Local News

Mowsley Summer Charity Festival - 21 & 22 June 2008

The Mowsley Festival Weekend takes place on Saturday & Sunday 21st & 22nd June. There will be open gardens, flower displays in the church, an art exhibition, plant sales, refreshments, bric-a-brac etc.

Please support the event by coming along. Proceeds to charity.

More details will be posted on the Mowsley Village Website.

Harborough Planning Committe Refuses Canal Marina - 10 June 2008

The Harborough District Planning Committee tonight endorsed by majority vote a planning officer's decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed marina development on land at Lodge Farm, Mowsley Road, Theddingworth.

Refusal was recommended on three main points (extracted from the planning meeting agendum pack):

1. The proposed development, by reason of its nature, size and scale, combined with its isolated location away from settlements, established moorings and existing popular destinations, and with poor transport links, would be an unsustainable insertion into the open countryside detrimental to its character and appearance contrary to Policy 25 of RSS8 and Policies EV/4, EV/5 and LR/9 of Harborough District Local Plan and the aims and objectives of PPS7, PPG13 and the Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism.

2. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the local road is of a suitable design and width to cater for the additional traffic that would be generated; and the proposal, if permitted, would lead to an undesirable intensification of vehicular traffic on local roads that are of poor standard in their width, alignment and construction. This would not be in the interests of the highway and the safety of road users. The proposal is therefore contrary to Local Plan policies IN/1, TR/3 and EV/5 and the aims and objectives of PPG13 and the Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism.

3. The applicant has failed to submit a Flood Risk Assessment and to demonstrate that the development would not present a significant flood risk from the generation of surface water run off contrary to the requirements of PPS25 Development and Flood Risk.

66 letters of objection had been received by Harborough, including 22 from Mowsley, 14 from Theddingworth and 11 from Laughton. The Parish Councils of Mowsley, Theddingworth, Laughton and Husbands Bosworth had written to object to the proposal, as had local MP Edward Garnier. The main issues concerned access/traffic hazard, increase in traffic, and out of character development.

Mr J Palfreyman acted for Mowsley residents opposed to the marina proposal (his services paid for by the marina proposal fighting fund), and he made a fine and robust speech. There were two further speakers who spoke in support of the proposal in terms of its ammenity potential for the district and for boat owners who sought quiet countryside moorings.

Proposed Canal Marina Proposal Fighting Fund - 20 May 2008

Further to the resolution passed at the Parish Meeting of 25th April 2008, donations are sought to fund the services of a professional surveyor who has already been engaged to oppose the marina application. An amount in the region of £1000 is needed. A dedicated bank account has been opened by Mr John Thorpe and donations of any amount are welcome. Cheques must be made payable to 'Mowsley Fighting Fund', and these should be put in an envelope and posted to Sunnyside Farm, Mowsley.

Parish Meeting - Canal Marina Proposal - 25 April 2008

A Parish Meeting was held yesterday evening primarily to discuss the parish response to the recent submission to Harborough Planners of revised plans for a new canal marina on land at Lodge Farm, Mowsley Road, Theddingworth. The meeting was very well attended.

The following resolution was passed unanimously.
"The parish meeting objects to the canal marina planning application and encourages residents to write letters to Harborough Planners expressing their views by 6th May 2008, and to attend the relevant Planning Meeting, probably on 10th June 2008. The Chairman will seek legal advice in formulating a parish response, and will establish a 'fighting fund'".

Personal letters should be addressed to: The Development Control Manager, Council Offices, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LEICS. LE16 7AG. Quote planning reference 08/00485/FUL. The proposals are available for inspection at Customer Services, Council Offices, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough 08.45-16.45 Mon-Fri and 09.30-12.30 Sat. Alternatively click on the link below (see item written on 15 April) to connect with the Harborough Planning Portal. Unfortunately the drawings appear very faint on the planning portal and are difficult to interpret.

Comments should focus on the details contained within the planning proposals. Particular reference should be made to the policies by which the proposal will be judged. LR/9 requires new mooring facilities to be close to an existing settlement or wharf. EV/4 requires any proposal to not adversely affect the character and appearance of its countryside. EV/5 requires developments likely to sustain the rural economy to be near settlements. TR/3 requires developments to provide access to a suitable route within the existing (road) network.

New Parish Noticeboard - 19 April 2008

The new parish noticeboard has been erected and dedicated to the memory of Wendy Stevenson. The parish thanks Peter and David Bingham who created this splendid new board.

Planning Application - 15 April 2008

Harborough District Council have receieved a revised application for change of use on land at Lodge Farm, Mowsley Road, Theddingworth, to a 177 berth non-residential canal marina, together with the creation of an access and associated parking.

The original application generated widespread interest, and so attention is drawn to the new proposal.

Documents are available on the internet at the following link.