Planning in Hinckley and Bosworth

Key Rural Centres within the National Forest

Bagworth and Thornton To create a new sense of place and improve the provision of local services the council will: • Seek the provision of local services in Bagworth including a local shop and possibly a post office and primary care provision. • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 60 new homes at Bagworth. Developers will be required to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Bagworth, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. The release of this land for development will be dependent on local services having been established in Bagworth (or the development providing local services). • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. As part of this, seek the provision of small industrial work units (including social enterprises and craft workshops) in Bagworth for rent or to buy as supported by the Bagworth Parish Plan. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy in line with Policy 21, including tree planting, National Forest signage and branding to establish a sense of place for Bagworth and Thornton as forest settlements. • Support the development of an improved community centre for Bagworth to create a community hub for the village. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Bagworth and Thornton as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Support improvement in the quality of the following facilities: Bagworth Village Hall, Sports Pavilion and Sports Ground and Thornton Community Centre (build all weather pitch and play area behind Community Centre) as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Bagworth will be required: Tourism support, Bagworth to Market Bosworth Multifunctional Corridor and Improved Access around Thornton Reservoir. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park in line with Policy 22. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 15, in particular from Thornton to South Charnwood High School, between Bagworth and Thornton and to Ellistown and Bardon Industrial Estate. • Safeguard land at Bagworth for the development of a new passenger railway station and associated car parking in case the National Forest line is re-opened to passenger facilities. • Seek improvements in car parking provision at Thornton Reservoir in keeping with its important recreational and tourist role.

Key Rural Centres Stand Alone

Barlestone To support the local services in Barlestone and maintain rural population levels the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 40 new homes. Developers will be required to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Barlestone, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Support the improvement of the GP facilities in Barlestone to support the increase in population, to be delivered by the PCT and developer contributions. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality and accessibility of green space and play provision in Barlestone as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Bagworth will be required: Tourism Support and the Bagworth to Market Bosworth Multifunctional Corridor. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular from Barlestone to Thornton to connect up with the network through to Bardon Industrial Estate and Ellistown and to the old Nailstone Colliery site. • Allocate land for a new cemetery to ensure future provision. • Support improvements in the quality of the following facilities; community centre/Barlestone St Giles and Parish Pitches Bosworth Road as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. Market Bosworth To support the local services in Market Bosworth and maintain rural population levels the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 100 new homes. Developers will be required to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Market Bosworth, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Support the role of Market Bosworth as a tourist destination in its own right and linked to the Bosworth Battlefield and Ashby Canal Corridor in line with Policy 23. • Support the improvement of the GP facilities in Market Bosworth to support the increase in population, to be delivered by the PCT and developer contributions. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Market Bosworth as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Market Bosworth will be required: improved connections between Market Bosworth and Bosworth Water Trust; Bosworth Battlefield; Disused Railway Line- Nuneaton to Market Bosworth Multifunctional Corridor; and the Bagworth to Market Bosworth Multifunctional Corridor. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular from Market Bosworth to Carlton. • Protect the fingers of green open land which penetrate towards the market place as these are important to the rural setting of the town as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Landscape Character Assessment. • Seek improvements to the high school indoor sports facilities and outdoor pool and the playing fields near Bosworth Water Trust as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural facilities audit including improved community access and availability. • Support the provision of a new car park at Dixie Grammar School which can be utilised by the general public outside term time. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Market Bosworth Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development. Newbold Verdon To support the local services in Newbold Verdon and maintain rural population levels the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 110 new homes. Developers will be required to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Newbold Verdon, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Support the improvement of the GP facilities in Newbold Verdon to support the increase in population, to be delivered by the PCT and developer contributions. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality and accessibility of green space and play provision in Newbold Verdon as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Newbold Verdon will be required: Earl Shilton to Newbold Verdon Multifunctional Corridor, Redevelopment of Extraction Sites and Tourism Support. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular from Newbold Verdon to Bosworth Community College. • Seek improvements in the quality of the community centre as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. • Support the provision of a car park for the church and cemetery to address the current parking problems that occur when the church is in use. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Newbold Verdon Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development.

Sustainable Design and Technology

The council will require all development (as detailed below) in Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton to meet the following requirements, unless it would make the development unviable: Residential developments to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes at the following levels: • Minimum of Code Level 3 to 2013 • Minimum of Code Level 4 from 2013 - 2016 • Code level 6 from 2016 onwards Residential developments in Key Rural Centres and Rural Villages will be expected to meet the sustainability targets set out in Building a Greener Future. Schools, hospitals and offices developments to meet, at a minimum, BREEAM (or equivalent) assessment rating of 'very good'. From 2016 they will be required to meet, at a minimum, BREEAM (or equivalent) assessment rating of 'excellent'. The Code/BREEAM level to be met will be set at the time of determination of detailed planning permission or reserved matters unless other legislation/guidance requires a higher level at the time of construction.

