance of Limedelves Site of Special Scientific Interest and Barn Pool Meadow Local Wildlife Site, part of which is also designated a Regionally Important Geological Site. These sites form part of the environs to the Grand Union Canal Site of Special Scientific Interest which should also be given consideration within the Regeneration Scheme.

5.53 Currently, the sites are lacking favourable management which could be improved to maximise their landscape and biodiversity value. The Direction for Growth, therefore, provides an opportunity for them to play a much greater role in the context of strategic green infrastructure within the Borough and the wider area. Benefits to green infrastructure could include improvement to water quality, improved habitat management for priority species (as identified in the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan) and increase in biodiversity gain. Such opportunities are identified in the Borough Council’s Green Infrastructure Plan. The Allocations Development Plan Document along with the Masterplan and/or Development Brief related to the Direction for Growth must include measures to achieve these benefits, limit any potential harmful effects on the sites and if necessary to mitigate against them.

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5.54 The Spatial Strategy also takes account of the wider context in terms of growth to the south and south east of Leicester. The revoked East Midlands Regional Plan required the vast majority of growth in Harborough District to be located at Market Harborough and adjacent to the Leicester Principal Urban Area. Although the spatial strategy for Harborough District is yet to be agreed development in these locations is likely to put additional pressure on the A6 which is already congested, particularly through Oadby and towards Leicester City Centre.

5.55 The Spatial Strategy to locate development to the south east of Wigston will reduce the pressure placed on the A6 arising from development in the Borough. This will allow the necessary level of growth to be delivered in the general locations described above with the least possible disruption to existing infrastructure.

5.56 It should be noted that a number of other locations within the Borough were considered to accommodate a Direction for Growth but, following consultation, were disregarded either due to significant constraints and/or because they did not contribute towards the Spatial Strategy to the same extent as land to the south east of Wigston.

5.57 The Borough has suffered in the past because a limited number of small housing developments have only made very small contributions to new infrastructure provision either on or off site. They contribute little to the principles of sustainable development. Although development of the scale of a Sustainable Urban Extension is not appropriate in Oadby and Wigston, the Borough Council is keen that similar principles of sustainability are applied to any greenfield development adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area.

5.58 Therefore, given the total amount of housing development allocated to Oadby and Wigston and the Spatial Strategy’s approach to housing delivery, a Direction for Growth consisting of about 450 dwellings (25 per cent of the total housing allocation) together with in the region of 2.5 hectares – 3.5 hectares of employment land is considered to be of an appropriate scale.

5.59 This level of development is consistent with the Spatial Strategy that the focus for development will be in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and for housing development, also within the remainder of the Leicester Principal Urban Area. However, it also allows for the Direction for Growth to be of a sufficient scale to achieve provision of infrastructure, local services and facilities on site as well as strengthening provision off site.

5.60 Evidence supporting the Core Strategy, such as the Landscape Character Assessment and the Assessment of Highways and Transportation Implications also indicates that a Direction for Growth of this scale would be sustainably accommodated adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area to the south east of Wigston.

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Phasing of Development and the use of Brownfield and Greenfield Land

5.61 The Spatial Strategy is based on the principle that the focus for development will be on the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston. Initially, this is likely to require some intervention and partnership working to get some of the sites underway.

5.62 Therefore, in order to effectively achieve the Spatial Strategy it is important that development is primarily focused on the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston and elsewhere within the Leicester Principal Urban Area. This will ensure that efforts can be concentrated on improving the quality and levels of services and facilities along with directing investment towards infrastructure provision in the centres before significant development at the Direction for Growth takes place. In order to achieve this, development within the Direction for Growth should not start until 2017.

5.63 The Allocations Development Plan Document and if necessary a specific Development Brief and/or Masterplan for the Direction for Growth will include the following information: • guidance on remaining infrastructure required to accommodate the Direction for Growth both on site and off site including within Wigston Town Centre • the position with regard to the Borough Council’s approach to housing delivery. If, for example, the housing opportunities identified within the Leicester Principal Urban Area outside of the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan areas and outside of the South Wigston Masterplan area have not come forward as expected, then consideration could be given to increasing the amount of housing proposed for the Direction for Growth. This demonstrates the flexible approach that this Spatial Strategy provides • guidance on the density and mix of uses that will be expected to comprise the Direction for Growth including the amount of employment land required, the type of employment uses that will be catered for and how employment uses will be integrated into the wider development • guidance on access to and movement through the Direction for Growth and the location of the various uses.

5.64 The Spatial Strategy is also based on the principle that housing growth will come forward relatively evenly up to 2026, at around 90 dwellings per annum. This is set out in the housing trajectory in Appendix 1 and shown in Figure 4. For the first 7 years (2010/11 to 2016/17) this will be delivered through housing opportunities identified within the Leicester Principal Urban Area. Initially, it is anticipated that this will arise mainly from housing opportunities identified within the Leicester Principal Urban Area outside of the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan areas and outside of the South Wigston Masterplan area. Given that it is anticipated to take some time to complete the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans, the Allocations Development Plan Document and to assemble sites, housing opportunities identified in the Wigston and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan areas and within the South Wigston Masterplan area are anticipated to come forward from 2014. This is consistent with the Spatial Strategy to prioritise development within the Leicester Principal Urban Area to support the regeneration of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston and their associated communities.

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5.65 For the last 9 years (2017/18 to 2025/26) housing growth will arise from the Direction for Growth adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area on land to the south east of Wigston.

5.66 The Spatial Strategy offers some flexibility to account for the impact of the recession that began in 2008 by accounting for housing growth that is likely to involve larger or more difficult sites towards the middle and end of the plan period. Housing growth in the earlier years is likely to arise from smaller sites and sites currently underway. Nevertheless, a dip in the number of completions is still expected but, given the location of the Borough in relation to the Leicester Principal Urban Area, this is likely to right itself once the state of the economy begins to improve.

5.67 Generally residential development should be built to an average of 40 dwellings per hectare or more on sites of 0.3 hectares and above. This is consistent with the standards that have previously been applied in the Borough and is reflective of its location entirely within the Leicester Principal Urban Area where higher densities should be achieved, for example, because of generally better access to public transport and more opportunities for cycling and walking.

5.68 However, this figure should be seen as a benchmark, within town and district centres it is likely that will be exceeded, particularly where apartments are developed. In some parts of the Borough a lower figure may occasionally be appropriate where the landscape or townscape character justifies this. This approach to density will ensure that the Borough Council meets and exceeds its target to provide at least 60 per cent of new development on previously developed land. With the Direction for Growth accounting for 25 per cent of the Borough’s total housing allocation, 75 per cent is proposed to be developed on brownfield land.

5.69 The possibility of contamination from a previous use will be one of the factors taken into account in assessing the suitability of land. It is important to ensure that any contamination is dealt with as part of the re-development process, to ensure there are no adverse effects on future occupants and/or the environment. If it is possible that contamination may be present on a site, further more detailed investigation will be required.

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Key Diagram

5.70 The Key Diagram (Figure 6) provides a graphical illustration of the Spatial Strategy, illustrating the various locations for development and amounts of development proposed up until 2026. The Key Diagram fulfils an important role in demonstrating the spatial relationship that exists between the Borough, Leicester City and neighbouring districts, particularly in the context of the Leicester Principal Urban Area. The Key Diagram also demonstrates the relationship that exists between some of the other policies in the Core Strategy and the Spatial Strategy, for example, Green Wedges, Sustainable Transport and Accessibility and the Countryside. It should be noted that the Key Diagram is not to scale and is diagramatic. The Allocations Development Plan Document will identify specific land allocations and boundaries on the Proposals Map.

Figure 5: Key Diagram

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Core Strategy Policy 2 Development in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston

The role of Wigston as the Borough’s main town centre and the roles of Oadby and South Wigston as district centres will be sustained and enhanced. In order to enhance the existing blend of facilities and promote competitive town and district centres, mixed use developments that include, retail, employment, residential, community, leisure, culture and tourist facilities, will be supported.

The Borough Council will work with the community and stakeholders to implement Area Action Plans and Masterplans for Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston centres that will deliver regeneration, investment, growth, and establish Oadby as a small town centre.

Approximately 6,000 square metres of office floorspace (gross) will be provided in the centres of Wigston and Oadby. The approximate split between the centres will be as follows: Wigston: 5,000 square metres (gross) Oadby: 1,000 square metres (gross)

Approximately 20,000 square metres of retail floorspace (gross) will be provided in the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston. The approximate split between the centres will be as follows: Wigston: 13,000 square metres (gross) Oadby: 5,000 square metres (gross) South Wigston: 2,000 square metres (gross)

In considering proposals for new retail development, the Borough Council will apply the sequential approach to site selection. It will be essential that any new development does not have an adverse effect on existing centres within the Borough. New development should be integrated within the existing infrastructure where feasible and should conform to the priorities of the Leicestershire Local Transport Plan.

Efficient use of land and buildings within town and district centres will be achieved through the implementation of high density schemes where appropriate. Priority will be given to proposals that incorporate mixed use and seek the reuse or redevelopment of previously developed land and buildings.

All new buildings and public spaces within town and district centres should be of high design quality, promote vitality and maximise economic potential. Any development proposals that would compromise the viability of town district and local centres will not be permitted.

The Borough Council will seek to retain and, where necessary, identify new small scale local shopping opportunities to meet the everyday needs of local people. Provision will be made for local services and community facilities within local centres.

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This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 1 Regeneration of Town and District Centres, Spatial Objective 2 Wigston Town Centre, Spatial Objective 3 Oadby Town Centre, Spatial Objective 4 South Wigston District Centre, Spatial Objective 5 Improved Employment Opportunities, Spatial Objective 7 A Balanced Housing Market and Spatial Objective 8 Sustainable Design and Infrastructure

5.71 As emphasised by the Government in Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (December 2009), the key objective for town and district centres is to promote their vitality and viability. This is achieved through the planned growth, promotion and enhancement of existing centres and by encouraging a wide range of services in a high quality environment that are accessible to all.

5.72 Town and district centres will seek to enhance consumer choice by; • making provision for a range of shopping, leisure and local services, which allow genuine choice to meet needs of the entire community, in particular socially excluded groups; • supporting efficient, competitive and innovative retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, with improving productivity; and, • improving accessibility, ensuring that existing or new development is, or will be, accessible and well served by a choice of transport modes.

5.73 In January 2007, Taylor Young, in conjunction with BE Group and Faber Maunsell and in association with White Young Green, were commissioned by the Borough Council to prepare Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans for the centres of Oadby and Wigston and a Masterplan for South Wigston centre. The three centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston are distinctly different from one another and perform a variety of functions that provide; • a number of diverse range of shops and services; • are centres of employment for the Borough; • provide entertainment and leisure facilities; and • are a focus for public transport links.

5.74 Consistent with the Spatial Strategy, development will be focused in the Borough’s existing town and district centres in order to strengthen and regenerate them. Promotion and management of change will be achieved through the emerging Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans that have been prepared for Wigston and Oadby , and the South Wigston Masterplan which will be incorporated into the Allocations Development Plan Document. Alongside regeneration of employment land within town and district centres, residential development will be encouraged. The Spatial Strategy seeks the provision of 393 new dwellings spread across the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston, as well as providing locations for new employment land.

5.75 The emerging Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans for Wigston and Oadby and the South Wigston Masterplan will include policies and proposals to develop and manage the evening and night time economy. In particular, these will focus on establishing a range of complimentary uses which appeal to a wide range of age and social groups; which contribute towards the regeneration of the centres; and, which are consistent with the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

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5.76 In terms of retail provision within the Borough, Wigston town centre has the most. The Spatial Strategy identifies Wigston as the Borough’s main town and key centre for development. Due to Wigston’s position in the retail hierarchy and its nearby location to the Direction for Growth, it plays a key role in the sustained and continued growth of the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

5.77 The retail floorspace figures contained within the Policy were derived from the Oadby and Wigston Retail Capacity Study by Savills, which was carried out in 2008. In view of the economic difficulties experienced nationally since the study was completed, the figures currently appear ambitious. However, over the fifteen year plan period, economic recovery is likely with rising prosperity and a return to increasing retail expenditure. Detailed masterplanning will ensure that the exact scale and character of new development is broadly consistent with the Core Strategy but does not undermine the character or the vitality and viability of the established centres.

5.78 Through the implementation of the Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans , the Borough Council will be seeking the establishment of Oadby district centre into a small town centre, focusing on provision of services for local people as well as provision of shops, services and facilities that would serve a more specialist market. Therefore, the progression of Oadby centre into a small town centre will not detract from Wigston’s role as the Borough's main town centre. Both centres will be unique in style, design, amenities and provision and will work in tandem with one another.

5.78 In line with Government policy and the Borough’s Spatial Strategy, any development that takes place within the town or district centres will need to use land efficiently, where appropriate, through implementation of high density schemes. Any proposals comprising mixed uses and the reuse of previously developed land will generally be supported. Mixed use proposals could include retail, employment, residential, community, leisure, cultural and tourism facilities. Although development is to be focused within town and district centres, local centres still play a key role in everyday quality of life. These smaller centres provide access to essential but more limited services, for residents that do not have easy and efficient access to town and district centres, whether it is through choice or lack of transport links.

5.79 All centres within the Borough and some significant centres outside of the Borough have been characterised using definitions set out in Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (December 2009), as illustrated below;

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City Centres City centres are the highest level of centre identified in development plans. In terms of hierarchies, they will often be a regional centre and will serve a wide catchment. The centre may be very large, embracing a wide range of activities and may be distinguished by areas which may perform different main functions.

Town Centres Town centres will usually be the second level of centres after city centres and, in many cases, they will be the principal centre or centres in a local authority’s area. In rural areas they are likely to be market towns and other centres of similar size and role which function as important service centres, providing a range of facilities and services for extensive rural catchment areas. In planning the future of town centres, local planning authorities should consider the function of different parts of the centre and how these contribute to its overall vitality and viability.

District Centres District centres will usually comprise groups of shops often containing at least one supermarket or superstore, and a range of non-retail services, such as banks, building societies and restaurants, as well as local public facilities such as a library.

Local Centres Local centres include a range of small shops of a local nature, serving a small catchment. Typically, local centres might include, amongst other shops, a small supermarket, a newsagent, a sub-post office and a pharmacy. Other facilities could include a hot-food takeaway and launderette. In rural areas, large villages may perform the role of a local centre. Figure 6: Characterisation of Centres

5.80 The various definitions establish a Retail Hierarchy. The Spatial Objectives and Spatial Strategy place a great deal of emphasis on the role of the Borough’s town and district centres in delivering the Core Strategy and therefore it is important that the retail hierarchy for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston is consistent with the retail hierarchy that exists in the Leicester Principal Urban Area and in the south of Leicestershire. This will ensure that the various centres can relate to one another spatially, maintain their vitality and viability whilst providing a different offer to the local community.

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City Centre Leicester City Centre

Town Centres Wigston; Beaumont Leys; Market Harborough

District Centres Oadby; Melton Road and Belgrave South Wigston; Road; Blaby; Evington Road; Broughton Astley; Uppingham Road Narborough Road;

Local Centres Little Hill; Glen Road and Highcroft within the Rosemead Drive; Avenue; Borough Leicester Road; Carlton Drive and Castleton Gloucester Crescent; Road; Kelmarsh Avenue; Severn Road; Queens Drive

Local Centres Narborough ; Needham Avenue, Glen Parva; outside of the Enderby Station Road, Countesthorpe; Borough Dog and Gun Lane; Leicester Road, Glen Parva; Clarendon Park; Main Street, Great Glen; Kibworth Beauchamp; Aylestone and Ashtree Road; Cavendish Road; London Road South; Allandale Road and Asquith Boulevard; Francis Street; Queens Road; Saffron Lane and Swinford Avenue; Burnaston Road; The Exchange; Saffron Lane and Southfields Drive; Duncan Road; Saffron Lane and Welford Road and Cavendish Road; Gainsborough Road Aylestone Village; Figure 7: List of Retail and Shopping Centres within and Beyond the Borough Boundary

Note: Regional and Sub Regional Shopping Centres consist of Fosse Park, St George’s Retail Park, Grove Farm Triangle

5.81 In order to be successful in the future and withstand competition from neighbouring facilities, the centres have to evolve and move forward. Despite the significant growth of ‘out of town’ retailing and ‘online’ internet shopping, high street retailers within the town and district centres have continued to prosper and currently account for 50 per cent of total money spent by consumers, which is almost identical to the share in 1998. This inevitably means new and improved retail floorspace that better accommodates the needs and demands of modern retailing is needed, as well as suitable, sustainable, effective and efficient public or ‘green’ transport links.

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5.82 Consistent with the Leicestershire Local Transport Plan, the Borough Council is seeking to tackle the six key priorities, directly, in the town and district centres. The priorities are: • tackling congestion, both currently and in the future; • access to facilities, especially for the most deprived; • reducing road casualties and improving air quality, with particular emphasis on the link between congestion and air quality; • reducing the impact of traffic; and • transport assets.

These are enshrined within the emerging Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans for Wigston and Oadby and the South Wigston Masterplan.

5.83 Town and district centre boundaries will be defined within relevant town centre Masterplan Area Action Plans and the Allocations Development Plan Document.

5.84 The sequential approach to site selection, as set out in Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (December 2009), will be applied for all new proposed retail development that is not within an existing centre nor allocated within the Allocations Development Plan Document. For sites that are located outside of existing centres, developers will need to take account of the impact assessment framework as also defined in Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (December 2009),

Core Strategy Policy 3 Regeneration Schemes

Where large scale change or regeneration schemes are proposed, for example, the Wigston Direction for Growth, and the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston, the Borough Council will require the production of Masterplans, Development Briefs and/or other appropriate plans or strategies, which should where applicable;

• identify sites suitable for new development or redevelopment and appropriate uses; • establish a spatial and sustainable pattern of growth; • identify constraints to development and set out how they will be overcome; • identify sensitive features and sites, with measures to protect them; • identify relevant access, transportation issues and solutions; • establish priorities for implementation, timescales and sources of funding; • take account of local landscape and/or townscape character in the design of the scheme; and, • take into account other relevant factors including sustainable construction and design; public open space; community and green infrastructure; biodiversity; health; community safety; education and training; sustainable waste management; recycling; and, accessibility.

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This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 1 Regeneration of Town and District Centres, Spatial Objective 2 Wigston Town Centre, Spatial Objective 3 Oadby Town Centre, Spatial Objective 4 South Wigston District Centre, Spatial Objective 5 Improved Employment Opportunities, Spatial Objective 6 Growth of the Principal Urban Area, Spatial Objective 8 Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 9 An Accessible Borough; Spatial Objective 14 Enhancing Local Heritage

5.85 Proposals for new regeneration schemes and initiatives that lead to large scale change will be identified and coordinated in association with the Local Strategic Partnership and its associated Local Infrastructure Partnership, to ensure that key stakeholders and representatives of the wider local community are involved throughout the planning and implementation process.

5.86 The key areas within the Borough for retail provision and potential large scale new development or regeneration schemes are the town centre of Wigston, and the two district centres of Oadby and South Wigston, as illustrated within the Retail Hierarchy. Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans will be brought forward for the centres of Wigston and Oadby and a Masterplan that has been prepared for South Wigston will be taken forward through the Allocations Development Plan Document.

5.87 Much of the University of Leicester’s student accommodation, conferencing facilities and sports and recreational facilities are based at their campus in Oadby. The Council supports the general principle of the continuing enhancement of the University of Leicester’s Oadby Campus and the preparation of a long term framework for its future development in accordance with the guiding principles set out in this Policy. This should be in the interest of education, skills, enterprise, academic growth and of the wider Borough community.

5.88 Regeneration schemes elsewhere in the Borough will be encouraged through Masterplanning and/or Development Briefs. Such planning will provide an organised, streamlined and sustainable approach that will prevent ad hoc development out of context with the general character and structure of the area, from being detrimental or unproductive. Some Masterplans may be able to be adopted as Area Action Plans by the Borough Council and form part of the Local Development Framework, where appropriate.

5.89 In large scale developments or schemes that are proposed, such as the Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston, proposals will need to include a mix of uses and take account of any existing local landscape or townscape character. Mixed use should include residential dwellings, on site employment opportunities, recreation and leisure, community facilities and convenience provision. Such a mix of uses will contribute to sustainable development as set out in government guidance and will play a role in reducing the effects of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases on climate change.

5.90 Although development on previously developed land and buildings may be related to some existing infrastructure, provision of new and/or improvements and enhancements to existing community infrastructure may be required to ensure carrying capacities are not breached. Community Infrastructure is defined in Core Strategy Policy 10 and the Glossary.

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5.91 Kilby Bridge is the Borough’s only rural settlement and is located in the floodplain of the River Sence. It contains a number of uses which do not contribute positively towards the character of the settlement. Therefore, it is important that only appropriate development, such small scale leisure, tourism and canal based development occurs within the settlement in the future. A Regeneration Scheme should be prepared for Kilby Bridge and its environs covering these issues, plus Strategic Green Infrastructure issues including The Grand Union Canal and Limedelves Site of Special Scientific Interest, Barn Pool Meadow Local Wildlife Site and its associated Regionally Important Geological Site and linkages between the Direction for Growth and Kilby Bridge. More detail regarding a Kilby Bridge Regeneration Scheme and its implementation will be provided in the forthcoming Allocations Development Plan Document.

Core Strategy Policy 4 Sustainable Transport and Accessibility

Development should be located and designed so as to reduce the need to travel, enhance the safety of pedestrians and road users, and improve accessibility for residents particularly in locations where there is poor transport choice and availability. In all new built schemes, developers must consider the highways and transport infrastructure requirements needed to support and service the proposed development. There will be a need to demonstrate, that adequate capacity currently exists or will be provided through appropriate mitigation that meets necessary infrastructure requirements.

Where development is considered to be of a significant scale or type, a transport assessment and/or a travel plan, will be required.

Support will be given for the following sustainable transport initiatives: • High quality public transport links between the Direction for Growth, Wigston Town Centre and Leicester City Centre • A new public transport interchange in Wigston Town Centre to facilitate changes between north-south and east-west journeys • The route of the Eastern District Distributor Road will be safeguarded as a potential transport route pending a review of its capability to meet local needs for more sustainable travel, and its viability • Innovative schemes for public car parking in the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston which comply with the County Council’s parking standards, make efficient use of land and achieve high quality design.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 6 Growth of the Principal Urban Area and Spatial Objective 9 An Accessible Borough.

5.92 It is essential that all new development can be successfully integrated into existing transport and highways infrastructure and has minimal detriment to the local area. In line with the Borough’s Spatial Strategy, new development is to be directed to

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the most sustainable locations, for example, the town and district centres, the Leicester Principal Urban Area and the Direction for Growth.

5.93 The Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston is the most sustainable location for such a development, when set in the context of the overall Spatial Strategy for the Borough. This is evidenced by the fact that Wigston is identified as the Borough’s main town and the Assessment of Highways and Transportation Implications for Oadby and Wigston Borough and Harborough District (2009) concludes that this part of the Leicester Principal Urban Area has the greatest potential for growth with minimal impact on the existing highways network and air quality.

5.94 As emphasised within The Transport White Paper, The Future for Transport published in 2004, increasing demand for transport must be managed. Whilst accepting that good transport is vital to a successful thriving economy and facilitating better access and greater mobility, the evidence stresses the need to balance the increasing demand for travel against protecting the environment effectively and improving the quality of life for everyone. The Spatial Strategy for the Borough achieves this aim by making provision for main routes to the strategic road network outside of the Borough, such as the M1, M69 and A14, to be accessed when necessary. It also encourages development and use of public transport links which will increase capacity on the highway network.

5.95 The revoked East Midlands Regional Plan included the Regional Transport Strategy which focused on encouraging the development of sustainable travel patterns through; reducing the need to travel, especially by car; managing traffic growth and congestion; improving opportunities for walking and cycling; promoting a step change improvement to the reliability, capacity, quality, accessibility and coverage of the public transport network; making better use of existing transport networks through better management; and, only developing additional highway capacity when all other measures have been considered. These principles are important locally in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston and The Core Strategy, other Development Plan Documents within the Local Development Framework, the Local Transport Plan and the Local Strategic Partnership will work together to deliver them.

5.96 Leicestershire County Council’s policy document, the 6Cs (6 County/City Authorities – see Glossary) Design Guide aims to achieve the delivery of quality developments. It includes the maximum car parking standards that apply to proposals for development in the Borough, including proposals arising through Local Development Framework Documents. Proposals for development should take this document into account alongside the Sustainable Transport and Accessibility policy.

5.97 This Policy will contribute towards the spatial objectives relating to public transport in the Borough which include improving east west public transport links between South Wigston, Wigston and Oadby, ensuring that new development is integrated into this link and establishing fast and frequent public transport links to key services, facilities and the retail centre of Leicester. The Spatial Strategy which focuses development within the town and district centres, the Leicester Principal Urban Area and a Direction for Growth to Wigston directly supports achievement of

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these spatial objectives by ensuring that growth occurs in the main population centres adjoin the public transport routes.

5.98 It is also of note that the Wigston Town Centre Masterplan incorporates a proposal for a public transport interchange that will provide a transport interchange between Wigston town centre, an east west bus route to South Wigston and Oadby and a north south bus route between the Direction for Growth and Leicester.

5.99 South Wigston Railway Station provides links to Nottingham, Derby and London via Leicester and to Nuneaton and Birmingham. Increasing the number of services stopping at South Wigston would boost the use of rail as a method of public transport by those living and working in the Borough. The Core Strategy supports this principle by ensuring that growth is directed to locations that will increase the potential pool passengers wishing to use train services through: • Initiatives connected to the regeneration of South Wigston, such as the relocation of South Leicestershire College to the centre • the Spatial Strategy which focuses development in the centre of South Wigston, the Leicester Principal Urban Area and the Direction for Growth to the south east of Wigston which is within cycling distance of the railway station

5.100 Travel Plans aim to ensure the delivery of sustainable transport objectives including ‘smarter choices’, the reduction of car usage and increased use of public transport, walking and cycling as part of new development. They should be submitted alongside any planning application that is likely to have significant transport implications such as employment, leisure, educational and major residential developments. Therefore, a Transport Assessment and/or a Travel Plan may be required to accompany some planning applications, in particular those that would constitute a major application.

5.101 This policy enables the protection of routes that will allow the future expansion and enhancement of transport infrastructure in the Borough. The Eastern District Distributor Road is one such link that has been identified in previous plans but has not been delivered.

5.102 Whilst there are currently no plans to progress the Eastern District Distributor Road, Leicestershire County Council, as the local highway authority, wish to see the continued safeguarding of this route within the Borough. This is because the County and City highway authorities face significant challenges in continuing to develop local transport systems. At a strategic level this includes, amongst other things, supporting and deliver housing and economic growth, improving peoples' access to services whilst reducing impacts on the environment and seeking to minimise the effects of climate change. At a local level, there are issues regarding traffic conditions on Stoughton Drive South and on the A6 between Leicester and Oadby.

5.103 Nationally, transport policy has evolved considerably since the Highways Authority last reviewed the position with regard to the Eastern District Distributor Road. Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Councils are in the very early stages of thinking about future transport policy and strategy through the next Local Transport Plans. The Highways Authority considers that the completion of a route along the Eastern District Distributor Road line within the Borough might help to

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meet strategic challenges and address local issues. This could be as either a general traffic route and/or one that helps to deliver improved public transport, walking and cycling. However, future work will be required to provide evidence to underpin policy and strategy choices (for example through a Leicester Principal Urban Area wide transport study).

5.104 Given that the original Eastern District Distributor Road route is most unlikely to come forward as planned, the safeguarded route identified on the Key Diagram is referred to as a ‘potential transport route’. The potential transport route will be allocated in the Allocations Development Plan Document.

Strategy Policy 5 Green Infrastructure

The Borough Council will seek a net gain in Green Infrastructure through the protection and enhancement of assets and the creation of new multifunctional areas of green space.

The Borough Council will: • safeguard and enhance Strategic Green Infrastructure corridors connecting locations of natural heritage, green space, biodiversity and other environmental interest; • actively promote the creation of new Strategic Green Infrastructure corridors and the restoration, recreation and enhancement of existing Green Infrastructure corridors and the biodiversity that they support, particularly where the opportunity exists through new development; • seek opportunities to link fragmented habitats, protect vulnerable habitats and integrate biodiversity within communities; • protect and conserve species and sites of ecological and geological significance; and • work in partnership to enhance the value of Strategic Green Infrastructure corridors that are also of significance outside of the Borough, such as the Grand Union Canal and River Sence.

To enable optimum conditions for the creation and protection of wildlife species and habitats, development must accord with the Borough Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan and Nature Conservation Strategy.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 9 An Accessible Borough, Spatial Objective 10 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles, Spatial Objective 12 Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 13 Green Wedges and the Countryside and Spatial Objective 14 Enhancing Local Heritage.

5.105 Natural England defines Green Infrastructure as “networks of multi-functional green space and natural elements that intersperse and connect our cities, towns and villages” and play a key role in delivering sustainable communities. Green Infrastructure also plays an important role in terms of climate change mitigation (e.g. through carbon storage) and climate change adaptation (e.g. through moderating urban temperature extremes). Further guidance on climate change is provided in Core Strategy Policy 8: Climate Change and Renewable Energy.

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5.106 Green Infrastructure is regarded as a vital part of urban infrastructure and a positive way of conceptualising green space planning. The Borough Council’s aim is to increase the quality of its natural green assets as well as to ensure a net gain in its quantity.

5.107 Well designed and integrated Green Infrastructure is essential in improving environmental quality, health, wellbeing and community cohesion. It also offers significant opportunity for exercise, sport and informal recreation. Green infrastructure should contribute to and enhance the quality of life of existing and future residents and visitors to the Borough. Opportunities to achieve this include; • providing a focus and attractive environment for the increased population proposed within the three cities growth area, and specifically in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston; • providing improvements that respect existing landscape character and that will assist in attracting and retaining inward investment; • protecting and enhancing existing biodiversity, creating new areas for biodiversity and reversing the fragmentation of habitats by restoring the connectivity between them; • providing continued, new and enhanced links to the countryside; and, • coordinating the use of green space to optimise its use for leisure, biodiversity, drainage, flood management and other socio economic activities.

5.108 In the Borough of Oadby and Wigston the Green Infrastructure consists of many diverse elements. It includes the countryside around the Leicester Principal Urban Area, the Green Wedges and areas of open space that run from the countryside into the Leicester Principal Urban Area, river corridors, canals and railway lines. These Strategic Green Infrastructure Corridors are illustrated in Figure 8.

5.109 Current provision of Green Infrastructure within the Borough includes formal and informal open spaces, cemeteries, sports fields, golf courses, Leicester Racecourse, local wildlife sites, local nature reserves, country parks and allotment sites.

5.110 The Natural England Accessible Natural Green Space Standard is widely regarded as being the best fit to Green Infrastructure planning This has been taken into account in setting the local standards in the Borough Council’s Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facility Study, published in 2009.

5.111 Green Infrastructure can contribute to the high quality natural and built environment that fosters sustainable communities. Biodiversity is protected by ensuring Green Infrastructure is networked through corridors of green space. As well as biodiversity, Green Infrastructure includes sites of ecological, geological and historical interest. Within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston these sites include;

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) • The Grand Union Canal and Limedelves Site Of Special Scientific Interest, located east of Kilby Bridge between Kilby and Foxton

Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) • Kilby Bridge Pit Regionally Important Geological Site, located between Wigston and Kilby Bridge, east of Welford Road. 59

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5.112 The Borough of Oadby and Wigston has two important advantages in terms of promoting biodiversity as part of Green Infrastructure. Firstly it has urban, suburban and rural habitats in close proximity and secondly two Green Wedges, which bring these habitats closer together. This enables species to use features within all these elements of the rural and urban landscape.

5.113 The main habitats and species that comprise the Borough’s Green Infrastructure Assets, and which have been identified through the Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Biodiversity Audit published in 2005 include :

Habitats • Veteran trees • Trees of special interest (those with the potential for bat roosts) • Hedgerows • Woodland • Ponds • Wildlife Sites • Sites of Special Scientific Interest • Nature Reserves • Gardens • Grand Union Canal • River Sence • Washbrook

Species • Otters • Water voles • Farmland Birds • Bats • Great crested newts • Marbled White Butterfly • Brown Hares

5.114 Furthermore, all proposals for development should accord with the Borough Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan and Nature Conservation Strategy. The Biodiversity Action Plan highlights the important habitats and species in the Borough that contribute to the United Kingdoms biodiversity conservation targets. The Nature Conservation Strategy, published in 2007, sets out the framework of nature conservation targets to focus on the Borough Council’s commitment to safeguarding nature conservation within the Borough. It encourages the use of native species (ideally of local provenance) in the establishment of new habitats and Green Infrastructure.

5.115 In order to build on this framework, a Green Infrastructure Plan (2009) has been prepared. This provides a detailed compilation of the various components of Green Infrastructure within the Borough and identifies the new Green Infrastructure that is required in the Borough in order to accommodate growth up to 2026. It establishes what needs to be done and by when, who needs to do it and what the priorities for action are. Where possible it identifies capital and, where appropriate, revenue costs together with sources of funding. It is intended that the Green Infrastructure

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Plan will contribute towards the delivery and implementation of this policy and that it will assist in the determination of planning applications in the Borough.

5.116 The Green Infrastructure Plan consists of important evidence for the Local Development Framework to ensure that the environmental and social importance of the network of green infrastructure continues to serve the population of the Borough.

5.117 The proposed Direction for Growth south east of Wigston should establish new Green Infrastructure corridors to link growth to the existing Green Infrastructure network. All new Green Infrastructure corridors should tie in with, connect and enhance existing corridors of green space, for example, the nearby Grand Union Canal and River Sence corridors. Provision of new Green Infrastructure is an important contribution that developers can make when sites are developed. For example, to improve the robustness of the Green Infrastructure or restore it where this is necessary. The Community Infrastructure Policy in Chapter 7 provides more guidance on this.

5.118 The Spatial Strategy aims to develop links between areas of Green Infrastructure into Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston and also into Leicester City. Similarly, proposals for Kilby Bridge should retain or enhance linkages to the Grand Union Canal and River Sence, and take into account the River Soar and Grand Union Canal Strategy.

