Major Development in Glenfield Refused

In the last issue of the Parish Pen a lot of space was given to the planning application by Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd. for 250 new homes, 30 hectares of industrial units and a commercial centre within Glenfield. Glenfield Parish Council held two additional meetings of the Full Council to discuss the application. At the first meeting over 100 people attended to voice their views and council noted all of these. The Parish Council decided to object to the planning application and a detailed objection letter was submitted to Blaby District Council. A meeting was also held with adjoining councils. Ratby, Groby, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester Forest East, Braunstone and Hinckley and Bosworth councils attended along with two residents’ associations.

Subsequent to the meeting most of these councils submitted formal objections. 118 individual letters of objection were submitted together with objections from the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and the Leicestershire Local Access Forum. The County Footpath Officer supported the proposal in principle but asked for further clarifications and the Ramblers’ Association considered that there were opportunities for improving provision for nonmotorised users to offset the loss of the countryside.

Blaby District Council’s Officers recommended refusal of the application and this view was unanimously supported by the District Council’s Development Control Committee on 13 May 2010. Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd. is expected to appeal the decision, so Glenfield Parish Council, together with all of the other councils and residents, may still have further work to do.

Like all cities, districts and boroughs, Leicester City Council is developing its strategic plans to cover both housing and commercial development until 2026. Leicester City Council is permitted to include “search areas” outside of its boundaries
to accommodate the need for land for the developments. Like Blaby District Council, Leicester City Council decided that Glenfield should not be included in their search areas but Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd. has submitted papers to
have Glenfield included. Once Glenfield Parish Council became aware of this we submitted a request to the Planning Inspector who was reviewing the plans and asked for permission to attend a meeting with them to discuss the situation. This was granted with the invite also extended to Blaby District Council. At the meeting both Glenfield and Blaby expressed their disquiet about the Wilson Bowden submission and we have both, subsequently, submitted formal objections.

Parish Plan 2010

Preparation of the questionnaires for the Parish Plan is approaching completion and you will, shortly, be able to have your say. Questionnaires are being developed for adults, those in primary education and those in secondary education. It is hoped to get the views of those in education via the schools and colleges. Both on-line and hard copy versions of the adult questionnaire will be available, with an availability date of the beginning of July this year. Information about how to submit your views will be sent to all households. However, you will be able to go to our web site, now renamed as glenfieldparishcouncil.org.uk, and follow the link. Perhaps you can make a diary note to visit the site in July and give us your views. To encourage submission, a prize draw will take place for those who completed the Parish Plan questionnaire.

Smartwater

We still have a few vials of Smartwater available at the offer price of just £5.00. Just call at the Parish Office to take advantage of this offer and then you can protect your belongings with the latest technology.

Summer Fete

Following an extremely positive response, a fete will be held on 11 September 2010. Nearly 30 local organisations have committed to the event and 35 to 40 stalls are expected. We are planning traditional games and competitions and all are welcome. Make a note in your diary for 1:00 pm on the 11th, the event will run until 4:00 pm. Keep your eyes open for
posters nearer the time, as these will tell you about the displays we have organised.

Glorious Glenfield Garden Competition

The Parish Council instituted these awards many years ago to encourage a brighter and more attractive Glenfield. Gardens are judged on what can be seen as people walk by. Back gardens are not included. Judges will look at all recommended gardens during July of this year and select the winners. Commended and Highly Commended certificates are sent out in the post with the major prizes being presented at the Glenfield Gardeners’ Show.

If you would like your front garden, your neighbour’s garden or any other garden to be considered by the judges please fill in the address on the slip in your June Gazette and send it to “Glorious Glenfield, Glenfield Parish Council, Park House, Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8DL”, by 30 June 2010. Alternatively send us an email or use the “contact us” form on our web site.

New Web Domain Name

Glenfield Parish Council has adopted a new web name. You can now find us at www.glenfieldparishcouncil.org.uk. Our web site contains an array of information including the latest news, minutes, meetings, policing information, services we provide, councillor information and much, much more.

Annual Parish Walk

Glenfield Parish Council’s 2010 Annual Walk will take place on 13 June 2010. This year’s walk, taken from our Glenfield Walks Booklet, will take us around the green wedge between the villages of Glenfield, Groby and Ratby. The walk will start at 2:00 pm and you are invited to join us at 1:45 pm at Park House.

Weather permitting, the walk will be about 6 miles long and it is expected to take between 2 hrs 30 mins and 3 hrs. There are cut out points along the walk, which can be used to shorten the walk if the weather or time makes it advisable, or you wish to shorten your individual walk. There are public houses in Ratby, about a third of the way round, where comfort stops could be taken.

There are no charges for this accompanied walk, just turn up on the day. Please ensure that you have suitable footwear and
apparel for the day. For further information please contact Councillor Roy Denney on 2338604.

Your Parish Council

Parish councillors represent the whole of the village. Although all councillors represent the whole of the village, Glenfield is split into six wards. This allows councillors to become even more conversant with specific areas of the village and advise council accordingly. Your representatives are:
Central Ward – Councillors L Adlam, P Cheeseman, J Sexton and P Lowe.
Faire Ward – Councillors T Abbott, R Boby and J Garratt.
Manor Farm Ward – Councillors L Breckon, J Peachey and J Walton.
Stone Ward – Councillors N Cox, M Neal, K Russell and H Evans.
North Ward – Councillors H Eppel and J Springthorpe.
Glenfrith Ward – Councillors R Denney, S Powell and E Hudson.

We currently have two vacancies for councillors, one for Manor Ward and one for North Ward.

The parish council’s officers are:
Mr A Robotham, Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs J Kneafsey, Administrative Assistant, Mr T Furnival, Head Groundsman.

There are two other members of staff providing ground and property maintenance services.

Contact for all councillors and officers are, in the first instance, by calling Leicester 2312498 or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it