STOP Lubenham's Population Surging by 25% From Just One Housing Development!
The issue
LUBENHAM: OUR FUTURE?
Our National Planning System is Broken
Our village is an example of a system that is not fit for purpose. Sadly, we are only one amongst many. Please support us. Your area could well be next! Even if you're not from Lubenham, read on. There's much here that can help you protect the place that you love. Let's fight for a fairer system.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
Our video: https://youtu.be/hUqcP5DDA5s
Contact us: LubenhamOurFuture@aol.com
.................................................................
+25% - In Just a Couple of Years?
Did you know that Barratt David Wilson Homes has applied to Market Harborough District council to build 90+ houses just outside the village boundary (South of Laughton Road)? This will increase the population of our village by at least 220 people in just a couple of years. That's a whopping 25% (2021 census Lubenham = 860).
Did you know that our Parish council has objected to this development?
.................................................................
OUR GOAL: We let those in power know that we are prepared to shoulder our fair share of housing development, but when big developers act in such an exceptionally selfish way then we draw a line in the sand and stop them.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
.................................................................
65 Houses Over 20 Years - Our Fair Share
We've said that we'll support about 65 new houses in the village over a 20 year period from 2021 to 2041.
Our parish council has made this clear through our Neighbourhood Plan. Our plan fits into the Market Harborough district Local Plan. The Local Plan fits into the National Planning Policy Framework.
Your Opinion Counts for Something: In 2015, a referendum was held to ask local people: -
- Do you agree with the plan? (90%+ of you did agree)
- What sites do you think best for putting new houses on?
The Sites We Chose in Lubenham Village
.................................................................
We Already Face Exceptional Over Development in the Next Few Years
How we were just 11 years ago, in 2014.
Now the parish population is shooting up. In about 2022, our parish council ceded newly developed areas around Lubenham View and Airfield Farm to Market Harborough. They gave up part of our parish to stop us being swamped by even more development. They were trying to protect us as a distinct village so we could continue to enjoy our rural lifestyle.
In return, our parish council negotiated a 'barrier area' between Market Harborough and Lubenham so that we wouldn't be swallowed up and become just another suburb. But - sad to say - the northwest corner of the 'barrier area' is now being built on.
However. we are no suburb of Market Harborough!
.................................................................
We've Already Reached the Limit
Even now, our infrastructure is under strain. For example: -
- Our river (The Welland) has become polluted.
- Flooding looks like it's getting worse
- Traffic has already become heavy, but it's going to get a lot busier
- Our school is full
.................................................................
Insult to Injury AND Ignoring Our Plan
Despite all the heavy development that's going on in our parish, Barratt David Wilson Homes now wants to build 90+ houses south of Laughton Road just outside the village boundary.
They didn't come and talk to our parish council before they put their application in to Market Harborough district council. They ignored our plan. They didn't take any notice in their application that our fair share of new houses from 2021 to 2041 is about 65. They didn't even ask about the housing sites that you had chosen through our referendum.
.................................................................
A Broken System Gives Developers More Power Over People Like Us
In areas where Local Plans are current, developers have to show why there are good reasons for their application to be passed. The balance is 'tipped' towards us.
But, when Local Plans fall out of date, the balance is 'tipped' towards developers. Because the barriers to development are lowered, one of the main things that we have to show is that there are 'exceptional' reasons to stop the development.
Less than 90 local authorities out of 317 in England have Local Plans that are up to date (adopted).
Unfortunately, Market Harborough's Local Plan is out of date and won't become current for at least a year and a half.
Note: It's plain to see that our parish has already been subjected to exceptional over-development before this new application is even considered.
.................................................................
Unfair? Not Just Our Village
Our village is not alone. Although we are a particularly egregious example of a broken system, there are many other villages and towns like us. We need to swap ideas with others and work together to make the system fairer.
In the end, a system that works properly will be better for everyone. We get our new houses built according to our plan. The government get less objections and can more easily meet its housing targets. The developers get a more stable market place in which it is easier to make good investments.
.................................................................
Our Petition Backs Up Our Parish Council & Other Objectors
Formal objections from our parish council and other objectors are central. Our petition is a way of adding weight to these efforts.
.................................................................
CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE US MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
YES! When we work together with a clear goal, then at least we have a fighting chance. It's so much better than letting others make important decisions, like this.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
Please sign our petition, wherever you come from. Remember that we are an example of what could be happening to you next.
Anyone can comment on a planning application. Please raise objections with Market Harborough district council. The easiest way to do it is by email. Title the email 'Objection to development application 25_00295 Laughton Road, Lubenham':
customer.services@harborough.gov.uk
Please take the next step and join with us. Even if you only have a little time to spare, we will greatly appreciate it. Our email address:
Contact our parish council, show your support and give them your ideas. Councillors work for the community. They are volunteers who have work and family commitments, yet they still give up their spare time to help us all. Parish council email address:
clerk@lubenhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Our YouTube video:
.................................................................
THANKS: We weren't voted Midlands village of the year for nothing!