5.119 The Borough has two Green Wedges: the Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge separating the townships of Oadby and Wigston and the Oadby, Thurnby, Stoughton Green Wedge encompassing the land to the northern boundary of the Borough. These ensure that green corridors through the Borough and into neighbouring districts are maintained. Green Wedge Strategies (Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge Strategy (2004) and the Oadby, Thurnby, Stoughton Green Wedge Strategy (2005)) provide the Borough with a framework for managing the green wedges.

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Figure 8: Strategic Green Infrastructure

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Chapter 6: The Natural Environment

Core Strategy Policy 6 Green Wedges

The objectives of Green Wedges are to:

• retain the open and undeveloped character of the Green Wedges; • retain and create green networks between the countryside and open spaces within the urban area; and • retain and enhance public access to the Green Wedges, especially for recreation.

The following land uses will be acceptable in Green Wedges, provided that they are consistent with these objectives:

• agriculture, horticulture and allotments not accompanied by retail development; • outdoor leisure, recreation and sporting facilities; • forestry; • footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways; and • burial grounds

Road proposals or dedicated public transport routes will only be acceptable where there is no alternative route available outside the Green Wedge and provided appropriate mitigation measures are implemented to minimise any adverse impacts on the amenity of the specific Green Wedge.

The detailed boundaries of the Green Wedges within the Borough will be identified in the Allocations Development Plan Document. Any review of the boundaries should be undertaken through the Local Development Framework process and in partnership with relevant neighbouring Councils.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and the Countryside

6.1 The purpose of Green Wedges is to protect important areas of open land which influence the form and direction of urban development; to ensure that open land extends outwards between the existing and planned development limits of the urban areas; preserve strategic landscape and wildlife links between the countryside and urban open spaces; prevent the coalescence and maintain the physical identity of settlements adjoining the main urban areas and allow recreation and access to the countryside. To support these aims, the Borough Council prepared the Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge Management Strategy in 2004. A Management Strategy for the Oadby, Thurnby, Stoughton Green Wedge was prepared in partnership with the Stepping Stones Countryside Management Project in 2005.

6.2 As a small and predominately urban Borough, our landscape plays a major role in shaping the character of the environment, both stimulating leisure and tourism and

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supporting the overall ‘quality of life’. The Oadby and Wigston Landscape Character Assessment (2005) identifies a number of landscape character areas across the Borough and it is important that both the quality and distinctive characteristics of these areas are conserved and enhanced when new development occurs. Therefore, in order to ensure that any new development respects this character and enhances it, new development affecting the Green Wedges should relate well to the existing landscape and be sympathetic to its surroundings.

6.3 In relation to the Green Wedges specifically, their existing area should be maintained, in particular because of the valuable role they play in preserving the identity of the urban areas. Green Wedge boundaries will be safeguarded unless an identified need for new development, which cannot be accommodated within the existing urban area, justifies the need to review them.

6.4 Green Wedges provide an excellent gateway to link the urban area to the countryside. In the instance of the Green Wedge separating Wigston and Oadby, not only does it separate the two urban settlements, it also provides the Green Infrastructure necessary to access the countryside to the south of the Borough. Management of Green Infrastructure in the Borough is dealt with in Policy 5: Green Infrastructure.

6.5 With regard to the Direction for Growth, existing Green Wedge boundaries will be amended, if evidence suggests a necessity to do so , through the Borough’s Allocations Development Plan Document.

Core Strategy Policy 7 The Countryside

Land outside the Leicester Principal Urban Area, defined limits to development and Green Wedges will be defined as Countryside. The openness and intrinsic qualities of the Countryside will be protected. The Borough Council will promote good management of the Countryside whilst allowing it to adapt to the identified needs of the community.

Some forms of development may be required in the Countryside. Development justified as necessary in the Countryside must be appropriate in terms of layout, scale, height, materials, form, impact and siting. Development should not adversely affect landscape, wildlife, the ecological, geological, environmental, archaeological or historic resources of the specific site and the surrounding areas.

Development causing adverse impacts in the Countryside will only be permitted where there is a justifiable need which outweighs these impacts and where a Landscape Character Assessment has been undertaken to ensure that all detrimental impacts that a development may cause have been assessed and can be mitigated.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and the Countryside

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6.6 In line with the Spatial Strategy for the Borough, where possible, development shall be focussed in the Leicester Principal Urban Area to minimise development in the countryside . However, land designated as countryside adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area will be released through the Allocations Development Plan Document in order to accommodate the Direction for Growth .

6.7 This policy provides protection against inappropriate development in the countryside and establishes the criteria for the types of development that may be appropriate. New development in the countryside will only be permitted where a justifiable need can be demonstrated consistent with the principles set out in Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (August 2004), for example, development that will enhance the rural economy and when viable, support the delivery of affordable dwellings for identified local need. Where development does take place in the countryside it must be sympathetically designed and located so as to provide as little disturbance as possible to the open nature of the countryside and to protect the various Green Infrastructure asset that it supports.

6.8 Although the Borough of Oadby and Wigston is predominantly urban, land to the south and east within the local authority boundary plays an important role in providing the residents of the Borough and the wider Leicester Principal Urban Area access to open countryside. The majority of the Borough’s population live within the built up areas around the centres of Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston. However, it is also imperative that where appropriate, necessary forms of development to meet the needs of residents in rural areas are supported.

6.9 As a small and predominately urban Borough, our landscapes plays a major role in shaping the character of our environment, both stimulating leisure and tourism and supporting the overall ‘quality of life’. The Oadby and Wigston Landscape Character Assessment (2005) identifies a number of landscape character areas across the Borough and it is important that both the quality and distinctive characteristics of these areas are conserved and enhanced when new development occurs. Therefore, in order to ensure that any new development respects this character and enhances it, new development affecting the Green Wedges should relate well to the existing landscape and be sympathetic to its surroundings.

6.10 The exact limits to development in the countryside, for example, in relation to the Direction for Growth and Kilby Bridge will be defined in the Allocations Development Plan Document.

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Core Strategy Policy 8 Climate Change and Renewable Energy

All new development, including large scale refurbishment, will be required to demonstrate how: • It makes effective use of resources and materials, promotes sustainable transport reduces predicted CO2 emissions and minimises water use; • It will incorporate decentralised and renewable or low carbon energy generation; and • It is sited and designed so as to minimise, mitigate and adapt to the likely effects of climate change

All new development will be required to demonstrate how it reflects current nationally prescribed sustainable buildings standards for energy efficiency.

Renewable Energy In order to achieve indicative renewable energy generation targets for the Borough of: • Up to 2 Mega Watts of wind energy; • Up to 4 Mega Watts of electric building integrated renewables; and • Up to 6 Mega Watts of thermal integrated renewables the Council will permit new development of sources of renewable energy generation where: • Proposals seek to minimise any adverse effects on designated environmental assets, important landscape features and significant local biodiversity; • They seek to minimise any detriment to the amenity of neighbouring residents and land uses; and • They meet high standards of sustainable design and construction

The Council will further encourage all new development or major refurbishment to incoporate energy from decentralised and renewable or low carbon sources. All large scale development will be required to incorporate on-site renewable energy generation, unless it is not feasible or viable or alternative decentralised and renewable, low carbon sources can be identified.

Proposals should be accompanied by a Sustainability Statement demonstrating how (potential) carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced and by how much.

Further information will be contained in the revised Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency Supplementary Planning Document.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure and Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and the Countryside.

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6.11 Climate change is a global problem requiring local action. The Core Strategy sets out the strategic approach for addressing climate change. It is imperative that we ensure that the approach taken is relevant to the Borough’s circumstances so that the policies within the Core Strategy and wider Local Development Framework contribute in a meaningful way. This means ensuring that the development and use of land contributes to the Government's targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increases electricity production from renewable sources.

6.12 The basis of Core Strategy Policy 8 is threefold: 1. taking steps to ensure new developments adapt to, and mitigate for, the potential impact of climate change upon the natural and built environment; 2. increasing the energy efficiency of all new developments and major refurbishment, thus reducing carbon emissions so that our contribution to global warming is retarded; and 3. increasing renewable and low carbon energy generation within the Borough

6.13 The Council intends to review its Planning for Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency Supplementary Planning Guidance in line with the adopted Core Strategy in order to provide further guidance in relation to incorporating energy from decentralised and renewable or low carbon sources in new developments and on-site renewable energy generation. The new Supplementary Planning Document will also take account of the most up to date renewable energy generation and carbon dioxide emission reduction targets.

6.14 Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (December 2007) requires proposals for a local requirement for sustainable buildings to be focused on development areas or site specific opportunities. The Core Strategy is not allocating any sites; therefore reference should be made to Core Strategy Policy 1, the Spatial Strategy. This sets out the Council’s approach to where new development should be directed and therefore it would be appropriate to follow this approach in determining where the focus for local requirements for sustainable buildings should be encouraged.

Residential Development

6.15 In 2006, central Government announced a 10 year timetable towards zero carbon standards for all new homes from 2016. This would be achieved through a step by step tightening of Part L of the Building Regulation. This equated to energy efficiency improvements for all new dwellings of 25 per cent by 2010, 44 per cent by 2013, 60 per cent by 2016 and zero carbon post 2016. The percentage energy efficiency improvements stipulated by the Government are equivalent to Code Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

6.16 The Code for Sustainable Homes measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

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Code Level Minimum percentage reduction in dwelling emission rate Level 1 ( ) 10 Level 2 ( ) 18 Level 3 ( ) 25 Level 4 ( ) 44 Level 5 ( ) 100 Level 6 ( ) ‘Zero Carbon Home’ Figure 9: Code Levels for Mandatory Minimum Standards in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Source: The Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guide (October 2008), the Department for Communities and Local Government

6.17 In February 2008 the Government confirmed that a mandatory rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes will be implemented for all new homes from 1 May 2008.

Non-domestic Development

6.18 Non-residential developments contribute to approximately 40 per cent of the United Kingdom’s carbon emissions. The planning system can assist in helping to reduce these emissions by seeking better standards from new development.

6.19 Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is an established and widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It provides a formal classification for both old and new non-domestic buildings. BREEAM evaluates buildings according to set criteria and then provides an overall assessment score.

6.20 All factors that could have an impact on the environment at all levels of its construction and lifecycle are featured in the criteria, from a buildings carbon emissions and energy efficiency to its recycling facilities and location. The issues assessed in the criteria include: • Management • Health and Well-being • Energy • Transport • Water • Land Use and Site Ecology • Materials • Waste and Pollution

6.21 The standards that can be achieved by a building are: • Pass • Good • Very Good • Excellent

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6.22 The implementation of BREEAM standards in new development will help the Borough strive towards maximising energy efficiency and minimising pollution, as well as reducing the production of waste and promoting the sustainable management of such. Over the plan period, these standards will contribute towards the creation of quality environments that will add to the overall goal of a more sustainable Borough. In support of the England Waste Strategy (2007), the Borough Council shall encourage all businesses within the area to recycle waste.

6.23 The Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM standards are currently examples of nationally prescribed best practice sustainable buildings standards. Over the plan period it is likely that these standards may change and also new standards emerge. Reference should be made to the most up to date standards when proposing new development.

Sustainability Statement

6.24 Where developers are required to demonstrate how their development accords with Core Strategy Policy 8, this may best be achieved by submission of a Sustainability Statement. Detailed guidance as to what will be required in a Sustainability Statement will be contained in the review Planning for Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency Supplementary Planning Document. In the interim, proposals for new development should be accompanied by a statement setting out the following: • How the development makes best use of materials, promotes sustainable transport, minimises water use and reduces predicted CO2 emissions and by how much; • Where viable, how the development will incorporate decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energy generation; • How the development is sited and designed so as to minimise, mitigate and adapt to the likely effects of climate change; and • How the development accords with current nationally prescribed best practice sustainable buildings standards.

6.25 In relation to promotion of sustainable transport, reference should be made to Core Strategy Policy 4. Through promotion of sustainable forms of travel, reliance on the private car can be reduced, therefore reducing the carbon dioxide emissions across the Borough. This will contribute to tackling climate change.

Renewable Energy

6.26 Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (August 2004), states “ local planning authorities may include policies in local development documents that require a percentage of the energy to be used in new residential, commercial or industrial development to come from on-site renewable energy developments ”. Following on from this, the Planning and Energy Act 2008 provides Councils with legal powers to require renewable energy systems in new buildings.

6.27 The Council, along with partners from Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire Borough Council and Rutland County Council, commissioned IT Power to undertake a study into the potential for renewable and low carbon energy generation and included an energy efficiency and climate change 69

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assessment of potential development options across the districts involved (such as the Borough’s Direction for Growth). The Planning for Climate Change Study (2008) was produced to provide evidence of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low carbon technologies to supply new development.

6.28 The study looked at the potential for: • Wind energy • Hydro power • Bio-mass energy (e.g. wet bio-mass, energy crops and waste wood) • Building integrated electric renewables (e.g., micro-wind turbines, photovoltaic cells) • Building integrated thermal renewables (e.g. solar water heating, heat pumps)

6.29 The study concluded that due to the Borough’s urban nature, topography and geographic size, there was limited potential for a variety of renewable energy generation facilities. Only one location at Tythorn Hill was identified with potential for large scale wind energy of between 2-4 Mega Watts. The study further concluded there was more potential to exploit building integrated renewable or low carbon energy facilities.

6.30 The Borough Council will encourage developers to propose innovative developments that incorporate a range of building integrated renewable or low carbon energy facilities. In addition there is scope for new developments to exploit the potential for consequential energy savings through design approaches such as, passive solar gain in relation to building orientation, passive solar heating of south facing rooms and permeable street layouts that can reduce vehicle movements.

6.31 When relating to climate change, reference should also be made to Core Strategy Policy 5 Green Infrastructure, Core Strategy Policy 9 Flood Risk and the Water Environment and Core Strategy Policy 14 Design and Sustainable Construction where they relate to climate change.

Core Strategy Policy 9 Flood Risk and the Water Environment

Development proposals should take into account the potential impact of climate change on water resources, water quality and on the level of flood risk posed, as detailed in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Development should be made safe without increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere.

Development proposed in areas that would be at risk from flooding should be avoided unless it can be demonstrated that: • Appropriate land at lower risk is not available; • There are exceptional reasons for the development in that location; and • The risk can be fully mitigated through careful design and engineering methods.

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A detailed Flood Risk Assessment will be required for all developments greater than 1 hectare in size. This should identify the necessary mitigation and adaptation measures which should: • Aim to avoid or reduce the risk of flooding and harm from it; • Where appropriate include suitable habitat creation and not cause detriment to existing habitats or species; and • Demonstrate how such measures form an intrinsic part of the overall development.

Development should proactively manage surface water run-off through the promotion of sustainable drainage techniques and positive land management, including the use of permeable surfacing.

Development of Brownfield sites should be accompanied by a desktop study to identify any potential contamination. If there is potential for contamination to be present on site, further more detailed investigation will be required to ensure that contaminants are not mobilised and enter groundwater supplies or watercourses.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure and Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure.

6.32 The proactive management of flood risk is one of the most important ways of adapting to the predicted more intensive rainfall and other extreme weather events as a result of climate change. Some potential impacts of climate change that would have an effect of the Borough’s water environment include: • Increased flood risk due to wetter winters and more frequent as well as destructive storms; • Strain on water availability due to drier, longer summers and resultant droughts; • Expectation that rain storms will be heavier and more prolonged. Where heavy rain cannot be absorbed fast enough by land this leads to localised flooding and potential flash floods.

6.33 Planning Policy Statement 25 Development and Flood Risk (March 2010) sets out national policy regarding managing flood risk. It requires local planning authorities to identify any land at risk of flooding, from what source and the degree of that risk. In addition, there is the requirement to prepare a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (November 2007). This is an assessment of flood risk on a catchment-wide basis in relation to development proposed in an area i.e. Oadby and Wigston Borough. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment should be carried out in liaison with the Environment Agency. The Sequential Test is a key part of Planning Policy Statement 25 Development and Flood Risk (March 2010). It is used to steer new development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding. In addition, the Exception Test allows limited scope for departures from the sequential approach where development is deemed essential to meet the wider aims of sustainable development. Ensuring flood risk can be managed effectively is an important consideration when identifying suitable sites for development, particularly housing.

6.34 The Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (November 2007) was prepared in liaison with the Environment Agency. The aim of the Strategic Flood Risk

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Assessment is to provide sufficient information for the application of the Sequential Test and to identify whether application of the Exception Test is likely to be necessary. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment involves a broad scale assessment of areas at risk of flooding within the Borough be it fluvial or other forms of flooding and includes advice on sustainable drainage techniques and other flood risk solutions. The study also predicts likely increased flooding risk in these areas due to climate change. Within the Borough there are two main occurrences of Flood Zone 2 and 3: along the River Sence corridor (which is a tributary of the River Soar), adjacent to the Grand Union Canal to the south of the Borough and the other runs along the Wash Brook corridor which flows west to east between north Wigston and Oadby. There is one further occurrence along the Evington Brook corridor north of Oadby and Stoughton Farm Park, although this is within a relatively small outcrop of the Borough. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has helped inform the spatial development strategy for the Borough (see Core Strategy Policy 1 Spatial Strategy for Development) and is the basis on which the Sequential and Exception Tests will be applied.

6.35 All applications for development in areas at risk of flooding or with critical drainage problems, and any development on land exceeding 1 hectare outside flood risk areas, will require a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment in line with PPS25.

6.36 Appropriate management of the natural environment and major watercourses in the Borough such as the Grand Union Canal and River Sence corridor is essential to help reduce flood risk. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment offers guidance on how to manage the floodplains in the Borough. Reference should also be made to Core Strategy Policy 5 Green Infrastructure where habitat creation and protection is considered as part of a Flood Risk Assessment. Further emphasis on the links between Green Infrastructure and habitat creation/protection considered through Flood Risk Assessment will be contained in the subsequent Allocations Development Plan Document which will identify broad areas in the Borough where this will be desirable.

Sustainable Drainage

6.37 Traditional drainage is designed to move surface water run-off as rapidly as possible to a discharge point, either a watercourse or soak away. This approach has a number of harmful effects because run-off from impermeable surfaces can increase the risk of flooding downstream, as well as causing sudden rises in water levels and flow rates in watercourses. In addition, by diverting rainfall to piped systems, water does not soak into the ground, depleting ground water and reducing flows in watercourses in dry weather.

6.38 Surface water run-off can contain contaminants such as oil, organic matter and toxic metals. Although often at low levels, cumulatively they can result in poor water quality in rivers and groundwater, affecting biodiversity, amenity value and potential water abstraction. After heavy rain, the initial run-off is often highly polluting.

6.39 Sustainable drainage systems provide a more sustainable method of discharging surface water and in turn reduce the risk of flooding and contamination. They should be utilized where practicable. Their form or technique used will be determined by the nature of the development and the location proposed. Some

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methods have the potential for environmental and landscape enhancement improving biodiversity and local amenity. Where sustainable drainage methods cannot discharge total surface water alone, they can be used beneficially in conjunction with conventional piped systems.

6.40 Developers will normally be expected to fund sustainable drainage systems and their future management. This will be secured through a planning condition or Section 106 Agreement. Further guidance in relation to flood risk mitigation, adaptation and sustainable drainage systems will be contained in the subsequent Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document.

Previously Developed Land

6.41 In accordance with Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control (2004), a desktop study for potential contamination will be required to support proposals on any Brownfield site. The Borough Council is preparing an Employment Sites and Brownfield Land Study to inform development of the Allocations Development Plan Document which should highlight potential development sites that may be contaminated. Further guidance on potential contaminated land can also be sought from the Council’s Environmental Health department.

Water Cycle Study

6.42 Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has prepared a Water Cycle Study Scoping Report which provides a baseline understanding of the strategic water related issues in the Borough, based upon other evidence based documents . A Detailed Water Cycle Study will be required to be prepared by the developer in relation to the Direction for Growth in order to inform masterplanning work, relevant local development documents and any subsequent planning application.

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Chapter 7: Infrastructure and the Built Environment

Core Strategy Policy 10 Community Infrastructure

Working within the overall context of the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area, the Borough Council will work with Local Strategic Partnerships and the key infrastructure providers to establish a Local Infrastructure Partnership that will prepare, keep under review and implement the Local Infrastructure Plan.

Developer contributions will be sought and used to ensure that new development meets the appropriate and necessary on and off site infrastructure requirements which are required to support the development and mitigate or compensate for the impact of the development on existing community interests and the local environment.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objectives 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough and Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.

7.1 New development creates additional pressures on a locality by increasing the need for or pressure on facilities such as healthcare provision, schools, highways, public transport and the environment – the community infrastructure. This policy aims to ensure that infrastructure or facilities delivered as a result of developer contributions are to time and to the appropriate quality and, overall, reflect the impact of the development on the local community and environment.

7.2 The Borough Council has worked in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and other Leicestershire district councils to prepare a Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area Authorities Growth Infrastructure Plan. This was commissioned from Roger Tym and Partners and the Plan was produced in 2009. The Plan identifies the infrastructure implications of housing and jobs growth in the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area to 2026. It shows, at a high level, the cumulative infrastructure requirements that arise from growth; how much the infrastructure costs; and how the infrastructure might be funded. It also looks at how the infrastructure requirements of growth might be delivered. Preparation of the Plan involved a wide range of consultation and involvement from both primary and secondary infrastructure providers.

7.3 The Leicester and Leicestershire Housing, Planning and Infrastructure Group are responsible for taking forward the Plan, particularly with respect to prioritising infrastructure delivery in the context of available funding streams. However, their emphasis is likely to be directed towards Leicester City and Sustainable Urban Extensions where the vast majority of growth in the Housing Market Area to 2026 is expected to be delivered.

7.4 In the Borough of Oadby and Wigston a Local Infrastructure Partnership has been established as a sub group of the Local Strategic Partnership. This is a relatively 75

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fluid grouping, seeking to involve those partners and infrastructure providers who are appropriate for each discrete development.

7.5 The Local Infrastructure Partnership has prepared a Local Infrastructure Plan. This provides a more detailed and locally focused perspective of the cumulative infrastructure requirements that arise from growth in the Borough. The plan is in conformity with and complements the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area Authorities Growth Infrastructure Plan. It builds on the Spatial Objectives and the Core Strategy policies to establish what needs to be done and by when, who needs to do it and what the priorities for action are. Where possible, it identifies capital and, if appropriate, revenue costs together with sources of funding.

7.6 The Borough Council has prepared a Green Infrastructure Plan which has a similar role and function to the Local Infrastructure Plan, but deals specifically with Green Infrastructure. This will provide a local context to the 6Cs Growth Point Green Infrastructure Strategy that is being prepared at a regional level. This aims to protect, enhance and extend networks of green spaces and natural elements in and around the three cities of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, connecting with their surrounding towns and villages.

7.7 The Local Infrastructure Plan and the Green Infrastructure Plan have identified those aspects of infrastructure that are essential in order to support development and mitigate or compensate the impact of the new development on existing community interests. These are identified in Appendix 2.

7.8 The plans have also identified those aspects of infrastructure that are optional. These will be identified in a Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document.

7.9 Developer contributions is a generic term which can be used to refer to planning gain, planning contributions, Section 106 Agreements and planning obligations. Developer contributions can be provided either as planning agreements or unilateral undertakings made by developers. In most cases the local planning authority and developers finalise developer contributions through a Section 106 planning agreement, within the context of granting planning permission. On occasions a unilateral undertaking may be submitted by a developer to support a proposal. The Planning Obligations Circular (05/05) requires that planning obligations are necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms, directly related to the development, relevant and reasonable. Developer contributions may be provided by way of land, buildings and/or financial contributions. They can take the form of a maintenance payment to allow for the longer term upkeep and maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure.

7.10 Examples of infrastructure which may be sought through developer contributions include; • affordable or specialist housing needs; • open space and play facilities; • sporting and leisure centre facilities; • local education investment provision; • highways and public transport improvements; • healthcare provision and social services; • local waste management and recycling; 76

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• environmental works including benefits to local biodiversity, the cultural and historic environment and other Green Infrastructure; • new provision of repairs and/or improvements to community buildings • public art in the community; • crime prevention and community safety provision; and • flood protection.

7.11 The Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document will incorporate a review of all existing policy and guidance relating to developer contributions in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston. The involvement of Local Strategic Partnerships and the local community will be sought to ensure that the requirements of all partners, infrastructure providers and communities are taken into account. Where relevant, the Supplementary Planning Document will identify thresholds of development that may require the provision of, and developer contributions towards, infrastructure.

7.12 The Community Infrastructure Levy 2010 was enacted on Tuesday 6 April 2010 and therefore the Borough Council will consider its position with regards to how it will take the Community Infrastructure Levy into consideration as Government guidance to Local Authorities becomes clearer. The Local Authority is committed to the production of a Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document and shall consult on this in autumn of 2010 with a view to adoption in February 2011. Should the Borough Council seek to pursue a Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Regime, a separate legal document will be subject to an independent examination.

Core Strategy Policy 11 Affordable Housing

Affordable housing will be sought to meet identified local needs on all developments of 10 dwellings or more.

Affordable housing is sought to support the creation of balanced and sustainable communities. There is no upper limit to the level of affordable housing that can be delivered on a site. In line with the current Affordable Housing Viability Assessment, the following targets apply: • Oadby – 30 per cent • Wigston – 20 per cent • South Wigston – 10 per cent

Based on these figures, some 160 affordable homes will be provided in the Borough from 2009 to 2026, disaggregated within the main settlements as follows: • Oadby – 40 • Wigston – 90* • South Wigston – 30

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Proposals for development which would not provide affordable housing in line with or in excess of the targets should be accompanied by an individual site viability assessment to justify the level of provision. An individual site viability analysis will be required in relation to the Direction for Growth.

Off-site contributions for affordable housing in lieu of on-site provision will only be supported where there is clear evidence that the site is not suitable or viable. Where 100 per cent provision of affordable housing is proposed by a Registered Social Landlord the Council will consider negotiation on other planning obligations.

Where possible, affordable housing provided through this policy should be retained within the affordable housing stock for the longer term, regardless of tenure. Where the affordable housing is not maintained by a Registered Social Landlord, appropriate planning conditions will be imposed or a planning obligation will be negotiated.

In order to meet local needs a target of 80 per cent of affordable housing should be for social rent and 20 per cent for intermediate housing.

The targets for affordable housing and tenure split will be subject to regular monitoring and measured against changes in the housing market and local circumstances.

* Note: the figure for Wigston does not include the Direction for Growth as it will be subject to individual site viability analysis and it is anticipated that it will deliver affordable housing in excess of the current 20 per cent target for Wigston.

7.13 Although Oadby and Wigston is a relatively wealthy Borough there is still a significant need for affordable housing which is likely to rise over the plan period. It appears many households needing to access affordable housing are masked by this perception of affluence. This has been evidenced through the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment prepared in 2008.

7.14 The study identifies trends across the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area (as defined in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment) and the sub- markets that function within it. The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (December 2008) indicated that there was an annual shortfall of 214 dwelling units up to 2016. New housing in the Borough will be provided at a level of 90 dwellings per annum. This would require the Council to set a threshold for affordable housing provision of 238 per cent.

7.15 The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment acknowledge that 238 per cent is not a target percentage that is realistic or achievable. It further states that percentage targets over 40 per cent would be impracticable in terms of viability, the wider market and mixed communities. The study recommends that local planning authorities set appropriate local percentage targets , taking into account the factors above. This is in line with Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2010).

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7.16 The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment further indicates that currently an appropriate tenure split should be 80 per cent of affordable housing for social rent and 20 per cent for intermediate needs (definitions of each tenure are contained in the Glossary). The Borough Council have adopted this recommendation within Core Strategy Policy 12 but have set the tenure split as a target to allow flexibility in its application on a site by site basis in consultation with developers and the Council’s Strategic Housing department.

7.17 A Borough-wide Affordable Housing Viability Assessment was prepared in August 2009. The aim of the study was to provide further evidence in relation to: • appropriate local targets; • funding sources (e.g. public subsidy, developer contributions); • priority infrastructure needs; • land viability; and • the level of commuted sums

7.18 The Affordable Housing Viability Assessment identified five sub market areas based on post code vectors. These are: Prime Oadby; Oadby; Wigston; South Wigston (north of the railway line) and South Wigston (south of the railway line). Between these sub areas current market values vary significantly which has a marked effect on residual values. The findings of the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment recommended that due to the considerable variation in residual values between the sub markets in the Borough, the Council could adopt a split percentage threshold across the Borough’s three settlements. The study proposed percentage targets for affordable housing based on identified local needs for each settlement of: Oadby – 30 per cent; Wigston – 20 per cent and South Wigston – 10 per cent.

7.19 The policies and targets within the Core Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring in line with Planning Policy Statement 12 Local Spatial Planning and Local Development Framework Monitoring: A Good Practice Guide (ODPM 2005). In addition, over the plan period it is likely that elements of the evidence will be reviewed, such as the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment and the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment, in order to keep abreast of changes in the housing market and local circumstances. The Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document will include guidance for calculating developer contributions for off site affordable housing provision or commuted sums in line with the methodology set out in the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment.

7.20 With regard to the Direction for Growth at Wigston, an individual site viability analysis will be required in order to inform masterplanning work, relevant local development documents and any subsequent planning application. This is because the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment and the Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities Growth Infrastructure Plan indicate that a minimum threshold higher than the 20 per cent identified for Wigston is achievable on a site of this nature. However, due to the fact that market conditions and viability will change during the life of the Core Strategy and that the Direction for Growth is not scheduled to begin until 2017 at the earliest it is more appropriate to undertake such an analysis closer to the time that development is likely to start.

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7.21 Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2010) advocates that local planning authorities should set a plan-wide target in local development documents for the amount of affordable housing to be provided. Between 2009 and 2026 the overall Borough-wide target for affordable housing provision is 160 dwellings. This is split between the Borough’s settlements as being 40 dwellings for Oadby, 90 dwellings for Wigston and 30 dwellings for South Wigston. Market conditions will change during the life of the Core Strategy so it is desirable that policies put in place for affordable housing delivery are designed and applied with considerable flexibility otherwise future housing development may be stunted. There are likely to be developments in some areas which can support a higher percentage of affordable housing contribution (subject to individual site viability analysis). Proposals for a higher provision of affordable housing will be supported. With regard to the target for Wigston, this does not include the Direction for Growth. This is because it will be subject to individual site viability analysis and it is anticipated that it will deliver affordable housing in excess of the current 20 per cent target for Wigston. Reference should be made to paragraphs 3.41 to 3.44 of the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment (August 2009). The amount of affordable housing expected to be delivered in the Direction for Growth will be set out in the Allocations Development Plan Document and will also include an updated overall Borough Affordable Housing target to take account of the amount to be delivered through the Direction for Growth.

7.22 The Allocations Development Plan Document will contain site specific policies, in relation to housing development. In addition, it is likely that some allocated sites will have specific targets for affordable housing based on individual site viability analysis and identified local needs.

7.23 In terms of an appropriate site size threshold, the Council has established a dwelling size threshold of 10 or more dwellings in line with the findings of the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment. This reflects the predominately urban nature of the Borough and they fact than many of the sites developed for housing are often small in size.

7.24 Although Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2010) states that the national indicative minimum site size threshold is 15 dwellings. Local Planning Authorities are able to set lower minimum thresholds, where viable and practicable.

7.25 In relation to proposals for off-site contribution in lieu of on site provision of affordable housing, this will only be acceptable if the developer can demonstrate clear evidence that on-site provision is not suitable or viable. In addition the Council will encourage residential site layouts that have all dwelling units developed to the same architectural standards, with no noticeable change in elevations of property or landscaping, irrespective of tenure. Adopting a ‘tenure blindness’ approach on all sites will help towards the objective of creating balanced and inclusive communities in line with paragraph 16 of Planning Policy Statement 1 Delivering Sustainable Development (January 2005).

7.26 Further guidance will also be contained in the subsequent local development documents: Allocations Development Plan Document, Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans, Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document (in relation to allocated sites) and the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (in relation to off-site provision).

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7.27 Where 100 per cent provision of affordable housing is proposed by a Registered Social Landlord the Council will consider negotiation on other planning obligations. Further guidance in relation to the appropriate amount of contribution will be contained in the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Guidance.

7.28 With regard to specific proposals where provision of affordable housing might prejudice other objectives of the Core Strategy, the Council may consider adopting a flexible approach towards the provision of affordable housing.

Retention of Affordable Housing Stock

7.29 It is desirable to ensure that affordable housing delivered through this policy remains available to meet local housing needs beyond the first occupier. To ensure the delivery and long term occupation of affordable housing, it will be preferable for a specialist organisation, such as a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) or Trust, to be involved in the ownership and management of the resultant dwellings. Management of affordable housing by a Registered Social Landlord or Trust will be formalised through the use of a legal agreement. However, the right of occupants of shared ownership housing to staircase to full ownership means that shared ownership housing cannot remain affordable in perpetuity. In addition, Right to Acquire schemes allows eligible Registered Social Landlord and Trust tenants to buy their property at a reduced cost. Both systems effectively convert former affordable housing into market housing. The Council will support agreements that seek to enable the affordable housing provider to buy back the unit for affordable housing should the owner move on.

Core Strategy Policy 12 Housing Needs of the Community

Development will be permitted which contributes to meeting the identified housing needs of different groups in the community through the provision on suitable sites of one or more of the following: • a range of housing types, unit sizes and tenures to help create mixed and inclusive communities, provide a choice of housing and meet identified local housing needs; • dwellings designed with the capability of being adapted to meet the needs of all occupiers in line with national best practice

Where proposals are made for development to meet specific local housing needs, the following criteria should be applied: • proposals should be located within or adjoining the Leicester Principal Urban Area where there is access to a range of essential local services and facilities; • proposals should be located close to public transport routes and accessible by a range of transport modes; and • proposals should be integrated into the existing wider community to help create mixed and inclusive communities.

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Proposals that seek to meet the needs of specific groups identified in the latest Strategic Housing Market Needs Assessment or other appropriate evidence will be supported.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 1: Regeneration of Town and District Centres, Spatial Objective 6: Growth of the Principal Urban Area, Spatial Objective 7: A Balanced Housing Market and, Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure

7.30 Local Development Documents should contain policies which seek to address the needs of different households and groups, for both affordable and market housing. This accords with the Government’s key housing policy goal of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity of living in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live. This is in line with the Council’s objective of creating balanced, mixed and inclusive communities and the Local Strategic Partnership’s priority of meeting the housing needs of local people. The Borough Council attempts to influence housing variety through negotiation, the preparation of development briefs and by entering into legal agreements with developers. The Borough Council seeks to encourage a reasonable mix of house sizes and types to cater for a range of identified housing needs. Core Strategy Policy 12 seeks to encourage developers to provide that mix.

