The Local Plan Committee of North West Leicestershire Council met on Thursday 4 June 2026 to discuss the proposed North West Leicestershire Local Plan (Regulation 19). The committee's agenda focused on reviewing and potentially approving the draft Local Plan for public consultation before its submission to the Secretary of State for examination.

Proposed North West Leicestershire Local Plan (Regulation 19)

The main item of discussion was the Proposed North West Leicestershire Local Plan, presented by the Interim Planning Policy Team Manager. This comprehensive report, detailed across 210 pages, outlined the council's strategy for future development within the district up to 2042. The plan addresses housing and economic development needs, setting out policies for the pattern, scale, and design quality of new places.

Key areas covered within the proposed plan included:

• Housing and Economic Development Needs: The plan proposed a housing requirement of 690 dwellings per annum, equating to 12,420 homes over the plan period (2024-2042). It also detailed needs for general employment land, including offices, industry, and smaller-scale warehousing, as well as significant strategic warehousing requirements. Specific allocations for housing were detailed across various settlements, including a new settlement at Isley Woodhouse, and employment allocations, particularly for strategic warehousing in key locations like M1 J23a/J24 and A/M42 J11, J12, J13.
• Development Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy: The plan outlined a strategy to direct new development to appropriate locations, prioritising settlements with better access to services and infrastructure. This included identifying a hierarchy of settlements, from the Principal Town of Coalville Urban Area down to Local Housing Needs Villages.
• Creating Attractive Places: Policies focused on ensuring high-quality design for new developments, with a strong emphasis on responding to local character, mitigating climate change impacts, and promoting health and wellbeing. This included policies on renewable energy targets, reducing carbon emissions, flood risk management, and the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Specific attention was given to water efficiency standards and the provision of accessible and adaptable housing.
• Housing Policies: The plan detailed policies on housing commitments, allocations, and specific requirements for different housing types. This included provisions for affordable housing, rural exceptions sites, self-build and custom housebuilding, and houses in multiple occupation in Kegworth. Crucially, it also addressed the provision for Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Showpeople, outlining needs for permanent pitches and plots, as well as transit provision.
• Economic Strategy: Policies aimed to support the district's economy by allocating suitable sites for employment, maintaining existing business premises, and encouraging start-up workspace. The plan also addressed the specific needs and opportunities related to the East Midlands Freeport designation and the safeguarding of East Midlands Airport.
• Town and Local Centres: The plan outlined a hierarchy for town and local centres, with policies to manage development and maintain their vitality and viability. This included specific considerations for hot food takeaway uses and fast-food outlets.
• Infrastructure and Facilities: The plan detailed requirements for the provision of essential infrastructure to support new development. This included policies on development and infrastructure contributions, community facilities, green and blue infrastructure, open space, sport and recreation facilities, and transport infrastructure. Specific attention was given to the Ashby Canal restoration and parking standards.
• Environment: Policies focused on the conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment. This included policies on nature conservation, the River Mease Special Area of Conservation, the National Forest, the Charnwood Forest Regional Park, and areas of separation between settlements. The plan also addressed land and air quality, and the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.

The report pack provided extensive detail on the evidence base supporting the Local Plan, including updates on sustainability appraisals, habitat regulations assessments, transport modelling, and viability appraisals. It also outlined the proposed consultation, submission, and examination process for the Local Plan, along with financial considerations for the examination. The committee was presented with recommendations to approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan for consultation and to delegate authority for minor amendments.