68
The issue
LUBENHAM: OUR FUTURE?
Our National Planning System is Broken
Our village is an example of a system that is not fit for purpose. Sadly, we are only one amongst many. Please support us. Your area could well be next! Even if you're not from Lubenham, read on. There's much here that can help you protect the place that you love. Let's fight for a fairer system.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
Our video: https://youtu.be/hUqcP5DDA5s
Contact us: LubenhamOurFuture@aol.com
.................................................................
+25% - In Just a Couple of Years?
Did you know that Barratt David Wilson Homes has applied to Market Harborough District council to build 90+ houses just outside the village boundary (South of Laughton Road)? This will increase the population of our village by at least 220 people in just a couple of years. That's a whopping 25% (2021 census Lubenham = 860).
Did you know that our Parish council has objected to this development?
.................................................................
OUR GOAL: We let those in power know that we are prepared to shoulder our fair share of housing development, but when big developers act in such an exceptionally selfish way then we draw a line in the sand and stop them.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
.................................................................
65 Houses Over 20 Years - Our Fair Share
We've said that we'll support about 65 new houses in the village over a 20 year period from 2021 to 2041.
Our parish council has made this clear through our Neighbourhood Plan. Our plan fits into the Market Harborough district Local Plan. The Local Plan fits into the National Planning Policy Framework.
Your Opinion Counts for Something: In 2015, a referendum was held to ask local people: -
- Do you agree with the plan? (90%+ of you did agree)
- What sites do you think best for putting new houses on?
The Sites We Chose in Lubenham Village
.................................................................
We Already Face Exceptional Over Development in the Next Few Years
How we were just 11 years ago, in 2014.
Now the parish population is shooting up. In about 2022, our parish council ceded newly developed areas around Lubenham View and Airfield Farm to Market Harborough. They gave up part of our parish to stop us being swamped by even more development. They were trying to protect us as a distinct village so we could continue to enjoy our rural lifestyle.
In return, our parish council negotiated a 'barrier area' between Market Harborough and Lubenham so that we wouldn't be swallowed up and become just another suburb. But - sad to say - the northwest corner of the 'barrier area' is now being built on.
However. we are no suburb of Market Harborough!
.................................................................
We've Already Reached the Limit
Even now, our infrastructure is under strain. For example: -
- Our river (The Welland) has become polluted.
- Flooding looks like it's getting worse
- Traffic has already become heavy, but it's going to get a lot busier
- Our school is full
.................................................................
Insult to Injury AND Ignoring Our Plan
Despite all the heavy development that's going on in our parish, Barratt David Wilson Homes now wants to build 90+ houses south of Laughton Road just outside the village boundary.
They didn't come and talk to our parish council before they put their application in to Market Harborough district council. They ignored our plan. They didn't take any notice in their application that our fair share of new houses from 2021 to 2041 is about 65. They didn't even ask about the housing sites that you had chosen through our referendum.
.................................................................
A Broken System Gives Developers More Power Over People Like Us
In areas where Local Plans are current, developers have to show why there are good reasons for their application to be passed. The balance is 'tipped' towards us.
But, when Local Plans fall out of date, the balance is 'tipped' towards developers. Because the barriers to development are lowered, one of the main things that we have to show is that there are 'exceptional' reasons to stop the development.
Less than 90 local authorities out of 317 in England have Local Plans that are up to date (adopted).
Unfortunately, Market Harborough's Local Plan is out of date and won't become current for at least a year and a half.
Note: It's plain to see that our parish has already been subjected to exceptional over-development before this new application is even considered.
.................................................................
Unfair? Not Just Our Village
Our village is not alone. Although we are a particularly egregious example of a broken system, there are many other villages and towns like us. We need to swap ideas with others and work together to make the system fairer.
In the end, a system that works properly will be better for everyone. We get our new houses built according to our plan. The government get less objections and can more easily meet its housing targets. The developers get a more stable market place in which it is easier to make good investments.
.................................................................
Our Petition Backs Up Our Parish Council & Other Objectors
Formal objections from our parish council and other objectors are central. Our petition is a way of adding weight to these efforts.
.................................................................
CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE US MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
YES! When we work together with a clear goal, then at least we have a fighting chance. It's so much better than letting others make important decisions, like this.
OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR UPDATES: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EemwOzcbK35Cx6udvnLSCZ
Please sign our petition, wherever you come from. Remember that we are an example of what could be happening to you next.
Anyone can comment on a planning application. Please raise objections with Market Harborough district council. The easiest way to do it is by email. Title the email 'Objection to development application 25_00295 Laughton Road, Lubenham':
customer.services@harborough.gov.uk
Please take the next step and join with us. Even if you only have a little time to spare, we will greatly appreciate it. Our email address:
Contact our parish council, show your support and give them your ideas. Councillors work for the community. They are volunteers who have work and family commitments, yet they still give up their spare time to help us all. Parish council email address:
clerk@lubenhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Our YouTube video:
.................................................................
THANKS: We weren't voted Midlands village of the year for nothing!
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Petition created on 5 June 2025