Green Space and Play Provision

The following standards will be used in relation to green space and play provision in the borough to ensure all residents have access to sufficient, high quality, accessible green spaces and play areas: Quantity Equipped Children's Play Space - A minimum of 0.15 ha/1000 population (excluding buffer zones) Casual/Informal Play Space - A minimum of 0.7 ha/1000 population Outdoor Sports Provision – A minimum of 1.6 ha/1000 population Accessible Natural Green Space - A minimum of 2 ha/1000 population In areas with populations under 1000 people, a pro-rata approach will be used. Accessibility District Parks and Green Spaces - All households should be within 5 kilometres of an open space of at least 10 hectares which provides general facilities for recreational activity within a landscaped setting Neighbourhood Parks and Green Spaces - All households should be within 600 metres of an open space of between 1 and 10 hectares which provide general facilities for recreational activity within a landscaped setting Local Parks and Green Space - All households should be within 400 metres of an open space of between 0.2 - 1.0 hectare which provide facilities for recreation within a localised area, catering for the specific informal needs of the local community Incidental/Amenity Green Space - All household should be within 300 metres of a small formal or informal area of open space The above standards will be used to determine: a) Where improvements are needed to existing green spaces and play areas b) Where new provision of green spaces and play areas are required to support existing and new residents and workers in the borough Standards need to be assessed according to their geographical context and in rural areas and smaller settlements with lower populations these standards may be difficult to achieve. In such cases access to provision in larger neighbouring settlements should be identified and accessibility improved where practical.

Green Infrastructure

The implementation of the Green Infrastructure Network as outlined on the Key Diagram is a key priority of the council. To assist delivery of this plan, the following strategic interventions will be supported: Southern Zone • Burbage Common and Woods - Increase the size of the site to increase both the community value and biodiversity holding capacity and improve access to the site, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists • Hinckley Town Centre - Mitigate against the urban 'heat island' effect by increasing the number of street trees to provide shade, cooling and air quality improvements, incorporate flood prevention measures such as flood storage ponds, green roofs and swales where appropriate and utilise existing assets, such as the Big Pit at the junction of Ashby Road and Barwell Lane, to provide wider recreational functions • Harrow Brook Corridor - Improve access at the western end of this route to allow access to the Ashby Canal. Retention and enhancement of flood storage ponds along the Battling Brook to reduce the rate of water entering the brook and increase the number of habitats along the corridor. Include the Harrow Brook Corridor as part of a circular route connecting Burbage Common, the canal and Hinckley centre • Sketchley Brook Corridor - Increase the biodiversity interest of the west of Burbage by bringing parcels of land along the brook's route that are currently in poor or unmanaged condition under suitable management. Develop the Sketchley Brook Corridor as an integral part of a wider access and green space project delivering recreational and biodiversity improvements along the east-west axis separating Hinckley and Burbage as part of a set of circular recreational routes • Burbage Allotments - Enhance the semi abandoned allotment site that separates Burbage and Hinckley as part of the east-west recreational corridor linking the Ashby Canal, Sketchley Brook, Burbage Allotments and Burbage Common • Disused Railway Line (Nuneaton – Shenton Station) - Develop this route as a pedestrian and cycle route from Nuneaton to some of the borough's biggest tourist assets such as the Battlefield Line, Water Park and Battlefield site, as well as a connection to the borough's other strategic asset, the Ashby Canal. This intervention could take part in two sections. One section would be the link between where the Weddington Country Walk passes under the A5 and the Marina at Stoke Golding. The other section would run between the Marina and Shenton Station • Barwell Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) - Retain strategic footpath routes that pass through the site to ensure access from Barwell to the open countryside, retain the River Tweed corridor as on open watercourse and as a strategic route for recreation, maintaining access be

National Forest

To support the implementation of the National Forest to the north east of the borough, proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy (increasing woodland cover; enhancing biodiversity; developing a new woodland economy for timber products and wood fuel energy; outdoor recreational and sports provision; and tourism developments, especially overnight quality accommodation linked to tourism in the Forest) will be supported provided that: • The siting and scale of the proposed development is appropriately related to its setting within the Forest • The development respects the character and appearance of the wider countryside and • The development does not adversely affect the existing facilities and working landscape of either the Forest or the wider countryside Within the National Forest new developments will be required to reflect the Forest context in their accompanying landscape proposals. Developments shall provide on-site or nearby landscaping that meets the National Forest development planting guidelines. Landscaping will generally involve woodland planting, but can also include creation and management of other appropriate habitats, open space provision and the provision of new recreational facilities. The appropriate mix of landscaping features will depend upon the setting and the opportunities that the site presents. In exceptional circumstances, where planting and landscaping cannot be accommodated on or nearby the development site due to lack of land, a commuted sum will be negotiated. This will be towards the cost of purchasing land for planting, creating a new woodland, providing public access to it and maintaining the site for at least 5 years. Commuted sums will normally be paid to the local authority, who in partnership with the National Forest Company will decide how they should be utilised.

