Consultations

Harborough District Council is running a consultation on a proposed environmental services (waste and recycling) depot at Welham Lane, Great Bowden, LE16 7FN.

We welcome feedback on the proposal from residents and businesses. The consultation will be open for 21 days from 20 March 2026 to 10 April 2026.

In 2025, the council acquired land at Welham Lane, Great Bowden. Some of that land will be used for rewilding, some is already used for the operation of the council’s environmental services, and some is adjacent land that offers an opportunity for development that would enable the council to operate these services from its own independent depot (rather than leased facilities). This will enable the council to ensure that we can operate a service for the foreseeable future.

It is important to note that, although the site is used operationally for the delivery of our waste and recycling services, this proposal does not include any plans for the transfer of waste through the site.

The key areas included in the proposed plan are offices and welfare facilities for staff, parking, storage and vehicle maintenance.

The council has declared a Climate Emergency and is exploring ways to make the site environmentally sustainable. The council has also undertaken environmental and ecological surveys of the site. As part of a planning application, further information is being developed, including: Ecological Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain Metrics and Assessment, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Noise Impact Assessment and Air Quality, Odour and Dust Assessment.

Please note that should a planning application be submitted, Leicestershire County Council’s Planning Team would also engage in public consultation on the application, as part of their review process.

You may find it helpful to review the following information before you respond to the consultation survey:

• Site Location Plan
• Proposed Site Plan
• Existing Site Elevations
• Proposed Site Elevations
• 3D Models of Proposal

Respond to the consultation by completing our online survey by 10 April 2026.

Staff at the concierge desk at The Symington Building can assist people without access to the internet in accessing the information and having their say, during the consultation.

The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AG.

Open – Mon to Thurs: 9:00am - 8pm. Fri: 9:00am – 6.30pm.