Invitation to have your say on the draft local plan for the Harborough District

The draft local plan sets out Harborough District Council’s vision to support new homes, workspaces, and community facilities while preserving the Harborough’s District rural character and rich heritage. 
Development in Market Harborough and near Leicester and Oadby in particular will provide a mix of housing to suit different needs and requirements, job opportunities, improved healthcare, education and recreation services. The district’s unique market towns and expanded employment hubs in Lutterworth, Market Harborough and near Oadby will boost the economy, with Magna Park continuing to develop as a key logistics hub. The plan aims to create well-designed communities where families can live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. 

A new system for local plans is expected to be introduced by the government which may delay our plan-making. By acting now, the council is taking control to ensure that growth happens in ways and places that work for the Harborough District. If the council does not prepare a new local plan now, it will need to plan for an additional 2,000 homes than is currently the case because the government has increased national housing targets and at a further cost estimated at over £2million.  

In-person events will take place in locations across the district where residents will have the chance to ask questions about the draft plan and the plan-making process.

Planning officers will be on hand to guide people through the process of making their representations but will not be able to record any views expressed at the drop-in events themselves.

Locations, dates and times of the in-person events are as follows: 

Council approved the draft local plan for public consultation on Monday 3 March 2025. No decisions on the draft local plan have been made and the council welcomes feedback from residents.

People can read the full draft local plan and share their feedback at: www.harborough.gov.uk/localplan
 
Residents and businesses can contact the planning team by email planningpolicy@harborough.gov.uk or telephone 01858 821160 if they have any questions. People can also contact the council on this number if they do not have access to the internet to read the plan or require the information in an alternative format or language.

The consultation will run until 9am on Tuesday 6 May 2025.