Charnwood Forest

Within Charnwood Forest, proposals will be supported that: • Maintain the traditional working landscape of the forest, particularly those which involve rural diversification and sustainable tourism, including green tourism initiatives • Provide new recreation facilities around the fringes of the area • Provide access to and from the rural areas into and within the regional park by non vehicular means, provided that they: • Retain local character and complement the local landscape • Enhance open spaces, including the treatment of built edges • Enhance woodland and habitat provision and connectivity • Manage and enhance the cultural heritage of the area

Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton/Burbage Green Wedge

Within the Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton/Burbage Green Wedge uses will be encouraged that provide appropriate recreational facilities within easy reach of urban residents and promote the positive management of land to ensure that the Green Wedge remains or is enhanced as an attractive contribution to the quality of life of nearby urban residents. The following land uses will be acceptable in the Green Wedge, provided the operational development associated with such uses does not damage the function of the Green Wedge: (a) Agriculture, including allotments and horticulture not accompanied by retail development (b) Recreation (c) Forestry (d) Footpaths, bridleways and cycleways (e) Burial grounds (f) Use for nature conservation Any land use or associated development in the Green Wedge should: (a) Retain the function of the Green Wedge (b) Retain and create green networks between the countryside and open spaces within the urban areas (c) Retain and enhance public access to the Green Wedge, especially for recreation and (d) Should retain the visual appearance of the area

Rothley Brook Meadow Green Wedge

Within the Rothley Brook Meadow Green Wedge uses will be encouraged that provide appropriate recreational facilities within easy reach of urban residents and promote the positive management of land to ensure that the Green Wedge remains or is enhanced as an attractive contribution to the quality of life of nearby urban residents. The following land uses will be acceptable in the Green Wedge, provided the operational development associated with such uses does not damage the function of the Green Wedge: (a) Agriculture, including allotments and horticulture not accompanied by retail development; (b) Recreation (c) Forestry (d) Footpaths, bridleways and cycleways (e) Burial grounds and (f) Use for nature conservation Any land use or associated development in the Green Wedge should: (a) Retain the function of the Green Wedge (b) Retain and create green networks between the countryside and open spaces within the urban areas (c) Retain and enhance public access to the Green Wedge, especially for recreation (d) Retain and enhance function as a floodplain and infiltration basin (e) Retain the visual appearance of the area

Development in Hinckley

To support Hinckley's role as a sub-regional centre the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 1120 new residential dwellings. In particular, the council will seek to diversify the existing housing stock in the town centre to cater for a range of house types and sizes as supported by Policy 15 and Policy 16 • Ensure there is a range of employment opportunities within Hinckley • Allocate land for the development of 6 ha for new office development (to provide 34,000 sqm of office space) within or adjoining the Hinckley Town Centre Area Action Plan boundary • Support the expansion of the creative industries job market, in particular through the redevelopment of the Atkins factory into a Creative Enterprise Centre. Further details are provided in the Hinckley Town Centre Area Action Plan • Support the development of approximately 21,100 sqm (net) of new comparison sector sales floorspace (13,100 sqm to 2021 and 8,000 sqm from 2021-2026), primarily located in a redeveloped Britannia Centre and on the bus station redevelopment site and the development of an additional 5,300 sqm (net) up to 2021 of convenience floorspace, primarily located on the bus station redevelopment site. Further details are provided in the Hinckley Town Centre Area Action Plan • Require the redevelopment of the railway station site to deliver a transport interchange and improved facilities at the Hinckley Railway Station. This will be delivered by the private sector as part of the redevelopment of the railway station site in partnership with Network Rail/train operating company. Further details are provided in the Hinckley Town Centre Area Action Plan • Support the provision of a new bus station plus efficient provision and management of town centre car parking and transport to reflect Hinckley's role as a sub regional centre. This will be delivered by the private sector as part of the redevelopment of the town centre. Further details are provided in the Hinckley Town Centre Area Action Plan • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 5 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 • Support the development of new leisure facilities and sporting hub on land off the A47 in the vicinity of Hinckley United Football Stadium supported by sustainable public transport links including enhanced walking and cycling connections from Barwell, Earl Shilton, Hinckley and Burbage To ensure development contributes to Hinckley's character and sense of place and that the town's infrastructure can accommodate the new development, the council will: • Support the extension of the existing Hinckley & Bosworth Community Hospital into a 'one stop health hub' to provide core community hospital services (inpatient beds, theatres, outpatient and diagnostic services) from one location linked by excellent public transport, walking and cycling routes from the Hinckley town centre, Barwell and Earl Shilton. This will be delivered by the Primary Care Trust • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Hinckley as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy, particularly in the south west and north east of Hinckley. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19 • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving Burbage Common and Woods, Hinckley Town Centre, Harrow Brook Corridor, Disused Railway Line (Nuneaton – Shenton Station), and Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton/Burbage Green Wedge will be implemented • Deliver safe, high quality cycling routes as detailed in Policy 5 with particular focus on the routes to Hinckley town centre and schools, existing and proposed residential and employment areas, community and leisure facilities, the Hinckley railway station and bus station and into the countryside to provide an alternative to car travel and encourage physical exercise • Expect development to respect Hinckley's industrial heritage through sympathetic reuse of existing buildings unless it can be demonstrated that this is not achievable • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Hinckley Conservation Areas by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development • Require new development to enhance the poor public realm within the town centre • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Rural Villages

