The Local Plan Committee of North West Leicestershire Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026 to discuss updates to the Local Development Scheme and the Local Plan policies. Key decisions included the adoption of the Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire and the inclusion of several new policies within the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan, covering areas such as strategic warehousing, housing types, and the management of community assets. The committee also agreed to object to Oadby and Wigston Borough Council's Regulation 19 Local Plan due to insufficient justification for its declared unmet housing need.

Local Development Scheme Update

The committee received an update on the Local Development Scheme (LDS), which outlines the council's programme for preparing Local Development Documents over a three-year period. The current LDS was last published in February 2025, and the updated version reflects the current timetable for progressing the Local Plan, aiming for submission before the December 2026 deadline. Key milestones include seeking approval to consult on the Regulation 19 Local Plan in June 2026, followed by a consultation period from July to September 2026, and formal submission in November 2026.

Local Plan Policies Update

Several reports detailing updates to Local Plan policies were presented and discussed.

Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire

The committee adopted the Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire Supplementary Planning Document. Members expressed support for the document, although some concerns were raised about the insufficient consideration of functional chimneys on new builds for those without access to electricity or gas. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to agree any modifications resulting from changes in government national planning policy.

Strategic Warehousing Site Allocation Policies

Discussions were held regarding the allocation of strategic warehousing sites, including sites EMP73 (part), EMP97, and EMP98. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on Battram and Kegworth, with a desire for an Area of Separation to preserve green fields. Officers confirmed that policies included references to retaining gaps between adjacent settlements, which, along with Policy S4, would ensure separation was maintained.

Housing Types and Mix

Members discussed the challenges residents face in finding bungalows and whether the locations for bungalow construction could be improved. It was suggested that supporting text could be added to the document to emphasise this point.

Policy IF8 – Update Regarding Lorry Parking

During discussions, members inquired whether developers could be encouraged to offer their sites for lorry parking, particularly in Donington Le Heath.

Isley Woodhouse Allocation – Updated Policy Wording

Members were supportive of the new policy wording for the Isley Woodhouse Allocation. They questioned whether policies could be grouped into categories for public documents to improve navigation and understanding, to which the Head of Planning and Infrastructure agreed this could be achieved prior to Regulation 19 consultation.

The committee resolved to include several specific policies in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan, subject to various assessments and findings. These included policies for land south of East Midlands Airport (EMP90), land north of A453, Kegworth (EMP73 Part), land south of Kegworth bypass (EMP97), land between Ellistown Terrace Road and Wood Road, Battram (EMP98), land north of J11 (Mercia Park II) (EMP82), land north-east of J11 A42 (EMP83/84/94), and land at Corkscrew Lane (J13 A42) (EMP80). Additionally, Policy H4: Housing Mix and Type, Policy IF8: Parking and New Development, and Policy Ap1: Design of New Development were agreed for inclusion, subject to the findings of viability assessments and transport modelling. Policy IW1: Isley Woodhouse was also approved for inclusion, subject to similar conditions.

Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople (Policy H9)

The committee agreed to include Policy H9: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan, subject to the findings of a whole-plan viability assessment. The policy has been amended following consultation responses and discussions with the Planning Inspectorate. An update to the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) by Opinion Research Services (ORS) in April 2026 concluded that the need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches had reduced to 31, with the need for Travelling Showpeople plots remaining at 26. No suitable sites for permanent accommodation or a transit site have been identified, meaning the Local Plan will rely on a criteria-based policy for future planning applications.

Policy Ec1 – Economic Strategy

The committee agreed to include Policy Ec1 – Economic Strategy in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan. This policy aims to support sustainable economic growth by allocating suitable sites, maintaining business premises, regenerating town centres, encouraging local recruitment, and supporting rural enterprises and tourism.

Long-Term Management of Community Assets and Stewardship

A new policy for the long-term management of community assets and stewardship was agreed for inclusion in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan. This policy ensures that new open spaces, community facilities, and green or blue infrastructure provided through development are properly managed and maintained in perpetuity, with developers required to demonstrate sustainable management and funding mechanisms.

Policy H5 – Affordable Housing

The committee agreed that Policy H5 – Affordable Housing would be included in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan, subject to and informed by the findings of the whole-plan viability assessment. The specific percentage requirements and tenure mix will be determined following this assessment. The policy has been amended to remove references to First Homes as they are no longer a national requirement. Consultation responses highlighted the need for flexibility in the application of affordable housing requirements and the importance of considering site-specific viability.

Response to Oadby and Wigston Regulation 19 Local Plan Consultation

The committee agreed to object to the Oadby and Wigston Borough Council's Regulation 19 Local Plan. The objection is based on the grounds that the justification for an unmet housing need of 149 dwellings per annum is not sufficiently robust, particularly concerning site capacity, market saturation, and highways capacity. The committee delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, to issue a final response based on the outcome of ongoing discussions with partner authorities. It was noted that any unmet housing need from Oadby and Wigston is unlikely to significantly impact the North West Leicestershire Local Plan due to geographical distance and a lack of strong functional economic or housing market links.