7.31 All new residential development should seek to address the need for differing household sizes and for diverse groups within the Borough. The Borough’s household needs are varied and include single people, couples with and without children, black and minority ethnic groups, older people and the frail elderly. Some households will also have special needs such as people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health problems and sensory disabilities. Sometimes these specific needs occur in the same households i.e. a couple where one partner has a disability. Homes required to help address these differing needs can also be diverse, ranging from dwellings with more or less bedrooms and/or different styles of accommodation: flats, houses, bungalows, communal living units etc. All proposals for new housing, including those that affect existing housing stock, will need to be of a high quality and design. The delivery of new housing should not only meet existing needs but also the aspirations of people as their needs change over time.

7.32 The appropriate mix of different household types, sizes and tenures will be identified through sub-regional and local housing market assessments and other relevant studies. The shortfalls in particular housing types will vary across the Borough and over the plan period. The current Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2008) identified demographic trends and the types of housing likely to be needed by 2016. As the urban area of the Borough lies within the Leicester Principal Urban Area, many of the trends and wider housing needs relevant to Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston are contained in the section relating to Leicester City.

7.33 The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment estimated the types of household that would need to be accommodated in the Borough by 2016 based on demographic trends. Although some variation throughout the Borough was identified, the study highlighted the following household types as

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having the most dominance and growth in the Borough, up to 2016 and likely beyond: • families with children; • single person households, especially a significant ‘patch’ within South Wigston; • couples with no children, this is likely to include new family formation and families where the children have grown up and left home (empty nesters); and • older couples and single elderly (aged over 65 years).

7.34 Although there is an understanding of the type of households requiring housing, assumptions still need to be made regarding the unit size and type of housing that would need to be provided to meet this need. The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment gave an estimate of the likely profile of household types that will require market housing to 2016 . The estimate is based on an assumption of the type of accommodation that may be suitable and acceptable to each group. It cannot be guaranteed that groups will find the assumed accommodation suitable or acceptable. The study assumed that to respond the dominant household types in the Borough new residential developments should seek to provide the following dwelling types at the stated percentages.

Household type Approximate likely to need the unit shape of housing type and size stock required in

2016

Single person households Small to medium units (1 and 2 bed flats, 2 Couples with no 32 per cent bed houses, 2 bed children bungalows Older couples/single households

Medium to large units Families with (3 to 4 plus bedroom children 63 per cent houses)

Figure 10: Projected household and optimum housing stock up to 2016 Source: Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2008)

7.35 In terms of ethnic makeup, although the Borough is predominantly White British, a significant section of the community is Asian (mainly Indian descent). In particular, Oadby is a popular residential location for Asian families moving out of Leicester City. Different ethnic communities produce distinct pressures and dimensions and housing needs, choices and options. This is particularly pertinent in terms of the

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Borough’s aging community. However, at present there is insufficient evidence to quantify what these specific needs may be. Over the course of the plan period the evidence base will be regularly reviewed and additional more focused research on specific groups needs is likely to be prepared. The most up to date assessment of local housing needs should be taken into consideration when applying this policy.

Extra Care Housing

7.36 Extra care housing describes a type of specialised housing that provides independence and choice to adults with varying care needs and enables them to be accommodated in their own homes. Services are provided in a purpose built housing environment with care and support delivered to meet individual resident’s needs. An extra care housing scheme is usually a group of apartments or bungalows built on the same site, providing specialised accommodation and support services on hand 24 hours a day. The accommodation can be rented or bought, either by an individual or couples. This type of housing typically includes communal facilities such as meals, domestic help, leisure and recreational facilities within a protected environment. Where communal facilities are included as part of a development, these should be accessible to neighbouring communities, where possible, to foster balanced inclusive communities.

Lifetime Homes Standard

7.37 The Council will encourage new housing to be built to meet the Lifetime Homes Standards. These are a set of home design principles which seek to ensure that homes meet the varied and often changing needs of occupiers over time. First developed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 1991 the current standard comprises of 16 design features which should be incorporated into new dwellings to make housing more functional for everyone including families, disabled people and older people. They also include future-proofing features that enable cheaper, simpler adaptations to be made when needed, for example, making the getting into and around the home easier for everyone, whether due to limited mobility, being elderly or families with small children. Good accessibility is relevant to everyone. The Standards go beyond those currently required by the Building Regulations. However, the Government is currently promoting the Standards through the Code for Sustainable Homes with the overall aim of all housing being built to meet the Standards from 2013. Details regarding the current 16 design features which make up the Standards can be found at www.lifetimehomes.org.uk .

Special and Adapted Accommodation Needs

7.38 The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment estimates that the need for special and adapted accommodation within the wider housing market area will be around 150 units up to 2016. This figure has not been broken down further to district level at this time. Should a proportion of this need be allocated to the Borough, Core Strategy Policy 12 will provide the policy framework by which this could be delivered.

7.39 Leicestershire County Council’s Adult Social Care Service produce plans and strategies in relation to the specific housing requirements of particular groups, for example adults and young people with mental health conditions and extra care housing for older people. Core Strategy Policy 12 seeks to provide the policy

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framework by which these plans and strategies can be realised through the planning system in the first instance. More detailed proposals will be taken through the Allocations Development Plan Document.

Core Strategy Policy 13 Provision of Gypsy and Traveller Sites

The Council will allocate land through the Allocations Development Plan Document for at least 1 residential pitch for Gypsies and Travellers.

The following criteria should be applied in the determination of proposals for new or existing Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople sites: • be reasonably accessible, by a range of transport modes, to essential local services and facilities including shops, schools and Doctors surgeries • preference would be given to sites which are within or adjacent to the Leicester Principal Urban Area • there is safe and appropriate access to the highway network, with adequate provision for parking and servicing of vehicles; • is, or can be, served by adequate water and sewerage facilities where possible; • is not located within Flood Zones 2 or 3, is not on contaminated land or within an area of poor ambient air quality; • is capable of sensitive visual integration into existing surroundings; • would not adversely impact upon environmentally sensitive areas or areas of heritage and landscape character importance; and • would not have an unacceptable impact on adjoining neighbours and land uses.

All proposals for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople site development should be in accordance with current National design guidance where possible and/or appropriate.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 7: A Balanced Housing Market, Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough, Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community

7.40 It is important to provide for the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople within the wider context of meeting identified local housing needs. Definitions for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople can be found in the glossary.

7.41 In order to assess these needs, a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland was carried out. This provided the evidence necessary to inform the development of policy in the now revoked East Midlands Regional Plan.

7.42 For Oadby & Wigston the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment identified a need arising for 1 residential pitch. The Gypsy and Traveller

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Accommodation Needs Assessment defines a pitch as an ‘ area of land on a Gypsy and Traveller caravan site developed for a single family’ . The location of a site to meet this need will be identified through the Allocations Development Plan Document.

7.43 In relation to Travelling Showpeople there is no net additional requirement in the Borough identified at this time.

7.44 The Core Strategy must also contain a criteria based policy for the provision of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople sites. This should be used to guide the allocation of sites to meet identified accommodation needs and unexpected demand. The policy should seek to ensure that Gypsies and Travellers are accommodated in sustainable locations with access to a range of essential services such as education, healthcare, welfare, shops, water and sewerage facilities where possible (such as connection to the main sewer or through provision of a septic tank). The location of the site should not result in unacceptable living conditions for its occupants such as contaminated land, poor ambient air quality or being within an area liable to flooding.

7.45 Where permission is granted, appropriate conditions or planning obligations are likely to be used to ensure occupation of the site is restricted to those persons genuinely falling within the appropriate definition of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. In addition, proposals should be in accordance with guidelines contained in Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites, Good Practice Guide (CLG May 2008).

7.46 The Council will give preference to locations firstly within, and then adjacent to the Leicester Principal Urban Area in line with Core Strategy Policy 1: Spatial Strategy for Development in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

7.47 Core Strategy Policy 8 Climate Change and Renewable Energy requires new residential development to demonstrate how it reflects current nationally prescribed sustainable buildings standards for energy efficiency. Gypsy and Traveller sites are defined as residential development. It would be unreasonable to expect residential caravans to accord with Policy 8 on measures to combat climate change and promote use of renewable energy. However, proposals for any permanent dwellings will be subject to Core Strategy Policy 8.

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Core Strategy Policy 14 Design and Sustainable Construction

The Council will require high quality inclusive design for all new development and major refurbishment in Oadby and Wigston.

Proposals for new development and major refurbishment will need to demonstrate how the proposed development:

• respects local character, patterns of development, is sympathetic to its surroundings and should contribute to creating buildings and places that are attractive with their own distinct identity; • promotes safe and inclusive communities able to be accessible to all members of the community regardless of any disability or background and to encourage sustainable means of travel; • will provide opportunities to promote biodiversity; • will create, enhance or improve accessibility, legibility, permeability and connectivity; • will provide opportunities for well designed and integrated public art; • incorporates measures to minimise waste and energy consumption, conserve water resources and provide for renewable energy generation, in accordance with Core Strategy Policies 8 and 9; • utilises inclusive design principles including layout, orientation, landscape, streetscape, scale, materials, natural surveillance and sustainable construction; and • achieves layout and design that is safe, secure and enhances community safety.

Compliance with the above criteria will need to be expressed through submission of a Design and Access Statement.

Major development including large-scale refurbishment will require preparation of a Masterplan, Development Brief, Concept Statement and/or Design Code where appropriate.

Proposals for innovative design or construction that contributes to the aims of sustainable development and reducing the impacts of climate change will be considered favourably by the Council.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, and Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community

7.48 In essence design is a creative process. It is a cross-cutting issue which permeates nearly all other policy areas. Design in planning should be about making places good for people to use in terms of functionality, durability, accessibility and viability. High quality and inclusive design should reflect local character and distinctiveness and be the basis for shaping balanced, safe, healthy and integrated communities. It is important to recognise that design is not just about the visual and functional

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aspects of a development but also its influence on social and environmental aspects.

7.49 Core Strategy Policy 14 Design and Sustainable Construction sets out the context for achieving the level of high quality design the Council wishes to see realised in the Borough. All significant developments in the Borough should consider both the 'Association of Chief Police Officers Secured by Design Initiative' and the 'Home Office and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Safer Places' guidance.

7.50 The cross-cutting nature of design is particularly emphasised through National planning policy. Several Planning Policy Statements contain guidance about the importance of inclusive design and the benefits that can be gained from making good design integral to new development and refurbishment. Those Planning Policy Guidance/Statements that provide design advice that is key to the delivery of the spatial strategy include:

• Planning Policy Statement 1 Delivering Sustainable Development (January 2005)- advocates a considered and consistent approach to design policies, based on a thorough understanding of a local area especially it’s defining characteristics and needs; • Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2010) states that good design is fundamental to the development of high quality new housing and thus contributes to the creation of sustainable mixed communities; • Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (December 2009) reiterates the importance of high quality inclusive design in relation to development in town centres and in particular the public realm; • Planning Policy Guidance 13 Transport (March 2001) highlights how design has a part to play in shaping patterns of development which can help reduce the need to travel, reduce the length of journeys and making access to jobs, shopping and leisure facilities easier by non-car modes of transport.

7.51 By Design, Urban Design in the Planning System (2000) is the Government’s companion guidance to that contained in Planning Policy Guidance/Statements on issue of design. By Design, sets out seven key urban design objectives that are fundamental to guiding new development:

Character To promote character in townscape and landscape by responding to and reinforcing locally distinctive patterns of development, landscape and culture Continuity and enclosure To promote the continuity of street frontages and the enclosure of space by development which clearly defines private and public areas Quality of the public To promote public spaces and routes that are realm attractive, safe, uncluttered and work effectively for all in society, including disabled and elderly people Ease of movement To promote accessibility and local permeability by making places that connect with each other and are easy to move through, putting people

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before traffic and integrating land uses and transport Legibility To promote legibility through development that provides recognisable routes, intersections and landmarks to help people find their way around Adaptability To promote adaptability through development that can respond to changing social, technological and economic conditions. Diversity To promote diversity and choice through a mix of compatible developments and uses that work together to create viable places that respond to local needs Figure 11: Seven Key Urban Design Objectives Source: By Design, Urban Design in the Planning System (2000)

7.52 By Design, Urban Design in the Planning System (2000) was prepared by the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment (known as CABE) which is a statutory body established in 1999 to provide guidance and advice on matters of design in relation to buildings, parks and open spaces.

7.53 In line with Government Circular 01/2006 Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System, all applications for new development must be supported by a Design and Access Statement. The Borough Council will expect the Design and Access Statement to show how all design issues covered in the policy have been met in developing the proposal. The level of detail required will vary according to the scale and nature of the development.

7.54 Applicants for major and complex proposals, as defined by the Borough Council, will be required to produce either a masterplan or development brief to accompany a planning application, in order to clearly demonstrate how the development process will deliver a high quality development with an appropriate sense of place. In some cases such proposals may alternatively be dealt with through an Area Action Plan.

7.55 Design codes and concept statements can also be utilised to aid understanding of a proposal and clarify compliance with the policy. Annex B of Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2010) describes design codes as “ a set of illustrated design rules and requirements which instruct and may advise on the physical development of a site or area. The graphic and written components of the code are detailed and precise, and build upon a design vision such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area”. Concept statements are simple documents, usually only a page or two in length, that show how the design has been developed. Concept statements do not address the details of design, and the development of the statements themselves does not require design expertise. They do, however, offer a way of getting the basic principles right.

Sustainable Construction

7.56 Developments should be adaptable and designed to reduce vulnerability to the effects of climate change, throughout the proposed lifetime of the development. The use of sustainable building materials and the re-use of materials in all developments will be encouraged, as will the use of recycled aggregates in the 89

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construction of buildings. This will be subject to the impact on the amenity of the local environment, taking into account the existing character of the area. Developers should seek to optimise design, layout and orientation of development to minimise energy use. Reference should also be made to Core Strategy Policy 8 Climate Change and Renewable Energy where it relates to sustainable construction .

7.57 In Policy RWS 1.1 of the Regional Waste Strategy for the East Midlands (January 2006), local development documents are required to encourage re-use and recycling in design, construction and demolition, in particular planning applications for developments which are likely to generate substantial volumes of waste through their development should include a waste audit.

7.58 Further guidance in relation to specific areas, sites and development on design issues and requirements for masterplans and development briefs will be contained in the planned Allocations Development Plan Document, Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans, Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Guidance. Further supplementary design policy or advice is likely to be prepared during the life of the Core Strategy for example a Public Realm Strategy. Developers are minded to ensure current site specific design guidance is taken into account prior to submission of an application.

7.59 Reference should also be made to the following Core Strategy policies where they relate to design: Core Strategy Policy 1 Spatial Strategy, Core Strategy Policy 2 Development in the Centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston, Core Strategy Policy 3 Regeneration Schemes, Core Strategy Policy 5 Green Infrastructure, Core Strategy Policy 7 The Countryside, Core Strategy Policy 8 Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Core Strategy Policy 11 Affordable Housing, Core Strategy Policy 12 Housing Needs of the Community, Core Strategy Policy 13 Provision of Gypsy and Traveller Sites, Core Strategy Policy 15 Landscape and Character and Core Strategy Policy 16 Community Facilities and Places of Worship.

Core Strategy Policy 15 Landscape and Character

All development proposals will be considered against the need to protect and enhance the distinctive landscape and historic character of the Borough. They should reflect the prevailing quality, character and features such as settlement pattern, views, biodiversity and local distinctiveness.

The Borough Council will take into account any potential impacts on the character and quality of the landscape and built environment, particularly where this relates to nationally designated areas or features of landscape and cultural significance. Landscape Character Assessments, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans will be prepared and used to improve the quality of development, to assess potential impacts and support the enhancement of landscape as part of site restoration.

The Leicestershire Historic Landscape Characterisation will be taken into account when proposals are being considered.

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The Borough Council will encourage the preservation and enhancement of the distinctive character and appearance of archaeological sites, listed buildings and buildings of local importance, Conservation Areas and other cultural assets that are of significant value.

The preservation and enhancement of local distinctiveness will be enabled by the publication of a list which identifies key local buildings, structures and features which are not eligible for listing under the statutory regime but contribute to the local character. Special consideration should be given to development or works which would likely prejudice known sites of archaeological interest.

The historic character and ecological value of the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area will be protected.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 8 Sustainable Design and Infrastructure and Spatial Objective 14: Enhancing Local Heritage

7.60 Listed buildings are of national importance, representing the best of our historic and architectural built heritage. The Borough of Oadby and Wigston contains 38 listed structures and it is vital that any works affecting them or other buildings of local importance is guided by appreciation for both their importance and planning controls that apply. There is a presumption in favour of retaining and preserving listed buildings and features of architectural or historic interest, with the best way of securing their future is usually to keep them in active use.

7.61 Conservation Areas exist to assist the preservation and enhancement of areas of particular architectural or historic interest. Legislation requires that special attention is paid to this objective in exercising planning control and, therefore, the Borough Council has prepared Conservation Areas Appraisals and management plans for all of its designated Conservation Areas. The character of Conservation Areas is often the product of various elements such as the mixture and style of buildings, the extent and form of open spaces and the natural elements such as trees and hedges.

7.62 The demolition of buildings within Conservation Areas can have a damaging effect by removing structures that contribute to their character or leaving unsightly gaps in the built-up area. Hence, as with listed buildings, it is appropriate to employ a presumption in favour of retention. Where a building makes little or no contribution to the street scene, demolition may be considered where detailed plans for the site’s redevelopment have been approved, to ensure that the scheme will conserve and enhance the character of the area.

7.63 The Conservation Areas Supplementary Planning Document (September 2008) identifies the boundaries for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston’s nine Conservation Areas, including the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area which includes the settlement of Kilby Bridge.

7.64 The Borough Council have prepared a Landscape Character Assessment for the Borough which also incorporates a townscape character assessment for all of the urban areas within the Borough. All proposals for development should take the

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Conservation Areas Appraisals and Landscape Character Assessment into account as well as undertaking more detailed site assessment appraisals, where necessary. Figure 12 indicates the landscape types and sub areas within the Borough.

7.65 Development proposals should not only be informed by and sympathetic to townscape and landscape character, but also contribute towards the regeneration, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the area affected.

Figure 12: Landscape Character Assessment

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Core Strategy Policy 16 Community Facilities and Places of Worship

Community facilities and places of worship will be supported where; • there is good access by pedestrian routes, cycle routes and public transport; • sufficient car parking is already available or can be provided to meet the needs of the development; • residential amenity can be protected from any detrimental impact in terms of noise, traffic and hours of use; and • the external appearance of the building can provide a sense of place and can positively reflect the character and appearance of its surroundings.

Generally, town centres, district centres and local centres will be the most appropriate locations for community facilities and places of worship.

Where there is an unmet identified need for a community facility or place of worship, permission for changes of use from D1 or D2 will not be permitted unless the location is not suitable to meet the specific requirements of the community facility or place or worship and/or the criteria above cannot be met.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 1: Regeneration of Town and District Centres, Spatial Objective 2: Wigston Town Centre, Spatial Objective 3: Oadby Town Centre, Spatial Objective 4: South Wigston District Centre, Spatial Objective 6: Growth of the Principal Urban Area, Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough, Spatial Objective 10 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community

7.66 Community facilities include facilities such as community halls, health centres, schools and cultural facilities such as museums , libraries and theatres. These facilities will be supported where impacts are not adverse. Places of worship will also be supported where their impacts are not adverse. The Borough Council recognises the lack of facilities for some worshippers in the Borough. The ‘Faith Community Profile and Places of Worship Needs Assessment’ (December 2008) was commissioned by the Borough Council in an attempt to clarify the needs of the Borough’s different faiths for places of worship and to help address deficiencies in provision. This clearly indicated a lack of provision for some faiths in particular. The assessment concluded that worshippers within the Muslim and Hindu communities were not properly catered for within the Borough. Newer Evangelical and Pentecostal churches may need more space within the timescale of the Local Development Framework.

7.67 Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plans, development briefs and Supplementary Planning Documents should seek to meet any identified needs for community facilities or places of worship.

7.68 Land or buildings currently classified as D1 and D2 under the Use Classes Order (D1 is Non residential institutions such as schools, church halls and places of

Page 109 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework worship, D2 is assembly and leisure uses such as cinemas, concert halls and sports halls) will not be granted planning permission for alternative uses where it could meet previously unmet demand for places of worship.

Core Strategy Policy 17 Open Space and Facilities for Leisure, Recreation and Tourism

The Borough Council will seek to ensure that the proposed quantity, quality and access standards for open space, sport and recreation facilities are met in order to satisfy the leisure and recreation needs of the Borough’s residents.

The quantity, quality and access standards will be used in relation to open space, sport and recreation facilities within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, to allow every resident access to adequate, high quality, accessible open space and play areas.

The standards will be taken into account on all new developments within the Borough and will be used to determine: • where improvements are needed to existing open space and play provision; and • where new provision of open space and play are required, to support existing and potential residents in the Borough.

In relation to open space, sport and recreation facilities, the Borough Council will seek to protect existing sites from development where there is a demand to retain them where they incorporate a green infrastructure asset that contributes to the green infrastructure in the Borough; and where the equivalent cannot be provided elsewhere. New development will be expected to contribute either physically or financially to the provision or improvement of open space, sport and recreational facilities. Also, the enhancement and protection of recreational Rights of Way will be sought.

Facilities for open space, sport and recreational facilities should: • be located close to their intended population catchment areas; • be accessible by a choice of transport modes other than the private car; • be of an appropriate scale and design; and • seek positive impacts to landscape form.

Within the Green Wedges, facilities for outdoor sport and recreation may be appropriate providing they conform to other policies and plans related to these areas.

The Borough Council will support the retention and expansion of existing tourism facilities and strategic areas of open space. Sustainable growth of appropriate tourism will be encouraged through the provision of new facilities. The Borough’s industrial and architectural heritage will be further protected,

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enhanced and promoted as an attraction to local residents, local people and visitors.

The revitalisation of the Grand Union Canal will be enabled through protection of its route and promotion of support initiatives that encourage tourism development around the Kilby Bridge area. These should be in keeping with the scale and character of the settlement and take account of the wider landscape and biodiversity issues including Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

This policy will assist in the delivery of Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough, Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles, Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community, Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure, Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and The Countryside, Spatial Objective 14: Enhancing Local Heritage

7.69 Open space, sport, recreation and leisure all underpin peoples’ quality of life, with well designed and implemented planning policy for such, being fundamental in delivering the broader Government objectives of, supporting urban renaissance; supporting rural renewal; promotion of social inclusion and community cohesion; health and well being; and, promoting more sustainable development.

7.70 This policy aims to ensure that leisure and recreational facilities are located in areas of greatest need and in line with the Spatial Strategy. This will enable a variety of activities to be developed and linked to the various green and community infrastructure proposals contained within the Core Strategy. This will widen opportunities for people living in the Borough to access leisure and recreation more easily without the need to travel long distances and will also contribute towards healthier lifestyles. Access by sustainable means, for example, cycle ways and improved safer walking routes, as well as improved public transport links are vital in order to provide access for the entire community.

7.71 Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (July 2002) requires that an open space, sport and recreation facilities study is carried out. In 2008 JPC Consultants were commissioned to undertake an audit for the Borough of Oadby and Wigston with the overall aim of producing a report that researched, analysed and produced conclusions on the Borough’s open spaces, play provision and built facilities. The study undertook assessment and audits of quantity and quality and plotted all open space, sports and recreational facilities in the Borough to identify the needs of residents, the potential for increased use, as well as, to establish an effective strategy for open space, sports and recreational facilities at a local level.

7.72 From the report a number of standards emerged with regards to provision for both open space and built facilities, set out in the table below. Together, each of the typologies referred to in the table, combine to form the Borough’s open space, sport and recreational facilities, as referred to in the policy.

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Typology Quantity Standard Access Standard Parks and Recreation 0.50 hectares per 1000 800 metres Grounds residents (15 minute straight line walk) Outdoor Sports Space 1.0 hectares per 1000 480 metres residents (10 minute straight line walk) Children and Young Peoples 0.30 hectares per 1000 Junior provision – 450 metres Space residents (just under a 10 minute straight line walk) Youth Provision – 800 metres (15 minutes straight line walk) Informal Open Space 0.50 hectares per 1000 480 metres residents (10 minute straight line walk) Natural Green Space 0.80 hectares per 1000 480 metres residents (10 minute straight line walk) Allotments 0.50 hectares per 1000 480 metres residents (10 minute straight line walk) Sports Halls 1 x 4 lane court hall per 10 minute drive time 13,984 residents Swimming Pools 1 x 4 lane (25 metre) per 10 minute drive time 20,702 residents Small Halls / Community 1 per 2,500 persons 10 minute walk time Venues Figure 13: Quality and Access Standards for open space, sport and recreational facilities in Oadby and Wigston Source: The Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities Study (2009)

7.73 The standards are for minimum levels of provision and will be taken into account in the implementation of the policy. All proposed residential development and some non residential development, such as educational facilities will be required to contribute to play and open space provision. The typologies of both open space and built facilities have been developed using guidance within the Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide to PPG17 (September 2001).

7.74 The Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities Study identifies areas of deficiency and surpluses in provision and quality of open space, sports and recreational facilities. This will be used to inform where resources arising from new development will be focused.

7.75 All new development in the Borough should contribute to provision of play and open space, whether directly onsite or through developer contributions which can be used offsite. This is considered further in Core Strategy Policy 10 Community Infrastructure.

7.76 The Accessible Natural Green Space Standard (ANGST), adopted by English Nature, requires that; • no person should live more than 300 metres from an area of natural green space; • there is provision of at least 2 hectares of natural green space per 1,000 residents; • there should be at least one accessible 20 hectare site within 2,000 metres of one’s home; • there should be one accessible 100 hectare site within 5,000 metres of one’s home; and

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• there should be one accessible 500 hectare site within 10,000 metres of one’s home.

7.77 The Accessible Natural Green Space Standard has been taken into account in setting the standards within the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities Study (2009).

7.78 Strategic Areas of Open Space are locations that the Borough Council considers to be particularly important in terms of providing access for local people to good quality open spaces, for example, Brocks Hill Country Park, the Botanical Gardens in Oadby and Crow Mills adjacent to the Grand Union Canal in South Wigston. The Borough Council will support the retention and, where appropriate, the expansion of Strategic Areas of Open Space. The actual boundaries of the Strategic Areas of Open Space will be defined in the Allocations Development Plan Document. Green Infrastructure is defined in paragraph 5.105 and the Borough’s main Green Infrastructure assets are defined in paragraph 5.113.

7.79 Currently, the area around Kilby Bridge consists of scattered residential, commercial and light industrial development, most of which is associated with the canal. With the area likely to become under increasing pressure, consideration will be given to establishing a settlement boundary in the Allocations Development Plan Document. This will safeguard the area from detrimental expansion into the surrounding countryside and loss of valuable green space.

7.80 In order to provide a planned approach for the Kilby Bridge area, a regeneration scheme will be developed for the settlement and the adjoining area incorporating the Grand Union Canal. This approach will enable consistent growth of the area that meets community needs and ensures the individual character is not diminished. In addition, the potential to incorporate development related to tourism and the canal would revitalise this southern area of Borough and provide employment and leisure opportunities for local people.

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Chapter 8: Delivery and Monitoring Frameworks

8.1 This chapter provides the Delivery and Monitoring Frameworks for the Core Strategy Policies. These are set out under the key themes of the Vision and the various Spatial Objectives.

8.2 With regard to the Delivery Framework, the schedules identify the key outcomes that the policies will deliver, brief details of how it is intended that the outcomes will be delivered and the organisations that will be responsible for delivery of the outcomes.

8.3 The Monitoring Framework will allow the Borough Council to evaluate the extent to which the policies are delivering the vision and spatial objectives of the Core Strategy. The schedule sets out the Indicators and Targets the will be used to monitor performance.

8.4 Monitoring can indicate where further action may be required, particularly where implementation is dependent on partnership working. Effective monitoring is an essential component in achieving sustainable development and communities. The indicators and targets used to monitor the Core Strategy will be reported upon within the Annual Monitoring Report. The Annual Monitoring Report will also be the process through which targets and indicators will be kept up to date. Therefore, the most up to date Annual Monitoring Report should be read alongside the Chapter.

8.5 The Local Infrastructure Partnership has developed a Local Infrastructure Plan that provides more detail on how many of the outcomes will be achieved, for example, specific organisations that will deliver an outcome and the estimated cost. Similarly, a Local Green Infrastructure Plan has also been prepared to fulfil a similar role for issues relating to Green Infrastructure.

Vibrant town centres…..

Delivery Framework for Spatial Objective 1: Regeneration of Town and District Centres

8.6 Town Centre Masterplans and associated policies and land allocations will deliver regeneration, investment and growth in the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston. These will be the focus for new development, particularly retail, local services, community facilities, housing and employment.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Allocation of land for new Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston development, in particular Area Action Plan Borough Council; Local retail, local services, Development Plan Strategic Partnership; community facilities, Documents; Allocations Economic Development housing and employment. Development Plan Company; Joint working Document with Leicester City and neighbouring districts

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Development focused in the Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston centres of Oadby, Wigston Area Action Plan Borough Council; Economic and South Wigston Development Plan Development Company; Documents; Allocations Developers Development Plan Document The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within the Documents; Allocations centres of Wigston, Oadby Development Plan and South Wigston Document; development management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Strategic Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Partnership; involvement of Borough Council; Local Wigston and Oadby Town town centre retailers and Strategic Partnership; town Centre Masterplan areas businesses; development centre retailers and management process businesses; /Developers; Economic Development Company Reinforce the role of Work of the Local Strategic Oadby and Wigston Wigston as the Borough’s Partnership; involvement of Borough Council; Local main town town centre retailers and Strategic Partnership; town businesses; development centre retailers and management process businesses; Economic Development Company; Developers

High quality public transport Section 278 Contributions; Local Strategic Partnership, links that provide fast and Section 106 Contributions; Oadby and Wigston frequent links between the Wigston Town Centre Borough Council; Direction for Growth, Masterplan Area Action Leicestershire County Wigston Town Centre and Plan; allocation of public Council; Public transport Leicester City Centre transport interchange; providers; Leicestershire involvement of public and Leicester City Highway transport providers and Authorities Leicestershire County Council to establish services Development prioritised Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston within the Leicester Area Action Plan Borough Council; Economic Principal Urban Area Development Plan Development Company; Documents; Allocations Developers; Sub Regional Development Plan Partnerships Document Key existing economic Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston assets safeguarded Area Action Plan Borough Council; Development Plan developers; Economic Documents; through the Development Company design and development of sites managed by the development management process

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 1: Regeneration of Town and District Centres

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Indicator Target Net additional homes provided in town 393 dwellings (2009-2026) and district centres Amount of additional retail provision in 20,428 square metres (gross) of town and district centres convenience and comparison floorspace (2009-2026) Amount of additional office provision in 5,800 square metres (gross) of office town and district centres floorspace (2009-2026) Percentage of new and converted 75per cent dwellings on previously developed land Amount of employment land lost to To be established in the study of residential development Identified Employment Areas, Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Documents and Allocations Development Plan Documents Net loss of retail uses in the primary No net loss retail areas of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston as defined in the Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Documents and Allocations Development Plan Documents

Spatial Objective 2: Wigston Town Centre

8.7 Reinforce the role of Wigston Town Centre as the Borough’s main town, in particular in terms of encouraging greater national retailer representation and civic function, whilst continuing to support the important role of small independent retailers which create a unique mix within the town.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Allocation of land for new Wigston Town Centre Oadby and Wigston development, in particular Masterplan Area Action Borough Council; Local retail, local services, Plan Development Plan Strategic Partnership; community facilities, Document Prospect Leicestershire; housing and employment. Joint working with Leicester City and neighbouring districts Development focused in the Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston centre of Wigston Area Action Plan Borough Council; Prospect Development Plan Leicestershire Developers Document The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within Documents; development Wigston management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Strategic Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Partnership; involvement of Borough Council; Local Wigston Town Centre town centre retaile rs and Strategic Partnership; town 101

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Masterplan area businesses; development centre retailers and management process businesses; Developers; Prospect Leicestershire Reinforce the role of Work of the Local Strategic Oadby and Wigston Wigston as the Borough’s Partnership; involvement of Borough Council; Local main town town centre retailers and Strategic Partnership; town businesses; development centre retailers and management process businesses High quality public transport Section 278 contributions; Local Strategic Partnership, links that provide fast and Section 106 Contributions; Oadby and Wigston frequent links between the Wigston Town Centre Borough Council; Direction for Growth, Masterplan Area Action – Leicestershire County Wigston Town Centre and allocation of public Council; Public transport Leicester City Centre transport interchange Plan providers; Leicestershire involvement of public and Leicester City Highway transport providers and Authorities Leicestershire County Council to establish services Development prioritised Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston within the Leicester Area Action Plan Borough Council; Prospect Principal Urban Area Development Plan Leicestershire; Developers; Document Sub Regional Partnerships

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 2: Wigston Town Centre

Indicator Target Net additional homes provided in 166 dwellings (2009-2026) Wigston town centre Amount of additional retail provision in 13,330 square metres (gross) of Wigston town centre convenience and comparison floorspace (2009-2026) Amount of additional office provision in 4,675 square metres (gross) of office Wigston town centre floorspace (2009-2026) Percentage of new and converted 75 per cent dwellings on previously developed land Net loss of retail uses in the primary No net loss retail areas of the centre Wigston as defined in the Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Document

Spatial Objective 3: Oadby Town Centre

8.8 Establish Oadby as a small Town Centre catering for smaller independent and specialist shops, cafes and restaurants to reflect its location close to the affluent Oadby Grange ward and University of Leicester’s Oadby Campus which provides residential accommodation for almost 2000 students situated in a student village.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Allocation of the land for Oadby Town Centre Oadby and Wigston new development, in Masterplan Area Action Borough Council; Local

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particular retail, local Plan Development Plan Strategic Partnership; services, community Documents Prospect Leicestershire; facilities, housing and Joint working with employment Leicester City and neighbouring districts Development focused in Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston the centre of Oadby Area Action Plan Borough Council; Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire Document Developers

The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within Documents; development Oadby management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local Oadby Town Centre involvement of town Strategic Partnership; Masterplan area centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses; Developers; management process Prospect Leicestershire Development prioritised Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston within the Leicester Area Action Plan Borough Council; Principal Urban Area Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire; Document Developers; Sub Regional Partnerships

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 3: Oadby Town Centre

Indicator Target Net additional homes provided in 81 dwellings (2009-2026) Oadby town centre Amount of additional retail provision 5,213 square metres (gross) of in Oadby town centre convenience and comparison floorspace (2009-2026) Amount of additional office provision 1,125 square metres (gross) of office in Oadby town centre floorspace (2009-2026) Percentage of new and converted 75 per cent dwellings on previously developed land Net loss of retail uses in the primary No net loss retail areas of the centre Oadby as defined in the Town Centre Masterplan Area Action Plan Development Plan Document

Spatial Objective 4: South Wigston District Centre

8.9 Continue regeneration initiatives in South Wigston District Centre following the opening of Tesco supermarket and the significant investment in South Leicestershire College. Continue improvements to Blaby Road Park taking advantage of its location close to the Grand Union Canal. Facilitate the

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establishment of new housing and employment related development to attract and retain young professionals and prospering households in South Wigston.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Allocation of land for new Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston development, in particular Plan Document Borough Council; Local retail, local services, Strategic Partnership; community facilities, Prospect Leicestershire; housing and employment. Joint working with Leicester City and neighbouring districts Development focused in Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston the centre of South Plan Document Borough Council; Wigston Prospect Leicestershire Developers

The development and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Plan Document; Borough Council; previously developed land development Developers and buildings within South management process Wigston Development prioritised Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston within the Leicester Plan Document Borough Council; Principal Urban Area Prospect Leicestershire Developers; Sub Regional Partnerships

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 4 South Wigston District Centre

Indicator Target Net additional homes provided in 146 dwellings (2009-2026) South Wigston district centre Amount of additional retail provision 1,885 square metres (gross) of in South Wigston district centre convenience and comparison floorspace (2009-2026) Percentage of new and converted 75 per cent dwellings on previously developed land Net loss of retail uses in the primary No net loss retail areas of the centres of Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston as defined in the Allocations Development Plan Documents

A prosperous economy…..

