The News & Information Magazine for Groby, Field Head & The Brantings
More local land for sale as meadow purchase completed
Norman Griffiths reports that now the fishing lakes are for sale All residents of Groby now have a financial interest in a 4 acre meadow on Newtown Linford Lane, north of the A50, land which was scheduled to be auctioned on April 20th. Over two thirds of the purchase price of £60,000 was raised directly by subscription with individuals contributing £42,000 by buying shares at £200 each. The balance, a contribution of up to £25,000, came from the village as a whole from Parish Council funds. Following discussions with the vendor an agreement was reached on the purchase price thus avoiding the auction, and completion of the purchase was scheduled for May 11th. The price per acre of around £15,000 is said to be around twice the market value but significantly less than the £25,000 per acre which some forecast if there was a bidding war at auction. The land will ultimately be transferred by the Parish Council to a Village Community Trust and although the Council will be the largest single contributor early indications are that the Trust will be structured to ensure that there is a ceiling on it’s voting rights. Residents will continue to be allowed to buy shares if they wish and this will also reduce the proportion held by the Council. It is anticipated that the Community Trust will consult widely on the use to which the land will be put and local
Are YOU Talented? If so, you may be interested in performing at the Groby Street Fair & Ceilidh on 25th June. See pages 10 and 24 for more information about this fantastic community event.
resident Alistair Cooper, who led the bid to buy the land, told the Leicester Mercury it was about giving control back to the residents, adding that it will will not be for building on. As soon as the deal was signed action was taken to prevent unauthorised access to the land by the excavation of a deep trench.
Fishing lakes offered at £480,000 Within a day of the purchase, a more substantial piece of land in the same area came on the market for £480,000, around £9,000 an acre. The 53 acres on offer, which include the fishing lakes and the former pick your own site, are divided into three lots. Lot 1 (19.90 acres) includes the three fishing lakes and the agents say it has potential, subject to consent from the Caravan Club, for a an informal privately-owned caravan site for up to 5 touring caravans. The fishery business currently has a turnover of approximately £15,000. Also included is planning permission for a new facilities building which could house a clubhouse and café, as well as a new car parking area. The area of land between Pheasant Lake and Kingfisher Lake has been identified for the construction of 3 fish rearing ponds. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have confirmed that prior approval of the proposed development is not required. Lot 2 (18.05 acres), which is pasture, has planning permission for the removal of the hedgerow and construction of 2 new agricultural storage sheds (5,295 sq ft) in the south western corner of the field. The land is laid to pasture and arable and enclosed by mature hedgerows. The third lot (14.94 acres) benefits from 2 entrances off Newtown Linford Lane, a direct access and a shared access through the entrance to Lot 1 and via a small paddock on the roadside. This pasture land land also has permission for a new cattle shed (2,775 sq ft) on the northern boundary and some footings have been excavated to trigger development. Tim Howard, at Howkins and Harrison, who are handling the sale said that although the land has only been on the market for a few weeks there have been many enquiries.
Groby Gardening Society
Don’t Miss the Annual Plant Sale at Groby Village Hall on Saturday 14th May The Groby Gardening Society Annual Plant Sale takes place on the morning of Saturday 14th May - 10 am start. Be there early to avoid disappointment!
Borough Council Election Results GROBY WARD BATTY, Peter Raymond The Conservative Party Candidate Votes: 1157 ELECTED CARTWRIGHT, Martin Brett Liberal Democrats Votes: 1053 ELECTED LINDSAY, Helen Gillies The Conservative Party Candidate Votes: 994 HOLLICK, Ted Liberal Democrats Votes: 890 GRIFFITHS, Katharine Ann The Labour Party Candidate Votes: 416 HERD, Jeannie The Labour Party Candidate Votes: 265 Turnout: 46.2%
Markfield, Stanton & Field Head Ward LAY, Matthew Russell The Labour Party Candidate Votes: 1391 ELECTED SPRASON, Sue Conservative Party Candidate Votes: 1158 ELECTED FURLONG, Andrew Charles The Labour Party Candidate Votes: 896 JOYCE, Colin George Liberal Democrats Votes: 101 ROBINSON, Noel Liberal Democrats Votes: 91 WHITE, Barry Conservative Party Candidate Votes: 802 Turnout: 52.61%
Next issue out on 11th June • Article/Advert Deadline: 28th May