Edward Argar MP for Charnwood

Ihope that Syston Town News readers have been enjoying the recent sunny weather, and hope thatthe sunshine will continue into the summer.

Stn readers will have seen the changes following the recent local Council elections, and I wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Syston’s former Charnwood Borough Councillors, Ken Pacey and Tom Barkley who retired at the elections in May, to Simon Bradshaw who was just edged out in the election by one of the newly elected Green Councillors, and to Sue Gerrard who stood elsewhere, for their collective dedicated service to Syston. I also want to take the opportunity to congratulate Syston’s newly elected CBC Councillors, Conservative Sarah Braker, Greens Andy Haynes and David Infield, and the new Wreake Valley Ward Councillors, who cover a small part of the eastern end of the town. I wish them all well in representing what is a fantastic town. At a Borough-level, readers will have seen the change at Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) overall, with a Council that now has no one Party with an overall majority, leading to the Green Councillors voting to put Labour in power in the vote to choose the new political leadership of the Borough.

Following the Town Council elections, I have recently met with the new Chair of Syston Town Council (STC), Councillor Mark Cherry, as part of my catch ups with Parish and Town Council Chairs, to discuss the work and priorities of the new Town Council, and issues where we can work together as Syston’s Town Council and local MP, as I have always done with STC since I was first elected in 2015. On a local issue that I know is causing some concern within Syston, the planning application to CBC for up to 70,600 m2 of commercial unit space on land at Watermead Business Park, between Syston and Thurmaston, I have already made strong representations to CBC raising my concerns and local concerns

The application would see development on what is currently open countryside alongside the canal, near John Merrick Lake, next to Watermead Park. While economic growth and development to support it is important, it is also important that it is undertaken in a way which does not significantly adversely impact nature and our natural environment Watermead Park is hugely important to local people, acting as a green oasis between the city, Birstall, Thurmaston and Syston, and a haven for nature, wildlife and biodiversity. I have always been clear that we should seekto protect and enhance our local natural environment where we can, and am concerned that this proposed development is in the wrong location and of the wrong scale, next to what is a uniquely precious local site for nature. I hope that CBC, with whom the decision sits, will consider very carefully the many representations setting out concerns about this proposal, at this location. As ever, if you feel that, as Syston’s local MP, I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to write to me at: Rt. Hon Edward Argar MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, or email me at:edward.argar.mp@parliament.uk