Leicester City Council are currently consulting on a ‘Local Plan’ – which includes details of the sites they are planning to build on in the over the next ten years. In Netherhall, this includes the loss of 4 green spaces to build 131 homes: 77 homes on Moorfields/Netherhall Park, 18 on Rayleigh Green, 13 on Newlyn Parade/Crayford Way, and 23 near Elms Farm Cottages/Preston Rise.

Many people locally have told us that they don’t want homes built in these places, and don’t think they have been given a fair opportunity to express their objections.  

We want to make sure that no development happens locally without the involvement of local residents. If you want your voice to be heard, you can do two things:

1)     Join us at 2.30 on Sunday 26th February on Moorfields. We will gather to celebrate the green space, make our voices heard, and collect messages for the Assistant Mayor.

2)     Visit consultations.leicester.gov.uk/sec/local-plan and express your objection before Monday 27th February. Alternatively, you can sign this petition to say that you agree with our response - see below!

If you’d like to get involved in fighting for Netherhall to be heard, please contact us (netherhallCA@outlook.com) and get involved!

Thanks!

The Netherhall Community Association Committee

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Our response to the Local Plan Consultation:
We (Residents represented by the Netherhall Community Association) believe that the plan is not ‘legally compliant’, as it has not been conducted in accordance with the Council’s own ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ (SCI), and the Temporary Addendum to the SCI during Covid-19.

Very limited notification was given to a small number of local residents, and the consultation was carried out during lockdown (Sept 2020), so there were no opportunities for face-to-face consultation. The temporary addendum set out “alternative communication and participation methods” including “online discussion or presentation”, “online meetings/workshops”, none of which took place in or (to the best of our knowledge) near Netherhall.

We understand that only 99 letters were sent to local residents regarding the 4 local sites, and that only 4 notices of the consultation were displayed for the whole of Netherhall Road Open Space. We have encountered multiple residents living adjacent to the sites who were unaware of the proposals. Following the first consultation, residents were repeatedly reassured (including in the Housing Scrutiny Committee meeting on 22nd Sept 2022) that a second round of consultation would allow representations to be made. However, this second consultation requires a technical understanding of the process, and only allows for representations in relation to particular elements of the plan and limits the engagement of residents.

Netherhall Road Open Space represents a valuable community asset for exercise, recreation and community gatherings. During Covid-19 restrictions, it was a lifeline for families with limited space, and has since been used for Jubilee celebrations, and summer sports activities. Until 2011 it was the site of a football pitch, a purpose for which there is still considerable enthusiasm.

We do not believe the process has been ‘sound’, as it does not take into reasonable alternatives (including the consideration of existing un-used sites such as garages and a vacant school building). We would welcome the re-naturalisation of the Brook which runs through the site (Green Infrastructure Strategy, p.94), providing it does not increase the flood risk in an extremely vulnerable area. However, we are concerned that the potential for flooding here renders it an unsuitable site for development, which would require significant additional infrastructure to satisfy an exception test.

Modifications:
A full local consultation including (as per the SCI): Direct Contact, Local Media, Exhibitions and Presentations and Workshops before the local plan progresses.

A thorough investigation of the viability of Netherhall Road Open Space, particularly with regard to the flooding risk of proposed developments. Consideration of other sites, including vacant buildings and unused garages, and evidence that convenience for developers has not been the deciding factor in these considerations.

Specific commitments to be made with regards to local infrastructure, facilities, and amenities. A commitment to work with local residents in relation to any development so as to ensure a benefit to the whole community.