Environment and Sustainability

Harborough District is known for its countryside. It also needs to plan for carbon emissions, flooding and the quality of local places.

A high-quality natural environment

Harborough District has farms, villages, rivers, hedges and woodland. These shape the area and support wildlife, leisure and rural jobs.

Woodland covers about 4.2% of the district, compared with about 10% in England. Protecting trees and supporting nature recovery are therefore important as the district grows.

Carbon emissions and transport

In 2022, local carbon dioxide emissions were 4.1 tonnes per person in Harborough District. This compared with 4.3 tonnes in Leicestershire, 4.3 tonnes in the East Midlands and 3.6 tonnes in England.

Transport accounted for 39% of local carbon dioxide emissions. This matters in a large rural district where many people rely on cars to reach work, school, shops and services.

What this means

• Better buses, rail links, walking and cycling can help people travel.

• These changes can also help cut emissions.

Energy-efficient homes

Energy-efficient homes can be cheaper to heat and produce fewer carbon emissions. In March 2025, 61.3% of homes in Harborough District with a valid Energy Performance Certificate were rated Band C or above. This compared with 51.8% in the East Midlands and 53.3% in England.

Recycling and waste

In 2024/25, 43.4% of household waste in Harborough District was sent for reuse, recycling or composting. This compared with 44.8% across Leicestershire and about 42.0% in England.

Flood risk and climate resilience

Flooding is an important risk in Harborough District. The main risks come from rivers and surface water. Surface water can affect places including Lutterworth, Market Harborough and Broughton Astley. River flooding can affect places near the Welland, Swift, Jordan and Sence.

New development needs to take account of flood risk, drainage, wildlife and climate change.

Environmental quality

In 2024/25, Defra recorded 400 fly-tipping incidents in Harborough District. The chart below compares the local rate with England.

Fly-tipping incidents were lower in Harborough District than the England average in 2024/25