Agenda

PLANNING AND TRAVEL COMMITTEE REPORT (Chairman - Roy Denney)

We still await the hearing about the Barrow crossing and have prepared material to be ready for a public enquiry when it arises. We also responded to a request for opinions on a proposed new training ground for Leicester City FC but the final proposals largely ignore our suggestions. I am sure user groups will object to the formal application when made and we propose to reiterate our views at that stage. We also advised Charnwood BC on their local plan.

We have been advising Elmsthorpe Parish Council as regards the proposed Rail Freight Interchange between the village and Burbage Common. We asked to meet with the developers but had no response and will make our views known when the planning application is lodged. We have also been advising Elmsthorpe about the long standing problems with footpath U50 and Stan Warren and I met with their Clerk and Chairman.

Following the meeting three of us had a meeting with HS2 in Birmingham we now have the detailed proposal as they are to date for each crossing point. Whilst some reasonable diversions are included there are still issues we would wish to see addressed and we are working up a further advice which will be sent to them in the next few weeks. Members have now had a chance to go to their roadshows and talk with representatives.

They have agreed to further meetings as things develop and we may well wish to visit them to look at some of the specific designs of various junctions and when it affects a bridleway, one of our equine representatives can join us.

NATIONAL FOREST ACCESS & RECREATION GROUP

A lot of their endeavours continue to be the Charnwood Forest project but they are working on a new 25 year plan with a large focus on recreation and access.

They are looking to fund an as yet unidentified large new plot on the Derbyshire / Leics border.

The next National Forest Walking Festival was held on 6/7/8 July and as yet the success has not been assessed although I have heard people saying they enjoyed their walk

The Forest are looking at providing more short walking loops off the National Forest Way long distance trail.

The £1M Black to Green 3 year project is coming to a close and the celebrate it and launch the end result they are to have a big event on August 25th. Part of the project has been the erection of 7 large information displays in metal and amongst events on offer on the day an orienteering type treasure hunt may be staged using them. There will be walks and numerous other activities but this is still being worked up.

Roy Denney, National Forest Representative

CHARNWOOD FOREST REGIONAL PARK

I continue to serve as a member of the board of the regional park. I am also on the steering group of the Local Nature Partnership project looking to protect, promoter and enhance the park.

Stan Warren, John Howells and I have had a meeting with Sam Lattaway of the National Forest, the lead partner in the project. We discussed in broad terms how the LLAF might be able to assist.

The steering group met in June and elected Sam Lattaway as Chairman.

They looked at the make-up of the group and it was suggested that a number of sectors or groups could be represented on the steering group such as Woodland Trust, Environment Agency, health and education. There is a balance between keeping the group small to be effective in decision making and not missing potential partners and they agreed they would co-opt people with expertise to discuss specific projects rather than extending the membership of the Steering Group.

They will continue the Stakeholder meetings where all interested parties get together to discuss ideas etc but it was thought community representation is missing from the group and ways to achieve this were discussed specifically with reference to the diversity of communities in the project area. It was agreed that the Parish Councils should form the basis of this representation and that they should set up a separate Community Forum to input ideas, head off any objections and identify enthusiastic individuals.

The Projects Development Officer Julie Attard has suggested that I meet her in a month’s time to develop the areas where the LLAF can get involved and the Chair of LLAF and Committee Chairs are invited to join us. The meeting will be in Leicester on August 8^th.

       Roy Denney Representative

(a)  Responses, advices and comments sent by LLAF (Roy Denney)

(b)  Received (Edwin McWilliam)

Forums:

25^th October 2018 (5.00pm for 5.30pm) – Forum – County Hall

(Workshop from 4.00pm)

8^th January 2019 (5.00pm for 5.30pm) – Forum – County Hall

(Workshop from 4.00pm)

Unrecorded Ways meetings:

22^nd August 2018 – 2.30pm – 4.30pm – Executive Room, County Hall

2 or 4^th October (evening volunteers meeting)

22^nd November 2018  – 2.30pm – 4.30pm – Room tbc

6^th February 2019  – 2.30pm – 4.30pm – Room tbc