A new town the size of Hinckley on our doorstep - destroying our beautiful green fields and cultural heritage without local public consultation?
The Co-Operative Group plan to do this with their plan for 15,000 houses, provisionally called Pennbury, on their Stoughton Estate. Pennbury is on the Government shortlist of 15 potential Eco Towns. A decision on the location of up to 10 sites is due later this autumn.
The Site
The site is on 750 hectares of prime greenfield farmland, home to many species of wildlife. There is a serious risk of flooding to surrounding areas if it is built.
This site has no transport infrastructure, and major roadbuilding would need to take place to link South East Leicestershire with the M1 and other main roads to cope with the massive influx of people. The local councils have rejected development on this site before for these reasons, but the Co-Op are still trying to develop it under the pretence of “eco-friendliness”.
CASCET is not against affordable housing or Eco Towns, but Pennbury is in completely the wrong place - a rural area with exceptionally low unemployment. The final size would be 50% bigger than Market Harborough.
Why the Co-Op "Eco" Town is a Bad Idea
- Loss of farmland
- Destruction of habitats for protected species and major impact on fish populations
- Heavy deforestation inevitable
- Major roadbuilding required with existing traffic at a lethal capacity
- Increased flooding risk
- Increase in carbon emissions and environmental damage
- Influx of people to an area with low unemployment
- Pressure on local schools with possible catchment area changes
- Significant Roman archaeology along Gartree Road
- Lack of separation from existing communities
- Bypasses democracy with unprecedented interference of the Government in the local planning process
You can read more detailed arguments about why the Co-Op "Eco" Town is wholly unsuitable for this area.
The Process
The Government has outlined a process by which potential Eco Towns are shortlisted and selected. The whole process is ill-conceived and rushed. Unrealistic timescales imposed by central Government have meant that proper public consultation has not been possible. Find out more about the Eco Town Selection Process.
Consultation
As part of the selection process, there is currently a consultation process underway. Find out more about the Eco Town Consultation Process and how you can partcipate and make your views known.