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Get the latest updates from the Council: waste collections updates, weather warnings, community funds, grants for businesses and residents, Council meeting papers.

Local Plan Hearing Sessions - Stage 2

Stage 2 of the Local Plan examination commences on Tuesday 10th November 2026.

The Government Planning Inspectorate lead the Examination and control the timetable and arrangements around the Local Plan Hearing Sessions.

The hearing sessions will be live streamed in real time and the link for each day, along with the hearing sessions timetable, can be found here. The hearing sessions are not recorded for watching at a later date. No further representations are invited by the Planning Inspectorate at this stage, and the hearing sessions will not include an opportunity for speakers - except for those people who have been specifically invited by the Planning Inspectors via the Programme Officer. The timetable is subject to change by the Planning Inspectors and regular checking for the latest version is recommended. 

For more information about the Local Plan please visit Local Plan Examination | Harborough District Council

 

Planning rules have changed

New national rules have changed how planning applications are determined across England.

The national scheme of delegation sets out which applications must be decided by planning officers and when an application may be considered by a planning committee. Smaller proposals, including extensions, developments of up to nine homes and minor commercial developments, will be determined by planning officers.

Other applications, including major developments and proposals involving listed buildings, will only go before a planning committee when they meet specific national tests.

The reforms also remove councillors’ ability to formally ‘call in’ applications, although councillors, residents and communities are still able to comment on proposals and raise local planning issues. In Harborough District, councillors may also request that  ‘Schedule 2’ planning applications (which are usually larger, strategic or more sensitive applications) are referred to planning committee.

 

Local Government Reorganisation update

The Government has provided an update on its review of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decisions in a number of areas across the country.

While decisions have been announced to progress for some areas, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been advised the Government has withdrawn its July 2026 decision to create two new unitary councils by April 2028, one covering a larger city and another for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Government remains committed to the LGR process and have set out that further LGR decisions will be forthcoming.

 

Government’s announcement about £100 energy payments

We are aware of the government’s announcement in the Autumn Budget that households in council tax bands A-D will receive a £100 payment to help with energy bills, but we have not yet received guidance on how the scheme will be administered.

There is no need to contact us about these payments as we are not able to provide any further details at this stage. We will share further information on our website as soon as guidance becomes available.

In the meantime, please be cautious about unexpected texts, emails or social media messages asking you to apply for the payment, provide personal or bank details, or pay a fee as it could be a scam.

 

Woodway Lane, Claybrooke Parva Injunction

Please be advised that a legally binding court order/injunction has been issued. You can review the linked documents, find full details and compliance requirements on our page by following the link below:

 

Renovation works at The Symington Building

The Symington Building, in Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, will remain open to the public as normal while a programme of renovation works is carried out, starting on Monday 9 June 2025.

For more information please visit:

 

Temporary closure of some EV Charging Points for upgrades

Five EV chargers at The Commons car park in Market Harborough are currently unavailable and will be upgraded with new chargers later this year. Thank you for your understanding - we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Alternative chargers are available in Market Harborough at Angel Street, Doddridge Road and St Mary’s West car park.

Newly installed 22kW electric vehicle chargers are now operational in Station Road, Lutterworth, Orchard Road, Broughton Astley, School Road, Kibworth, North Memorial Hall, Main Street, Tugby and Allerton Project Visitor Centre, Loddington.