Below are the details of all consultations carried out by Charnwood Borough Council throughout 2023.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) consultation

We are developing a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy for the Council which will set our broad aims and ambitions for the future. The strategy will consider the views of various stakeholders and we very much want your input.

The Council develops an EDI Strategy every four years, and it means we can align our operations to make sure we achieve our goals. The strategy is very much about the Council, its employees, its Members and our residents. It's about setting the Council's priorities - based on multiple sources of information and consultation - and defining a broad direction of travel. It's not a detailed plan - it's a strategy to make clear our broad objectives. The strategy will be underpinned by a detailed action plan which will set out clear actions about how we achieve our objectives.

Read our current Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy for 2020-24

We asked for your views on what the organisation’s priorities should be, to help us shape the new strategy.

The consultation closed on Friday December 8, 2023.

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Loughborough Town Centre

As part of our work to reduce antisocial behaviour and alcohol misuse in Loughborough we have a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the town centre.

The PSPO gives the police powers to ask you to stop drinking in town centre streets, or to confiscate alcohol, if you are causing a nuisance or acting in an antisocial way. They can also use these powers if they think you are likely to do this after drinking.

PSPOs must be reviewed every three years, the existing town centre order expires in October 2023.

As part of our review of the order we want to hear the views of residents and businesses.

An online consultation took place until Thursday September 7, 2023 for people who live or work in Loughborough to have their say.

The consultation is now complete and the PSPO has been approved for renewal

An extended PSPO has now been introduced and will run until October 2026.

Benchmarking Review in Shepshed town centre

The Council has commissioned People and Places Insight Limited to undertake a Benchmarking Review in Shepshed town centre.

The company will be gathering a range of information to enable the Council to have a better understanding of the town centre, its strengths and weaknesses and priorities for future regeneration initiatives in the town centre and attract future funding for the town centre.

To assist us and hear your thoughts, we would like contributions to an online Town Centre Users Survey.

This survey closed on Sunday July 30, 2023.

The survey sought views on the current trading conditions in Shepshed town centre and get a clearer understanding of where customers travel from to visit the town centre. The information from this survey will help focus future town centre regeneration initiatives on building on existing strengths and addressing any specific issues identified.

Victoria Street Resident Consultation

Following a site visit to Victoria Street and conversations with residents, Landlord Services at the Council are considering some improvements which are detailed in the consultation document below.

In order to consider the various options available to us we have written to tenants and leaseholders who use these facilities to obtain their views.

The consultation document which should take five minutes to complete and will provide us with ideas as to what tenants and leaseholders see as a long-term solution can be found below.

Tenants and leaseholders who live on Victoria Street had until July 14, 2023 to complete and return the questionnaire using the pre-paid envelope provided.

A copy of the letter that has been sent to Victoria Street tenants can be found below:

Improving facilities on the Bell Foundry Estate

The Council is looking to improve the facilities on the green space adjacent to Cobden Primary School on the Bell Foundry estate.

The play facilities already located on the green space are very popular. The facilities were expanded in 2020. However further improvements are needed to meet local demand. This also supports the Council’s own research which has identified the shortness of recreational provision in the area for all age groups.

You can provide feedback on the proposals outlined on this web page and completing the short online survey. Your views will help determine whether there is support for the proposals and if the two areas are suitable for exercise equipment.

The consultation closed on Tuesday June 27.

Consultation on new guidance document for planning applications

We held a consultation about proposals on a new guidance document for planning applications.

When planning applications are submitted, there is certain information which needs to be included so the applications can be considered valid and then be processed.

Some requirements are set nationally, but they are quite limited. We are introducing a guidance document setting out some local requirements to help us fully assess applications. The aim is to make the planning application process smoother, more efficient and avoid any unnecessary delays to the planning process. We want to make sure applicants clearly understand what is required when submitting applications.

The proposed Local Validation Requirements are set out in this document.

The document sets out what is required, when this is required, an explanation of what exactly is required, and why this is a requirement.

This is based on the requirements of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015, as well as the most up to date planning guidance and local planning policies.

Below is a summary of the Local Validation Requirements document:

  • Part 1 of the document introduces the local validation requirements.
  • Part 2 explains how to use the guide as an applicant/agent.
  • Part 3 sets out how the Local Planning Authority will use the guide.
  • Part 4 of this document gives direction on how to apply for planning permission.
  • Part 5 sets out the national requirements to make a planning application valid, these are unchanged and set by The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015.
  • Part 6 sets out the requirements for householder planning applications, which forms the majority of applications received. This introduces additional requirements to ensure that a full assessment can be made.
  • Part 7 sets out the requirements for all other development, excluding householders and residential development.
  • Part 8 sets out what is required for specific types of application and runs through these on a case-by-case basis.
  • Part 9 sets out what is required on applications for residential development, including both minor and major applications.
  • Part 10 sets out that is required on applications for non-residential development.
  • Part 11 sets out what needs to be provided for development affecting heritage assets. This can include works within a conservation area, locally listed buildings, and listed buildings.   
  • Part 12 sets out all other requirements that may be required depending on the nature of the proposed development.
  • Included within the Appendix is a table indicating which part of the guidance may be applicable to your application.

The Local Validation Requirements will be kept under review to ensure compliance with current planning policies and guidance. This would be at least every two years.

Below is a link to view and make comments on the Local Validation Requirements document:

Please send your comments to Local.list@charnwood.gov.uk.

The consultation opened on Friday March 24 and closed on Friday May 19, 2023.

Draft Climate Change Strategy 2023-30 Consultation

The draft Climate Change Strategy 2023-30 sets out the Council’s approach to helping to tackle climate change.

There is a summary of the strategy and a link to the full document and action plan on the webpage below.

The consultation closed at 11.59pm on Monday, March 6, 2023.

Have your say on the Draft Climate Change Strategy 2023-30

Last updated: Mon 11th December, 2023 @ 10:14