Spatial Objective 5: Improved Employment Opportunities

8.10 Existing employment areas will be protected for employment uses to ensure local employment opportunities for the Borough’s residents. New employment land will be provided in the Town Centres, in South Wigston and in the Direction for Growth

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Page 120 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework at Wigston to provide opportunities for fresh employment areas and accommodation to meet the needs of local businesses wishing to grow and those wishing to establish new businesses in the Borough. There will be better access to the road network. The new employment areas will provide opportunities to consider relaxing the need to protect the existing employment areas for employment uses beyond 2026 and to investigate their use for alternative types of development more appropriate to the local area.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? 5,800 square metres of Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston office floor space in the Area Action Plan Borough Council; centres of Wigston and Development Plan Developers; Prospect Oadby between 2009 and Documents; Allocations Leicestershire 2026 Development Plan Document; development management process 1.3ha of industrial and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston warehousing land Area Action Plan Borough Council; between 2009 and 2026 Development Plan Developers; Landowners Documents; Allocations Development Plan Document; development management process 25 per cent of new Development Oadby and Wigston employment land and management process Borough Council; premises to be provided Developers and as freehold Landowners

Development focused in Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston the centres of Oadby, Area Action Plan Borough Council; Wigston and South Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire Wigston Documents; Allocations Developers Development Plan Document The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within the Documents; Allocations centres of Wigston, Development Plan Oadby and South Wigston Document; development management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local Wigston and Oadby Town involvement of town Strategic Partnership; Centre Masterplan areas centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses management process Provide one Direction for Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston Growth adjoining the Plan Document; Borough Council; Leicester Principal Urban development Developers; Severn Trent; Area on land to the south management process Environment Agency east of Wigston Reinforce the role of Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston Wigston as the Borough’s Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local

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businesses and existing Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire employment uses Documents; Allocations Development Plan Document Identified Employment Development Oadby and Wigston Areas retained for management process; Borough Council; employment use (until Allocations Development Prospect Leicestershire replacement employment Plan Document; site land delivered) development briefs Existing employment land Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston outside of Identified Plan Document; Borough Council Employment Areas Development retained for employment management process; use (where this is the most sustainable approach)

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 5: Improved Employment Opportunities

Indicator Target Amount of additional office provision 5,800 square metres (gross) of office – by size and type floor space (2009-2026) Amount of additional industrial and 1.3 hectares (2009-2026) warehousing land – by size and type Loss of identified employment land to No net loss other uses per cent new employment land and 25 per cent premises provided as freehold Amount of B1 and/or B2 employment To be determined through study of land within Direction for Growth all Identified Employment Areas in the Borough and allocated in Allocations Development Plan Document Number of buses per hour between To be established in the Wigston Wigston town centre and Leicester Town Centre Masterplan Area Action City Centre Plan Number of buses per hour between To be established in the Wigston Wigston town centre and Direction Town Centre Masterplan Area Action for Growth Plan Percentage of new and converted 75 per cent dwellings on previously developed land

Healthy empowered communities…..

Spatial Objective 6: Growth of the Principal Urban Area

8.11 Establish one Direction for Growth adjacent to the Principal Urban Area in Wigston to meet the Borough’s housing allocation whilst focusing investment in Wigston to support the regeneration of Wigston Town Centre. A mix of uses will provide local services and affordable housing and a range of housing types to cater for the Borough’s needs. Small business starter units will provide new employment

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opportunities for the Borough’s residents. High quality public transport will provide fast and frequent links to Wigston and Leicester City Centre, with the potential to link into a mass rapid transit system such as a tram line to Wigston, if necessary.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Provide one Direction for Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston Growth adjoining the Plan Document; Borough Council; Leicester Principal Urban development Developers; developers; Area on land to the south management process Severn Trent; east of Wigston Environment Agency Provide a proportion of B1 Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston and/or B2 employment Plan Document; Borough Council; land within the Direction development Developers for Growth management process; Development Brief A mix of uses including Allocations Development Local Strategic local services, affordable Plan Document; Partnership; Oadby and housing and a range of development Wigston Borough Council; housing types to cater for management process; Developers; Registered the Borough’s needs Developer contributions Social Landlords provided within the Direction for Growth High quality public Section 106 Contributions; Local Strategic transport links that provide Wigston Town Centre Partnership, Oadby and fast and frequent links Masterplan Area Action – Wigston Borough Council; between the Direction for allocation of public Leicestershire County Growth, Wigston Town transport interchange Plan Council; Public transport Centre and Leicester City involvement of public providers; Leicestershire Centre transport providers and and Leicester City Leicestershire County Highway Authorities Council to establish services Direct new development Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston in the most sustainable Areas Action Plan Borough Council; Develop locations Development Plan ers Document; Allocations Development Plan Document; through the design and development of sites managed by the development management process

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 6: Growth of the Principal Urban Area

Indicator Target Net additional homes provided in 452 dwellings (2009-2026) Direction for Growth Amount of affordable housing In excess of 20 per cent (20 per cent provided within the Direction for to be intermediate housing) To be Growth confirmed through affordable housing viability assessment for Direction for Growth

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Amount of B1 and/or B2 employment In the region of 2.5 to 3.5 hectares. land within Direction for Growth To be confirmed through study of all Identified Employment Areas in the Borough Number of buses per hour between To be established in the Wigston Leicester City Centre, Wigston town Town Centre Masterplan Area Action centre and Direction for Growth Plan

Spatial Objective 7: A Balanced Housing Market

8.12 Ensure adequate affordable housing and a sustainable blend of choices to meet local need. The initial focus of new housing will be in Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston Town Centres to facilitate their regeneration. There will be one Direction for Growth to Wigston to support its function as the Borough’s main town in terms of national retailer representation and civic function.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Provision of 1,800 Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston dwellings between 2006 Area Action Plan Borough Council; and 2026 Development Plan Developers Documents; Allocations Development Plan Document; development management process Development focused in Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston the centres of Oadby, Area Action Plan Borough Council; Wigston and South Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire Wigston Documents; Allocations Developers Development Plan Document The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within the Documents; Allocations centres of Wigston, Development Plan Oadby and South Wigston Document; development management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local Wigston and Oadby Town involvement of town Strategic Partnership; Centre Masterplan areas centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses; Developers; management process Prospect Leicestershire Housing development Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston encouraged on suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; land outside of Oadby and Development Plan Developers Wigston Town Centre Documents; Allocations Masterplan areas and Development Plan outside of the South Document; development Wigston Masterplan area management process but within the Leicester Principal Urban Area

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Provide one Direction for Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston Growth adjoining the Plan Document; Borough Council; Leicester Principal Urban development Developers; Severn Trent; Area on land to the south management process Environment Agency east of Wigston Reinforce the role of Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston Wigston as the Borough’s Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local main town involvement of town Strategic Partnership; centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses management process A mix of uses including Allocations Development Local Strategic local services, affordable Plan Document; Partnership; Oadby and housing and a range of development Wigston Borough Council; housing types to cater for management process; Developers; Registered the Borough’s needs Developer contributions Social Landlords; provided within the Leicestershire County Direction for Growth Council A target of 30 per cent Development Oadby and Wigston affordable housing in management process; Borough Council; Oadby, 20 per cent in Affordable Housing Developers; Registered Wigston and 10 per cent Viability Assessment; social landlords in South Wigston on sites individual site viability of 10 dwellings or more. assessment Of the affordable housing percentage being provided, 80 per cent should be social rented and 20 per cent should be intermediate A range of housing types, Development Oadby and Wigston unit sizes and tenures to management process Borough Council; meet the identified Developers housing needs of different groups in the community Dwellings designed with Development Oadby and Wigston the capability of being management process; Borough Council; able to meet the needs of Design and Access Developers all occupiers Statement; Allocation of at least 1 Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston residential pitch for Plan Document; Borough Council; Gypsies and Travellers development Developers; Gypsies and management process Travellers Representative Organisations

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 7: A Balanced Housing Market

Indicator Target Net additional homes provided 2006-2026: 1,800 90 dwellings per annum Percentage of dwellings 100 per cent of dwellings to be completed at an average density completed at 40 dwellings per hectare or of 40 dwellings per hectare or higher on viable and appropriate sites of more 0.3ha and above To identify a supply of ready to 450 dwellings develop housing sites to 110

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accommodate the total number of net additional dwellings that are deliverable over a 5 year period Amount of affordable housing in excess of 20 per cent (20 per cent to provided within the Direction for be intermediate housing). To be Growth confirmed through affordable housing viability assessment for Direction for Growth. Size of dwelling (by number of See Strategic Housing Market bedrooms) Assessment (2008) Lifetime Homes Standard All homes to meet Life time home standard by 2013 Number of pitches provided for At least 1 (up to 2012) Gypsies and Travellers Percentage of new and 75 per cent converted dwellings on previously developed land

Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure

8.13 Contribute to regional, national and global initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce flood risk; minimize waste; achieve sustainable waste management; and, develop renewable energy resources. Promote and implement sustainable high quality designs that reduce damaging emissions in our environment and are in keeping with the character of our Borough. Given the built up nature of the Borough mixed use schemes and medium to high density land use will be encouraged on suitable sites. This will make the best use of land to accommodate a wide range of uses and infrastructure to support the local community and its economy.

Page 127 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework principles of sustainable management process; Borough Council; design, make the most Guidelines for New Leicestershire economical use of land Development Constabulary; Natural and respect the local Supplementary Planning England; English context and community Guidance, Design and Heritage; Environment safety Access Statements; Agency; CABE, Landscape Character Developers Assessments, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans 40 dwellings or more per Development Oadby and Wigston hectare on sites of 0.3 ha management process Borough Council and above Community Infrastructure Developer contributions; Local Strategic provided to meet the Local Strategic Partnership; Oadby and needs of new Partnership to coordinate Wigston Borough Council; development involvement of local local infrastructure infrastructure providers, providers; Developers working with developers to provide necessary infrastructure High quality, design, Development Oadby and Wigston vitality and economic management process Borough Council; CABE potential of new development Small scale shopping Development Oadby and Wigston opportunities to meet the management process; Borough Council; everyday needs of local Developers Developers people All new developments Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston should be high in quality, Plan Document; Town Borough Council; design, vitality and Centre Masterplan Area Developers economic potential Action Plan Development Plan Document, through the design and development of sites managed by the development management process; Improved pedestrian and Development Oadby and Wigston road safety management process Borough Council; Leicestershire County Council; Leicestershire and Leicester City Highway Authorities All new development will Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston be required to Plan Document; through Borough Council; demonstrate how it the design and Developers; ENABLE reflects current nationally development of sites prescribed sustainable managed by the buildings standards for development energy efficiency. management process; Sustainability Statement revised Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency

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Supplementary Planning Document A Sustainability Statement Through the design and Oadby and Wigston demonstrating how development of sites Borough Council; potential carbon dioxide managed by the Developers; Energy emissions will be reduced development Providers accompany relevant management process; planning applications Sustainability Statement; revised Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency Supplementary Planning Document Re-use of materials and Through the design and Oadby and Wigston recycled aggregates in the development of sites Borough Council; construction of buildings managed by the Developers development management process; Sustainability Statement; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document Risk of flooding not Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston increased by new Plan Document; through Borough Council; development the design and Developers; Environment development of sites Agency managed by the development management process; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document; Flood Risk Assessment; Water Cycle Strategy Adequate measures to Through the design and Oadby and Wigston prevent negative effects of development of sites Borough Council; flooding and damage to managed by the Developers; water quality in place development Leicestershire County management process; Council; Leicester City Guidelines for New Council (Minerals and Development Waste Planning Supplementary Planning Authorities) Document; Flood Risk Assessment; Water Cycle Strategy Adequate measures to Through the design and Oadby and Wigston ensure that development development of sites Borough Council; does not lead to managed by the Developers; Environment contamination of development Agency groundwater supplies or management process;; watercourses Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document; Flood Risk Assessment; Water Cycle

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Strategy Sustainable Urban Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston Drainage systems Plan Document; through Borough Council; incorporated within new or the design and Developers; Environment renovated developments development of sites Agency managed by the development management process; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document; Flood Risk Assessment; Water Cycle Strategy New development Through the design and Oadby and Wigston achieves a reduction in development of sites Borough Council; waste generated managed by the Developers; development Leicestershire County management process; Council; Leicester City Guidelines for New Council (Minerals and Development Waste Planning Supplementary Planning Authorities) Document; Sustainability Statement Reduce the reliance upon Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston the use of the private car Plan Document; through Borough Council; the design and Developers development of sites managed by the development management process; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document Improve the quality of Through the design and Oadby and Wigston development, assess development of sites Borough Council; potential impacts and managed by the Developers; Natural support enhancement of development England; English landscapes as part of site management process;; Heritage; Leicestershire restoration Guidelines for New County Council Development Supplementary Planning Document; Landscape Character Assessments, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans Developer contributions Development Oadby and Wigston towards the provision or management process; Borough Council; improvement of open Developer Contributions Developers; Sport space, sport and Supplementary Planning England recreational facilities Guidance All new development Development Oadby and Wigston contributes to the on and management process Borough Council; off site infrastructure through developer Developers required to support the contributions; Developer

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development and mitigate Contributions or compensate the impact Supplementary Planning of the development Guidance Adequate provision of Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston land for community Area Action Plan Borough Council; Oadby facilities and places of Development Plan and Wigston Multi Cultural worship Documents; Allocations Group; Developers Development Plan Document; development management process; Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Guidance

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 8: Sustainable Design and Infrastructure

Indicator Target Percentage of dwellings completed 100 per cent of dwellings to be at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher completed at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher on viable and appropriate sites of 0.3ha and above Amount of affordable housing In excess of 20 per cent (20 per cent provided within the Direction for to be intermediate housing) To be Growth confirmed through affordable housing viability assessment for Direction for Growth Amount of energy provided by on or Minimum of 10 per cent near site renewable energy systems for appropriate types of new development Number of Sustainability Statements 100 per cent demonstrating how potential carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced accompany relevant planning applications Number of dwellings attaining latest 100 per cent national targets for energy efficiency in line with the BREEAM classifications or Code for Sustainable Homes Renewable Energy Generation: Wind Energy 2 Mega Watts Electric Building Integrated 4 Mega Watts Renewables Thermal Integrated Renewables 6 Mega Watts Number of planning permissions 0 granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency Number of Sustainable Drainage 100 per cent Systems incorporated in new or renovated developments where appropriate

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Extent of developer contributions Variable negotiated in relation to new development Percentage of recycled waste No percentage decrease of household waste recycled Percentage of household waste No percentage decrease of composted household waste composted Quantity of, Quality of and See detailed targets set out in the Accessibility of open space sport Open Space, Sport and Recreational and recreational facilities Facilities Study

Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough

8.14 Enhance mobility to Leicester and within the Borough, particularly east-west links between South Wigston and Oadby via Wigston. Promote the use and development of ‘Smarter Choices’ and sustainable transport (including travel planning, working from home, public transport, cycling and walking). Ensure good access to facilities by delivering a highway network and transport system that is accessible, efficient and affordable to the entire community, as well as encouraging the reduction of private car use.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Increased accessibility Through developer Local Strategic especially using public contributions on new Partnership, Oadby and transport, walking and development; Developer Wigston Borough Council; cycling Contributions Leicestershire County Supplementary Planning Council; Public transport Guidance providers; Leicestershire and Leicester City Highway Authorities Development focused in Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston the centres of Oadby, Area Action Plan Borough Council; Wigston and South Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire Wigston Documents; Allocations Developers Development Plan Document The development and Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston redevelopment of suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; previously developed land Development Plan Developers and buildings within the Documents; Allocations centres of Wigston, Development Plan Oadby and South Wigston Document; development management process The implementation of the Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston proposals within the Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local Wigston and Oadby Town involvement of town Strategic Partnership; Centre Masterplan areas centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses; Developers; management process Prospect Leicestershire Housing development Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston encouraged on suitable Area Action Plan Borough Council; land outside of Oadby and Development Plan Developers 116

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Wigston Town Centre Documents; Allocations Masterplan areas and Development Plan outside of the South Document; development Wigston Masterplan area management process but within the Leicester Principal Urban Area Provide one Direction for Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston Growth adjoining the Plan Document; Borough Council; Leicester Principal Urban development developers; Severn Trent; Area on land to the south management process Environment Agency east of Wigston Reinforce the role of Work of the Local Oadby and Wigston Wigston as the Borough’s Strategic Partnership; Borough Council; Local main town involvement of town Strategic Partnership; centre retailers and town centre retailers and businesses; development businesses management process High quality public Section 106 Contributions; Local Strategic transport links that provide Wigston Town Centre Partnership, Oadby and fast and frequent links Masterplan Area Action – Wigston Borough Council; between the Direction for allocation of public Leicestershire County Growth, Wigston Town transport interchange; Council; Public transport Centre and Leicester City involvement of public providers; Leicestershire Centre transport providers and and Leicester City Leicestershire County Highway Authorities Council to establish services Development prioritised Town Centre Masterplan Oadby and Wigston within the Leicester Area Action Plan Borough Council; Principal Urban Area Development Plan Prospect Leicestershire Documents; Allocations Developers; Sub Regional Development Plan Partnerships Document Layouts that ensure good Development Oadby and Wigston principles of sustainable management process; Borough Council; design, make the most Guidelines for New Leicestershire economical use of land Development Constabulary; Natural and respect the local Supplementary Planning England; English context and community Guidance, Design and Heritage; Environment safety Access Statements; Agency; CABE; Landscape Character Developers Assessments, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans Community Infrastructure Developer contributions; Local Strategic provided to meet the Local Strategic Partnership; Oadby and needs of new Partnership to coordinate Wigston Borough Council; development involvement of local local infrastructure infrastructure providers, providers; Developers working with developers to provide necessary infrastructure; Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Guidance Achieve access standards Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston

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Page 133 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework in relation to open space, Plan Document; Borough Council; sport and recreational Development Developers facilities management process Reduction in the need to Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston travel Plan Document; through Borough Council; the design and Developers development of sites managed by the development management process; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document; Transport Assessment/Travel Plan; Sustainability Statement Encourage green travel Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston modes Plan Document; through Borough Council; the design and Developers development of sites managed by the development management process; Guidelines for New Development Supplementary Planning Document; Transport Assessment/Travel Plan Retain and improve Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston accessibility to Green Plan Document; through Borough Council; Wedges, particularly for the design and Developers; Stepping recreation development of sites Stones managed by the development management process; through standards set out in the Open Space, sport and recreation facilities study; Green Wedge Management Plans Improve east to west Allocations Development Local Strategic public transport links Plan Document; through Partnership, Oadby and the design and Wigston Borough Council; development of sites Leicestershire County managed by the Council; Public transport development providers; Leicestershire management process; and Leicester City Highway Authorities Safeguard the Potential Allocations Development Leicestershire County Transport Route (formerly Plan Document; through Council; Leicester City referred to as the Eastern the design and Council; Oadby and District Distributor Road). development of sites Wigston Borough Council; managed by the Developers development management process;

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Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 9: An Accessible Borough

Indicator Target Amount of new development within 100 per cent 30 minutes public transport time of a Doctors Surgery, a hospital, a primary school, a secondary school; areas of employment and major retail centres Number of buses per hour between To be established in the Wigston and the centres of Wigston, Oadby and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan South Wigston and Leicester City Area Action Plan and the Allocations Centre Development Plan Document Number of buses per hour between To be established in the Wigston and the centres of Wigston, Oadby and Oadby Town Centre Masterplan South Wigston Area Action Plan and the Allocations Development Plan Document Number of Travel Plans submitted 100 per cent with Planning Applications, in relation to relevant proposals Accessibility of open space sport See detailed targets set out in the and recreational facilities Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities Study Amount of open space, sport and 0 recreational facilities lost to new development Percentage of dwellings completed 100 per cent of dwellings to be at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher completed at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher on viable and appropriate sites of 0.3ha and above Percentage of new and converted 75 per cent dwellings on previously developed land

Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

8.15 Identify opportunities to provide new allotments in the Borough in order to tackle the existing deficit and to support healthy lifestyle projects such as the Green Earth Community Garden Project and managing open spaces such as Fludes Lane Woodland. Encourage walking and cycling and provide access to community health services. Facilitate the development of improved, high quality leisure and recreation facilities that are available throughout the Borough.

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A mix of uses including Allocations Development Local Strategic local services, affordable Plan Document; Partnership; Oadby and housing and a range of development Wigston Borough Council; housing types to cater for management process; Developers; Registered the Borough’s needs Developer contributions; Social Landlords provided within the Developer Contributions Direction for Growth Supplementary Planning Document Community Infrastructure Developer contributions; Local Strategic provided to meet the Local Strategic Partnership; Oadby and needs of new Partnership to coordinate Wigston Borough Council; development involvement of local local infrastructure infrastructure providers, providers; Developers working with developers to provide necessary infrastructure; Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document Key existing social and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston cultural assets Plan Document; through Borough Council; safeguarded the design and Developers; English development of sites Heritage managed by the development management process; Landscape Character Assessment; Conservation Area Appraisal and Development Control Guidance Achieve access standards Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston in relation to open space, Plan Document, Borough Council; sport and recreational Development Developers; Sport facilities management process; England Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document Open space, sport and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston recreational facilities Plan Document; Borough Council; Sport protected from development England development management process; Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document Use of quantity, quality Oadby and Wigston Town Oadby and Wigston and access standards in Centre Masterplan Area Borough Council; Sport relation to open space, Action Plans; Allocations England sport and recreational Development Plan facilities Document; development management process

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Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 10: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

Indicator Target Quantity of, Quality of and See detailed targets set out in the Accessibility of open space sport Open Space, Sport and Recreational and recreational facilities Facilities Study Amount of open space, sport and 0 recreational facilities lost to new development Amount of eligible open spaces 2 managed to Green Flag Award Standard

Safe, clean and attractive…..

Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community

8.16 Work with the Local Strategic Partnerships to build a safe and cohesive Borough. Incorporate principles that reduce crime and improve community safety in all new development. Empower the community by establishing high quality public buildings and open spaces close to where people live; by delivering public and private sector initiatives to promote social inclusion; and, by promoting community cohesion through participation, interaction and understanding.

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Supplementary Planning Document

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 11: Empowering a Safe Community

Indicator Target Improved Local Safety Decrease in violent offences in public spaces per 1000 population Percentage of dwellings completed 100 per cent of dwellings to be at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher completed at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher on viable and appropriate sites of 0.3ha and above

Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure

8.17 Development should be respectful of the natural environment, landscape and townscape character and contribute towards Biodiversity Action Plan targets of protecting, creating and managing and enhancing important habitats and green assets. Due to the predominantly urban nature of the Borough to ensure that new development includes proposals to enhance the landscape and biodiversity, for example, through planting trees, creating ponds and other natural habitats.

Key outcomes sought How will these be Who is responsibl e in Policies delivered? for implementation and delivery? Net gain in green Allocations Oadby and Wigston Infrastructure Development Plan Borough Council; Document; through the Developers design and development of sites managed by the development management process; Green Infrastructure Strategy Enable optimum Allocations Oadby and Wigston conditions for the Development Plan Borough Council; creation and protection Document; through the Developers; Natural of wildlife species and design and England habitats development of sites managed by the development management process; Biodiversity Action Plan; Green Infrastructure Strategy; Flood Risk Assessment Green links between Through the design and Oadby and Wigston the Direction for development of sites Borough Council; Growth, the Grand managed by the Developers; British Union Canal and the development Waterways; Partnership

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River Sence retained management process; working with the River and enhanced site Development Brief; Soar and Grand Union Biodiversity Action Canal Steering Group Plan; Green Infrastructure Strategy; Flood Risk Assessment; Kilby Bridge Regeneration Scheme Green Infrastructure Allocations Oadby and Wigston provided to link new Development Plan Borough Council; development to existing Document; through the Developers; Sub Green Infrastructure design and Regional Partnerships; Corridors development of sites ENABLE managed by the development management process; Green Infrastructure Strategy Key existing biodiversity Allocations Oadby and Wigston and environmental Development Plan Borough Council; assets safeguarded Document; through the Developers design and development of sites managed by the development management process; Biodiversity Action Plan

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 12: Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure

Indicator Target Net gain in green Infrastructure To be determined through the local Green Infrastructure Plan Improved Local Biodiversity – active To be determined through the local management of local sites (NI 197) Green Infrastructure Plan Losses and additions to biodiversity See detailed targets set out in the habitat Oadby and Wigston Local Infrastructure Plan and the Local Green Infrastructure Plan

Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and The Countryside

8.18 Improve access for local people to our natural environment and key Green Infrastructure assets to enhance the value of their leisure time. Protect and enhance the Green Wedges by limiting development to appropriate uses, as well as safeguarding our open spaces for sport and other forms of recreation. Encourage small scale development in the countryside that provides for employment, leisure and residential development essential to the needs of the rural economy.

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Key outcomes sought in How will thes e be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Ensure Green Wedges Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston are maintained Plan Document; Green Borough Council; Joint Wedge Management working with Plans Leicestershire County Council; Leicester City and neighbouring districts Green Infrastructure Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston provided to link new Plan Document; through Borough Council; development to existing the design and Developers; Sub Regional Green Infrastructure development of sites Partnerships; ENABLE Corridors managed by the development management process; Green Infrastructure Strategy Key existing biodiversity Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston and environmental assets Plan Document; through Borough Council; safeguarded the design and Developers; ENABLE development of sites managed by the development management process; site Development Briefs; Biodiversity Action Plan Retention of the open and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston undeveloped character of Plan Document; through Borough Council; Joint Green Wedges the design and working with development of sites Leicestershire County managed by the Council; Leicester City development and neighbouring districts management process;; through standards set out in the Open Space, sport and recreation facilities study; Green Wedge Management Plans Retention of the openness Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston and intrinsic qualities of Plan Document; through Borough Council; the Countryside the design and Developers; Natural development of sites England managed by the development management process; Landscape Character Assessment Preservation and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston enhancement of Plan Document; through Borough Council; distinctive cultural assets the design and Developers; Natural that are of significant development of sites England; English Heritage value to the Borough managed by the development management process; Landscape Character

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Assessment; Conservation Area Appraisals and Development Control Guidance Protection of the historic Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston character and ecological Plan Document; through Borough Council; value of the Grand Union the design and Developers; English Canal Conservation Area development of sites Heritage; British managed by the Waterways; Leicestershire development County Council management process;; Kilby Bridge Regeneration Scheme

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 13: Green Wedges and The Countryside

Indicator Target Implementation of River Soar and Progress and funding to support Grand Union Canal Strategy various actions relating to Kilby Bridge The Number of Conservation Area 9 (All Conservation Areas in the Appraisals and Management Plans Borough) (Supplementary Planning *Grand Union Canal Conservation Area Documents) adopted designated by Leicestershire County Council Net gain in Green Infrastructure To be determined through the local Green Infrastructure Plan Improved Local Biodiversity – active To be determined through the local management of local sites (NI 197) Green Infrastructure Plan Percentage of inappropriate 0 per cent development in Green Wedges Percentage of inappropriate 0 per cent development in the Countryside

Spatial Objective 14: Enhancing Local Heritage

8.19 Encourage the enhancement and preservation of historically significant buildings, archaeological sites, conservation areas, parks and other cultural assets providing opportunities for people to access and understand our local heritage. Produce an Area Action Plan for Kilby Bridge to enhance access to and understanding of the Grand Union Canal and its Environs whilst protecting the hamlet’s heritage and biodiversity interest.

Key outcomes sought in How will these be Who is responsible for Policies delivered? implementation and delivery? Layouts that ensure good Development Oadby and Wigston principles of sustainable management process; Borough Council; design, make the most Guidelines for New Leicestershire economical use of land Development Constabulary; Natural and respect the local Supplementary Planning England; English context and community Document, Design and Heritage; Environment

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Page 141 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework safety Access Statements; Agency; CABE; Landscape Character Developers Assessments, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans Green Infrastructure Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston provided to link new Plan Document; through Borough Council; development to existing the design and Developers Green Infrastructure development of sites Corridors managed by the development management process; Green Infrastructure Strategy Key existing biodiversity Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston and environmental assets Plan Document; through Borough Council; safeguarded the design and Developers development of sites managed by the development management process; Biodiversity Action Plan; Green Infrastructure Strategy; site Development Briefs Key existing social and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston cultural assets Plan Document; through Borough Council; safeguarded the design and Developers development of sites managed by the development management process; Landscape Character Assessment; Conservation Area Appraisals and Development Control Guidance Preservation and Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston enhancement of Plan Document; through Borough Council; distinctive cultural assets the design and developers that are of significant development of sites value to the Borough managed by the development management process; Landscape Character Assessment; Conservation Area Appraisals and Development Control Guidance; Kilby Bridge Regeneration Scheme Protection of the historic Allocations Development Oadby and Wigston character and ecological Plan Document; through Borough Council; value of the Grand Union the design and Developers Canal Conservation Area development of sites

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managed by the development management process; Kilby Bridge Regeneration Scheme Sustainable growth of Work with partners to Local Strategic appropriate tourism in the identify appropriate Partnership; Oadby and Borough tourism opportunities and Wigston Borough Council; to develop proposals; British Waterways; Development Leicestershire County management process Council Revitalisation of the Establish and develop River Soar and Grand Grand Union Canal proposals through Union Canal Steering partnership working with Group; Oadby and the River Soar and Grand Wigston Borough Council; Union Canal Steering British Waterways; Group; Kilby Bridge Leicestershire County Regeneration Scheme Council

Indicators and Targets for Spatial Objective 14: Enhancing Local Heritage

Indicator Target Percentage of dwellings completed 100 per cent of dwellings to be at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher completed at 40 dwellings per hectare or higher on viable and appropriate sites of 0.3ha and above Net gain in green Infrastructure To be determined through the local Green Infrastructure Plan Improved Local Biodiversity – active To be determined through the local management of local sites (NI 197) Green Infrastructure Plan Implementation of River Soar and Progress and funding to support Grand Union Canal Strategy various actions relating to Kilby Bridge The Number of Conservation Area 10 (All Conservation Areas in the Appraisals and Management Plans Borough) (Supplementary Planning *Grand Union Canal Conservation Area Documents) adopted designated by Leicestershire County Council Amount of eligible open spaces 2 managed to Green Flag Award Standard Percentage loss of Statutory Listed 0 per cent Buildings

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Appendix 1: Housing Trajectory

The Housing Trajectory provides a breakdown of how and when the total housing requirement is intended to be delivered in the Borough up to 2026. This is broken down by year and identifies completed dwellings; committed dwellings; and projected deliverable dwellings.

Projected deliverable dwellings are consistent with the remaining housing to be provided between 2009 and 2026 as indicated in Figure 3. A graphical interpretation of the Housing Trajectory is provided in Figure 4.

The Housing Trajectory will be monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.

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132 Appendix 2: Infrastructure Plan

Appendix 2 has been included to illustrate the items of infrastructure that have been identified as essential to support the delivery of growth in the Borough within the Local Infrastructure Plan 2009-2010.

The Oadby and Wigston Local Infrastructure Plan 2009-2010 has been produced as a separate document and submitted as part of the evidence base to support the Core Strategy. The Local Infrastructure Plan will be reviewed annually and will be developed in line with all up to date local, regional and national policy guidance.

