Agenda item

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules.

There were two questions; addressed by the Chair of the Committee.

QUESTION FROM MRS G BAKER

‘In response to a question about access to the site in August 2024, you responded that several options were being considered but could not be clear where that would be at that stage. However, the Team Manager did comment that access onto Church Lane, where a primary school is located, would not be acceptable. However, an email I received recently suggested that access for West Whitwick was now likely be from C81 on Church Lane. I have also been informed that the owners of site C78 are selling their house and land with an option agreement, because they had previously believed that access would be through their 2.5 acres. They now also understand that access to the site will now be further along Church Lane. Could you now clarify for me please if access to West Whitwick Broad Location will be through C81, despite access to Church Lane being strongly rejected by the Highways authority when planning permission for C48 was rejected in 2017?’

RESPONSE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE LOCAL PLAN COMMITTEE

‘To date there is no agreement regarding the access arrangements for the West of Whitwick site. It is understood that the promoters have been, and are, investigating this issue in consultation with the County Highway Authority. In response to comments from the County Highway Authority to the draft Local Plan, the Local Plan Committee of 16 December 2024 agreed to add in an additional requirement in respect of this site to co-ordinate development with land north of Church Lane (C48), particularly in respect of vehicular access and design and layout.’

In response to a supplementary question, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that traffic activity will be based on traffic modelling work to be undertaken and which will inform  the next stage of the plan. The work required includes the Highway Authority and is based on assumptions, but traffic would ultimately depend on the development’s population and their travelling activity.

QUESTION FROM MR C TAYLOR

‘With regard to the West Whitwick Valley site, currently all of the closest Primary schools to the development have a total available capacity of 10 pupils and the closest secondary schools are currently over capacity by 93 pupils. These figures also include for schools that fall outside of the catchment area for Whitwick. I cannot see anything within the plan for any construction of additional Primary and Secondary schools to accommodate the additional demand created by the extra 550 houses to be constructed on the West Whitwick Valley site - also other close development sites will require additional places in schools. Can you tell me what plans are in place to start construction of these schools prior to any houses being built?’

RESPONSE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE LOCAL PLAN COMMITTEE

‘An Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) identifies what additional infrastructure will be required to support new development and is informed by advice from infrastructure providers. In terms of education, that is Leicestershire County Council. In terms of primary education, it identifies that, at this time, it is anticipated that demand from development in the Coalville Urban Area (which includes the west of Whitwick site) can be met from spare capacity at existing or two new schools in the Coalville Urban Area. In terms of secondary education, the County Council will look at options to accommodate demand in the Coalville Urban Area through the expansion or reconfiguration of Castle Rock or Newbridge schools. The developer of this site would be required to make a financial contribution to any additional accommodation that is required, commensurate to their impact as required under the Community Infrastructure Levy regulations.’

In response to a supplementary question, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that the County Council are the education authority for the district, the decisions they make will depend on when planning applications are submitted and how to deal with the impact on schools at that point in time. Officers will be maintaining communication with the authority.