To support the existing services in these villages the council will: • Support housing development within settlement boundaries that provides a mix of housing types and tenures as detailed in Policy 15 and Policy 16 • Support development that complies with the Policy 17: Local Needs • Support development enabling home working and other small scale employment uses within Rural Villages • Resist the loss of local shops and facilities in rural villages unless it is demonstrated that the business or facilities can no longer operate in a viable manner. Initiatives to establish local stores and facilities will be supported • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 14 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Rural Hamlets

In the Rural Hamlets, the council will: • Support housing development within settlement boundaries that provides for a mix of housing types and tenures as detailed in Policy 15 and Policy 16 • Support development that complies with the Policy 17: Local Needs • Support development enabling home working and other small scale employment uses within settlement boundaries • Resist the loss of local shops and facilities in rural hamlets unless it is demonstrated that the business or facilities can no longer operate in a viable manner. Initiatives to establish local stores and facilities will be supported • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving Shackerstone, Gopsall Park Multifunctional Route, River Sence Corridor Management and the Shackerstone to Ibstock Multifunctional Corridor will be implemented • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy in line with Policy 21 • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park in line with Policy 22 • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 14 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the relevant Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Affordable Housing

To support the provision of mixed, sustainable communities, a minimum of 2090 affordable homes will be provided in the borough from 2006 to 2026. At least 480 dwellings will contribute to this target in rural areas, including rural exception sites brought forward via Policy 17 Rural Needs. To achieve this target, the council will expect a proportion of affordable housing to be provided on eligible sites. The starting point for the level and target for affordable housing in the Borough is as follows: Location - Size - Affordable Housing on Site Target Urban (Hinckley, Barwell, Earl Shilton and Burbage but not Sustainable Urban Extensions) - 15 dwellings or more, or 0.5 ha or more - 20%* Sustainable Urban Extensions – Barwell and Earl Shilton - 15 dwellings or more, or 0.5 ha or more - 20%* Rural areas (all sites not in the above categories) - 4 dwellings or more, or 0.13 ha or more - 40%* * These targets are based on the assumption of nil grant; in cases where grant is available additionality will be sought in line with Homes and Communities Agency guidance. For all sites, the tenure split will be 75% social rented and 25% intermediate housing. The target will be monitored regularly and may be revised to reflect changes in the housing market and local circumstances. To ensure these figures remain current they will be updated through an Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document. These figures may be negotiated on a site by site basis taking into account: identified local need (based on Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council's housing register and any recent housing needs surveys if applicable), existing provision, characteristics of the site and viability. In areas where there is already a high proportion of affordable housing, the Council may agree to accept commuted sums in lieu of on-site affordable housing.

Housing Density, Mix and Design

The council requires a mix of housing types and tenures to be provided on all sites of 10 or more dwellings, taking into account the type of provision that is likely to be required, by utilising Table 3 (Profile of new housing needed to meet household type projections) as a starting point for housing mix, and the specific needs of each submarket informed by the most up to date Housing Market Assessment, Study Into Older Peoples Housing Needs and Aspirations and other local evidence, such as a housing needs survey or parish plan. All developments of 10 or more dwellings are required to meet a 'very good' rating (16 or more positive answers out of 20) against the Building for Life criteria, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not viable on the particular site. Proposals for new residential development will be required to meet a minimum net density of: • At least 40 dwellings per hectare within and adjoining Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton • At least 30 dwellings per hectare within and adjoining the Key Rural Centres, Rural Villages and Rural Hamlets In exceptional circumstances, where individual site characteristics dictate and are justified, a lower density may be acceptable.

