Councillors agreed at a special meeting of the council that the Pennbury site is suitable for further consideration as an eco-town and said the council would support it — subject to a number of conditions being met. The conditions include making affordable housing at least 30 per cent of the scheme; that the development should face the city and grow as a sister town to it; and that plans for jobs need to be co-ordinated with work going on in the city.
The council wants a tram system to be put in place and to be involved in the development of cutting edge technologies in house building and community development with the Group. And it wants to talk to the Government and other local councils affected about setting up joint governance of planning arrangements, to ensure that all its conditions are met.
Cllr Patrick Kitterick, Cabinet member for regeneration, commented: “After considering all the information we have had so far, we believe that the Pennbury site has potential as an eco-town.
“There are many more discussions we need to have, but the council will back the proposal if the final scheme is one which meets all of our requirements and stands to benefit the city and the people of Leicester.â€
Ruairidh Jackson, Head of Planning and Property Strategy at the Co-operative Group, told the News: “We are pleased the council has recognised the potential of the eco-town and the work we have undertaken to respond to the five tests.
“However it must be stressed that this just one important step on a long road. We will continue to ensure the proposed eco-town brings maximum benefit to the local area, the city and the county.â€
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