Page 149 Infrastructure Esse ntial Cost Phasing Responsibility for Possible funding required (committed / non- delivery sources including committed) existing commitments

Oadby

Iliffe Park Essential £70,000 2009 – 2010 OWBC Playbuilder Grant Refurbishment (committed) Funding

Oadby Forum

Big Lottery

Sandhurst Street, Essential TBC 2009 – 2010 Waterloo Housing Developer Page 150 PAL International (committed) Group contributions site, 8 affordable units

Churchill Close Essential TBC 2010 – 2012 OWBC Homes and garage block, 20 (committed) Communities Agency affordable units funding

Developer contributions

Sure Start Children’s Essential £250,000 2009 – 2010 Leicestershire County Sure Start Capital Centre, (location to (committed) Council Grant be confirmed)

New Inn Pub, London Essential (non- TBC 2010 – 2012 Riverside Housing Homes and Road, 12 affordable committed) Communities Agency Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework

houses funding

Developer contributions

New Cemetery Essential (non- TBC 2006 – 2026 OWBC OWBC committed) Developer contributions

Replacement Surgery Essential (non- TBC Site not yet Practice / developer PCT / Practice / other for existing Practice* committed) identified so developments on site timing difficult – to be explored. to estimate Some PCT financial

Page 151 commitment some time ago but may be insufficient to meet current needs

Extension of existing Essential (non- £1,300,000 2006 – 2026 OWBC Developer Primary School to committed) contributions accommodate growth Leicestershire County Council

Extension of existing Essential (non- £1,700,000 2006 - 2026 OWBC Developer Secondary school to committed) contributions accommodate growth Leicestershire County Council

Wigston

135 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework

Two Steeples Mews, Essential £1,500,000 2008 – 2009 Nottingham Housing Corporation 16 affordable units (committed) Communities Housing Grant Funding Association £200,000

Developer contributions

Ecobs Garden Essential £4,000,000 2009 – 2010 Waterloo Housing Homes and Centre, Horsewell (committed) Group Communities Agency Lane, 27 affordable funding units Developer contributions

Wigston Fields Essential £543,000 2009 – 2010 OWBC OWBC Page 152 Community Centre (committed) Leicestershire County Council

Willow Place, off Essential TBC 2010 Waterloo Housing Homes and Long Street, 6 (committed) Group Communities Agency affordable units funding

Developer contributions

Replacement Surgery Essential (non- TBC Site not yet Practice / developer PCT / Practice / for 4 existing committed) identified so Developer other practices* timing difficult developments on site to estimate – to be explored. no commitments to date

136 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework

Public Transport Essential (non TBC TBC TBC TBC Interchange committed)

South Wigston

South Leicestershire Essential £40,000,000 2008 – 2010 South Leicestershire Learning and Skills College, Canal Street (committed) College Council

South Leicestershire College

Development of Essential £2,000,000 2009 – 2011 South Leicestershire South Leicestershire Bobbin Factory on (committed) College College Canal Street to Page 153 include children’s OWBC Leicestershire County centre, youth centre Council and adult facilities Leicestershire County and office space over Council OWBC four floors East Midlands Development Agency

Replacement surgery Essential (non- TBC Site identified – Practice / developer PCT / Practice / for existing practice* committed) should approval Developer of other be given could developments on site be completed – to be explored. no year 2012 commitments to date

Leicester Principal Urban Area / Borough Wide Infrastructure

PCT 8 to 8 Centre* Essential TBC 2009 – 2010 8 to 8 Provider PCT / 8 to 8 Provider

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(committed)

Waste management Essential (non- £48.95 per 2009 – 2026 Leicestershire County Leicestershire County for new committed) additional Council Council developments, dwelling as of 1 st dependent upon their April 2009 Developer nature and size. contributions

Public transport links Essential (non- TBC TBC Leicestershire County Leicestershire County between Oadby and committed) Council Council Wigston OWBC Developer contributions Enhancement of Essential (non- Capital TBC TBC Leicestershire Police Leicestershire Police policing committed) Authority Authority; developer Page 154 infrastructure** contributions **Consideration of the exact infrastructure required based on local need arising from growth, and of method of determining any developer contributions, to be considered through the preparation of the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document.

Wigston Direction for Growth

New Primary Sub- Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 Central Networks Central Networks Station committed) Developer Developer contributions

Community / Youth Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC Centre committed) Developer contributions

138 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework

Water provision / Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 Severn Trent Severn Trent sewerage committed) contingency Developer Developer contributions

Biodiversity gain for Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC Developer natural habitat committed) contributions

New open space Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC Developer committed) contributions

Public transport Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 Leicestershire County Developer provision to Wigston, committed) Council contributions Leicester, Wigston Page 155 schools and South OWBC Leicestershire County Leicestershire Council College in South Wigston

Road improvements / Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 Leicestershire County Developer new infrastructure, committed) Council contributions walking and cycling improvements to OWBC Leicestershire County Wigston, Leicester, Council schools in Wigston and South Leicestershire College in South Wigston

Waste management Essential (non- £48.95 per 2009 – 2026 Leicestershire County Leicestershire County for new committed) additional Council

139 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework

developments, dwelling as of 1 st Council dependent upon their April 2009 nature and size. Developer contributions

Mitigation measures Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC Leicestershire County of junction at A5199 committed) Council Leicester Road / Leicestershire County Welford Road / Moat Council Developer Street / Newton Lane contributions including bus priority measures

Public transport Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC initiatives such as committed) Page 156 Smarter Choices to Leicestershire County Leicestershire County encourage bus use Council Council and more sustainable modes of travel Developer contributions

Additional allotments Essential (non- TBC 2021 – 2026 OWBC Developer committed) contributions

OWBC

Improved Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC Management and committed) extent of Barnpool Landowner Developer Meadow Local contributions Wildlife Site Leicestershire Wildlife

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Trust

Local Wildlife Site Review Panel

Improved Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC Management and committed) water quality of the Landowner Natural England aquifer between Barnpool Meadow Natural England Developer Local Wildlife Site contributions and the Grant Union The Environment Canal and Agency Limedelves SSSI

Page 157 Improved Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC Management and committed) water quality of the Landowner Natural England Grant Union Canal and Limedelves SSSI Natural England Developer contributions

Establish footpath Essential (non- TBC 2017 – 2026 OWBC OWBC links relating to committed Strategic Green Landowner Natural England Infrastructure Corridors, in Leicestershire County British Waterways particular between Council Kilby Bridge and Developer Brocks Hill Country Access Forum contributions Park via Newton Lane

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*Subject to Primary Care Trust (PCT) investment prioritisation process.

Note: all costs are estimates and are therefore subject to change. The Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Capital Programme was approved by Council on 26 February 2009. It is reviewed annually.

This Local Infrastructure Plan schedule sets out all essential infrastructure development. Within the essential category, the development is listed as committed or non-committed. Essential (committed) represents infrastructure that is needed to ensure sustainability of growth proposed in the Borough and funding for the development is committed. Essential (non-committed) represents infrastructure needed to ensure sustainability of growth proposed in the Borough but funding is not-committed. Page 158

142 Appendix 3: List of Saved Local Plan Policies to be superseded by the Core Strategy

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Core Strategy Policy Saved Local Plan Policy superseded

Policy 1: Spatial Strategy for Development in the Borough of Oadby L20, H3 and Wigston

Policy 2: Development in the centres of Oadby, No policies identified Wigston and South Wigston

Policy 3: Regeneration Schemes No policies identified

Policy 4: Sustainable Transport and Accessibility T1, T2, T4, T6, T13, T15, T17

Policy 5: Green Infrastructure C2, C3, C4, C5, C7

Policy 6: Green Wedges L11

Policy 7: The Countryside L15, L16

Policy 8: Climate Change and Renewable Energy C8

Policy 9: Flood Risk and the Water Environment C9, C11, C12

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Policy 10: Community Infrastructure T14

Policy 11: Affordable Housing H2

Policy 12: Housing Needs of the Community H16

Policy 13: Provision of Gypsy and Traveller Sites No policies identified

Policy 14: Sustainable Construction and Design No policies identified

Policy 15: Landscape and Character L3, L9, L14

Policy 16: Community Facilities and Places of Worship SV3, SV4, SV5

Policy 17: Open Space and Facilities for Leisure, Recreation and Tourism R2, R4, R12, R21

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Appendix 4: Glossary

Affordable Housing Viability Assessment: study to inform existing and future planning policy with regard to the delivery of affordable housing. Specifically, the Affordable Housing Viability Assessment examines the impacts on development viability of applying existing and potential affordable housing percentages, unit thresholds and tenures on residential development sites.

Affordable housing: Affordable housing includes social rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices; include provision for the home to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.

Allocations Development Plan Document: The Allocations Development Plan Document is a key document that will identify land for uses such as: housing; employment; community facilities; mixed use (e.g. a combination of the above); tourism, open space and recreation; town / district / local shopping centres; and, other land uses. The sites that are identified through the Allocations Development Plan Document must be in line with the principles of the Core Strategy.

Annual Monitoring Report:The annual monitoring report will assess the implementation of the local development scheme and the extent to which policies in local development documents are being successfully implemented. It forms part of the local development framework.

Area Action Plans: provide a planning framework for areas of change or conservation.

Balanced Housing Market: A Housing Needs survey may be used to identify any imbalances between housing needs, choice of tenure, existing capacity to meet housing demand and the location and approval of new developments to meet the need. Housing policy will tend towards seeking to balance supply and demand side issues.

Brownfield land: land that was developed but is now vacant or derelict, and land currently in use with known potential for redevelopment.

Circulars: a Government publication setting out policy approaches.

Comparison goods floorspace: retail floorspace that is used for the sale of non-food items.

Community: a specific group of people who all hold something in common. Community has tended to be associated with two key aspects: firstly people who share locality or geographical place; secondly people who are communities of interest.

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Community engagement: the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the well being of those people.

Community Infrastructure: The infrastructure needed to make a development ‘fit for purpose’. In the context of the Core Strategy, the provision of new roads, new schools or new flood protection would all be examples.

Community Infrastructure Levy: The Community Infrastructure Levy will be a new charge which local authorities in England and Wales will be empowered, but not required, to place a charge on most types of new development in their area. The Community Infrastructure Levy charges will be based on simple formulae which relate the size of the charge to the size and character of the development paying it. The proceeds of the levy will be spent on local and sub-regional infrastructure to support the development of the area.

Community Sector: The community sector is the part of the Voluntary and Community Sector that is driven by the communities it serves. These may be communities of place such as a neighbourhood or may be communities of interest such as people who share a faith. The community sector is made up of a wide range of different types of activity and organisations.

Conservation Area: an area of special architectural or historic interest identified by the Local Planning Authority under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There is a statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of such areas.

Convenience goods floorspace: retail floorspace that is used for the sale of food and drink.

Core Strategy: A development plan document that sets out the long term vision (10+ years) for a local planning authority area, the strategic objectives, and the strategic planning policies needed to deliver that vision.

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is an officer-led partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Constabulary, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, Leicestershire Police Authority and the Leicestershire Primary Care Trust with the aim of reducing crime and the fear of crime.

Cultural facilities : Facilities of a cultural nature such as libraries, theatres and museums.

Development Plan Documents: spatial planning documents that are subject to independent examination, and together with Supplementary Planning Documents, will form the development plan for a local authority area for the purposes of the Act. They can include a core strategy, site specific allocations of land, and area action plans (where needed). Other development plan documents, including generic development control policies, can be produced. Individual development plan documents or parts of a document can be reviewed independently from other development plan documents. Each authority must set out the programme for preparing its development plan documents in the Local Development Scheme.

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East Midlands Regional Economic Strategy: ‘A Flourishing Region’ for the East Midlands is the third Regional Economic Strategy. It sets out the aspirations and vision for the region up to 2020. Its production follows an extensive consultation process and is informed by the most comprehensive evidence base assembled on the East Midlands, its economy and its strengths and its challenges .

East Midlands Regional Plan was prepared by the regional planning body, the East Midlands Regional Assembly. The Regional Spatial Strategy set out the long-term spatial vision for the East Midlands and the strategic policies and proposals to deliver that vision. It was formally revoked under Section 79 (6) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 on the 6 July 2010. However the evidence base that underpinned the Regional Plan is still valid.

Evidence base: information gathered by the planning authority to support preparation of local development documents. It includes quantitative and qualitative data.

Environmental Impact Assessment: An Environmental Impact Assessment is an assessment of the possible impact - positive or negative - that a proposed project may have on the environment; considering natural, social and economic aspects. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the project.

Greenfield land: land that has never been built on or where the remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape over time. Greenfield land should not be confused with green belt land.

Green Wedge: Green Wedges are strategic open land which can help shape urban growth. They can assist in preserving and enhancing links between urban areas and the countryside and can facilitate the positive management of land.

Green Infrastructure: Green Infrastructure is the physical environment within and between cities, towns and villages. It is a network of multi-functional open spaces, including formal parks, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, waterways, street trees and open countryside.

Gypsies and Travellers: ‘gypsies and travellers’ means: Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependants’ educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, and all other persons with a cultural tradition of roaming and/or caravan dwelling. (Housing Act 2004).

Housing Needs Assessment: provides an overview of the local housing market and looks at both housing need and demand across all tenures and property sizes. This study is designed to underpin the development of affordable housing policies in a local authority area and helps to inform planning strategies on the level and type of affordable housing provision in the future.

Identified Employment Areas : These areas provide the main source of employment land in the Borough and consist of business and industrial premises

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Integrated Regional Strategy Framework: The Integrated Regional Strategy Framework draws together the key issues and challenges for the East Midlands, providing the overarching picture of what is happening in the region. It sets out the region’s vision, priorities and objectives for a more sustainable future. It provides the context for policy makers working at the regional, sub regional and local levels and ensures that different policy areas environmental, social and economic are co-ordinated and integrated.

Intermediate affordable housing: housing at prices and rents above those of social rent but below market price or rents. Housing can be made available as shared equity (e.g. HomeBuy) or at intermediate rent.

Intermediate Rent : Intermediate rent is where a brand new or refurbished home can be rented at less than the market rate. The tenant makes an initial capital payment and then the rent charged is normally 20 per cent to 30 per cent lower than for a similar home in a similar area.

Leicester Principal Urban Area: The Leicester Principal Urban Area encompasses all the administrative area of Leicester City and parts of Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth and Oadby and Wigston districts.

Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area: The Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area covers the City of Leicester and the County of Leicestershire, which includes the District of Blaby, Charnwood Borough, Harborough District, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough, Melton Borough, North West Leicestershire District, and Oadby and Wigston Borough.

Local Area Agreements: Local Area Agreements set out the priorities for a local area agreed between central government and a local area (the local authority and Local Strategic Partnership) and other key partners at the local level.

Local Development Documents: comprise of Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents.

Local Development Framework: A Local Development Framework is a folder of Local Development Documents outlining how planning will be managed in the area .

Local Development Scheme: sets out the programme for the preparation of local development documents.

Local Strategic Partnership: Local Strategic Partnership is a single body that brings together at a local level the different parts of the public sector as well as the private, business, community and voluntary sectors so that different initiatives and services can support each other and work together. It provides a single overarching local co-ordination framework within which other partnerships can operate and is responsible for developing and driving the implementation of Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements).

Monitoring: regular and systematic collection and analysis of information to measure policy implementation.

Multi Area Agreement: Multi Area Agreements are agreements between the Government and groups of Councils covering a functional economic area, working together with local

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Page 166 Core Strategy Publication Draft – Proposed Submission Document Part of Oadby and Wigston Local Development Framework agencies pledge to boost economic growth and tackle deprivation and financial inequalities, in return for action by Government to devolve more power and reduce barriers to delivering better outcomes.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Housing Needs Survey: In 2004 the Council commissioned a comprehensive housing needs survey to identify needs, aspirations and demands for housing across the Borough. This has been used within the Core Strategy to inform decisions about the targeting of resource and determine targets.

Offsite Contributions: Where it is not deemed viable, particularly on smaller sites, to provide the necessary infrastructure within the development, it is permissible for the developer to support their provision ‘off-site’. The Borough Council will be producing guidance in due course to aid the identification of what might be necessary and the scale of contribution.

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004): the Act of Parliament that requires the preparation of Local Development Frameworks and Regional Spatial Strategies.

Planning Policy Guidance notes: expressions of government policy on particular planning topics. The Government is replacing Planning Policy Guidance notes with Planning Policy Statements.

Planning Policy Statements: Planning Policy Statements are prepared by the Government, after public consultation, to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system. Local authorities must take their contents into account in preparing their development plan documents. The guidance may also be relevant to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.

Primary Infrastructure: infrastructure that is required to accompany development in order to allow new households to function within a wide community. Examples include schools, health, leisure and community facilities, parks, green infrastructure, and off-site transport connections to wider networks.

Prospect Leicestershire is the new economic development company charged with delivering physical regeneration and growth, business innovation and support and inward investment across Leicester and Leicestershire

Public Realm: the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible.

Regional Spatial Strategy was prepared by the regional planning body, the East Midlands Regional Assembly. The objective of the Regional Spatial Strategy was to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. The Regional Spatial Strategy, incorporated a Regional Transport Strategy which provided a broad development strategy for the region for a fifteen to twenty year period. It was formally revoked under Section 79 (6) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 on the 6 July 2010. However the evidence base that underpinned the Regional Plan is still valid.

Registered Social Landlords: Registered Social Landlords are Government funded not- for-profit organisations that provide affordable housing. They include housing associations,

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Residential Land Availability Report: The Residential Land Availability and Five Year Housing Supply are part of an annual monitoring exercise that assesses housing provision and supply in the Borough .

Secondary infrastructure: includes, for example, on-site utility connections.

6C’s The 6Cs sub-region as defined in the East Midlands Regional Plan has an existing population of 1.9m people. It includes the 3 cities of Leicester, Derby and Nottingham and the 3 Counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire .

Smarter Choices: This is general description for ‘soft’ transport policy initiatives aimed at changing the way that individuals travel. These seek to give better information and opportunities to help people to choose to reduce car use while enhancing the attractiveness of alternatives. They can include work place and school travel plans; car clubs and car sharing; tele-working, teleconferencing and home shopping.

Social Rented Housing: is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the local authorities, by not-for-profit organisations, such as housing associations, or by a combination of the two, usually with the aim of providing affordable housing.

Spatial Planning: refers to the methods used by the public sector to influence the distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales. Spatial planning includes all levels of land use planning including urban planning, regional planning, environmental planning and national spatial plans . It goes beyond traditional land-use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function.

Statement of Community Involvement: sets out the standards which the planning authority intends to achieve in relation to involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all local development documents and in significant development management decisions. It also sets out how the planning authority intends to achieve those standards. The statement of community involvement is not a development plan document but is subject to independent examination.

Stepping Stones Project has been running since 1992 and represents a partnership working in and around Leicester that aims to improve greenspace and make high quality Green Infrastructure available to all.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment: provides further information on flood risk, and raises and informs a crucial debate that involves all those involved in the development process. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment will identify constraints which will assist in the formulation of planning policies, it will aid the identification of the development potential of proposed sites and will aid in assessing future development proposals.

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Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment: a key component of the evidence base to support the delivery of sufficient land for housing to meet the community’s need for more homes. These assessments are required by national planning policy, set out in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (June 2010). This document gives practical guidance on how to carry out an assessment to identify land for housing and assess the deliverability and developability of sites.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment: The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2008) was commissioned to allow the Councils to look at what influences the housing markets, both from within the area and from the surrounding areas. The Strategic Housing Market Assessment is part of the Government’s requirements for planning and housing policy and will allow a greater understanding of the complexities of the housing markets and the interactions of supply and demand. It will allow policy to better reflect the requirements for affordable and open market housing in the future.

Supplementary Planning Documents: cover a wide range of issues on which the planning authority wishes to provide policy guidance to supplement the policies and proposals in development plan documents. They are not subject to independent examination.

Sustainability Appraisal: Sustainable development is central to the reformed planning system. Sustainability Appraisal is used to promote sustainable development through the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations. The European ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive’ (2001/42/EC) requires a formal ‘environmental assessment’ of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use. This process feeds into and informs the content of the Local Development Framework.

Sustainable communities: places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all.

Sustainable Community Strategy: local authorities are required by the Local Government Act 2000 to prepare these, with the aim of improving the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of their areas. Through the community strategy, authorities are expected to co-ordinate the actions of local public, private, voluntary and community sectors. Responsibility for producing sustainable community strategies rests with Local Strategic Partnerships, which include local authority representatives.

Sustainable development: is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations . Sustainable development has become the core principle underpinning the planning process.

Sustainable urban design: Good design ensures economically viable places and spaces that are resource efficient, adaptable, durable, inclusive and fit for purpose. Quality improvements in the built environment create the right conditions to attract businesses, jobs and investment, and provide well-designed sustainable environments for local people.

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Targets: a desired goal which identifies the scale of change resulting from policy actions over a specific time period; for example, the number of new homes to be built by a set date.

Tenure Blind: The Council will expect high standards of design, layout and landscaping for all developments, which respect the character of the area and reflect local distinctiveness. To ensure the creation of mixed and integrated communities the affordable housing should not be visually distinguishable from the market housing on the site in terms of build quality, materials, details, levels of amenity space and privacy. The affordable housing should be tenure blind and fully integrated with the market housing. It should be distributed evenly across the site or in the case of flats, in small clusters distributed evenly throughout the development. Tenure blind integration should be considered at an early stage of the detailed design and layout of the site.

Travelling Showpeople are members of a community that consists of self-employed business people who travel the country, often with their families, holding fairs. Many of these families have been taking part in this lifestyle for generations. Although their work is of a mobile nature, Showpeople nevertheless require secure, permanent bases for the storage of their equipment and more particularly for residential purposes.

Windfalls : proposals for housing development that has not been planned for, for example allocated in a Development Plan Document or identified in evidence documents, such as the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

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Page 170 Agenda Item 11a

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON TUESDAY, 8 JULY 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor J W Boyce - Chairman Councillor K M A Brown – Vice-Chairman

Councillors L A Bentley, T S Biring, G A Boulter, Mrs L M Broadley, M O Carrara, M H Charlesworth, C S Gore, Mrs J M Gore, Mrs S Z Haq, and R E R Morris (12).

Officers in Attendance: Mrs A Court, P Loveday, C Forrett, Mrs t Carey, Ms P Hennessy and D Allen.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Kaufman, Mrs H E Loydall and Mrs S B Morris.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

6. DECLARATIONS OF SUBSTITUTIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS There were no such declarations.

7. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 DWA June 2010, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

8. BUDGET OUTTURN – 2009-2010

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Director of Resources, as set out in report pages 8-10, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

In reply to questions raised about the references in Appendix 2 to the reapportionment of officer time, it was explained that it would be a matter for Section Heads to address the allocation of resources, as necessary, within budget limits.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

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9. REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL MANAGER

Consideration was given to the report of the Development Control Manager, as set out in report pages 11-32, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document, along with the Agenda Update (Supplemental Agenda 1/report pages1-4 circulated at the meeting) to be bound with these minutes.

RESOLVED: That the decisions in respect of each item in the report be as shown in the following specific resolutions:-

(1) 10/00048/FUL – Erection of 23 apartments, associated access, car parking, cycle/bin stores and landscaping (Revision B), Former 89 Harcourt Road, Wigston

Mr Evans addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant, pointing out that since the refusal of planning permission in 2008, the applicant had worked closely with officers to overcome the previous deficiencies. Several amendments had been submitted to overcome the specific concerns of overlooking and highway issues. Mention was made of a shift in planning policy concerning the loss of employment land and this aspect was no longer an issue in this case. A signed Section 106 Agreement had been lodged with the Council to deal with the matters referred to in the officer’s report.

Mr McDermott, a local resident, spoke on behalf of objectors, referring to the significant public concern that the application had hardly changed since the previous refusal in 2008. Mention was made of the existing traffic and problems along Harcourt and Newton Lane, and it was felt that this scheme could only make matters worse. There seemed a likelihood that emergency and service vehicles would have difficulty accessing the development. The design was out of keeping in the locality, especially the three storey element. Other concerns remained in regard to overlooking, overshadowing, management of the development, additional noise and disturbance, problems with drainage and water pressures. Another local resident added to the range of objections, pointing out that the factory that previously stood on the site generated very little in the way of traffic as many people approached it on foot. It was anticipated that the high number of units proposed to be built on the site would greatly increase the number of vehicles in the locality.

Advice was given regarding possible conflicts of interest. Councillors C Gore and Mrs J M Gore declared personal, non-prejudicial interests (speakers were known to them), and remained in the meeting.

In summarising the application, the Development Control Manager confirmed that the demolition of the factory did not require permission and also referred to the contents of the Agenda Update, copies of which were circulated at the meeting.

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In the ensuing debate, matters raised by Members included:- • A desire to see affordable housing despite the outcome of the viability assessment. The trigger for affordable housing is 25 units. • The locality was primarily of two-storey dwellings and the proposed scheme should reflect this. • The likelihood of more than one car per unit with a consequence of traffic congestion and hazards possibly giving rise to a need for parking restrictions. In adequacy of on-site car parking spaces. • Contamination of the land. A planning condition would be imposed in this regard. • The design lacked quality and a robust landscaping scheme was needed. • Measures needed to avoid anti-social behaviour in communal areas. • The absence of an on-site play area given the distance to other facilities. The Development Control Manager explained the relevant planning policies and how this scheme conformed to them. Discussion turned to possible outcomes if the application was refused and went to appeal. Mr Forrett would be unable to argue against Council policies and would look for support from Members to defend an appeal. A motion by Councillor C Gore to refuse the application was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gore. The Chairman summarised the two grounds for refusal:- • The detrimental impact on the locality caused by traffic generated by, and visiting, the development. • The appearance and massing of the buildings would have a detrimental impact on both the local and wider area.

After a brief adjournment (at 8.45 p.m.) to obtain advice, a motion by the Chairman to proceed by way of a recorded vote was duly seconded and carried by nine votes for to nil against. Further discussion took place concerning the reasonableness (in terms of reasons for refusal) and the threshold of irrationality before action by way of Judicial Review could be pursued. In the light of advice given, Councillors C Gore and Mrs Gore agreed to the motion to refuse being amended by the deletion of the traffic reason, leaving the one reason based on massing and appearance, especially in regard to the three storey element.

On being put to a recorded vote, the motion to refuse the application had the following outcome:- FOR: Councillors Biring, Carrara, Charlesworth, C Gore, Mrs Gore and Mrs Haq. (6) AGAINST: Councillors Bentley, Boyce, Boulter, Mrs Broadley, Brown and R Morris.(6)

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In view of the equilibrium of voting and in keeping with the manner in which he had cast his first vote, the Chairman cast his second vote against the motion and therefore the motion was defeated by seven votes to six.

A motion by the Chairman to permit the application was duly seconded and put to the vote with the following outcome:-

FOR: Councillors Bentley, Boyce, Boulter, Mrs Broadley, Brown and R Morris.(6) AGAINST: Councillors Biring, Carrara, Charlesworth, C Gore, Mrs Gore and Mrs Haq. (6)

In view of the equilibrium of voting and, again, in keeping with the manner in which he had cast his first vote, the Chairman cast his second vote in favour the motion and therefore the motion was carried by seven votes to six.

RESOLVED: The recommendation to grant conditional planning permission, subject to the amended recommendation set out in the Agenda Update, be adopted.

(2) 10/00221/FUL - Change of use from dwellings (Use Class C3) to residential institution (Use Class C2), erection of two storey side extension forming glazed link, two storey and single storey rear extension and canopy to front elevation, 222 , 224 & 226 Aylestone Lane, Wigston

Councillor R E R Morris declared a non-pecuniary interest (as a relative of someone who had had a short stay at the premises).

Mr Ford, the applicant, addressed the Committee, explaining that the premises were fully registered and that there were 31 residents at present. It was a family run business, employing a number of local people. It was intended that the business be extended to include a nursing wing to cater for a further 12 residents and extra staff would be required. Mr Ford commented that only three out of the 18 persons consulted had objected to the proposal.

Mr Flatters spoke on behalf of objectors to the scheme, believing that the scheme would give rise to loss of amenities, parking problems (especially in the slip road opposite the premises), overlooking, overbearing due to the size of the extensions, and would have a detrimental impact on the lives of local residents.

The proposed scheme was outlined and reference was made to the contents of the Agenda Update circulated at the meeting

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The meeting heard that a small portion of the application land appeared to be in the Council’s ownership, but this was a civil matter and not a planning issue. Discussion took place about the position of Members who might become involved in decision-making about the future of the Council-owned land, at which point Councillors Biring, Mrs Broadley and C Gore declared interests (as Members of another Committee) and vacated the meeting during the remainder of the debate. Councillor Mrs Gore also declared a similar interest and remained in the meeting.

Matters raised by Members included:- • Comments of the Forward Plans Section regarding loss of three dwellings, though not in itself a reason to refuse. • New Government policies regarding “garden grabbing” – Greenfield – v- Brownfield sites. It was noted that this did not apply in this case.. • Parking spaces on frontage/manoeuvring difficulties/possible conflicts with pedestrians. • Long canopy had an overbearing appearance in the street scene. • Glazed link not in keeping with the development. • The proposed rear extension was too close to properties in West Avenue and left only a small amount of on-site amenity space.

Cllr Boulter moved refusal of the application.[Not seconded at this stage].

The Development Control Manager explained the consultation processes that had been carried out and pointed out that the usual Right to Speak letters not sent out on time. However, residents had been contacted by telephone. A view was expressed that this had been unfair as this had not given enough time for objectors to prepare fuller case against and Cllr R E R Morris moved deferral for this reason [Not seconded at this stage].

In view of the lateness of the hour, the Chairman moved that the meeting be adjourned to 7.00 p.m., Wednesday, 14 July. In so doing, Members were advised that only the nine Councillors present at this meeting would be able to consider the application at the reconvened meeting, at which time the Chairman would consider a motion to allow both speakers to speak again. The motion to adjourn was duly seconded and carried

RESOLVED: The meeting be adjourned and reconvened at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 14 July 2010 in order to deal with the remainder of the business as set out in the current Agenda.

The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.

Page 175 Agenda Item 11b

MINUTES OF A RECONVENED MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor J W Boyce - Chairman Councillor K M A Brown – Vice-Chairman

Councillors L A Bentley, G A Boulter, M O Carrara, M H Charlesworth, Mrs J M Gore, R E R Morris and J Kaufman (from 8.37 p.m.) (9).

Officers in Attendance: Mrs A Court, C Forrett, Ms P Hennessy and D Allen.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C S Gore, Mrs S Z Haq, Mrs H E Loydall and Mrs S B Morris.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

9. REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL MANAGER (CONTINUED)

In addition to the report of the Development Control Manager and the Agenda Update (Supplemental Agenda 1/report pages1-4 circulated at the adjourned meeting), consideration was given a further Agenda Update (Supplemental Agenda 2/report pages 1-2) circulated at the meeting which will be bound with these minutes.

Upon a motion by Councillor Boulter, duly seconded and carried, it was

RESOLVED: That Council Rules be suspended to allow the speakers from the adjourned meeting to address the Committee at this meeting in connection with the following application.

Councillor R E R Morris again declared a non-pecuniary interest (as a relative of someone who had had a short stay at the premises).

Referring to the Council’s Planning Code of Conduct, the Chairman reminded the meeting why certain Councillors had declared interests at the adjourned meeting and had vacated the Chamber. Nevertheless, with eight Members

Page 176 now present, this meeting remained quorate. The Committee would continue the discussion from the adjourned meeting rather than look at the application afresh.

The Development Control Manager reflected on points raised previously. He pointed out that revised plans had been submitted and these had been circulated to objectors. These plans indicated that the glazed link was now to be constructed in brick and tile, and that the large canopy to the front was to be removed and replaced with small canopies.

A view was expressed that the submission of revised plans part way through the Committee’s deliberations was inappropriate, and one recipient of the plans had only received a copy on the previous day, thus having insufficient time study them and prepare proper comments. The meeting heard that it was commonplace for an applicant to submit revised proposals if done so in order to overcome issues that had been raised and improve the application. Contrary views were expressed about fairness and advantages. The Head of Legal and Licensing referred to the Committee’s practise of receiving Agenda Updates in which revised plans were often referred to. It was explained that the revised plans had been treated as minor amendments and, as such, there was no requirement to re-consult.

The meeting was adjourned briefly for procedural advice to be given after which the Chairman invited the speakers to address the meeting.

Mr Ford, the applicant, addressed the Committee reiterating many of the comments made previously and clarified the occupancy of the three dwellings. He referred to an objector’s earlier letter in which it had been felt that no more car parking provision was needed at the premises – a view that had since changed. An opportunity had been given to local residents to visit the premises in order to view the proposals. In all, Mr Ford believed that the scheme would be beneficial to the community.

Mr De Corsey Smith, speaking on behalf of objectors to the scheme, repeated comments made earlier that he was disadvantaged in that he had had insufficient time to prepare a full range of objections, and referred to the contents of the Council’s leaflet about planning consultation processes. Mr De Corsey Smith proceeded to outline his objections to the proposals in terms of selection of materials, and the mass of the rear extensions and the amenity space these will occupy. He doubted that extensions of such size would be permitted on ordinary residential dwellings, and he felt certain that no-one had actually gone to the premises to view the plans.

The DC Manager referred to the contents of the Agenda Update circulated at the meeting. He confirmed that the scheme complied with all relevant planning policies and that the spacing between gardens was satisfactory.

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Matters raised by Members at the adjourned meeting included the following and these were raised again, along with additional points:- • Comments of the Forward Plans Section regarding loss of three dwellings, though not in itself a reason to refuse. • New Government policies regarding “garden grabbing” – Greenfield – v- Brownfield sites. It was noted that this did not apply in this case. • Parking spaces on frontage/manoeuvring difficulties/possible conflicts with pedestrians. • Long canopy had an overbearing appearance in the street scene. • Glazed link not in keeping with the development. • The proposed rear extension was too close to properties in West Avenue and left only a small amount of on-site amenity space. • Issues of subordinacy and dominancy. Since 2008, percentage increases in size of properties was no longer relevant. • The Use Class, being C2, is generally residential in nature. • Dummy doors that could not opened. • A query as to what constituted a minor amendment. This was a matter for the Local Planning Authority to decide as there was no legal definition. • Concerns about the size and functionality of the additional car parking spaces. The spaces were confirmed as being of the appropriate dimensions. • Concerns about the view of the gable end once the building is expanded and also boundary treatments. • The storage of building materials within the site during construction.

Reference was made to a motion by Councillor Boulter at the adjourned meeting to refuse the application on specific grounds. Though the revised plans had, in the main, addressed these grounds, the motion remained tabled but was not seconded. A motion by the Chairman to approve the application was duly seconded and carried by six votes for to one against.

RESOLVED: The recommendation to grant conditional planning permission, subject to the amended recommendation set out in the Agenda Update, be adopted.

Councillor Kaufman entered the meeting at this point (8.47 p.m.).

10. TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive, as set out in report pages 33-34, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

RESOLVED: That the report be approved and that the Oadby and Wigston DWA Borough Council (Territorial Army Centre, Tigers Road, South Wigston) Tree Preservation Order 2010 be confirmed, as slightly modified to regularise the position of a portion of the rear garden boundary of 5 Moores Close on the Order map.