Rural Needs

In Key Rural Centres, Rural Villages and Rural Hamlets, small scale developments that meet a 'local need' either through Local Choice or a Rural Exceptions Site for housing, employment or community facilities adjacent to the settlement boundary will be permitted provided that: • The 'local need' has been clearly identified in an up to date Needs Survey or Parish Plan, the format of which has been agreed by the borough council • The need cannot be met within the settlement boundary of the village • The development is of a scale and design which fully respects the character of the settlement concerned and the level of need identified • For a Rural Exceptions Site, the development will be small scale (usually 10 dwellings or less), and the development will be exclusively for the provision of affordable housing, either social rented or intermediate housing • A legal agreement is entered into to ensure that all housing provided will be for the exclusive occupation, in perpetuity, of people with a local connection and that any affordable housing provided as part of this policy is provided in perpetuity. No more than 80% share of any affordable housing will be permitted to be sold

Provision of Sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

The council will allocate land for 42 residential pitches (26 up to 2012, 16 from 2012 - 2017), capacity for up to 10 transit caravans that equates to 5 transit pitches (to 2012), and up to 3 showpeople family pitches (2 up to 2012, 1 from 2012 - 2017). Beyond 2017 to the end of the plan period there is an assumed on-going increase of 3% compound growth per annum for household formation for gypsies and travellers. For travelling showpeople a growth rate of 1.5% is assumed for the period 2017 - 2026. A Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment will be undertaken to confirm the need beyond 2017. Of these new pitches 6 should be socially rented, to be provided on one site and managed by an RSL. Planning permission for new gypsy and traveller sites will be granted providing the site is: • Within or adjacent to the settlement boundary of Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton or • Within or adjacent to the settlement boundary of any of the Key Rural Centres/Rural Villages or • Is located within a reasonable distance of local services and facilities including shops, GP's and schools, even if the site is not directly adjacent to the settlement boundary, and • Has safe highway access, provision for parking and servicing • Can be capable of sympathetic assimilation into the surroundings and • Is appropriate to the scale of the nearest settlement, its local services and infrastructure • Will not cause unacceptable nuisance to existing neighbours by virtue of noise and other disturbance caused by movement of vehicles to and from the site • Appropriate to provide a safe and healthy environment for residents Applications for new sites and refurbishment of existing sites must meet the design guidelines detailed in National Guidance (Designing Gypsy & Traveller Sites, Good Practice Guide).

Development in Earl Shilton

To support the regeneration of Earl Shilton, the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a mixed use Sustainable Urban Extension to the south of Earl Shilton including 2000 environmentally sustainable homes, 10 ha of employment, neighbourhood shops, a new primary school and children's centre, GP's, Neighbourhood Policing and green space provision. The employment allocations are to provide for industrial and warehousing developments. They should primarily support local employment opportunities, including starter and grow-on units, and should aim to achieve zero-carbon development. The community services will be provided in a 'community hub' with the primary school and children's centre at its heart. The feasibility of providing some or all of the energy needs of the Sustainable Urban Extension by sustainable on site power generation will be investigated and if viable, implemented as part of the development. The required facilities, land and buildings will be provided by the developer, in partnership with the relevant service providers through appropriate developer contributions and supported by relevant funding streams such as the New Growth Point Initiative. Detailed requirements for this Sustainable Urban Extension including boundaries, facilities to be provided, layout and design, will be set out in an Area Action Plan. All development must be in conformity with this Area Action Plan. No piecemeal developments will be permitted • Support development within Earl Shilton settlement boundary to deliver a minimum of 10 new residential dwellings. Seek to diversify existing housing stock to ensure an appropriate mix and type of housing is available to meet future needs as supported by Policy 15 and 16. A key aim in Earl Shilton is to encourage more young professionals and prospering households to move into and stay in the area • Ensure there is a range of employment opportunities within Earl Shilton • Support the regeneration of the Earl Shilton local centre including public realm improvements, the development of a focal civic space and the provision of additional retail floor space within the defined Earl Shilton local centre that does not compete with the Hinckley Town Centre as the sub regional centre • Support the development of new leisure facilities and sporting hub on land off the A47 in the vicinity of Hinckley United Football Stadium supported by sustainable public transport links including enhanced walking and cycling connections from Barwell, Earl Shilton, Hinckley and Burbage • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 5 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 To ensure development respects the character of Earl Shilton, builds on its sense of place and helps deliver the regeneration of the town the council will: • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Earl Shilton as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Deliver improvements in the quality of the William Bradford/Heathfield/Newlands indoor facilities and Weavers/Townlands outdoor facilities as detailed in the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving the Earl Shilton Urban Extension and the Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton/Burbage Green Wedge will be implemented • Deliver safe, high quality cycling routes as detailed in Policy 5 with particular focus on routes to Earl Shilton local centre and schools, existing and proposed residential and employment areas, community and leisure facilities, the Hinckley town centre and railway station and into the countryside to provide an alternative to car travel and encourage physical exercise • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Earl Shilton Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area • Expect development to respect Earl Shilton's industrial heritage through sympathetic reuse of existing buildings unless it can be demonstrated that this is not achievable • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Development in Barwell

