Leicestershire Parish Councils

Eco-town firm urged to answer key questions

Key questions about the impact of a 15,000-home eco-town must be answered, the County Council said today.

The Government is being urged to extend consultation on Pennbury, the Co-op’s proposed eco-town south east of Leicester, due to County Council concerns about transport, public services and regeneration.

County Council leader David Parsons said: “The Pennbury proposals raise more questions than they answer. We need much more time and much more information to enable us to assess the impact that this development could have on Leicestershire and its public services.”

Pennbury is one of 15 eco-town plans shortlisted by the Government, of which up to 10 will be given the go-ahead.

A report to Leicestershire County Council’s ruling Cabinet says the Council has insufficient detail at the moment. It has called for the Government to extend its consultation period, due to end in October, by six months, so that detailed studies can be carried out.

On the basis of the current information, the County Council makes the following points:

• Pennbury is not required to meet local housing need and existing regional plans say the site is not an appropriate location for large-scale development

• The current proposals do not demonstrate how the required transport improvements will be made to cater for an additional 36,000 people, which could lead to a substantial increase in congestion south east of Leicester

• Pennbury could adversely affect the regeneration of Leicester, plus the development of other sustainable housing sites in the county

• The construction industry might not have the capacity to deliver Pennbury at the same time as the regeneration of Leicester and developments across the county

Based on a preliminary assessment, services that are likely to be required by Pennbury include:

• An adult social care office and voluntary community sector base, at a cost of £2 million and annual running costs of £5.9 million per year

• Up to eight primary schools and two secondary schools, at a cost of £94 million, plus “very significant” annual running costs

• A £1 million civic amenity waste site, plus annual running costs
• Up to £37.6 million per year for health services, including 22 GPs
• A fire station and fire hydrants, at a cost of £2.4 million, excluding annual running costs
• Police support, the costs of which are still being assessed
• A £2 million library, with annual running costs of £350,000
• Parks, leisure facilities and sports centres, with Harborough District Council deciding what is needed

In addition, the costs of meeting the transport needs of Pennbury and its affordable housing will be very considerable.

The Cabinet will discuss the report at 2.30pm on June 20. Councillors will also consider feedback from the Council’s Scrutiny Commission and two public meetings that the Council has staged, in Oadby and Billesdon.