Local Interest David Snartt Reports...
The GCR Bridge Appeal
County Councillor for Bradgate Division - Borough Councillor for Forest Bradgate.
The Great Central Railway’s ‘Bridge to the Future’ appeal has broken through the quarter of a million pounds barrier, just four and a half months after being launched.
Greengate Lane Gypsy & Traveller Site I attended and spoke at the City Council Planning Committee when they decided to permit the development of a Gypsy and Traveller site which will have six pitches and six amenity buildings on Greengate Lane. I outlined my reasons why the Committee should refuse this application, especially as there was overwhelming opposition from local residents. Therefore I was representing residents’ views along with the Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council who had also objected. The decision was disappointing as it was acknowledged that this proposal was situated on the green wedge and would be in conflict with the Council’s own policies. I also stated that residents had been in this situation before when Castle Hill was put forward for a Traveller Site, you may recall this was turned down by a Government Inspector. I understand that this decision to permit will now go to the Secretary of State before being finally approved.
Consultation by the County Council Results of the County Council’s consultation into how it can save £110 million and reshape services were published at the end of October. I thought it would be interesting for local residents to see some of the main areas that came forward during the consultation period. Over 7,200 gave their views over the summer, They identified services they wanted to protect, which they wanted to spend less on and their views on Council Tax levels favoured a rise. No decisions have been made yet, the budget proposals will be published in January and the full council will take the final decision on February 19th 2014. Residents said that the top services the council should save money on were: street lighting, grants to communities, funding for agencies, travel to school and grass cutting. The top services the council should protect were: gritting, older people community services, roads and paths and mental health. The full report is available at www.leics.gov.uk/future
Charnwood Local Plan, Core Strategy Councillors at Charnwood Borough Council have voted to submit the Council’s proposed Local Plan, Core Strategy to the Secretary of State so an examination in public can take place. The draft strategy outlines how the Borough could grow over the next 15 years in terms of housing, employment opportunities, schools, parks and other facilities. It is now up to the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to decide whether the Council’s Plan can go forward with or without amendments. I spoke at the meeting and voted in favour of the proposal, stating it is no good carrying on as we are, with piecemeal planning applications coming forward, which, when added together cause serious infrastructure issues within a local area. I also alluded to what had happened over the past few years where there has been a focus to develop houses in rural areas, such as we have seen in Anstey and Rothley and indications of proposals coming forward in smaller villages like Thurcaston. I am hopeful as this Strategy goes forward it will add more weight in the planning process against these piecemeal applications, therefore Charnwood Borough Council, in my view, will have more control over future planning decisions. As we are nearing the festive season again may I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. If you need to contact me on any issue write to 10 Groby Lane, Newtown Linford, Leicester. LE6 0HH email: david.snartt@leics.gov.uk or telephone 01530 244804. www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk
The railway has set a target of raising one million pounds by mid 2015 to pay for a brand new railway bridge over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough. In turn this unlocks a long held ambition to reconnect two separate halves of the Great Central, creating one eighteen mile long heritage railway between the north of Leicester and the south of Nottingham. Network Rail will run the project to build the new bridge. The substantial structure will carry GCR trains above the four tracks of the Midland Main Line and the modern express trains running at more than 100mph. Bill Ford, Managing Director of the Great Central Railway plc said, “On behalf of everyone from the Great Central Railway – and the Great Central Railway Nottingham, thank you to all the generous people who have donated. To reach such a significant milestone so quickly is well ahead of our expectations. Not only is it a boost for us, it gives confidence to our Network Rail partners. There is a long way to go to reach our million pound target by 2015 but as soon as we have more news we will pass it on – to encourage further donations! It is very humbling to have so many people from right across the country getting behind the campaign.” If you haven’t donated yet, you can give online at:
www.gcrailway.co.uk Alternatively, you can pick up a Bridge to the Future appeal leaflet from any GCR station on your next visit. Everything you contribute moves the total on towards the one million pound target. If you can make the gift aid declaration, the government will add a further 25% to your donation.
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