To support the regeneration of Barwell the council will: • Support development within Barwell settlement boundary to deliver a minimum of 45 new residential dwellings within the settlement boundary of Barwell. The council will seek to diversify the existing housing stock to cater for a range of house types and sizes as supported by Policy 15 and 16. A key aim in Barwell is to encourage prospering households to move into and stay in the area • Allocate land for the development of a mixed use Sustainable Urban Extension to the west of Barwell including 2500 environmentally sustainable homes, 15 ha of employment, neighbourhood shops, a new primary school and children's centre, GP's, Neighbourhood Policing and green space provision. The employment allocations are to provide for industrial and warehousing developments. They should primarily support local employment opportunities, including starter and grow-on units, and should aim to achieve zero-carbon development. The community services will be provided, in a 'community hub', with the primary school and children's centre at its heart. The feasibility of providing some or all of the energy needs of the Sustainable Urban Extension by sustainable on site power generation will be investigated and if viable, implemented as part of the development. The required facilities, land and buildings will be provided by the developer through appropriate developer contributions and supported by relevant funding streams such as the New Growth Point Initiative. Detailed requirements for this Sustainable Urban Extension including boundaries, facilities to be provided, layout and design, will be set out in an Area Action Plan. All development must be in conformity with this Area Action Plan. No piecemeal developments will be permitted • Ensure there is a range of employment opportunities within Barwell • Support the regeneration of the Barwell local centre including public realm improvements, traffic calming measures and the provision of additional retail floorspace within the defined Barwell local centre that does not compete with the Hinckley Town Centre as the sub regional centre • Support the development of new leisure facilities and sporting hub on land off the A47 in the vicinity of Hinckley United Football Stadium supported by sustainable public transport links including enhanced walking and cycling connections from Barwell, Earl Shilton, Hinckley and Burbage • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 5 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 To ensure development respects the character of Barwell, builds on its sense of place and helps deliver the regeneration of the town the council will: • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality of green space and play provision in Barwell as detailed in the council's most up to date relevant strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19 • Redesign and rebuild Hinckley Rugby Football Club and Hinckley Town Cricket Club and Squash Club pavilion (indoor facilities) rebuild Hinckley Tennis Club Pavilion and improve all pitches on the Leicester Road Site. Improve Boston Way, Dovecote, Kirkby Road (outdoor facilities) as detailed in the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving the Barwell Sustainable Urban Extension and the Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton/Burbage Green Wedge will be implemented • Deliver safe, high quality cycling routes as detailed in Policy 5 with a particular focus on routes to Barwell local centre and schools, existing and proposed residential and employment areas, community and leisure facilities, the Hinckley town centre and railway station and into the countryside to provide an alternative to car travel and encourage physical exercise • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Barwell Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development • Expect development to respect Barwell's industrial heritage through sympathetic reuse of existing buildings unless it can be demonstrated that this is not achievable • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Development in Burbage

To address the small pockets of deprivation in Burbage, support the Burbage local centre and support Hinckley's role as a sub regional centre, the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 295 new residential dwellings, focused primarily to the north of Burbage, adjacent to the Hinckley settlement boundary to support the Hinckley sub regional centre. In particular, the council will seek to diversify the existing housing stock to cater for a range of house types as supported by Policy 15 and Policy 16 • Allocate land for the development of 10 ha of B8 employment land and 4 ha of B2 employment land adjacent to the railway line as an extension to Logix Park. A proportion of the B2 employment should be for start up businesses as supported by the Burbage Parish Plan • Ensure there is a range of employment opportunities within Burbage and in close proximity to Hinckley • Support the provision of additional retail floorspace within the defined Burbage local centre, and additional car parking to enable residents to shop close to home providing that the retail development does not compete with the Hinckley Town Centre as the sub regional centre • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 5 • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23 To ensure development contributes to Burbage's character and sense of place and that the village's infrastructure can accommodate the new development, the council will: • Safeguard land to develop extended GP surgery premises for the existing primary care providers in Burbage to be delivered by the PCT and through developer contributions • Protect and preserve the open landscape to the east which provides an important setting for the village and seek to enhance the landscape structure which separates the village from the M69 corridor as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Landscape Character Assessment • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Hinckley as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy, particularly in relation to new equipped play provision. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19 • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving the Sketchley Brook Corridor and Burbage Allotments will be implemented • Deliver safe, high quality cycling routes as detailed in Policy 5, with particular focus on routes to Burbage local centre and schools, existing and proposed residential and employment areas, community and leisure facilities, the Hinckley town centre, railway station and bus station and into the countryside to provide an alternative to car travel and encourage physical exercise • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Burbage Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24