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11. SECTION 106 AGREEMENT MONITORING

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Community Services, as set out in report pages 35-43, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

Attention was drawn to the new layout of the information in Section 1 of the table and how it identifies those Section 106 Agreements that had not yet been triggered. Discussion took place regarding the need for guidance to be established for the manner in which public open space contributions are spent. At present, the Council did not have a policy which would allow for contributions towards Police functions. Mention was made of attempts that could be made to collect a payment on a specific property; it was confirmed that the obligations under that Agreement remained a charge on the property and ran with the land, thus all prospective purchasers would be made aware of it.

RESOLVED: That the current position of each case be noted.

12. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Act.

13. ENFORCEMENT ACTION – EXEMPT MATTERS

The Committee gave consideration to a report of the Director of Community Services (Enforcement Action – Exempt Matters) as set out in report pages number 44-70, copies of which had been circulated with the Agenda.

It was explained that monitored cases would in future appear in a separate list in order that Members may concentrate their attention on some of the more difficult or contentious cases. The Chairman took the Committee through the schedule of current enforcement matters attached to the report. A number of individual cases were raised by Members and progress reports in respect of each were provided by Officers. Particular mention was made of the following matters:-

• 05-349; 07-194; 08-046; 08-076; 08-240; 08-264; 08-273; 09-014; 09- 021; 09-052; *09-081; 09-133; 09-136; 09-151; 09-215; 09-241; 10-029; 10-039; 10-041; 10-047; 10-048; 10-049.

During the discussions, the Chairman declared an interest in one matter and vacated the Chamber during its consideration – Councillor Brown took

Page 179 the chair. Councillor Bentley declared an interest (as a school Governor) in another matter and remained in the meeting. *Councillor R Morris left the meeting at this point (9.12 p.m.).

Of those cases listed in the Schedule, it was reported that three of these had been concluded.

RESOLVED: That the current status of the 65 outstanding cases be noted PH and that the Planning Enforcement Officer pursue the matters raised at the meeting.

In bringing the meeting to a close, the Chairman announced that the consideration of Enforcement matters would, in future, commence at 6.00 p.m. Mention was also made of the need to make arrangements for the Committee’s annual tour of the Borough.

The meeting closed at 9.42 p.m.

Page 180 Agenda Item 11c

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE YOUTH FORUM HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON 15 JULY 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor R E R Morris – Chairman

Councillors L A Bentley Mrs S Z Haq, P A Hings, J Kaufman and Mrs S B Morris (6).

Officers in Attendance: Ms P Obhi (Blaby DC), C E Sharpe, J York and A Wood (OWBC)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C S Gore and Mrs R I Sylvester, A Clifford, Ms H O’Shea and Ms J Richardson.

Narrative Officer Minute Responsible Ref.

8. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2010, be taken as read, confirmed and signed. AW

9. INTEGRATED YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICE (IYSS) PRESENTATION

The Chair announced that this item would be combined with Agenda Item No. 5. He then introduced Mrs York and Ms Obhi who jointly, with the assistance of a Power Point presentation, addressed the committee for approximately twenty minutes.

This was the presentation deferred from the last meeting but Mrs York now had the opportunity to introduce Ms Obhi who performed a similar role for Blaby DC.

This function was now a statutory duty of local authorities and introduced a new framework around quality and performance for young people delivered by IYSS. Although the existing National Indicators (NI) had been withdrawn, issues remained which the service needed to address in order to reshape the delivery of services to young people locally. The National Youth Agency (NYA) oversees the work of IYSS which had set the agenda for local authorities to carry out, subject to local differences. An A3 sheet of current projects was circulated to confirm the local agenda.

However, since the introduction of this new service in April 2010, apart

Page 181 from developing a plan for IYSS, much work had been spent in needs assessment and working with other agencies to establish this. Data sharing was now permissible to enable agencies to plug the gap between strategic youth work and operational youth work.

During question time, it was confirmed that the Youth Service had been negotiating with the Council over the Walter Charles Centre in Oadby and had recently secured a deal to utilise storage cupboards which would enable facilities to be stored and used on Friday nights. It was anticipated that pilot sessions, starting on 30 July would assess this.

Regarding teenage pregnancy rates, which were currently two years out of date, the Council was working with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Connexions to gather current data.

Complaints regarding anti social behaviour (ASB) should always be referred to the police who can decide through their Joint Action Group (JAG) on the appropriate action to take. However, the Head of Community and Cultural Development (Mrs Sharpe) stated that if the details of any such complaints are emailed to her, she would take these up with the police. CES/PO/JY

10. SUPERSONOCBOOM – UPDATE

In the absence of the lead on this project, Mrs Sharpe presented a synopsis of the progress to date, which included:- • Billy Bates funfair and similar attractions • Friends of Blaby Road Park Funday • Fire Service Demonstration • Bungee jumping/trampolining/face painting/tug o’ war • Fancy Dress Competition/Stalls • Toy Library and soft toy activities • Bucking Bronco • Motorball • Spaceball • Leicester Riders Basketball team • In fill acts such as The Stigs • Multisports, such as tag rugby, athletics and football • The Talent Show • Sunflower FM • Other District Council potential talent show acts

Posters and invitations were being sent out and sponsorship was being finalised with Tesco as a possible provider of bottled water.

The Steering Committee next meets on 20 July at 9.00 a.m., .and all are invited to attend. Discussion continued regarding the inclusion of Ethnic Minority Groups, the potential diversity of the hot food on offer and the possibility of more in-fill groups entertaining the crowd.

Page 182

11. POSITIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (PAYP): DELEGATED POWERS TO OFFICERS IN CONSULTATON WITH THE CHAMPION

During discussion of this item, Members expressed their preference that the wording of the Recommendation be changed from ‘in liaison with’ to ‘in conjunction with’. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED: That (i) Authority be delegate to the Chief Executive and his nominated Officer to agree project development of services and associated expenditure on behalf of the Positive Activity for Young People funding in conjunction with the Young People’s Champion and Councillors of Blaby District Council identified in the text; and

(ii) Any decision made under this delegation be reported to the next meeting of the Youth Forum and budget papers provided. CES

12. WITHDRAWAL OF FREE SWIMMING FOR THE OVER 60’S AND UNDER 16’S AS OF 31 JULY 2010

The Head of Community and Cultural Development (Mrs Sharpe) had brought this item to Members’ attention following the decision of the Resources and Regeneration Committee to extend this facility to 31 August 2010.

However, her department was investigating other potential schemes and funding streams with a view to possibly extending this facility further.

13. LOCALITY PARTNERSHIP GROUP – UPDATE

Mrs Sharpe explained that although the National Indicators (N.I.) referred to in the report were being withdrawn, issues remained which this group were including.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

14. YOUTH FORUM GRANTS SCHEME

In the absence of a written report or the Proper Officer to present a report, consideration of this matter was deferred until the next meeting.

Page 183

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(i) Mrs York informed the Committee of Neighbourhood Action Week, taking place in the next week, with various activities and events taking place in South Wigston

(ii) Returning to IYSS, Mrs York stressed that although many of the projects were hosted outside of the Borough, joint activity meant that young people from Oadby & Wigston could still take part

(iii) Councillor Mrs Morris reported back from the Local Government Association Conference and cautioned Members regarding the potential withdrawal of detached youth work due to budget cuts and how best this Council might meet the needs of its young people in the absence of the County Council, since the budget for the voluntary sector had been cut also.

The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

Page 184 Agenda Item 11d

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON MONDAY, 26 JULY 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillors Mrs J M Gore, M Griffiths, J Kaufman, Mrs H E Loydall, P Swift and Mrs R I Sylvester

Officers in Attendance: M Hibbitt, P Langham, P Loveday and Ms L Rawling

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M H Charlesworth, Ms C L Edmonston and D A Gamble

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

14. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

In the absence of both the Chair and the Vice-Chair it was proposed and unanimously

RESOLVED: That Councillor M Griffiths be appointed as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

15. MINUTES

Prior to the signing of the minutes, Councillor Swift wished it recording that he agreed with the comments of Councillor Kaufman at Minute 9 on the unfairness of the Committee being given a deadline for the finish of the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 MJH June 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

16. REVIEW OF ICT SERVICES AND SOFTWARE UPDATES

Members considered the report of the Interim Director of Resources, as contained within report pages 4-11, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The ICT Manager (Mr Langham) took Members through his report outlining that the Council had undertaken a review of its Information and

Page 185 Communication Technology (ICT) Services in 2008 and that the Shared Service between Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Steria Limited had been established in January 2009.

He then outlined the Shared Service Benefits that had been made in the intervening period and explained the performance report information as included in Appendix A to the report.

In response to questioning by Members it was explained that it was hoped to roll out the new telephone system by Christmas 2010 and that the term ‘smaller suppliers’ in fact meant national companies who are selling systems produced by big companies. Such companies do, therefore, have adequate backup expertise.

It was stressed that there will be a robust evaluation process before a new supplier is selected.

Members expressed some concerns about the adequacy of support given for ICT issues. It was explained that the help desk was in Poland and it was the case that the help desk advisor would initially be working to a set number of scripted questions. Members did however concur that the speed of the service provided is good.

Members questioned the ICT Manager about the monitoring facilities that formed part of the network upgrade and whether these were very intrusive or not. They also sought further information on incidents when the Council’s systems were down for more than an hour (KPI 6 Incident Management)

Finally the Committee requested that the ICT Manager produce a simple briefing paper for all Members which provided details of the process that they should follow if they experienced problems with their computers.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and further information be provided on KPI 6, monitoring facilities and all Members receive a simple briefing paper on how to obtain PL help with ICT problems.

17. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

Members considered the report of the Interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 12-23 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The Head of Finance (Mr Loveday) informed Members that there were two reports for consideration, - Data Transfer – Council Tax and Key ICT Controls.

Data Transfer – Council Tax

During discussion on this item it was confirmed that the date of 22 June 2010 was the date when the recommendations had been discussed.

Page 186

RESOLVED: That Recommendations R1 to R9 as set out in the Report be agreed and adopted.

Key ICT Controls

RESOLVED: That Recommendations 5.1 to 5.7 as set out in the Report be agreed and adopted.

18. SCRUTINY OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive as contained within report pages 24-30, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

Members focussed on those indicators that were highlighted in red (i.e. those that were classified as significantly below target).

NI 181 had been affected by implementation of a new system in February 2010. Performance is now improving as backlogs from the system migration are cleared and should be back on target by the end of the financial year.

BVPI 8 – The measures to improve performance related to work being carried out by the Finance Section to make staff more aware of the reasons why they should process invoices as quickly as possible.

BVPI 212 – During discussion on this indicator it was noted that the target had been changed and had been reported to the May 2010 meeting of the Committee. Members were, however, still concerned that this indicator continued to deteriorate and requested that an explanation be sought from the Head of Housing. The possibility of the Committee viewing video recordings of the condition of one or two void properties was also suggested as it was possible that the condition of just a few badly damaged properties could adversely affect this indicator.

NI 156 – Members hoped that this was only a short term issue.

NI 158 – Members asked for clarification on whether the figure quoted was the actual number of properties or a percentage. The Policy and Performance Officer (Miss Rawling) undertook to clarify the situation.

SF/LR RESOLVED: That subject to the additional information requested for BVPI 212 and NI 158, the report be noted.

The meeting closed at 6:45p.m.

Page 187 Agenda Item 11e MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS FORUM FOR OADBY AND WIGSTON HELD AT THE BROCKS HILL VISITOR CENTRE WASHBROOK LANE OADBY ON THURSDAY 29TH JULY 2010 AT 6.00PM

PRESENT

County Councillors Borough Councillors Mrs L A S Pendleton (Chairman) Mrs L M Broadley Mr G A Boulter Mr M Carrara Mr M H Charlesworth Mrs J M Gore Mr M Griffiths Mr J Kaufman Mrs H E Loydall Mr K J Loydall

The following also attended the meeting:

County Officers present: M Stevens, M Hay, C Howe, L Quincey, D R Bradbury

Borough Officer present: M Hibbitt

060. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed Members and officers to the meeting.

061. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

062. URGENT ITEMS

There were no urgent items.

063. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

064. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28th January 2009 were confirmed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

Mr J Kaufman BC asked if there had been any progress on attaching stickers to redundant bus stops in order to inform the public. Officers agreed to investigate and contact Mr Kaufman.

Mr M Carrara BC pointed out that there was not a flag on the bus stop near to the race-course.

065. CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

The Chairman asked if Members had any questions on the items in the paper.

Mrs H E Loydall CC asked if she could be provided with the speed readings taken on Aylestone Lane which did not support any further action. Mr Quincey agreed to provide the readings.

Mr Hay explained the procedure behind the process of speed evaluations. Page 188

Mr Kaufman stated that the problem in Rosemead Drive arose when the County Council put in the road humps causing a lot of noise when vehicles travel over them.

Mrs Loydall highlighted the problems around the Blue Bridge on Stonesby Avenue.

• The bungalow close to the bridge had lost some of its garden

• Network Rail in response to a report of a crack in the surface of the Blue Bridge had investigated and had stated that there was not a problem. However orange paint had been sprayed onto the bridge suggesting that work will be undertaken.

Mr Howe agreed to contact Network Rail. Mr G A Boulter CC asked if Network Rail were on schedule with the planned works at the bridge on Saffron Road. Also, there does not appear to be much progress with work on Hassall’s Bridge.

Mr Howe agreed to speak to Network Rail and discuss with Mr Boulter. Mr Howe explained that there was no mechanism to fine Network Rail if the planned works slipped.

066. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 36

There were no current petitions.

067. REPORT IN RESPONSE TO PETITION – PARENT PARKING OUTSIDE MANOR HIGH SCHOOL AND BROOKSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on the petition for parent parking at Manor High School and Brookside Primary School. The report was presented by Mr Quincey with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mr Quincey took Members through the report and the recommendations.

Mrs J M Gore BC was pleased that discussions with The Blues public house has taken place reaching an agreement that motorists can use the car park to drop-off and pick-up children. She asked if consideration could be given to the provision of a shelter on the side of the road that the pub stood on to encourage a walking bus programme.

Mr Quincey agreed to discuss with school travel plan colleagues.

Mrs Loydall commented that the report was a very comprehensive one. This issue has been on-going for many years. She was concerned that the recommendations in the report would be costly if parents were not stopped from dropping off and picking up students.

Mr Quincey agreed that this was a key challenge to persuade parents not to park near to the schools.

Mrs Loydall agreed with mandatory markings outside the school but emphasised the need to take stronger action with parents.

Mr M H Charlesworth CC commented that School Travel Plans were great until it came to dealing with parents who want to take children as close as possible to the schools.

There was little that the County Council could do. The problem is worsened by the fact that 56% of the pupils come from outside the catchment area. Mr Carrara stressed the need to educate children and cyclists on how to use shared footpaths. The Chairman suggested that an item be put in Leicestershire Matters.

Page 189 Mr M Griffiths CC agreed with Mrs Loydall’s comments and that the real problem was the amount of students coming from outside the catchment area. The schools need to educate the parents.

Mr Quincey explained what the planned improvement works in item 42 of the report were.

Mr K J Loydall BC stated that it was a very difficult topic which occurred across the whole of the county. Schools are public places and parents are encouraged to go there. However, parents also need to be discouraged from parking close to the schools. He welcomed the report and hoped that the recommendations were successful.

Mr Boulter suggested that the problem had worsened with the schools expanding to become businesses and seeking to attract students from outside the area. He stated that Highways Development Control should be stronger when commenting on planning applications for schools.

Mrs L M Broadley BC agreed with the comments made. Parents should incur fines if they park too close to the schools.

RECOMMENDATION

i) That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted;

ii) that officers discuss the possibility of the provision of a shelter close to The Blues public house to encourage a walking bus programme. Officers to discuss with Mrs Gore; and

iii) that consideration be given to a publicity item in Leicestershire Matters on the use of shared footpaths.

068. REPORT IN RESPONSE TO PETITION – REQUESTING WAITING RESTRICTIONS ON KENNETH GAMBLE COURT, WIGSTON

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on a petition requesting waiting restrictions on Kenneth Gamble Court, Wigston. The report was introduced by Mr Howe with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mr Howe took Members through the report and highlighted the conclusions in the report.

Mr Charlesworth was pleased with the conclusions of the report.

Mr Boulter stated that he would still like to see the construction of a pavement on the other side of Kenneth Gamble Court.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted.

069. REPORT IN RESPONSE TO PETITION – CONCERNS AT THE UNEVEN PAVEMENT ON AYLESTONE LANE FROM BEECH COURT TO LEICESTER ROAD, WIGSTON MAGNA

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on a petition expressing concerns at the uneven pavement on Aylestone Lane from Beech Court to Leicester Road, Wigston Magna.

The report was presented by Mr Howe with a copy filed with the minutes.

Page 190 Mr Howe took Members through the report and its conclusions. He confirmed that 2 areas, 10-15 square metres which were uneven would be marked up in readiness for them to be treated in the next 2-3 months. He asked that, if there were any problems when the areas were marked, Mr Charlesworth contact him.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted.

070. REPORT IN RESPONSE TO PETITION – FOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON WELFORD ROAD, WIGSTON

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on a petition requesting a pedestrian crossing on Welford Road, Wigston.

The report was introduced by Mr Quincey with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mr Quincey took Members through the report and the assessments undertaken. The outcome of the assessments was that there was not the justification for a pedestrian crossing, however the implementation of speed reducing measures is justified. These measures would now be considered for a future years capital programme.

Mr Boulter was concerned that the site did not justify a pedestrian crossing. The safe routes to school programme encourages children to walk to school. However, this programme will not work if children do not have a pedestrian crossing to safely cross the Welford Road.

Mr Quincey agreed to pass Mr Boulter’s comments on safe routes to schools within the school travel plan process to colleagues in County Hall.

Mr Charlesworth was disappointed with these outcomes. Traffic moves quickly along the road. He asked what the cost of a pedestrian crossing was.

In reply, Mr Quincey confirmed that a crossing cost in the region of £30-£40,000. Mr Hay confirmed that the LTP criteria was applied more generously in Leicestershire than was required under the national guidelines. This route does not meet the laid down criteria, and a crossing is not considered the most appropriate method for this stretch of road. Addressing speed issues is the better way forward.

Mrs Loydall hoped that, in addressing the speed issues, that the County Council would not use speed humps similar to the ones that have caused the problems in Rosemead Drive.

Mr Hay explained that each site is assessed for the most appropriate solution after which consultation takes place with local residents and the local Member. Road humps may not be the most appropriate solution for this site.

Mr Loydall stated that the focus should be on the safe routes to school programme encouraging walking buses and cycling. However, parents need to be convinced that it is safe for their children to walk or cycle to school.

RECOMMENDATIONS

i) That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted; and

ii) that school travel plan officers take on board Member comments on their concerns over the lack of a pedestrian crossing, and the effect on the safe routes to school programme.

Page 191 071. REPORT IN RESPONSE TO PETITION – REQUESTING WAITING RESTRICTIONS ON THE YEWS, OADBY

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on a petition requesting waiting restrictions on The Yews, Oadby.

The report was introduced by Mr Howe with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mr Carrara commented on an excellent report, and that residents would be pleased with the outcomes.

In answer to a question from Mr Carrara, Mr Howe explained that any work to be done as part of the Waitrose development under a Section 278 agreement did not include any work on New Street. Once Waitrose had opened any existing problems would be considered at that time.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted.

072. JUNCTION ASSESSMENT: AYLESTONE LANE/SHACKERDALE ROAD, WIGSTON

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on the junction assessment, Aylestone Lane/Shackerdale Road, Wigston. The report was introduced by Mr Stevens with a copy filed with the minutes. Mr Stevens took Members through the report and its conclusion that no further action be taken.

Mr Boulter disagreed with the conclusions in the report and pointed out that the opening of the Tesco store has increased the problems. Only last week, cars were backed up along Aylestone Lane, whilst the report states that it is not a problem.

Mr Boulter continued and stated that he still believed that there should be a left hand turn at this junction. He also asked why the utility companies could not lay their equipment at the back of the surplus land instead of on the edge of the pavement.

In answer to this point Mr Stevens explained that the utility companies have a statutory right to lay their services wherever they wish to.

Mr Boulter pointed out that the lighting on the footpath at the side of the Blue Bridge was poor.

He asked that the minutes reflect that he disagreed with the conclusions in the report.

Mrs Loydall was also disappointed with the report. She asked that the minutes reflect that this was an area that was waiting for an accident to happen and was concerned that unless you had serious accidents, schemes do not meet the set criteria. Mr Stevens stated that unfortunately the County Council has to give priority to areas having the worst injury accident record.

Mr Loydall accepted that funds were tight and that a scheme criteria was needed. However he lives in this area and stated that the junction had a serious congestion problem.

Mr Loydall would continue to campaign for action to be taken to relieve problems at this junction. Mr Stevens replied that any further report on this matter would most likely reiterate the conclusion set out in report presented to the Forum.

Mr Stevens further explained that budgets will become tighter in the future once the government has announced its plans in the Comprehensive Spending Review to be announced in October. Page 192

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted.

073. STREET LIGHTING ENERGY REDUCTION PROJECT

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on the street lighting reduction project. The report was introduced by Mr Stevens with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mr Stevens explained that the County Council’s Cabinet had approved the implementation of the project. The project will reduce the levels of street lighting in the county by implementing the following measures.

• dimming of approximately 2000 lights (250w) on main routes between 1900 hrs and 0700 hrs

• switching off permanently 1000 lights in rural areas or on roads where houses have no frontage

• part-night lighting to switch off up to 40000 lights between 2400 hrs and 0530 hrs in residential streets.

It was estimated that these measures would deliver annual savings of up to £700k and deliver a reduction of up to 3000 tonnes of carbon per annum with light pollution also being reduced.

Mr Stevens explained that trials carried out in other areas such as Essex have shown that crime and accidents do not increase when lighting levels are reduced. The fear of crime was noted to have risen but then subsided again once residents were used to the new arrangements.

Mr Charlesworth was prepared to give the project a go but hoped that it would be monitored.

Mr Stevens agreed that the project would be monitored and that a progress report come back to Members in approximately 18-24 months.

Mr Stevens explained that pedestrian crossings need to be lit to protect the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

Mr Boulter asked why the column replacement programme in South Wigston had stalled.

Mr Stevens explained that the County Council had sought to develop a Private Finance Initiative to fund column replacements. However, Leicestershire did not meet the criteria behind PFI and had to fund the replacement programme from its own budget.

Mr Stevens again pointed out that future funding is dependent on the contributions to be received from Central Government.

RECOMMENDATIONS

i) That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted; and

ii) that a progress report come to the Forum in the next 18-24 months.

Page 193 074. UPDATE ON 2010/11 MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on the 2010/11 maintenance and improvements programmes. A copy of the report was filed with the minutes. The Chairman asked Members if they had any comments on the report.

Mr Kaufman highlighted a meeting that had been held several years ago where officers outlined planned works for the Ridgeway.

Mr Kaufman was asked to produce details of the meeting and provide to Mr Howe in order for the topic to be discussed at the Forum.

Mr Howe agreed to consider work in Coombe Rise for next years programme.

Mrs Gore asked that the footway resurfacing work planned for Harcourt Road Wigston be delayed until the planned developer works are undertaken.

Mr Howe agreed to take on board. He also agreed to investigate work previously planned for Granville Road and speak to Mr Loydall. Mr Howe agreed to speak to Mr Boulter on the footway resurfacing scheme Blaby Road South Wigston.

Mr Boulter stated that officers had not contacted him to discuss drainage plans in Jordan Avenue. Mr Howe agreed to contact him.

Mr Boulter pointed out that there were some schemes in Saffron Road missing from the report. Mr Howe agreed to investigate and speak to Mr Boulter.

Mr Stevens explained to Members the differences in the footway reconstruction and footway resurfacing processes.

Mr Howe agreed to discuss the Cooks Lane drainage work with Mr Charlesworth.

Mr Charlesworth and Mrs Loydall both commented that the grass cutting had been excellent in their areas.

Mrs Gore left the meeting at 7.55pm.

RECOMMENDATIONS

i) That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted;

ii) that officers consider work in Coombe Rise for the 2011/12 programme;

iii) that officers consider delaying work in Harcourt Road Wigston due to developer works;

iv) that officers discuss previously planned works for Granville Road with Mr Loydall;

v) that officers speak to Mr Boulter on the Blaby Road South Wigston footway resurfacing scheme;

vi) that officers discuss drainage plans for Jordan Avenue with Mr Boulter;

vii) that officers investigate schemes in Saffron Road missing from the report and speak to Mr Boulter; and

viii) that officers discuss drainage works in Cooks Lane with Mr Charlesworth.

Page 194 075. PROGRAMME OF TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS – CURRENT POSITION

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Environment and Transport on the current position of the traffic regulation orders programme.

A copy of the report was filed with the minutes. The Chairman asked Members if they had any comments on the report.

Mr Boulter was concerned that parents were still driving onto pavements at South Wigston High School in order to wait for children. Bollards had been installed but the parents are now moving closer to the school. Safety is a major problem - Mr Boulter stated that he had raised this issue in the past and asked that the minutes reflect his concerns.

Mr Howe agreed to discuss with Mr Boulter.

Mr Griffiths explained that he had recently spoken to the Croft office on the outstanding work to install a single yellow line London Road Oadby. He was informed by officers that the work had been completed.

Mr Howe agreed to ask officers to clarify the situation and speak to Mr Griffiths.

RECOMMENDATIONS

i) That the report of the Director of Environment and Transport be noted;

ii) that officers discuss the pavement parking problem outside South Wigston High School with Mr Boulter; and

iii) that officers discuss the outstanding lining work London Road Oadby with Mr Griffiths.

076. ON-GOING ACTION STATEMENT

There were no on-going actions.

077. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION

Members asked that the following issues be considered

- An update on the weed spraying problem in the Borough

- An update on LTP3

Mr Carrara pointed out that Ashtree Road should be Ash Tree Road.

078. ANY OTHER ITEMS THE CHAIRMAN HAS DECIDED ARE URGENT

There were no urgent items.

079. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

Mr Kaufman highlighted that there was a Borough Council Planning Meeting at 7.00pm on the 28/10/10.

Members asked that the time of the Forum meeting be changed to 4.00pm and the venue to the Council Chamber.

Page 195 080. CHAIRMAN’S CLOSING REMARKS

The Chairman thanked Members and Officers for their attendance at the meeting.

29 July 2010 Chairman

6.00 – 8.15 pm Date

Page 196 Agenda Item 11f

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON MONDAY 2 nd AUGUST 2010 COMMENCING AT 4.00pm

Present: Councillor K J Loydall Chair Councillor J Kaufman Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Tracy Gaskin Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Kathryn Heathcote Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Uday Dholakia Police Authority Richard Hall Fire and Rescue Service James Fox Leicester County Council Elaine Phil Durrant Police Jed Keen Police Marie Playford Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (taking Minutes)

Apologies: Joe Orson Leicester County Council Mark Elliott Judy Richardson Youth Service

Officer Responsible Minutes of previous Meetings and Actions

Tracy confirmed that we would be adopting both the police and internal council complaints procedure within the asb minimum standards.

New Processes

Inspector Jed Keene reported on new processes being adopted. Phil is carrying out a review of partnership links to update and improve where necessary.

The format of the JAG meetings will be changed; strategic partners will be invited to every meeting and other key agencies when applicable.

Performance Management

Burglary dwelling Reduction Target 10% less than last year (36 ½% fewer)

Robbery 20% reduction target

Theft from Motor Vehicle

Page 197 5% reduction target 57% over reduction target – caused by one particular individual

Theft of Motor Vehicle 3% reduction target 28.6%

Detection Rates Burglary dwellings 19% - 22% detection

Tracy reported that Housing have instructed her that DDA works on the Boulter Crescent community flat will be completed by October.

Richard handed out an update which highlighted the Fire and RTC figures.

Substance Misuse Kathryn explained her role and background. She has contacted schools and colleges and is building up her clientele, offering group sessions and one to one counselling. Also offers family of addicts support. Has a pilot scheme offering drug addicts clean needles. Alcohol is also a focus, particularly in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston.

Domestic Abuse Tracy reported that the reporting of domestic abuse is high with a lot of people coming forward to report the crime. There is now a waiting list for consultations.

Women’s Aid is now taking referrals from men who have suffered abuse from their partners.

Delivery Plans Kevin Loydall spoke about improving the format of the delivery plans. It was decided to hold a separate meeting with Jed, Tracy, Richard and James to discuss and formulate the new procedure.

Tracy brought to the meetings attention that funding from the ABG is likely to stop in the new financial year. The Partnership need to be aware of this when planning for priorities next year.

Funding and Resources

Tracy reported that since the last CSP there was an 8% reduction needed on ABG funding. The CSP contribution went from £45.425 to £41,425. Savings

Page 198 were found from 3 months salary saving on the Kathryn post and £1,000 graffiti project which makes the £4,000.

Recruitment has been temporarily postponed for the Partnership Co-ordinator. It will resume when a decision has been made about using BCU funds for this post.

Probation Presentation

James Fox produced an Initial report and re-offending ‘audit’ paper. Copy of which is attached.

Tracy thanked James for the report

Page 199 Agenda Item 11g

Place Shaping Member Working Group

Tuesday 3 rd August 2010, 5.15pm

The Committee Room, Council Offices, Wigston

Present Councillor JW Boyce (Chair) Councillor MO Carrara Councillor JM Gore Councillor HE Loydall

Jamie Carr (Planning Officer – Forward Plans) Jim Cocker (Economic Development Officer) Rob Harbour (Head of Built Environment) Edward Morgan (Planning Officer – Forward Plans) Kirstie Rea (Senior Forward Planning Officer) Adrian Thorpe (Forward Plans Manager)

1 Apologies

Councillor LA Bentley Councillor GA Boulter Councillor M Brown

2 Minutes and Matters Arising

2.1 No issues were raised.

3 Core Strategy – Examination Update

3.1 The Borough Council has received the draft report from the Planning Inspectorate on the Examination of the Oadby and Wigston Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

3.2 The Inspector has deemed the Core Strategy to be sound and therefore, once the Binding Report has been received, the Core Strategy will go to Full Council with a view to being adopted.

3.3 The Forward Plans Manager ran through the key findings of this report but stressed that these should not be publicised until we are in reciept of the final report.

3.4 All of the Councillors present extended their gratitude to Forward Plans and congratulated the team for the work they have done on progressing the Core Strategy.

Page 200 4. Impact on Planning Policy within Oadby and Wigston of Abolition of Regional Strategies and Wider Government Reform

4.1 The Forward Plans Manager went through the key impacts on Oadby and Wigston Borough Council regarding The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announcement on 6 July that Regional Strategies (know as Regional Spatial Strategies up until 1 April 2010) will be revoked. Whilst referring to the paper circulated prior to the meeting, in summary, the following was discussed:

The Development Plan

4.2 In the Borough of Oadby and Wigston the Development Plan is:

• Adopted Development Plan Documents (eg Core Strategy, once adopted) • Saved Local Plan policies

Local Development Framework

4.3 Oadby and Wigston Borough Council should continue to develop LDF core strategies and other DPDs. These local plans will guide development in the Borough and provide certainty for investors and communities .

The Core Strategy

4.4 Revocation of the Regional Plan may have an impact on preparation of:

• Housing Targets • Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Numbers

4.5 The impact upon the Borough will be clearer once the Core Strategy has been publicly adopted.

4.6 The Inspector’s Report deems it appropriate for housing targets in the Borough to remain the same as they were in the Regional Plan because locally derived evidence underpinning these targets are available.

4.7 However, it looks as though the Borough must continue to include the need for 1 Gypsy and Traveller pitch, despite attempts by Planning Officers to have this requirement removed from the Core Strategy.

The Three Cities Sub-Regional Strategy

4.8 The Regional Plan contained Sub-Regional Strategies, with the Borough of Oadby and Wigston in the Three Cities Sub-Region.

Page 201 4.9 The Sub Regional Strategy defined the Leicester Principal Urban Area – in other words those areas that are urban (within the Leicester Principal Urban Area) and those areas that are countryside (outside the Leicester Principal Urban Area).

4.10 It is important that these areas are defined, particularly to protect the countryside from inappropriate development.

4.11 As a result of revoking the Regional Plan, there is now concern over how the PUA functions as a whole.

4.12 In spring 2010, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council established (and currently Chair) the ‘Leicester Principal Urban Area Strategic Planning Context Group’ which is attended by planning policy officers of each Council within the Leicester Principal Urban Area, including the City and County Councils. This group plays an important role in coordinating planning policy work across the Leicester Principal Urban Area. It has been agreed that it will consider defining the actual boundary of the Leicester Principal Urban Area in future meetings.

Housing and Planning Delivery Grant

4.13 This grant was paid to councils as an incentive to achieve good performance in relation to planning application decisions, supply of housing land and progress towards preparation of Local Development Frameworks. Good performance was well rewarded.

4.14 Housing and Planning Delivery Grant has now been revoked including non payment of grant already awarded for this current financial year.

4.15 A new financial incentive related to the number of new dwellings completed has been briefly referred to by the Government, although no details have been provided to date.

5 Year Land Supply

4.16 The Borough Council are still required to use Development Plan Documents to identify sufficient sites and broad areas for development to deliver their housing targets for at least 15 years from the date the plan is adopted. The Borough Council’s Core Strategy meets this requirement.

Other Issues where the Regional Plan provided a Strategic Context…

4.17 Local Authorities are encouraged to (continue to) work together and often with communities to ensure that evidenced policies are in place at a local level.

Page 202 East Midlands Councils/East Midlands Leadership Board (formerly East Midlands Regional Assembly)

4.18 The Government has announced that East Midlands Councils / East Midlands Leadership Board is to be abolished, leaving a gap in many areas of their work. Reviews of existing and preparation of new evidence studies to underpin planning policy have to be taken on by local authorities, often working in partnership.

East Midlands Development Agency (emda)

4.19 The Government have announced their intention to abolish all regional development agencies such as emda and to replace them with Local Enterprise Partnerships.

4.20 The Local Enterprise Partnership, if agreed, will undertake, locally, many of the functions that emda currently plays. A White Paper will be published in late summer which will identify the emda functions which will be devolved to the Local Enterprise Partnerships and will also give some indication of the budgets that will be devolved subject to the conclusions of the Autumn Spending Review.

