Agenda item

OWBC Local Plan

OWBC housing number has changed from 240 to 389 which must be reflected in the Borough’s local plan. The plan was to be resubmitted for OWBC due to this change. A resident queried what would happen if the Council does not have the land or infrastructure, or developers, available to meet the government targets. The Council is currently assessing if the Borough can meet this need. If the land supply isn’t available other areas will pick up the shortfall. Residents queried if the housing planning will include schools; this was confirmed as yes.

Development Control Committee – Padel Courts, Washbrook Lane

The application is scheduled for the 26 February 2026 meeting. We have speaking rights but best for him to discuss with the committee clerks how these are exercised. Cllr. Haq noted that this may now be March 2026 due to the Lead Planning Officer falling unwell. The Planning Portal will be updated when the application moves forward. A resident noted that he and his wife submitted objections to this plan which never appeared on the website. Cllr. Haq noted that objections are collated into figures, and if multiple objections are received that are similar they are summarised on the application rather than appearing individually. Another resident noted that they are concerned that objections, or letters of support, are being summarised. It was confirmed that all objections are read individually and logged, and that summaries are presented in reports for brevity. The clearance of waste on the site was also raised and Cllr. Ridley updated that officers had visited the site and found nothing buried under the surface when tested – residents are surprised by this as they witnessed materials being buried and provided photographs.

Brocks Hill Toilet Signage

Cllr. Kaufman and a resident both raised this as Jennos are providing public toilets. Cllr. Kaufman will pursue this with relevant Council Officers as it is still believed the toilets should be signposted.

School Parking Issues – Ridge Way, Oadby

LCC operates a camera vehicle which does act as a deterrent, and local Police officers do attend the school as often as possible in relation to other duties and parking issues at other schools. A resident queried the CCTV camera on the Ridge Way and confirmed that it is owned by OWBC and accessible by the Police.

Overgrown and Poorly Maintained Pathways – Hunters Way, Oadby

This was raised in advance of the Forum via email. Privately owned hedges growing into the highway are enforced by LCC Highways. There is an online reporting form for this that can be found via https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/road-maintenance/report-a-road-problem.

Rain Gardens – T Lester

T Lester spoke on the proposed Rain Gardens project for the Parade discussed in October’s meeting of the Forum. The Pride of the Borough Group met with T Lester before Christmas to discuss this, and made introductions to the Washbrook Wombles. Meeting with these groups reinforced the public desire to see green spaces improved and maintained in the Borough. The Council’s Planning Team had confirmed that it does not have capacity to meet to discuss this proposal, due to work on the new Local Plan, but Members are still keen to meet with T Lester to maintain momentum. A short presentation was provided to M Smith by T Lester which will be included in the Minutes of this meeting. The rain garden proposal will also positively impact the on-street parking issues previously raised in the meeting, and create a green pathway connecting the Botanical Gardens through to Brocks Hill. Maintenance of the gardens would need to be planned for within the project proposal, and that even a ‘do nothing’ approach is not cost free or cost neutral – the area proposed for these installations are not designed to have 2-tonne vehicles parked upon them which will start to cause damage to the surfaces and infrastructure – a rain garden preventing parking would alleviate this. The community groups spoken to are enthusiastic, and funding streams are available to be explored including Severn Trent. If the vision for the Parade is that car users take priority then honesty would be appreciated, but it is hoped the vision on offer provides more pride, public safety, and climate resilience. The Chair asked if a Town Council can be included on the Agenda for the next meeting of this Forum – Cllr. Haq noted that this may not be possible based on guidance from Central Government, but that an ‘Area Committee’ may be possible. Cllr. Haq spoke of the Town Centre Manager and their focus across all three town centres, and a desire to see a balance between cars and pedestrians in the town centres. Cllr. Haq is also happy to join any meeting with T Lester to look at a ‘legacy’ for Oadby & Wigston. M Griffiths introduced himself to residents as an Alderman of the Borough, and highlighted his frustration at the lack of a meeting having taken place to date – the Chair provided a brief explanation of why there have been delays in a meeting being arranged, with illness and officer and Member availability both factoring.

Road Safety on Wigston Road

Residents raised a fatal collision on Wigston Road two years ago; this was raised at the time as a road safety concern and advice was given that until an investigation and court outcome was complete no changes to the road could take place. This has now occurred and local residents have now put forward a request to meet with local and county councillors to now discuss low-cost options to improve the road safety in this area. Part of this proposal would be a 20mph speed limit through Oadby Town Centre. Where the road passes St George’s Nursery there are serious concerns with the speed of passing vehicles. Initial support has been indicated by local PCSOs and the MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston. Previous discussions regarding this proposed the removal of the bus shelter on Wigston Road to improve sight-lines – officers previously highlighted a need for the outcome of any investigation to be known before the decision to remove a bus shelter is made. The outcome should now be available and Members will chase this with relevant officers in the Council, with the item to be raised at the next meeting of this Forum. Residents also highlighted another incident on Fairstone Hill where a member of the public was injured. With a large housing development straddling the Oadby / Harborough border traffic issues are only going to increase. Another resident highlighted that these incidents highlight a need for better public transport in the area to reduce the number of cars on the road, or for the number of 30-minute free spaces in our car parks to be increased.

Car Parking behind M&S

A resident queried where the funds from this car park end up. It was confirmed that the funds are received by OWBC, and that the pot holes that have been raised as a concern are on a section of the car park owned by Lynn House.