Key Rural Centres

To support the Key Rural Centres and ensure they can provide key services to their rural hinterland, the council will: • Support housing development within settlement boundaries that provides a mix of housing types and tenures as detailed in Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support development under Policy 17: Local Needs. • Ensure there is a range of employment opportunities within the Key Rural Centres. To support this, the enhancement of allocated employment sites in the Key Rural Centres will be supported, as will the development of employment uses including home working within the settlement boundary. • Support new retail development to meet local need within defined local centre boundaries in the Key Rural Centres providing it will have no detrimental impact on the Hinckley town centre. • Resist the loss of local shops and facilities in Key Rural Centres unless it is demonstrated that the business or facilities can no longer operate in a viable manner. Initiatives to establish local stores and facilities will be supported. • Require transport improvements in line with Policy 14. • Support the development of the tourism industry in line with Policy 23. • Require development to be of the highest environmental standards in line with Policy 24.

Key Rural Centres Relating to Leicester

Desford To support the local services in Desford and ensure local people have access to a range of housing the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 110 new homes. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Desford taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Desford as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Deliver improvements in the quality of Sport in Desford, including the purchase of extra land to develop the facilities and outdoor pitches across Desford Parish as detailed in the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. • Deliver safe cycle routes, as detailed in Policy 14 with particular focus on the routes from Desford to Sport in Desford and Bosworth College and to local employment at Caterpillar, Peckleton Common and Timkens. • Deliver the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, strategic interventions involving Tourism Support and the Ratby to Desford Multifunctional Corridor will be implemented. • Support traffic management measures and additional car parking to encourage people to shop locally, improve Desford village centre and create a true centre for the village as supported by the Desford Parish Plan. • Safeguard land for the development of a new passenger railway station and associated car parking on the site of the former station yard at Desford in case the National Forest line is re-opened to passenger facilities. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Desford Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development. Groby To support the local services in Groby and ensure local people have access to a range of housing the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 110 new homes. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Groby, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Support the improvement of the GP facilities in Groby to provide for the increase in population, to be delivered by the PCT and developer contributions. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Groby as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy, particularly in relation to equipped play space. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Deliver improvements to the quality of the following facilities; Groby Village Hall, Groby Community College, Groby County Council all weather pitches and Marine Drive as supported by Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular to Groby Community College, from residential areas to the industrial estate and the local centre, connecting Lena Drive area with the main village and connecting Groby to Ratby, Markfield and Glenfield. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Groby will be required: Tourism Support (promotion of Groby as a 'gateway village' to the National Forest); Transport Corridor Mitigation Measures; and Markfield to Groby Public Access. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy in line with Policy 21. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park in line with Policy 22. • Support measures to reduce the noise and air pollution currently experienced by the village due to its proximity to the M1, A50 and A46. • Work with existing businesses to seek a reduction in on-street employee parking in the centre of the village. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Groby Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development. Ratby To support the local services in Ratby and ensure local people have access to a range of housing the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 75 new homes. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Ratby, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Support the improvement of the GP facilities in Ratby to provide for the increase in population, to be delivered by the PCT and developer contributions. Work with the PCT to expand the range of services available in the village including a dentist and optician as supported by the Ratby Parish Plan. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Ratby as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Deliver improvements to the quality of Ferndale Park Outdoor Facilities as supported by Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural facilities audit. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular from Ratby to Groby Community College, into Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe and to Timkens employment site. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Ratby will be required: Ratby to Desford Multifunctional Corridor; Tourism Support (promotion of Ratby as a 'gateway village' to the National Forest); Transport Corridor Disturbance Mitigation; and the Rothley Brook Corridor Management. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy in line with Policy 21. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park in line with Policy 22. • Support improvements to the existing community centres (Ratby Village Hall, Ratby Parish Church and Ratby Methodist Church) or development of a new designated community centre incorporating additional car parking within the village. • Support measures to reduce the noise and air pollution currently experienced by the village due to its proximity to the M1. • Support measures to direct through traffic away from Ratby Village by for example, improved signage, as supported by the Ratby Parish Plan. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Ratby Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development. Markfield To support the local services in Markfield and ensure local people have access to a range of housing the council will: • Allocate land for the development of a minimum of 80 new homes. Developers will be required to demonstrate that the number, type and mix of housing proposed will meet the needs of Markfield, taking into account the latest Housing Market Assessment and local housing needs surveys where they exist in line with Policy 15 and Policy 16. • Support additional employment provision to meet local needs in line with Policy 7. • Address the existing deficiencies in the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space and play provision in Markfield as detailed in the council's most up to date strategy and the Play Strategy. New green space and play provision will be provided where necessary to meet the standards set out in Policy 19. • Implement the strategic green infrastructure network detailed in Policy 20. To achieve this, the following strategic interventions relating to Markfield will be required: Tourism Support, Transport Corridor Disturbance Mitigation and Markfield to Groby Public Access. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy in line with Policy 21. • Deliver safe cycle routes as detailed in Policy 14, in particular from Markfield to South Charnwood High School and between Markfield and Bardon Industrial Estate. • Protect open space linkages to the west which are of importance to the context of the village as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Landscape Character Assessment. • Support the expansion of the local supermarket to provide more choice for local people, including an increase in car parking. • Support the attraction of knowledge based services to support the Markfield Institute of Higher Education which is linked to Loughborough University. • Support improvement in the quality of the following facilities: Markfield Community and Sports Centre and Mayflower Close and Alter Stones outdoor facilities as supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Cultural Facilities Audit. • Support proposals that contribute to the delivery of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park in line with Policy 22. • Support measures to reduce the noise and air pollution currently experienced by the village due to its proximity to the M1. • Require new development to respect the character and appearance of the Markfield Conservation Area by incorporating locally distinctive features of the conservation area into the development.