The Big Society

4.21 The Big Society is the Government initiative to put power ‘in the hands of people and communities’. A Structural Reform Plan has been prepared which sets out a number of action that will deliver The Big Society.

4.22 The Structural Reform Plan includes:

• ‘Give Neighbourhoods and local authorities the powers and freedoms to lead economic growth and regeneration’

• ‘Meet people’s housing aspirations by streamlining and speeding up the planning system’

• ‘Provide strong and transparent incentives for local authorities to build new homes’

• ‘Develop options to bring empty homes back into use’

• ‘Radically reform the planning system to give neighbourhoods much greater ability to determine the shape of places in which their inhabitants live……local planning authorities to begin working in new ways on local plans in advance of passing the Localism Bill (maybe as soon as Autumn 2010)

• ‘Create a new designation to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities’

Page 203

5. 2009 to 2010 Residential and Employment Land Availability reports

Residential Land Availability Report

5.1 The Residential Land Availability Report is a statutory document that the Borough Council reviews every year and its findings contribute to the Annual Monitoring process for the authority.

5.2 This report has been written in line with the latest policy developments, both in terms of the Core Strategy at the local level and the impact that the revocation of the Regional Plan has had.

5.3 However, the Borough Council will continue to strive to achieve 90 dwelling completions per year as was the target set out in the revoked Regional Plan. The evidence base for this figure has credible locally derived evidence.

5.4 In total, there were 93 completions last year.

5.5 Special Needs housing is below the desired level in the Borough but this should be improved once the Pal International development in Oadby is complete. Unfortunately, Residential Care Homes and Student accommodation completions are not considered as market-led completions and do not get taken into account in this report.

Employment Land Availability Report

5.6 This years report has been slimmed down from previous years in order to make it read better. The latest policy guidance has been taken into account and the findings from the PACEC Employment Study have also been properly considered.

5.7 The Railway Triangle allocation of 3.14 ha has been removed from the allocations of land because this was the recommendation of the PACEC report. This is because the land is unlikely to ever come forward for development due to poor access into the site and the costs to overcome this outweigh the viability of its development.

5.8 Table 6 on page 12 of the report does not take into account the likely allocation of 2.5 to 3.5 ha of employment land that is likely to come forward as part of the Direction for Growth to the south-east of Wigston. Once this is designated through the Allocations DPD, this will drastically alter the availability of employment land allocations in the Borough. However, at this years end, there is just 0.21 ha of identified employment land available for development.

Page 204 5.9 In the past year, there were just 4 planning applications granted for employment related development and just 4 completions for employment developments.

6. Update on Other Work

Employment Sites and Brownfield Land Study

6.1 At the next Place Shaping Member Working Group, there will be a representative from Roger Tym and Partners to explain to Members the findings of this report.

Business Needs Survey

6.2 The Economic Development Officer went through the findings of the Business Needs Survey for which a final draft of the report has been received and the findings of this are to be shared in the coming months with businesses throughout the Borough. There is the potential to host a Business Breakfast with this in mind. The findings were as follows:

• In general, the businesses in the area are of small-medium sizes and very loyal to a locally-sourced staffing population;

• The location of Oadby and Wigston is deemed to be good in the sense that it provides a good local base to serve a greater- Leicestershire area;

• The businesses in this Borough don’t necessarily want or need excellent links to major infrastructure and transport links such as the M1 / M69;

• A number of larger firms that employ a lot of local people have indicated that they would be looking to move into bigger and better premises in the next few years. They have indicated that they would like to stay local so as to be loyal to their work force but this poses an issue because there currently is not sufficient supply of the type of buildings in the Borough that can accommodate these businesses and their growth; and,

• There is a need to match the skills of the Borough’s population with the types of businesses that the Borough Council aims to attract to the Borough.

7. Any Other Business

7.1 None.

8. Date of Next Meeting

8.1 Tuesday 21 September 2010

Page 205 Agenda Item 11h

MINUTES OF THE AGM OF THE OADBY AND WIGSTON MULTICULTURAL GROUP HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON 04 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Mrs S B Morris - Chair

Councillors Mrs H E Loydall, K Loydall, C Gore, Mrs J Gore, Mrs S Z Haq

Officers in Attendance: M Hall, M Cregg, Mrs T Gaskin, Mrs J York, Ms L Plummer, . Also in Attendance: Mrs L Spencer, Sgt Steve King,Ch Supt Chris Thomas, Ch Insp Martyn Ball, Inspector Jed Keen, Revd R Eastman, N Oldershaw, S Lamb, G Lamb, Mrs SK Minhas, A Standley, A Loydall, J Hales, J Calow, S Cavrill, A Clark, J Sharma, N Badiani, Mrs Badiani, Mrs Kotac, Mrs Vulera, Mrs J Crane, M Elton, W Belgrave, D Wheeler, Mrs N Wheeler, Q Macgrath, Mrs U Macgrath, R Curtis, F Ahmed, H Khatib, M Dickson, D Cooper, S Sterynomez, J Smith, A Mohindar, N Mohindar, T Nelson, P Valentine, Mrs J Valentine, R Singh Sandhu, S Kassam, K Hillier, S Verma, R Patel, S M Sarwar, S Sarwar, M A Sheikh, R Sheikh, S Maham, S Seth.

Apologies for Absence were received from:

Minut e Narrative RESP Ref. OFF

1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

The AGM commenced with the appointment of Chairman for the Group.

Mrs S Morris was nominated by both Richard Curtis and Cllr Colin Gore.

S Morris thanked the group for their continued confidence and support.

2. MINUTES

Mrs S Morris stated that an update on Agenda Item 7 would be provided at the next meeting following the AGM.

M Mogul requested that until a comprehensive report from the working group was collated the agenda item should be deferred.

Page 206 RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 June 2010, be taken as read, confirmed and signed as a true record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

No matters arising

Page 207 Agenda Item 11i

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON THURSDAY, 5 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor J W Boyce - Chairman Councillor K M A Brown – Vice-Chairman

Councillors L A Bentley, T S Biring, G A Boulter, M O Carrara, M H Charlesworth, D A Gamble, C S Gore, Mrs J M Gore, Mrs S Z Haq, J Kaufman, R E R Morris and Mrs S B Morris (14).

Councillor Mrs S A Dickinson also attended the meeting.

Officers in Attendance: Ms K Garcha, R Harbour, C Forrett, Mrs T Carey and D Allen.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs L M Broadley and Mrs H E Loydall.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

14. DECLARATIONS OF SUBSTITUTIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS There were no such declarations.

15. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 July DWA 2010 (adjourned), and those of the reconvened meeting held on 14 July 2010, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

16. REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL MANAGER

Consideration was given to the report of the Development Control Manager, as set out in report pages 11-49, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document, along with the Agenda Update (Supplemental Agenda 1/report pages1-3 circulated at the meeting) to be bound with these minutes.

RESOLVED: That the decisions in respect of each item in the report be as shown in the following specific resolutions:-

Page 208

(2) 10/00238/FUL – Erection of first floor and two storey side extensions, 1 The Fairway, Oadby

Mr Marshall addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant, commenting on the symmetry of the design and the materials to be used, particularly the copper-type roof covering. It was pointed out that the property was not listed and not situated in a conservation area. Also, there had been no objections raised by neighbours. It was felt that the recommended reasons for refusal relied on subjective and aesthetic opinions. Councillor Mrs Dickinson also spoke in favour of the application, referring to extensions to other properties in the vicinity, and took a contrary view that the copper material would age and blend in time. It was suggested that a site visit be held.

Officers explained that there was no objection in principle to extensions being built but not as submitted as this scheme failed to adhere to guidelines.

Matters raised by Members included the following points:- • Clarification of the planning policies involved and of the classification status of adjoining roads. • Confirmation that the copper material was likely to turn green in colour in time. Contrary opinions were expressed about how this would be viewed in the setting. A product was on the market to treat copper materials. • The proposal would look out of keeping in the street scene. The design detracted from the pleasant appearance of the house. A preference was expressed for more traditional roof tiles. • Conventional extensions would be inappropriate by adding too much mass to the original house.

A motion by Councillor Boulter to refuse the application was seconded by Councillor R Morris. A subsequent motion by Councillor Gamble to grant delegated powers to officers to approve the application, subject to conditions, was seconded by Councillor Biring.

Prior to voting on the second motion, the Chairman summarised the reasons offered for granting permission. On being put to the vote, the second motion met with equilibrium of voting, at seven votes for to seven against. In keeping with the manner in which he had cast his first vote, the Chairman cast his second vote against the motion to approve the application and, therefore, the motion was defeated by eight votes to seven. The motion to refuse the application was put to the vote and also met with equilibrium of voting, at seven votes for to seven against. Again, in keeping with the manner in which he had cast his first vote, the Chairman cast his second vote for the motion to refuse the application and, therefore, the motion was carried by eight votes to seven.

Page 209

RESOLVED: That the recommendation to refuse to grant planning permission, for the reasons set out in the report, be adopted.

(1) 10/00268/FUL – Erection of nine two-bedroom dwellings withassociated parking, landscaping and boundary treatments on part of existing car parking area and minor external alterations in association with change of use of building to Use Class A1 retail, 64 London Road, Oadby

Attention was draw to the contents of the Agenda Update.

RESOLVED: That consideration of the application be deferred until such time as a Flood Risk Assessment has been submitted for consideration by the Local Planning Authority.

(3) 10/00271/FUL – Erection of one three storey building with ground floor office accommodation (Use Class A2) and residential above and two three storey residential blocks with associated access, parking and landscaping, Alpha House, Countesthorpe Road, South Wigston

Attention was draw to the contents of the Agenda Update. The meeting was adjourned for a short period to enable advice on possible declarations of interest to be received, following which all Members remained in the meeting.

The Committee heard that officers felt able to recommend approval of the scheme even though there were minor breaches of the planning guidelines. Reference was made to the request by Leicestershire Police for a Section 106 contribution, but this was beyond the Council’s current adopted policies.

Matters raised by Members included the following points:- • The scheme represented a significant improvement over the existing building. • Materials to be used:- Slate tiles for the roofs; timber, double-glazed windows; not false chimneys; brickwork, mortar and bonding top be in keeping with the locality. • Need to ensure adequacy of (1) parking spaces for both residential and office uses (Note to applicant regarding control/management of residential spaces), and (2) space for recycling facilities/storage. • Confirmation of two affordable housing units (via Section 106 Agreement). • Three storey dwellings but with the appearance of two storeys. • Responses from other consultees are contained in Agenda Update. • Demolition should not occur until redevelopment is imminent – See Report item (4) below.

Upon a motion by Councillor Bentley, duly seconded and carried, it was

Page 210

RESOLVED: That (1) Subject to no substantive adverse comments being received prior to the expiry of the public consultation period, any subsequent conditions (and suggested Note to Applicant) required following the expiry of the consultation period (see Agenda Update), and subject to the Section 106 Agreement being completed by 25 August 2010, the recommendation to grant planning permission, be adopted; (2) In the event that the Section 106 Agreement is not completed by 25 August 2010, the application be refused for the reason set out in Recommendation (b) in the Report

(4) 10/00270/CON –Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of three storey offices, Alpha House, Countesthorpe Road, South Wigston

With a view to avoiding a derelict site, demolition should not take place until a contract has been let for the new-build. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED: That (1) subject to the Section 106 Agreement referred to at Report item (3) above being completed by 25 August 2010, the recommendation to grant conservation area consent, be adopted; (2) In the event that the Section 106 Agreement is not completed by 25 August 2010, the application be refused for the reason set out in Recommendation (b) at Report item (3).

(5) 10/00249/LCC – Two external extensions to the east elevation of the sports hall. A canopy spanning the distance of the two extensions. Minor internal alterations to the changing areas, Beauchamp College, Ridge Way, Oadby

Mention was made of the Ten Year Plan and the Travel Plan previously requested from the applicant.

RESOLVED: That Leicestershire County Council be advised that this Council has no objection to the extension.

17. SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Committee considered a report of the Policy and Performance Officer, as set out in report pages 50-51, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

RESOLVED: That the progress be noted and Members comments be LR reported to the respective Section Heads.

Page 211

In bringing the meeting to a close, the Chairman announced that the Committee’s annual tour of the Borough would be held on Thursday, 16 September 2010, commencing at 6.15 p.m.

The meeting closed at 8.26 p.m.

Page 212 Agenda Item 11j

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESIDENTS SERVICES COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON, ON TUESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2010, COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor G A Boulter – Chair Councillor L A Bentley – Vice Chair

Councillors T S Biring, M O Carrara, Mrs E M Connell, Mrs L Eaton, C S Gore, Mrs S Z Haq, P A Hings, K J Loydall, Mrs S B Morris and J Vickerstaff (12)

Officers in Attendance: M Cregg, Mrs A Court, N Ainsworth-Smith ,S Bruce, J Crooks, R Harbour, P Loveday and A Wood

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor J W Boyce.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respo nsible

4. PETITION

On behalf of 22 residents of South Wigston, Councillor Mrs Morris presented a petition calling on the Council not to purchase a property in Darley Avenue for the purpose of bringing it back to a habitable state and re-housing the existing occupants.

The Chair confirmed that the Council was aware of the very poor state of this property and it was agreed that some action was required. However, the Head of Environmental Health reported that the mortgagee had served an eviction notice and would be taking possession of the property shortly. In the meantime, his department was responding to calls to deal with the rodent problem.

RESOLVED: That the petition be received and the petitioners be advised of the situation as outlined in the text above. AW

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Page 213 RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 June 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed. AW

6. PRESENTATION BY THE CONTRACTS OPERATIONS MANAGER

With the assistance of a Power Point presentation, Mr Ainsworth-Smith confirmed that the new picking line had been installed, tested, staff trained in its use, and it was now fully operational. There had been no staffing problems and already, increased benefits in the sale of glass were being received.

He proceeded to run through the process of “de-bagging”, with brown bags, being in the majority, dealt with first followed by green bags three days later, which did not present any health hazard as the recycling is collected and dealt with on a weekly basis.

He continued by referring to the two-fold objective, namely, to increase revenue and meet or exceed the recycling targets. To assist this, he introduced images of the new litter vehicle which could increase recycling by up to 4% itself since it does not collect the litter but processes it ready for composting as it goes along. It also has a separate area for storing animal waste from bins situated around the Borough.

Mr Ainsworth-Smith informed Members that residents would be receiving clarification regarding the types of plastic which can be recycled and also asking them to ensure that cans for recycling be cleaned.Members were unanimous in their praise of the department’s achievements and the Chair confirmed that a Press Release would be arranged to inform the public of such progress, which was only achievable utilising bags, not wheelie bins. NAS

7. CONTAMINATED LAND INVESTIGATION UPDATE – REPORT OF HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Prior to any discussion on this item, Councillor Mrs Connell declared a Personal Interest and vacated the Chamber for the duration of the deliberation.

Mr Bruce’s report included a progress report on the work of the contractor employed in this investigation and anticipated that

Page 214 their report would become available towards the end of the calendar year. Members expressed their keenness that this should be made available as a matter of urgency and that consideration be given to a public meeting to be held before 31st December 2010.

In response to questioning, Mr Bruce confirmed that the funding remained the same as per the previous report/

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

Councillor Mrs Connell returned to the meeting at 7.35 p.m.

8. REPORTS OF INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES

Members considered the reports of the interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 3 – 9, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

(a) Quarterly Spending Review Update for 2010-2011

The Head of Finance (Mr Loveday) referred to the Revenue and Capital budgets of both the General Fund (GF) and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the out turn for both, in presenting his report.

During discussion on grants, it was noted that there was typographical error in the narrative which should have referred to a letter dated May 2010 and not May 2009.

Elsewhere, it was noted that salaries matched staffing but overspends were reported in the areas of Community Development and the Mechanics Workshop. Mr Loveday confirmed that the reasons for these would be investigated and Members informed of the outcome.

RESOLVED: That, with the above action item required, the report be noted PL/CR

9. REPORTS OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Committee considered the reports of the Director of Community Services as contained within report pages 10 – 22, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a

Page 215 composite document.

(a) Comprehensive Gas Servicing and Repair Contract

The Director of Community Services (Mr Cregg) introduced this report by referring Members to the benefits outlined on page 11, in particular, increased efficiency and significantly lower costs. He went on to reassure Members that any risks (such as severe winter weather) had been addressed by the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) who would be monitoring contract performance.

.RESOLVED: that the Committee does agree to the proposed comprehensive gas servicing and repairs contract with Lowell Powerminster Ltd (trading as Lowell Respond), as procured SF through the Northern Housing Consortium

(b) Housing Inspection and Future Direction of the Service

Mr Cregg introduced this item, reminding Members that a full copy of the original Audit Commission report had already been made available to them and therefore this was just a summary of the main points.

During discussion, reference was made to an article which appeared in the local press and this had not been endorsed by the Council. There was to be further legislation later this year and it was considered prudent to await the outcome of this before committing the Council to any long term changes which might have to be revised again.

The Council currently was performing well according to National Indicators and whilst tenant satisfaction levels remained high, there was no need for immediate action.

.RESOLVED: That the report be noted

The Contracts Operations Manager (Mr Crooks) led Members through the narrative on page 15 which established the present position. Members concurred on the need to progress the scheme and so it was

RESOLVED: That if the grant from the Department for Education is withdrawn, £50,000 of the capital budget allocated

Page 216 to the ‘Play Area Refurbishment Programme’ be used for the junior play area at William Gunning Park in lieu of grant funding in order for the scheme to go ahead as planned MS

(d) Replacement of Glazing to Conservatory at Brocks Hill Visitor Centre

In view of the fact that one unit would be the subject of a successful insurance claim, it was agreed that the recommendation to the Resources and Revenue Committee be amended accordingly.

RESOLVED: That 1. The Committee agrees in principle to the replacement of the entire conservatory roof (that offers the optimum value for money taking account of the life expectancy of the existing glazing), subject to funding being made available from the capital reserves budget.

2. A revised version of this report be taken to the next Resources and Regeneration Committee, including full information on the further quotes currently awaited, to seek approval for the release of monies from the capital reserves budget to fund this work, and noting that, subject to payment of the excess fee, one unit is covered by an insurance claim, leaving 39 to be replaced.. RH

(e) Thermal Efficiency in Private Sector Homes

Mr Bruce referred to his written report but informed Members of a presentation and demonstration which would support the report. He then introduced Ms D Morley who, with the assistance of a Power Point presentation and a demonstration of a thermal imaging gun, informed Members of the proposal from her company to investigate levels of thermal inefficiency and promote suitable remedies. She stressed that there was no invasion of privacy as the gun only sought thermal images and that the cost of most schemes are repaid within 18 months by the savings in energy costs. SF The meeting was then adjourned at 8.14 p.m. to enable Members to inspect the vehicle used and assess the process involved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8.20 p.m.

Page 217 Members were then able to question the company representatives regarding their proposal, and who provided information regarding existing schemes undertaken with other local authorities and gave reassurances regarding the SF professionalism of the operatives and the quality of the work.

The Chair thanked the representatives for their attendance who then left the meeting at 8.35 p.m.

During the subsequent discussion, all members expressed their concerns about the proposals and these are summarized below -

- use of the council's logo to endorse the product - use of an 'opt out' clause (members' preference is for an 'opt in' clause') - implications for the council's cold calling zones - any responsibility that could fall on the council in the event of a default - level of take up - benefit to the council - consideration of alternative ways of obtaining energy efficiency information for private housing

The Head of Legal and Licensing informed Members that they could determine the wording of the Memorandum of Understanding with the company. However, Members still felt that, in the eyes of the general public, the Council carried an implicit responsibility.

Accordingly, the Chair called for a further report on this scheme to be brought before a future committee meeting including information requested by Members.

RESOLVED: That further investigations be carried out to establish if the scheme would proceed without the use of the Council’s logo, the removal of the opt out clause and the Council distances itself form the company’s products, plus information to be obtained from the three other Councils in the area, establishing how the schemes were progressed, what references were obtained and, given the concerns expressed at this meeting, how those concerns were addressed, to be presented in a further report to a future committee meeting.

The Meeting Closed at 9.15 p.m.

Page 218 Agenda Item 11k

THE SENIOR CITIZENS FORUM

MONDAY 16 TH AUGUST 2010

FREER COMMUNITY CENTRE, WIGSTON FIELDS

Present :

Approximately 75 Senior Citizens Councillors Helen Loydall, Jill Gore, Liz Connell, Jeffrey Kaufman Dot Sandy, Trudy Whiles, Graham Lamb, Rama Jethwa and Peter Valentine

Apologies: Kate Faulkner

A very successful Forum took place at the Freer Community Centre, Wigston Fields. Over 75 senior citizens attended and were extremely impressed with the new community centre, remarking upon how bright, clean and fresh everything looked with good toilet facilities and convenient and plentiful parking.

Introductions and information given out by the Chair and the first talk of the afternoon commenced at 1.15 p.m. Peter Burton from the Will Writing Company gave a very interesting and comprehensive talk ably supported by his partner. He handed out information and spoke to many people during the tea break, answering a large number of questions.

Kitchen facilities for tea were good although it was noticed that there were not enough cups and saucers and no tea pots or milk jugs available. The Chair spoke to the Depot regarding more equipment for the kitchen.

After tea Peter Cousins gave a talk and power point presentation on Family History which everyone enjoyed and many took notes throughout.

Both Peter Burton and Peter Cousins have been invited to hold a stand at the ‘Young at Heart’ day to be held on 29 th September 2010.

The Forum ended around 3.30 p.m. and everywhere was cleaned up and equipment put away. Marie Playford from Community and Cultural Development assisted the Chair and Helen Loydall would like to thank Marie for all her help during Kate’s absence.

Page 219 Agenda Item 11l

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON, ON MONDAY, 23 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

G D England– Chairman J B Burton– Vice Chairman

Councillors: M H Charlesworth

Independent Members: C Caban and D Henderson

Officers: Ms K Garcha and D Allen

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Kaufman, K J Loydall and P Swift

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respo nsible

12. The Chairman took the opportunity to introduce and welcome Mr C Caban to his first meeting of the Committee.

13. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 June 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed. DWA

Matters arising:

Regarding minute 6, it was reported that the Constitution Task Group had felt that the Standards Committee’s Independent Members should be able remain in meetings at times when Exempt Items were being considered; however, this view was not in keeping with the sentiments expressed by Independent Members at the previous meeting in that they wished to avoid having their independence compromised. Again, differing opinions were expressed.

Mr D Henderson entered the meeting at this point (4.10 p.m.).

RESOLVED: That the attendance by Independent Members at parts of meetings at which Exempt Items are considered be a matter for them to exercise individual discretion or rely on the advice of the Legal Officer.

Page 220

It was noted that, regarding minute 4, a reply was awaited from the Government Minister in connection with possible local appeal frameworks being established after the abolition of Standards for England. In regard to minute 8, it was confirmed that nothing further had been submitted for the Standards Assessment Sub-Committee to consider.

14. FUTURE OF STANDARDS FOR ENGLAND

The meeting heard that there had been little in the way of new information published since the announcement by the Government about the proposed abolition of Standards for England. Ms Garcha commented on the scaling down of its work; there was no longer a requirement for Councils to submit quarterly returns. Nevertheless, it was noted that Standards for England would still need to fulfil its statutory duties and continue to support Councils in maintaining high standards.

RESOLVED : That the position be noted and that the matter be raised again at the next meeting. DWA

15. FORWARD PLAN MATTERS

The Chairman introduced the following Forward Plan items that had been progressed since the previous meeting (Minute 7 refers).

(a) Article for Letterbox :

Consideration was given to the article prepared by the Chairman, summarising the functions of the Standards Committee (Report page 7 refers).

RESOLVED: That the article be approved as written for publication DWA in Letterbox.

(b) Proposed Annual Report:

The Committee viewed a sample Annual Report and agreed that it would be suitable as a template for the Committee’s use towards the conclusion of the Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Officers prepare a draft Annual Report, in DWA consultation with the Chairman, for approval by the Committee prior to presentation to the Council.

(b) Review of Confidential (Whistleblowing) Policy:

The Committee heard that the policy was last revised by the Council

Page 221

in November 2009, having taken into account the amendments proposed by the Committee in August of that year. It was noted that future revision of the policy now rested with the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in readiness for adoption by the Council. The Chairman looked for an assurance that the policy was familiar to all staff and Members. At present, the policy could be viewed on the Council’s intranet and is included in the Employees’ Handbook issued to new staff at the time of induction.

On examination of the policy, the following amendments were proposed:-

• Deletion of Officers’ names. • The inclusion of a note to warn that information may be shared with the Police in criminal matters. • Deletion of the final bullet point in paragraph 2.1 of the Guidance and of the Policy. • Paragraph 6.3/8.1 of the Guidance and 7.7/10.1 of the Policy be amended to clarify that concerns or complaints against Councillors should in the first instance be made to the Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer. • The Guidance and the Policy to emphasise assurances about the welfare of those raising concerns. • Add a further bullet point at paragraph 2.2 of the Policy to address racial or other abuse. • At Paragraph 5.1 of the Guidance and paragraph 6.1 of the Policy, the prospect of disciplinary action be clarified to distinguish between intentional/non-intentional allegations

RESOLVED: That (1) The amendments to the Policy itemised above be made and DWA/ recommended to Resources and Regeneration Committee AC/KG for adoption; and (2) The revised Policy be brought to the attention of staff members.

16. ROTA FOR ATTENDANCE BY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS AT COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS

A schedule setting out a rota of attendances had been prepared in draft, as set out in Report page 19. After receiving details of the preferences of the Independent Members in order to complete the rota, it was

RESOLVED : That the following schedule be approved and that Committee Chairs be notified accordingly as a matter of courtesy:-

Page 222

TABLE:

DATE: MEETING: MEMBER:

Tues. 14.09.10 Resources and Mr Henderson Regeneration Tues. 28.09.10 Council Mr Henderson Tues. 12.10.10 Residents’ Services Mr England Thur. 28.10.10 Development Control Mr Caban Thur. 25.11.10 Development Control Mr Henderson Tues. 07.12.10 Council Mr Burton Thur. 13.01.11 Licensing and Regulatory Mr Caban Tues. 22.02.11 Overview and Scrutiny Mr Burton Thur. 24.02.11 Council (C.Tax setting) Mr England + Mr C Caban Wed. 02.03.11 Oadby Residents’ Forum Mr Caban (to be confirmed) Tues. 19.04.11 Council Mr J B Bu rton

17. REPORTS FROM INDEPENDENT MEMBERS ON ATTENDANCE AT COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL MEETINGS

Messrs Caban, England and Henderson reported on their attendance at the July meeting of the Council at which it had been noted how well the proceedings had been conducted, along with the readiness of Members to declare interests. Mention was made about some uncertainty in regard to voting procedures, and a discussion ensued about the manner in which challenges to minutes were made.

RESOLVED: That the reports be received and that the matter of DA/AC challenges to minutes be referred to the Constitutional Task Group.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the date of the next meeting of the Committee was to be held on Monday, 8 November 2010.

As the Chairman drew the meeting to a close he reported that there had been no recent newsletter from AIMSce to circulate. Mention was also made of the difficulties experienced by Members in finding a car parking space prior to the meeting.

The Meeting closed at 5.13 p.m.

Page 223 Agenda Item 11m

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE WIGSTON RESIDENTS’ FORUM HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON MONDAY, 23 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor G A Boulter – Chairman

Councillors L Bentley, Mrs L Broadley, M H Charlesworth, Mrs E M Connell, Mrs L Eaton, Mrs J M Gore, Mrs H E Loydall and K J Loydall.

Officers in Attendance: N Ainsworth-Smith & A Wood (OWBC), Sgt. A Sibson & PC.D Jaeckells (Wigston LPU), J Bosworth & Ms H Thompson (NHS), C Howe and Ms N Rickard (LCC).

Residents in Attendance: L Blackbourn, J Bunce, M and J Butler, R J Carter, M Curtis, M Daetwyler, M Drage, J and M Elliott, M Essinger, N Evans, D Foreman, J Gray, V Hedges, C Horsfall, B Horsley, C Huscroft, J Lobb, Mrs S Lobb, B Marvin, Mr and Mrs Needles, , S Sharpe, G Schofield, Mrs A Schofield, G Styles, P Tyler and Mr and Mrs Warner .

Apologies for Absence were received from: Councillor C S Gore, P and D Barker, Mr & Mrs Buck, J Crane, R Hailes, D Hedges, S Howard,O & B Hilton, P Reeves, E Rockett, R Rockett and. Mr and Mrs G Rogers.

Narrative Officer Minute Respon Ref. sible

1. LOCAL POLICING ISSUES

PC Jaekels presented the Local Policing Unit (LPU) crime statistics for the last three months compared to twelve months previous, shown in brackets. Burglary 3 (7) Theft from a Motor Vehicle 6 (3) Theft of a Motor Vehicle 1 (2) Robbery 0 (0) Burglary Other than a Dwelling 9 (7) Anti social Behaviour (ASB) 15 (22)

The Unit’s current Priority Areas were as follows:-

Victoria Street had now been closed.

ASB on Queens Drive ASB on Boulter Crescent ASB on Frederick Street/Bell Street

Of these, the Boulter Crescent incidents were mainly Domestic Violence related and the Bell Street cases, retail theft.

He urged all residents to lock and where possible, alarm their sheds and mark their goods, as well as to report all incidents, even if someone else does.

Sergeant Sibson reported on the Football initiative, in particular a recently held course which had seen 8 young men obtain their coaching qualifications. Page 224

The Chair thanked the Police for their contribution, who remained for the duration of the meeting.

2. TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Chair introduced Jim Bosworth and Helen Thompson from the NHS. who. with the assistance of circulars distributed to residents, addressed the meeting for approximately ten minutes.

This current proposal to merge four providers of health care into two, with some being offered to the private sector, which would be introduced on 1 April 2011, was driven by the need to make a greater range of services available locally, such as x-rays, blood transfusions by focusing on local community providers not from the Local Hospitals Trust nor the Primary Care Trust (PCT).

A Questionnaire sought residents’ views by 3 September and all were encouraged to take part. On-line responses could be sent to www.lcr.nhs.uk

The Chair expressed concern at the short period within which the questionnaire could be returned, but thanked the representatives from the NHS who left the meeting at 7.40 p.m.

3. PRESENTATION BY CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB), SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE.

The Chair introduced Richard Evans, who addressed the meeting for approximately fifteen minutes, beginning with a narration of the tendering exercise for advice provision which had been undertaken by the Council earlier this year and that, the newly formed consortium of South and West Leicestershire Citizens Advice Bureaux, had won the contract. He ran through the two principle aims of the CAB to provide advice and to improve public services by information gathered from clients,, stressing the independence, impartiality and confidentiality of the service.

With the Five-Districts Structure of the organisation, it meant that any resident of any of the five District Councils funding this organisation could obtain advice in any of the five locations, not just where they lived.

Initially based from a temporary office in South Wigston (which was a condition of the contract), it was hoped that out reach facilities would become available to the other two town centres.

The initial use of “0844” numbers would be reviewed but this centralised call centre was very effective. Out of hours appointments were possible, but a money advice line was available on the telephone five days a week. As far as he was aware, the Helping Hands Community Trust, would continue to offer similar services at its current base. Mr Evans promised regular updates on progress and the Chair invited his organisation to return within twelve months.

4. LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

(i) Highways Matters

The Chair introduced Mr Howe who read from the report which had been

Page 225 circulated, confirming the County Council’s response to the matters raised at the last meeting of the Forum. However, during the subsequent discussion, concerns were raised particularly with the Pullman Road junction due to the increased activity which would affect the Guthlaxton College site and also, the Bull Head Street access to the Somerfield garage which residents described as “an accident waiting to happen”.

Residents also raised questions regarding a hand rail required on Kelmarsh Avenue, bollards at the Parlour Close junction and again suggested that the bollards at the Launceston Road/Station Road junction were a hazard.

The Chair thanked Mr Howe for his contribution, and he left the meeting at 8.30 p.m.

(ii) Participatory Budgeting Workshop – Update

The Chair introduced Ms Rickard who referred to the written report that had been circulated and added that the projects indicated had been sent offer letters confirming the funding available. The meeting noted the remaining £8,000 unallocated and it was agreed that a report would be brought before the next meeting of the Forum detailing the situation. During this discussion, the Chair declared a personal interest in the Frame Work Knitters project and it was noted that two projects had yet to be fully costed before submission of their bids.

(iii) Breaking the Barriers

Ms Rickard informed the meeting of the decision taken to review this project and that consultations had taken place with users, with alternative places for the users to volunteer at being considered. This matter was taking place at the same time as the Government’s agenda on the future of Adult Social Care, called “Personalisation” which had been the subject of a presentation at the last meeting. No decision had been taken and a report would go to the Cabinet meeting in October.

During discussion, arguments were put forward that showed if these projects were abandoned, the ultimate costs to the tax payer would be higher since each volunteer would be entitled to a carer. However, the larger picture was in the difference that these projects made to the Borough – in the flower beds and displays which positively assisted the Borough in Bloom awards, as well as uplifting the visual street scenes generally. Residents pleaded for the retention of these projects and requested that a Cabinet Member of the County Council attend the next meeting of the Forum to justify any decision to cut the funding.

The Chair thanked Ms Rickard for attending and she left the meeting at 8.50 p.m.

5. CHAIRMAN’S UPDATES

The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to a briefing note providing information about Borough Council matters, copies of which had been circulated at the meeting,

Capital projects including the Horsewell Lane Play area were considered Page 226 which was regarded as a priority and upon being put to a vote, a motion calling for the installation of the multi play unit at a cost of £5.820 was carried by a show of hands.

6. ITEMS RAISED BY RESIDENTS

The Chair introduced Mrs Lobb who referred to the project to install an awning at Peace Memorial Park, which was still being considered by the Participatory Budgeting Exercise. To avoid any possible delay, she was seeking the Forum’s agreement in principal, should this become necessary, to a bid for up to £4,000 to fund this project, in the event of the County Council not recommending it for payment.

Upon a show of hands, this request was approved by the residents present.

The meeting closed at 9.00. p.m.

Page 227 Agenda Item 11n

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOUTH WIGSTON RESIDENTS FORUM HELD AT ST THOMAS’S CHURCH HALL, BLABY ROAD, SOUTH WIGSTON ON TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Mrs S B Morris – Chair Councillors G A Boulter, J A Boyce, Mrs J Gore and R E R Morris

Officers in Attendance: A Wood (OWBC), D van de Wardt and C Howe (Leicestershire C.C.)

