The Future of Leicestershire is Being Decided Right Now
Sign our petition against the Local Government Reorganisation decision
Add your name to our petition and help us make the case for a different approach.
CPRE Leicestershire is calling for the Government to reconsider its decision on Local Government Reorganisation across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We believe the decision fails to reflect the views expressed by local communities and could have lasting consequences for planning, development and the future of Leicestershire's countryside.
87% of local respondents were against the proposal
Results from the Government's Statutory Consultation showed that:
87%
of local respondents felt negatively about creating a larger, expanded Leicester City local authority.
Only 7% were in favour.
Despite this response, the Government has confirmed that Local Government Reorganisation will proceed, with two new unitary councils due to take responsibility from April 2028.
Why CPRE Leicestershire is Opposing the Decision
01.
Local communities have spoken
The consultation results showed significant opposition to an expanded Leicester City local authority. We believe decisions of this scale should properly reflect the views of the communities they affect.
03.
Thousands of homes and new
employment land
The Secretary of State's letter states that the decision could "unlock land to provide thousands of new homes and many hectares of employment land in the next 20 years." This makes strong, strategic planning and countryside protection even more important.
02.
Our countryside is already under pressure
Leicestershire has experienced continuing development pressure on its countryside. Local Government Reorganisation must not become another route through which productive greenfield land is lost unnecessarily.
04.
Housing pressures cannot simply be pushed onto the countryside
Leicester's unmet housing need is already being apportioned across neighbouring authorities. Any future approach to growth must fully consider how existing and future housing needs can be met sustainably without unnecessary loss of countryside.
We Support Sustainable Growth
CPRE Leicestershire is not opposed to development.
We support sustainable growth that is based on genuine need, supported by appropriate infrastructure and delivered in the right places.
Brownfield development can present greater viability challenges than building on greenfield land, but that should not make our countryside the easier option.
We want to see previously developed land properly prioritised and opportunities for appropriate higher-density development explored before further incursions are made into the countryside.
Leicestershire's countryside is at a critical juncture. Decisions made now will influence what future generations inherit.
Sign the Petition
Help us protect Leicestershire's countryside from unnecessary development.
We are asking people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to add their names to CPRE Leicestershire's petition against the Local Government Reorganisation decision.
If you believe local communities should be heard and our countryside deserves stronger protection, add your name today.
Support Our Work
Signing the petition is one way to help. You can also strengthen CPRE Leicestershire's independent voice and support our work across the county.
Become a Member
Join the people standing up for Leicestershire's countryside.
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Work with CPRE Leicestershire to support better planning and responsible stewardship.
Donate
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