Ticket-only meetings as Blaby council considers Lubbesthorpe homes plan
On any other day, attending a council meeting and finding a seat at the back would be easy.
But Blaby District Council is in the unusual position of having to make one of its planning meetings next week a ticket-only event.
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If the planning committee says the development can go ahead, it will then be forwarded to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles
The subject of the meeting is a controversial plan to build 4,250 homes at Lubbesthorpe – which has attracted more than 1,000 objections – and hundreds of people will want to be there.
The first 130 people will get a seat to watch the planning meeting in the council chamber. About 100 others will get tickets to watch live screenings at two other venues.
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A council spokeswoman said: "It's in order to prevent people turning up on the day and not being able to get in. "The council chamber holds about 130 people and we expect it to be full."
The meeting is to take place at the council's headquarters in Narborough on Thursday, November 1, from 4.30pm.
As well as 4,250 homes, the development plan includes shops, schools and 52 acres of employment land on the site, which is near Leicester Forest East.
Tickets are free and limited to two per household.
The live screenings will be at Winstanley Community College, in Kingsway North, Braunstone Town, and Enderby Civic Centre, in King Street.
However, it is unlikely people will see the planning issue resolved next week.
The recommendation from planning officers is to agree to the plans, as long as the Government is happy with it.
This means that if the planning committee says the development can go ahead, it will then be forwarded to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles, who might decide to intervene.
And, after 18 months of negotiations between planners and the consortium of developers, there is likely to be an appeal if councillors refuse the builders permission to go ahead.
Paul Fox, secretary of the protest organisation, Leicester Forest East Residents Action Group, said he was happy the Government would have a say.
"It's good news," he said. "Hopefully, it will be given proper consideration now."
David Clements, a councillor for the area, said: "We don't know what the members of the development control committee will do.
"I will be there and I'm sure it will be very busy."
Paul Burton, of the New Lubbesthorpe development consortium, said: "This development can deliver a multi-million pound package of transport improvements, new shopping, three schools, a health centre, work space, community and leisure facilities.
"It will be sustainable, boost the economy and create thousands of new jobs."
Applications for tickets can be made by calling 0116 272 7505. The ticket phone line is open between 10am – 5pm and will remain open until the tickets are gone.
To watch the meeting live online visit:
www.blaby.gov.uk/webcast
Comments
by Peter20101
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:38PM
“Remember that according to the Blaby District Council website that the ticket line is open until 5pm on Tuesday 30th November - thats today
So any late requests may still enable you to attend
(we they have not put up the sold out signs yet!)”
by kamilla1960
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:04PM
“Its disgusting that they have made this a ticket only event, ensuring that they keep our numbers down.
It shows how scared they are of not getting this through.
I implore people who live around the area of Braunstone Civic Centre to get involved in saying NO to this development.”
by Peter20101
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:54PM
“Maybe LM is being a little inaccurate in its reporting here, it says: "has attracted more than 1,000 objections" when actually this is closer to 2,700 representations (1,400+ at 1st stage & 1,300+ at 2nd stage public consultation)
Also it seems strange that there is no mention that the Government Inspector found the Councils Core Strategy to be unsound - and yes this strategy includes the development at Lubbesthorpe
His report is not due to the end of January, but BDC still seem determined to press forward with the DCC meeting to decide on this application
Stephen Dorrell's letter on this matter makes interesting reading http://tinyurl.com/9gpf7cy”
by sansue
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:29PM
“"by r_garnier
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:16PM
Looks like they must get fed well at these council meetings!"
Please PLEASE tell me you know who Eric Pickles is and that he isn't a Blaby Cllr?”
by r_garnier
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:16PM
“Looks like they must get fed well at these council meetings!”
by Oh_come_on
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:10PM
“@4_Stroke
Did you read right to the end of the article?....if not here are the last two sentances....
"To watch the meeting live online visit:
http://tinyurl.com/98ocfhx”
by 4_Stroke
Monday, October 22 2012, 12:24PM
“Why not use modern technology and broadcast it over the internet with a webcam feed. Or is that a technology step too far for Blaby District Council. If you want it kept to Blaby residents then make it accessible through a log-in system.”