Sergeant King and Mrs L Spencer also attended from the Wigston Local Policing Unit (LPU)

Residents in Attendance: T Baines, C Bale, B Ball, P Ball, E Coley, A Dunkley, B Farmer, C Farmer, R Frost, K Gunn, M Hanney, A Kind, A King, T Kenney, R Linacre, P Mitchell, B Mullahy, F Mullahy, T Orvill, I Stewart, L Thornton, R Walmsley, V Ward, J Whatton, D Woodward and J Varney.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Responsible

1 LOCAL POLICING ISSUES

Sergeant King reported the current Priority Areas as follows:

1. Reduce Burglary of Dwellings on Fairfield Estate; and 2. Reduce instances of Criminal Damage and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) in and around Station Street and Kirkdale Road.

He then went on to present the following crime figures for the last three months, as compared with a year ago.:-

ASB 21 (No direct comparison as recording methods differ) Burglary of Dwelling 2 (6) Burglary not from a Dwelling 8 (9) Theft of Motor Vehicle 3 (2) Theft from a Motor Vehicle 7 (5) Robbery 0 (0)

Amongst the matters discussed during the subsequent discussion were loud music in cars, speeding along Countesthorpe Road, the new Inspector of the Unit (Inspector Keane) who was unable to attend this meeting, the need to mark goods, lock sheds, fit alarms as necessary, close open windows and the recently held Emergency Services Day.

Residents were encouraged to report the companies who were ignoring

Page 228 the No Cold Calling Zones.

The Chair thanked the representatives from the Police who left the meeting at 7.40 p.m.

2. TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Chair introduced Cheryl Davenport from the National Health Service (NHS) who, upon referring to the questionnaire which had been circulated, asked residents to note that the correct date for its return was 24 September. .She went onto explain the internal changes within the NHS locally which were proposed within the next six months. By prioritizing delivery of services at the front end, it was aimed to reduce expenditure significantly, in line with the new government’s overall targets on public spending. However, the NHS wished to take account of residents’ views and therefore, Ms Davenport requested all residents to respond accordingly.

The Chair thanked Ms Davenport for her presentation and she left the meeting at 7.50 p.m.

3. ADVICE PROVISION

The Chair introduced Richard Evans from South and West Leicestershire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), who addressed the meeting for approximately fifteen minutes, informing residents of the opening of a new CAB office in Countesthorpe Road, following a successful bid for the advice provision contract within Oadby and Wigston. Referring to the leaflet which been distributed, Mr Evans spoke of the benefits of a national organisation based locally with links to the other bureaux enabling residents from the five Districts of Leicestershire to visit any of those offices to seek direct help and assistance. However, in addition to this provision, Mr Evans also called for volunteers who could become professionally trained advisors and also for Trustees of the local CAB to oversee its management.

Responding to questions, Mr Evans reassured residents that they were searching for permanent premises, if the current building becomes subject

Page 229 to a demolition order. However, when questions relating to the contract exercise were raised, Councillor Boyce declared an interest this by virtue of his employers being one of the unsuccessful bidders, but explained how the Borough Council is obliged to re-tender this provision periodically as the existing contract expires and the process which had been followed involving external experts, was wholly transparent and fair.

On behalf of the Helping Hands Community Trust, former Councillor Mrs Thornton informed the meeting that this organisation would continue to operate from its existing premises three mornings a week and two mornings a week at the United Reformed Church in Wigston.

Mr Evans confirmed that his organisation had already met with Helping Hands and was very keen on partnership working between the two organisations.

The Chair announced that this would be an agenda item for the next meeting and thanked Mr Evans for his contribution and he left the meeting at 8.22 p.m.

4. THE REGENERATION OF SOUTH WIGSTON

The Chair explained that this referred to work being conducted in relation to Blaby Road Park, for which, contractors have been appointed and the first stage, namely, soil and plant analysis, undertaken. Plans for the designs are anticipated in early October with an exhibition proposed in the new college reception area. Councillor Mrs Morris assured residents that they would then be consulted and all of their views taken into account before any firm proposals were made.

However, in response to questioning, it was confirmed that the college would not be using the park as its playing fields, such facilities having been obtained elsewhere. Councillor Boulter noted that to provide a linear connection to the country side, the bridle way would require a junction to be created at the entrance on Countesthorpe Road. In addition, a temporary barrier has been erected to prevent vehicular access to the bridleway until a permanent solution can be found by the Highways section of the County Council.

5. LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

(i) Highways Matters

The Chair introduced Mr Howe who read through the written report which had been circulated and commented on the Saffron Road railway bridge which had been delayed by various problems relating to Network Rail. In the event of both this bridge and Hassals Bridge being closed at the same time, a mini bus would convey rail passengers to and from the railway station. This is unlikely to be needed as there were no trains scheduled

Page 230 after 11.00 p.m. Mr Howe reassured residents that there were no changes to the planned pedestrian footbridge on Saffron Road, which would represent a significant improvement upon the existing facility.

During the subsequent discussion, the following matters were raised:- • The mini roundabout at Canal Street appears to be too far to the left as you approach from Wigston • Taxi’s parking in the bus lane on Blaby Road, preventing buses from stopping • Overhanging trees on Blaby Road • Bus stops are at awkward locations, can these be looked at, and examples included Blaby Road near Tesco/Lansdowne Grove.

The Chair thanked Mr Howe for his contribution and he left the meeting at 8.55 p.m.

(ii) Participatory Budgeting Workshop

Mr van de Wardt confirmed the details shown in the leaflet distributed and said that the five projects listed had all been recommended for payment.

(iii) Breaking the Barriers

Mr van de Wardt said that no decision had been made with regard to these projects and that, following consultation with users, a report would be presented to Cabinet in October.

However, the meeting noted that a petition would be presented to the County Council regarding the future of such projects, County-wide. Despite a request from the Forum, Mr van de Wardt said that the County Council would not be sending a Cabinet Member to address the Forums on this or any other matter and referred County Councillors to the County’s Scrutiny Commission.

6. CHAIRMAN’S UPDATES

The meeting considered the Chair’s Briefing notes covering the following matters, copies of which were circulated at the meeting:-

• Capital Projects Update • Update on Forum Spending and Requests for Spending

7. ITEMS RAISED BY RESIDENTS

These included the following:- • What is happening with The Ritz (delays due to public safety concerns) • Former Kwiksave building (no interest shown)

Page 231 • Empty Factory on Canal street (problems still not resolved) • William Gunning Park (Government grant likely to be withdrawn, resulting in scaling down of proposals) • Bridal Way alongside Blaby Road Park (intended to be a cycle path to Crow Mills)

The meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

Page 232 Agenda Item 11o

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OADBY RESIDENTS’ FORUM HELD AT THE TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH HALL, HARBOROUGH ROAD, OADBY ON 25 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor D A Gamble – Chair

Councillors M O Carrara, T S Biring, K M A Brown, Mrs S A Dickinson, Mrs S Z Haq, J Kaufman and J Vickerstaff.

Officers in Attendance: C Howe and S McIntosh (Leics County Council), A Wood (Oadby and Wigston Borough Council), Inspector J Keen, Sgt.S Dixon, PC A Raybould and Mrs L Spencer (Wigston LPU).

Residents in attendance: N Alam, G Atkinson, P Baulch, H Biring, S Bolton, A Brown, M Carr, W Cockburn, E Khan, D Tomkins, G Tomkins, K and T Ellis, M Ellis, R Garner, S and R Gill, H J Heath, E J Henry, J Hier, D Honeywell, D and H Hudson, B Hyman, M Irons, J James, J Jermy, D Kent, G Lamb, SLamb, C and S Marlow, A Murgatroyd, J Pooley, K Relf, J Roe, A and J Sergeant, G Smith, G and P Stevenson,C Swan, H Thiaray, G Thomkins, A Torr, K Turner, N and D Wheeler A & A Zarb

Apologies for absence were received from P Bliss, D Bromley, A Gaffar, L Hunter, V Leech, H Smith and G Sutcliffe.

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Responsible Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Councillor Mrs Haq read out a statement regarding the Oadby Walk In Medical Centre, following a complaint received from a GP surgery. The Medical Centre had no policy of removing or threatening to remove, any patient from a local GP surgery list. The surgeries are however, charged for each patient treated by the Centre.

1. LOCAL POLICING ISSUES

PC Raybould reported on the three Police priorities for Oadby, as follows:

St Paul’s Close is now closed.

1. Fludes Lane 2. University Halls of Residence/Grange Ward 3. All Schools for pro-active engagement

Page 233 Latest Crime figures for the past three months as compared with 12 month’s previously were summarised.

Overall crime was up from 698 to 794, mainly due to theft which had increased from 212 to 323. This was due to the retail outlets now being more stringent in their security, resulting in more reported cases.

Burglary from Outbuildings 16 (21) Theft of a Vehicle 15 (16) Theft From a Vehicle 33 (44) Violent Crime 40 (44) Anti Social Behaviour 35 (Not Recorded)

However, the detection rate was up form 30% to 40 %.

Inspector Keen added that theft from a motor vehicle was principally due to number plate theft at petrol stations and initiatives were in place with these outlets to prevent this. Other than theft which was due to the newly rigorous practices of two superstores, the crime figures were well below the national average.

The Chair thanked the representatives from the police for their attendance and they left the meeting at 7.00 p.m.

2. TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Chair introduced Phil Warton from the local PCT who referred to the papers circulated and asked residents to note the proposals which represented moving the responsibility for the community health services such as community nursing, dental services and health visiting, to other organisations. The intention is to give greater responsibility to the providers of such services. The immediate changes will be effective from 1 April 2011 with further changes due in 2012.The exercise allows residents to be kept informed and to make their views known. He therefore encouraged all to complete and return the questionnaires by 24 September.

The Chair thanked Mr Warton for his contribution and he left the meeting at 7.19 p.m.

3. ADVICE PROVISION

The Chair introduced Richard Evans from South and West Leicestershire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who confirmed that his organisation had recently won the tendering exercise for the contract for advice provision within the Borough. With reference to the presentation papers circulated, he explained the dual policies of the CAB and went on to explain the current Five District Council structure of the local provision, which enables any resident to seek advice in any of five towns, not just where they live.

Page 234 Money Advice is provided via a telephone service five days a week. Due to a clause in the contract, the office is based in South Wigston initially but out reach provision will be investigated.

They were currently seeking volunteers who would receive professional training, as well as trustees to oversee the operation. Mr Evans confirmed that a permanent solution to their temporary premises was being sought and offered to return to future meetings to give updates of progress.

The Chair thanked Mr Evans for his presentation, and he left the meeting at 7.46 p.m.

4. Leicestershire LINk Network

The Chair introduced Kamini Patel who explained that her organisation was committed to helping residents with NHS matters and said that the LINk could help with the earlier consultation However, they were primarily concerned with ongoing matters affecting health services provision and suggested that residents get involved with the LINk in order to have a significant voice. She circulated leaflets on membership, Older Peoples’ Month and other matters.

The Chair thanked Ms Patel for her contribution and she remained for the duration of the meeting.

5. LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

(i) Highways Matters

The Chair introduced Clive Howe who referred to the report which had been circulated. During the subsequent discussion which was reflected the strongly held views of residents affected, the following were highlighted:-

• Problems regarding the A6 generally • Lack of consultation specifically regarding the A6 bus lane • Calls for a lowering of the speed limit on the A6, in line with Bull Head Street • The Waitrose slip road is too small • Information regarding the number of accidents at the Manor Road/Stoughton Drive South junction • The Yews TRO is still awaited • Waitrose contractors started night work before consulting residents • Speed Humps on Rosemead Drive are unacceptable to residents who suffer noise and vibration problems directly. • Calls for a public meeting regarding the A6 bus lane

Following this, the Chair asked residents to co-ordinate their requests via himself as a County Councillor in order that the strength of feeling of these

Page 235 matters could be taken back to County Hall.

The Chair thanked Mr Howe for attending and he left the meeting at 8.30 p.m.

(ii) Participatory Budgeting

Mr McIntosh from the County Council read through the results indicated on the circulated hand out and drew attention to item no.2 regarding Physical Activity in Parks which required a contribution from this Forum of £4,000 and asked residents to indicate their wish that this be located on Uplands Park. Upon a show of hands, this proposal was carried.

(iii) Breaking the Barriers

Prior to Mr McIntosh speaking on this matter, former Councillor Graham Lamb asked residents to consider the position of some of our most vulnerable residents who contribute so much to the environment via their outstanding work at the Greenhouses Project, that the Personalisation Agenda might not be the best use of funds in their case and therefore this decision should be reviewed.

Mr McIntosh stressed that no decision had yet been made and that a report, reflecting the strength of feeling on this matter would be presented to Cabinet in October. Ms Patel informed residents that this was one of the areas (Adult Social Care) that LINk could assist with.

6. CHAIRMAN’S UPDATES

The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to a briefing note providing information about the following Borough Council matters, copies of which had been circulated at the meeting:-

• Capital Projects Update • Requests for Spending and Update on Forum Budget

In response, the following requests for funding were carried upon a show of hands by residents:

1. Install six bus shelter benches at various locations at a total cost of £1020.

2. Install a Bus Shelter at the junction of Severn Road and Windrush Drive at a total cost of £4,000.

7. ITEMS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ITEMS

Page 236

These included the following:-

• Despite funding being granted for improvements to Chicken Walk, at a previous meeting, nothing had happened. • Duplication of the wording of the form itself on the leaflet accompanying the Election Form A • Visits to the main car parks for pharmacy prescriptions which require a return visit as the prescriptions are not available, not permitted – can exceptions be made? • Request for a bus shelter on Launde Road near to its junction with Woodfield Road.

The Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

Page 237 Agenda Item 11p

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillors M H Charlesworth, D.A. Gamble, Mrs J M Gore, J Kaufman, Mrs H E Loydall, P Swift and Mrs R I Sylvester

Officers in Attendance: S Folwell, M Hibbitt, P Loveday and Ms L Rawling

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ms C L Edmonston and M Griffiths

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

19. MINUTES

Prior to the signing of the minutes, Councillor Mrs Gore enquired when the briefing paper on how to obtain help with ICT problems would be ready. The PLa Chair agreed to follow this up. She also asked if there had been any progress in the production of video recordings on the condition of void properties. The Head of Housing Services (Mr Folwell) reported that the request could be SF accommodated at a future meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

20. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

Members considered the report of the Interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 4-8 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The Head of Finance (Mr Loveday) informed Members that there were two reports for consideration – Bank Accounting 2010/11 and Reconciliations 2010/11.

Bank Accounting 2010/11

During discussion on this item it was explained that with regard to Recommendation 3 the change would be that the Head of Finance or the Head of Revenues and Benefits would counter-sign cheques over £5,000.

Page 238

RESOLVED: That Recommendations 3 and 4 as set out in the Report be agreed and adopted.

Councillor Mrs Sylvester joined the meeting at 6.05 p.m.

Reconciliations 2010/11

It was explained that payroll and bank reconciliations would pick up the problem referred to at Recommendation 2.

RESOLVED: That Recommendations 1 to 3 as set out in the Report be agreed and adopted.

21. SCRUTINY OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive as contained within report pages 9-16, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The Policy and Performance Officer (Ms Rawling) informed Members that a more detailed report would be submitted to the next Committee meeting in September as this would provide half yearly details of all indicators.

Members commented on various indicators within the report.

BVPI 17a Members asked about the reasoning behind the target of 11% and asked for clarification on this from the Head of Personnel. SC

BVPI 12 Councillor Mrs Loydall enquired as to the reason why the target of 10.5 days in 2010/11 had changed from that of 8.5 days in 2009/10. This had effectively brought this indicator to an on target (green traffic light) status when it has previously been a topic of great concern to Members.

It was suggested to Members that the apparent improvement resulted from the setting of a more realistic annual target for the current year.

A number of Members expressed their concern that they had not realised that the target had been changed at the start of the financial year. The Policy and Performance Officer, however explained that her report to the May 2010 meeting had referred to the fact that a number of targets had been changed for the forthcoming year and this had been minuted accordingly.

In view of Members’ concern it was requested that in future all changed targets will be highlighted at the start of the year, and that the reasoning/justification for the changes should be given by

Page 239 the responsible service manager. It was confirmed that the April meeting would be the appropriate one to present this information as annual targets can only be adjusted when a complete year’s LR data is available.

With regard to BVPI 12 the Chair requested that the Head of Personnel provide information on the justification for the revised target, along with comparisons for all other Councils in SC Leicestershire.

NI 160 As the government no longer requires this information on tenant satisfaction, the Head of Housing confirmed that he would have to make a decision on whether to continue with this indicator, based SF on the pros and cons.

Finally the Policy and Performance Officer informed Members that it was very likely that the current 198 National Indicators will be drastically reduced by central government in the near future.

RESOLVED: That subject to the additional information requested above, the report be noted.

22. SOUTH WIGSTON SECTION 106 FUNDS SPEND

Members considered the report of the Interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 17-19 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The Head of Finance (Mr Loveday) reassured Members that all money is programmed to be spent within the laid down timescales.

In response to questions by Members the following points were made.

• Money under the Public Transport heading can be spent on concessionary fares. • The Blaby Road Park Masterplan has a commitment of £800,000. • The Youth Project consists of a grant to the former Bobbin Factory. • Mr Loveday will investigate the committed sum of £1.00 for the St Thomas Church Hall. PL

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

23. HOUSING INSPECTION AND FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE SERVICE

Members considered the report of the Director of Community Services as contained within report pages 20-28 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

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The Head of Housing Services (Mr Folwell) took Members through an outline of the report in which the Audit Commission judged that the Council provides a ‘fair’ one-star service that has uncertain prospects for improvement. This was an improvement on the earlier inspection judgement of a no stars service.

Mr Folwell explained that due to the current uncertain and fast moving political climate it would be prudent to let things settle down before the Council makes more long term decisions about the future of this service.

In the meantime the service is concentrating on a number of improvements that were recommended through the inspection and which can be fairly easily brought in. These form the basis of an action plan which is being drawn up and which the service will work towards implementing.

A wide ranging discussion followed which covered, amongst other things, the setting of rents, a proposed stock condition survey, meeting of the decent homes standard, adaptations, tenant satisfaction, lesson learning and the need to fully consult with tenants before changing any part of the service.

Finally Members requested that a progress report be brought back to the Committee in January 2011 which outlines achievements against the Action SF Plan.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and that a further report on progress against the Action Plan be brought to the January 2011 meeting of the Committee.

24. COUNCIL PROPERTIES – AVERAGE RE-LET TIMES

Members considered the report of the Director of Community Services as contained within report pages 29-31 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

The Head of Housing Services (Mr Folwell) explained that this report was presented in response to the request by Scrutiny for further details as to why performance was significantly outside the target and the rationale for changing the target to a higher figure.

Performance had been affected by the completion of a new affordable housing scheme in Wigston, improving the letting standard of properties and the need to carry out a greater number of major works in vacant properties.

Members heard that previous targets had been unrealistic, but that this year a realistic target of 18 calendar days has been set, which is still challenging.

The Council still has re-let times which are top quartile, and indeed are the best in Leicestershire.

Councillor Kaufman left the meeting at 7.28 p.m.

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After discussion on this topic in which Members asked for clarification on a number of specific points of detail it was

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

25. ITEM RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

The Chair informed Members about discussions on the future of Scrutiny that had taken place through the Constitutional Working Group. This group had recommended that in order to achieve greater value for money that the cycle of meetings should reduce in the future from once every 4 weeks to once every 6 weeks. This would result in 8 meetings per year, compared to the current 11.

The Chair considered that the new frequency of meetings should commence after Christmas 2010 and Members of the Committee agreed, subject to all programmed items being re-scheduled so as not to be missed off the annual work schedule.

The Chair undertook to report back on the ongoing situation, following further talks with officers on this topic.

The meeting closed at 7:38 p.m.

Page 242 Agenda Item 11q

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICE S, WIGSTON ON THURSDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor J W Boyce - Chairman Councillor K M A Brown – Vice-Chairman

Councillors L A Bentley, G A Boulter, M O Carrara, M H Charlesworth, D A Gamble, C S Gore, Mrs J M Gore, J Kaufman, Mrs H E Loydall and Mrs S B Morris (12).

Officers in Attendance: Mrs A Court, R Harbour, C Forrett, Mrs T Carey, C Raymakers and D Allen.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T S Biring, Mrs L M Broadley, Mrs S Z Haq and R E R Morris. .

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon- -sible

18. DECLARATIONS OF SUBSTITUTIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS There were no such declarations.

19. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Interests were declared in regard to Agenda item 9, Report item 5 – Application no. 10/00275/REN former South Leicestershire College site: Councillor C Gore – not the same link as previously declared, a personal but not prejudicial interest; Councillor Boulter – as an adjoining neighbour; Councillor Mrs Loydall – close association with an adjoining neighbour; Councillor Mrs Morris - not the same link as previously declared, but has close association with an adjoining neighbour.

20. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5 DWA August 2010, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

MATTERS FOR INFORMATION

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21. EXPENDITURE REVIEW – 2010-2011

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Resources, as set out in report pages 6-8, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document. It was noted that some income streams were running behind but this could reverse as the year progressed. It was requested that future reports of this nature show a profile against the previous year’s figures.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

MATTERS FOR DECISION

22. BUILDING REGULATIONS SCHEME OF CHARGES 2010

The Committee considered a report of the Head of the Built Environment, as set out in report pages 9-29, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

It was explained that the rates to be charged were calculated in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) guidance and, therefore, there was little scope to vary these. While much of the report contained language used in the Regulations, it was confirmed that a more user-friendly version of the scheme was to be prepared and published, and this would make clear the possibility of additional charges being made. Exemptions to the charges were clarified, particularly in regard to buildings intended for persons with disabilities/illnesses. The term “regularisation” was used in connection with retrospective applications.

The Committee heard that it was difficult to make comparisons with the private sector because these inspectors were not obliged to publish figures. It was noted that a joint board existed to oversee standards throughout the whole of the building inspection industry and also that there was no provision in the Regulations allowing for refunds to be made.

RESOLVED: That (1) The adoption of the proposed Building Regulations Scheme of Charges with effect from 1 October 2010 be agreed, subject to further approval by the Resources and Regeneration Committee.

(2) Delegated authority be granted to the Head of the Built Environment, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to introduce such amendments to future versions of the Building Regulations Scheme of Charges as may be necessary to ensure that the charges continue to relate accurately to the actual costs to the Council of carrying out the chargeable Building Control function.

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23. REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL MANAGER

Consideration was given to the report of the Development Control Manager, as set out in report pages 30-99, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document, along with the Agenda Update (Supplemental Agenda 1/report pages1-2 circulated at the meeting) to be bound with these minutes.

RESOLVED: That the decisions in respect of each item in the report be as shown in the following specific resolutions:-

(1) 10/00256/FUL - Erection of swimming pool, aerobics studio, gymnasium and ancillary facilities with associated access, car parking, landscaping and refurbishment of tennis courts adjacent to Southmeads Road, 40 Manor Road, Oadby

(2) 10/353/CON - Demolition of existing university gym and pavilion building and walkway canopy, 40 Manor Road, Oadby

The Chairman announced that Report items (1) and (2) described above had both been withdrawn – see Agenda Update.

(3) 10/00268/FUL - Erection of nine two bedroom dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatments on part of existing car parking area and minor external alterations in association with change of use of building to Use Class A1 retail (Rev A), 64 London Road, Oadby

Attention was draw to the contents of the Agenda Update. It was reported that the Section 106 Agreement had been completed and confirmed that an ecological survey had been submitted with the application (the applicant had been advised to have an ecological surveyor on site during clearance works).

The Committee were generally supportive of the scheme, subject to safeguards in regard to trees on site or elsewhere, if appropriate, and to the use of quality materials and attention to brickwork, mortar and so on in keeping with the conservation area. Upon a motion by Councillor Gamble, duly seconded and carried, it was

RESOLVED: That the recommendation to grant conditional permission be adopted, subject to clause (a) being amended to read as follows:- “(a) Permit – Subject to satisfactory information being received that demonstrates that there will be no loss in flood storage capacity on site (and that no objections are received from the Environment Agency) and any reasonable conditions requested by the Environment Agency to address any flood risk issues are imposed.” – see Agenda Update.

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(4) 10/00271/FUL - Erection of one three-storey building with ground floor office accommodation (Use Class A2) and residential above and two three-storey residential blocks with associated access, parking and landscaping, Alpha House, Countesthorpe Road, South Wigston

RESOLVED: That the recommendation to grant conditional planning permission as per the Committee report of 5 August 2010 (as amended by the Agenda Update circulated at that meeting), be adopted, subject to the Section 106 Agreement being completed by 29 September 2010.

(5) 10/00275/FUL: Extension of time for the implementation of planning permission 07/00283/OUT (Outline application for residential development (up to 170 dwellings), South Leicestershire College, Station Road, Wigston

In regard to item (5), Councillors Boulter, Mrs Loydall and Mrs Morris referred to the interests declared earlier at the meeting and vacated the Chamber during the discussion and voting thereon. Councillor Charlesworth repeated the interest he declared at the previous application and remained in the meeting.

The meeting heard that there were no significant changes to the scheme when compared to the earlier one. A new Section 106 Agreement would be required and attention was drawn to the specific information contained in the Agenda Update. Discussion took place about the merits of the case for a Police contribution to be made and some doubt was expressed about the monitoring of such a payment and if the payment would, in fact, be applied within the Borough. It was noted that the Police had been requested to provide further information to substantiate their request. The Chairman confirmed that Members could be notified when the further information had been received and added that such payments would be site specific, applying only where developments were for ten or more units.

The Committee sought assurances that a robust landscaping scheme would be required and that the use of quality materials and attention to brickwork, mortar and so on would be demanded. Additional matters raised by Members included:- • The affordable housing element should be dispersed within the site and not clustered. • A requirement for a contribution towards a new east-west bus service rather than the proposed bus passes. This would help in residents of Oadby in accessing the new College. Advice was given regarding the three grounds upon which Section 106 contributions could be sought, and in the opinion of the Development Control Manager these did not apply in this case. Nevertheless, a view was expressed that this should be explored.

Page 246 • Concerns were expressed that the condition of the site may quickly deteriorate and, therefore, the commencement of work should be within a period shorter than the proposed three years.

A motion by Councillor Bentley to permit the application was seconded by the Chairman. An amendment was put by Councillor C Gore to permit the application but with a condition to commence work within eighteen months; the amendment was seconded, but the amendment was later withdrawn in favour of a subsequent amendment by Councillor Gamble that the application be permitted but with a condition to commence work within two years.

Councillor Bentley’s motion, as amended, was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That, that subject to no substantive responses being received in the remaining consultation period that have not already been considered in the report, the Section 106 Agreement being completed by the 22 September 2010 (incorporating reference to a Police contribution if deemed to be justified), the recommendation to grant conditional planning permission be adopted.

In bringing the meeting to a close, the Chairman reminded Members that the Committee’s annual tour of the Borough would be held on Thursday, 16 September 2010, commencing at 6.15 p.m.

The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

Page 247 Agenda Item 11r

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES AND REGENERATION COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, WIGSTON ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2010

PRESENT:

Councillor Mrs S B Morris – Chairman

Councillor Mrs L Broadley – Vice-Chairman

Councillors T A Biring, G A Boulter, J W Boyce, C S Gore, P A Hings and K J Loydall (8).

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors L A Bentley, K M A Brown, M O Carrara, R E R Morris and J Vickerstaff

Officers in Attendance: D Walton, Mrs A Court, R Harbour and A Wood.

Also in Attendance: N Bellamy and Ms C Page (Audit Commission)

Minute Narrative Officer Ref. Respon sible

8. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29 June 2010 be taken as read, confirmed and signed, subject to the addition of wording in the preamble to Minute 3(c) – Annual Statement of Accounts -2009/10 - to record that the draft Accounts had been circulated prior to the meeting. AW

MATTERS FOR DECISION

9. REPORTS OF THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES

Members considered the reports of the Interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 1-67, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document

(a) External Audit – Annual Governance Report 2009-10

The Interim Director of Resources (Mr Walton) introduced Neil Bellamy and Clare Page from the Audit Commission for this item. Mr Bellamy led Members through his written report which appeared as Appendix 1 to Mr Walton’s report. He referred to the key

Page 248 methods set out in the report and reiterated that he was required to state that there were adequate controls in place and proposed to give an unqualified value for money conclusion. Although some errors requiring amendment were found, none was significant enough to affect the net worth of the financial accounts.

Mr Bellamy was seeking agreement to approve the letter of representation on behalf of the Council and also the action plan contained within the report as Appendix 6. He answered Members’ questions regarding their likely workload over the next two years until the abolition of the Audit Commission in December 2012 and whilst conceding that fees are likely to reduce, could not estimate any figures.

He stressed the need for financial resilience to beat a path forward and recommended the Audit Commission’s latest publication as a suitable reference point.

Mr Bellamy and his team were commended for their work over the years and the Committees’ best wishes for the future went with him.

RESOLVED: That

(i) the report be noted (ii) the letter of representation be approved for signing; and (iii) authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Resources in conjunction with the Chair to resolve any material change to the report should this arise from the completion of the amendments referred to in the report. DW

(b) Changes to External Audit

During discussion of this item, it was confirmed that the rebate of fees referred to in the report, for a sum just below the national average of £7,000, had been received.

RESOLVED: That Members note the new arrangements, and the continued importance of making sure we keep adequate reserves and balances to safeguard us from an uncertain future, and also that we continually challenge what we do and how we do it, to ensure our monies are spent in a way that maximises the benefit to our community

The Chair thanked the representatives from the Audit Commission, who left the meeting at 7.36 p.m.

(i) Brocks Hill Glazing

The Head of the Built Environment (Mr Harbour) reassured Members that he was pursuing with Contractor 2 that their quotation met the Council’s specification. Members agreed to deal with Contractor 1 in the event that this specific requirement was not met.

(ii) Free Swims (iii) Play Area at William Gunning Park (iv) Debris Grill for Washbrook at Nene Court

Page 249

RESOLVED : That, with the additional requirement in respect of (i) above noted, these additional items of expenditure be approved. DW

With the consent of the Committee, the Chair varied the order of business by taking consideration of Agenda item 8 at this point.

10. NEW BUILDING REGULATIONS CHARGING SCHEME

Members considered the report of the Head of the Built Environment as contained within report pages 68-88, which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document.

RESOLVED : That

1. Members agree to adopt the proposed Building Regulations Scheme of Charges with effect from 1 October 2010.

2. That delegated authority be granted to the Head of the Built Environment, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to introduce such amendments to future versions of the Building Regulations Scheme of Charges as may be necessary to ensure that the charges continue to relate accurately to the actual costs to the Council of carrying out the chargeable Building Control function. RH

The order of business then reverted to that prescribed by the agenda document.

11. REPORTS OF THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES – continued

(d) Strategic Risk Register

During discussion on this report, the following were highlighted:- • The increasing number of Amber risks • The schedule did not follow any logical sequence • The serious cost of home working • The Legionnaire’s Disease Action Plan should be implemented without delay • The next report should identify who the Council’s Health and Safety person is.

RESOLVED : that the updated risk register be approved.

(e) Measuring Efficiency Gains and National Performance Indicator 179

RESOLVED : that the efficiency savings of £177,100 be noted

(f) Cleaning Contract Tender

The Interim Director of Resources explained that this proposal was to make the existing mix of in-house and external contractors working on cleaning procedures consistent.

Page 250

However, Members felt that there was not sufficient data to make a decision, in addition to which, further potential savings had not been fully explored, for example, the cost of cleaning within the council housing areas and it was considered that savings could be made within the current year, ahead of proposals for ne xt year. After much discussion, a compromise was arrived at.

RESOLVED: That (i) a report be brought before the next meeting of the Residents’ Services Committee detailing the savings which could be made within the cleaning of housing areas; and (ii) The Council’s Management Team consider the overall picture, taking into account more detailed financial data DW

(g) Residents Forums Budget Allocations

RESOLVED : That the Committee approves an allocation of £5,820 from the Wigston Forum Budget, plus a potential further £4,000 following proposals made at the last meeting of the Residents’ Forum. In addition this Committee also approves an allocation of £5,020 from the Oadby Forum Budget DW

(h) Housing Benefit Overpayment Write Offs

RESOLVED : That Members approve the overpayment for write-off DW

12. COUNCIL OFFICES – UPGRADING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM (REPORT OF SENIOR MAINTENANCEOFFICER)

RESOLVED : That Members accept the quotation submitted by Receptor Ltd to enable the existing fire alarm system to be upgraded to BS5839 all in SF accordance with the fire report from Zurich.

13. ICT STEERING GROUP (REPORT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE)

After prolonged discussion on this report and the three recommendations contained within the minutes of the ICT Steering Group Meeting, eventually, a compromise solution was agreed as follows.

RESOLVED: That (i) the decision to work in partnership with Charnwood BC utilising the Cuttlefish solution be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair (ii) the recommendation to procure a new telephone system subject to the tender documents being updated as discussed and recirculated to the group for any further comments be approved and the outcome also be referred to this Committee for a decision (iii) the matter of the Property Database be referred back to the ICT Steering Group for the receipt of further information to assist the Committee in making a decision. DW

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MATTERS FOR INFORMATION

14. FURTHER REPORTS OF THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES

Members considered the further reports of the Interim Director of Resources as contained within report pages 94-111 which should be read in conjunction with these minutes as a composite document

(a) Budget Position 2010/11 as at 31 July 2010

During discussion on this matter, Mr Walton agreed to provide Members with the anticipated cost to the Council of refunding land charge income previously received should this become a requirement. The new legislation also permits Land Charges Personal Searches to be undertaken without charging a fee.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

(b) Medium Financial Strategy

Regarding Concessionary Travel, Mr Walton undertook to establish the outcome of the transfer of these monies to the County Council in October, which was not “ring-fenced”. Further, it was argued that the discretionary element of these funds should not be transferred and that representations should be made to central government on this matter, Mr Walton agreed to look into this. DW

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and the implications contained therein be acted upon

RESOLVED: That Members note that the Council is on target to spend all DW monies by the due dates.

(d) Housing Finance – New Homes Bonus

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

(e) Internal Audit Programme

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.00P.M.

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