Tourism Development

Tourism development for new and extended visitor attractions including major facilities (e.g. Twycross Zoo, Bosworth Battlefield, Mallory Park) and holiday accommodation including bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday lodges, and tenting fields will be encouraged in suitable locations where: • The development can help to support existing local community services and facilities and • Is of a design and at a scale which is appropriate to minimise impact and assimilate well with the character of the surrounding area with acceptable landscaping and • The development adds to Hinckley & Bosworth's local distinctiveness and • Complements the tourism themes of the borough and • The development adds to the economic wellbeing of the area

Rural Areas: Transport

To support accessibility within the rural areas, the council will: • Support the safeguarding of the route of the National Forest line and stations at Desford and Bagworth, in case, in the longer term a cost effective passenger service reinstatement on that line may be achievable • Support the delivery of a viable, high quality public transport network between the Key Rural Centres and their nearest urban centre and between the Rural Villages and their nearest Key Rural Centre or urban centre • Support the provision of accessible transport services for mobility impaired and rurally isolated residents • Support further development of quality and reach of accessible transport services, including expansion of Shop Mobility • Support the continuation of the Leicestershire hourly services network (this network provides access within 800 metres to a service of at least hourly daytime frequency for 95% of Leicestershire people) and improving access at other times of the day • Support the continuation of demand responsive transport networks (for example, shared taxi services, community minibuses and rural dial a ride) to the following villages and hamlets that are not covered by the hourly services network: Kirkby Mallory, Peckleton, Shackerstone, Congerstone, parts of Carlton, Sutton Cheney, Shenton, Kirkby Grange and Botcheston • Deliver safe cycle paths as detailed in the Hinckley & Bosworth Council's Rural Parishes Cycling Network Plan. This will deliver safe routes to school, to residential and employment areas, Key Rural Centres/urban areas, community and leisure facilities and into the countryside Developers will be required to contribute towards these initiatives through developer contributions and/or land where they meet the tests set out in national guidance. New development that would prejudice their implementation will not be permitted.

Transport Infrastructure in the Sub-regional Centre

The following transport interventions (as detailed in the Hinckley Core Strategy Transport Review 2007) are proposed to support the additional development in and around the Hinckley sub-regional centre, particularly the urban extensions at Barwell and Earl Shilton, to promote sustainable development within the area: • Improvements to the A47/A5 'The Long Shoot' junction to provide for additional public transport priority measures • Links to existing urban area for buses (particularly the railway station), walking, cycling, and local traffic. Cycle routes to be implemented are identified in the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council's Hinckley Cycle Network Plan. Priority will be given to those strategic routes which connect the Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton urban areas • Improvements to the A47 (Hinckley Northern Perimeter Road and Earl Shilton by-pass) and A447 to facilitate improved public transport movement along those corridors • New public transport linkages from proposed developments to Barwell and Earl Shilton, and improved public transport linkages between Barwell, Earl Shilton, Hinckley town centre and Hinckley Northern Perimeter Road employment areas • New pedestrian and cycle linkages from proposed developments into Barwell and Earl Shilton • Traffic calming measures in Barwell and Earl Shilton, e.g. along the Common and routes through Earl Shilton/Barwell • Improvements to the provision and management of car parking and public transport to support the increased use of Hinckley town centre Developers will be required to contribute towards the implementation of these initiatives through developer contributions where they meet the tests set out in national guidance. New development that would prejudice their implementation will not be permitted. In addition, to the measures identified above, the council will: • Support the use of the canal system for cyclists, walkers and other leisure uses. Where appropriate, developers will be expected to provide developer contributions to improve path surfacing • Support canal freight loading and unloading points along the Ashby Canal to encourage the use of canal based transport for business • Support the reopening of the Elmesthorpe passenger railway station to serve Earl Shilton and Barwell