WHETSTONE STEPS UP ITS FIGHT AGAINST LOSING PART OF A MUCH-LOVED GREEN OPEN SPACE TO HOUSING
Whetstone Parish Council (WPC) is continuing its fight against a planned development on part of Trinity Road Park, which sits in the heart of the old village. East Midlands Homes (EMH) has applied for permission to build 8 dwellings on part of the park that sits alongside the Grade 1 listed St. Peters Church.
When this matter came to light last year, the Parish Council spent pubic money in getting professional advice for land values, but on the advice given, made an offer to Blaby District Council (BDC), the site owner, for £1, the nominal value attached to any area of public open space. This was not accepted at the time as it was not seen as public open space.
At a recent Parish Council meeting, it was agreed to make an enhanced offer to BDC, having commissioned their own RICS valuation of the land as potential building land, which places its value at £137,500, as it currently stands, without planning permission.
This offer retains the green space within Whetstone whilst allowing BDC to realise a realistic monetary value for the site which is deemed surplus to the District Council’s requirements. It is the Parish Council’s intention that the property will remain a green space available for use by the community in perpetuity.
The Parish Council are aware of the obligation upon the District Council to deliver affordable housing within Blaby District, but know that Whetstone has already provided more affordable homes than required and that the brown field sites within the village are currently being developed with 127 affordable dwellings under construction.
The Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Mark Jackson has again asked for the help and support of the village. “Once again, the Parish Council are stepping up the fight with an offer of real cash to Blaby District Council. This is a win-win situation for both the District Council, who maximise a revenue stream for land they no longer require and for the Parish Council, who can secure the “heart of the old village” for generations to come. We know that the village of Whetstone is supporting its Parish Council”
Contact: Mark Jackson – Vice Chairman
WWW.WHETSTONEPARISHCOUNCIL.GOV.UK
Trinity Road Park banners placed on Trinity Road Park railings
