Billesdon Neighbourhood Plan

Following a positive referendum result (on 18 September 2014), the first Billesdon Neighbourhood Development Plan was 'made' and since then it has been used by Harborough District Council to decide planning applications, along with the adopted Harborough Local Plan and other material considerations.

The first Neighbourhood Plan has performed well. It has directed the location of development according to the community's wishes, preventing development from taking place in unacceptable places. However, the Neighbourhood Plan is over eight years old and there is continuing pressure for more housing on the green fields around our village.

Billesdon Parish Council has therefore decided to review the Neighbourhood Plan but not change its nature. The review of the Billesdon Neighbourhood Plan incorporates changes to meet the latest national and local planning policy requirements. Revisions include:

• Added support for biodiversity;
• More protections for built heritage and archaeology, including ridge and furrow fields;
• The former lorry park on Gaulby Road is now allocated for housing development, having previously been identified as a housing reserve site;
• Measures to bring forward the redevelopment of the former Highway Depot on Gaulby Road for mixed-use development including commercial, business and some housing development;
• Provision for a new playing field is retained but there is more flexibility on its location.

As before, the Neighbourhood Plan Review will go through a formal process of preparation although, if the Planning Authority and an Independent Examiner agree, a referendum will not be required.

Consultation on the Pre-Submission Draft version of the revised Billesdon Neighbourhood Development Plan ran from 6 February to 20 March 2023. A copy of the Pre-Submission Draft version of the revised Neighbourhood Development Plan was made available to download, along with supporting documentation, on the Parish Council website. A community newsletter containing information about the Neighbourhood Plan Review was delivered to all premises within the Parish.

All comments received have been considered by Billesdon Parish Council and used to amend the Pre-Submission Draft version of the revised Neighbourhood Plan.

The draft revised Billesdon Neighbourhood Development Plan has now been submitted to Harborough District Council for publication and a further six-week public consultation will take place before it is sent to an Independent Examiner.