Your Questions Answered

Would the proposal impact on important ecological interests?

Loughborough Big Meadow is a nationally designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the north-east of the town. The development proposal would not impact directly on Loughborough Big Meadow – no new roads are proposed that would cut across this area. Through sensitive design of the proposed Eastern Distributor Road from the A60 to Epinal Way, any impact on ecological interests within the wider river valley can be minimised. On the proposed development site itself, existing ecological interest is limited. Davidsons is working closely with the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust to ensure that the proposed new riverside park and nature reserve will provide significant ecological enhancement.

How would the proposal affect areas of historic importance?

The Medieval Village of Cotes lies to the south of the site and Prestwold Hall Historic Park and Garden to the east. At its closest, the development would be some 800 metres (0.5 miles) from Prestwold Hall Historic Park and Garden. The proposal would not have any direct impact on the Historic Park – no new roads or other development are proposed through or in close proximity to the Historic Park. The masterplan includes a strongly landscaped eastern edge to the development to ensure that the proposal does not have a damaging impact on Prestwold Historic Park and Garden or its setting.

The masterplan ensures that there is no built development close to Cotes Medieval Village. Land around the Medieval Village will form part of the proposed riverside park and nature reserve.

How will the proposal safeguard the identities of existing settlements?

The proposal avoids any loss of existing areas of Green Wedge separating the larger communities of Shepshed, Hathern and Quorn from Loughborough. There will be an impact on Cotes village; however, through careful location of key areas of open space and landscape corridors, the masterplan aims to ensure that Cotes retains a separate physical identity. The proposals will also provide traffic relief for Cotes village through a re-aligned A60.

What are the implications for flood risk?

The site of the proposed Sustainable Urban Extension lies outside the floodplain of the River Soar and is not at risk from flooding. The development would make use of the existing highway network including the A60 Nottingham Road and Meadow Lane. The proposed Eastern Distributor Road will need to be located in the floodplain. The County Council in its role as Highway Authority has identified this road as a critical piece of new transport infrastructure necessary to support the future growth of the town, wherever new development is located. This essential transport infrastructure has to be located in the floodplain, as alternative routes to the west or south would not provide the same benefits. The detailed design of the road will need to ensure that it is safe and does not increase flood risk.

How will the proposal integrate with the town and benefit existing residents?

Of all of the alternative locations for growth around Loughborough, the proposed development East of Loughborough is the closest to the town centre, the railway station and existing employment areas off Derby Road. The scale of development proposed will mean that the Sustainable Urban Extension will support new high quality bus services to link the site to the town centre.

As part of the development, new community facilities will be provided, including primary and secondary schools and new areas of public open space. The proposed riverside park and nature reserve will be easily accessible from the SUE and to residents in east Loughborough. New cycleways and footpaths will link the SUE to the town.

For east Loughborough residents, new facilities and areas of public open space will be more accessible than the existing facilities available in the town.

For those communities in east Loughborough in greatest need, who would benefit from better access to educational opportunities, affordable homes and jobs, the new facilities provided by an SUE East of Loughborough would be more accessible than other options. In assisting with the provision of new transport infrastructure, the proposal would provide direct benefits for east Loughborough through the reduction of traffic in the area.

What makes an eastern growth option for Loughborough the most sustainable solution?

As the largest County Town in Leicestershire, Loughborough has a vital role to play in supporting economic prosperity in the area. To do this, it will need to make provision for new homes and jobs. But the town is constrained by the Charnwood Forest to the south, important areas of open land separating the town from nearby Shepshed, Hathern and Quorn to the west, north and south, and the floodplain of the River Soar to the east.

Since the 1970s, there has been discussion over the best long-term solution to accommodate growth sustainably. Leicestershire County Council in its role as Highway Authority for the area has used a detailed traffic model to assess the implications of alternative growth options. It concludes that to support future growth of the town, a package of transport measures including an Eastern Distributor Road would provide the most benefits for the town.

The East of Loughborough SUE will deliver a substantial portion of the Eastern Distributor Road, along with a package of other transport improvements. It offers a long-term sustainable solution for future growth that will provide new homes, jobs, recreation and community facilities.