MP visits ahead of Broughton Astley plan referendum

A PIONEERING plan that will see Broughton Astley shape the future of its own expansion is working before it has even been introduced.

The people of the village are not due to vote in a referendum until Thursday, January 16 on the Neighbourhood Plan, but it appears to have already recorded victories on two controversial sites targeted by housing developers.

David Wilson Homes has withdrawn its appeal against the district council’s refusal for permission of more than 100 homes on Frolesworth Road, and decided to drop its Judicial Review into the Neighbourhood Plan itself.

And Davidsons Development Ltd’s proposals for 24 homes on land off Dunton Road were set to be rejected at a meeting last night (Wednesday) with council officers citing the plan as a ‘material consideration’ in their recommendation that it would adversely affect the character and appearance of the countryside.

Government minister Eric Pickles - the architect of localism which he drew up to give people power to make decisions in their own communities - is expected to rule on a large development on Crowfoot Way by the end of the month.

Parish manager Chrstine Lord told us this week: “We are delighted the plan seems to already working, but it is not to say we expect the developers will go away.”

The Neighbourhood Plan is the first in Leicestershire and the East Midlands to reach referendum stage.

It favours home building north and south of Broughton Way, and land on Coventry Road with a smaller site on Dunton Road in reserve, and also earmarks where people would like employment, leisure and medical facilities to go.

Stephen Williams MP, the Parliamentary under secretary of state for communities and local government, was due in Broughton Astley today (Thursday) to encourage villagers to vote yes.

The minister, whose responsibilities include localism, decentralisation and community rights, is a said to be hugely supportive of Neighbourhood Plans.

When a date for the referendum was announced in November, parish council chairman Clive Grafton-Reed said: “The Neighbourhood Plan is the result of nearly two years work to develop a coherent set of policies which will be used to guide the development of Broughton Astley for the next 25 years.

“What we need now is for residents to exercise their democratic rights and vote. Let’s be clear this vote will be a defining moment for our community and it will be decided by our residents.”

Polling stations at the village hall and in Arkwright House on Orchard Road will be open from 7am until 10pm. It requires 50 per cent approval from residents who vote to be adopted.

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