The Development Control and Regulatory Board of Leicestershire Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 14 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a significant planning application for an anaerobic digestion plant, alongside discussions on planning reforms and delegated decisions.

Proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant at Marigold Farm

A key item for discussion is the proposed anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, associated infrastructure, lagoons, and feedstock clamps at Marigold Farm, Welham Road, Great Bowden¹. This application, originally considered in August 2025, has been deferred for further information. The applicant, Great Bowden Green Energy Ltd, has submitted additional details addressing concerns about highway impacts, particularly at the Welham Road/A6 junction, and environmental impacts on the proposed country park and rewilding project by Harborough District Council (HDC) and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT).

The report pack details extensive updates and additional information provided by the applicant, covering flood risk, drainage, climate change, landscape and visual impacts, odour modelling, air quality assessments, and ecological assessments. Amendments have also been made regarding the proposed grid connection and security fencing.

Numerous consultations have taken place with various bodies, including Harborough District Council Planning, Harborough District Council Environmental Health Officer, Mr Neil O'Brien MP, Dr Sarah Hill CC, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston Green Party, Leicestershire County Council Highways Authority, Leicestershire County Council Ecology, the Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council Lead Local Flood Authority, Leicestershire County Council Public Health, Natural England, and the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. Representations have also been received from the Market Harborough Model Aero Club, Leicestershire Police Designing Out Crime Officer, and Great Bowden Residents Management Company (GBMRC).

The report details objections and concerns raised, including those related to highway safety, recreational amenity, biodiversity, landscape and visual impacts, odour, air quality, construction impacts, noise, flood risk, economic impacts, sustainability, and cumulative impacts. The proposed development is described as an anaerobic digestion plant with an annual throughput of 40,000 tonnes of feedstock, producing biomethane for the local gas transmission system.

Planning Reforms and Governance

The Board will also receive a report on Government planning reforms, specifically focusing on planning governance, delegations, and the Development Control and Regulatory Board (DCRB) gateway arrangements. This report, intended for noting, will inform members about proposed changes to the DCRB's terms of reference, officer delegations, and the Members' Planning Code of Good Practice. A key element is the introduction of a new gateway process for determining which planning applications should be referred to the DCRB, moving towards officer delegation as the default for many cases.

Delegated Decisions

The meeting agenda includes a review of delegated planning decisions issued between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026. This section of the report lists various applications, primarily concerning infrastructure and minor works by Severn Trent Water Ltd and Leicestershire County Council, which were determined by officers under delegated powers.

Additionally, a report on delegated enforcement updates from 1 January 2026 to 1 June 2026 will be presented, noting that no new enforcement notices were served during this period, but providing an update on previously reported matters.

Finally, a report on delegated decisions for works to trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026 will be presented, detailing numerous applications for tree works that have been approved.