Deadline extended on 100,000 homes consultation

Residents across Leicester and Leicestershire are set to be given more time to comment on plans to build almost 100,000 homes and 1,000 acres of employment land up to 2050.The draft Strategic Growth Plan has been out for consultation since 11 January with the deadline set for the start of April.However, the closing date has now been extended to Thursday 10 May. The plan has been developed by a partnership formed by Leicester City and Leicestershire County councils, the seven local borough and district authorities and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).It puts forward proposals for the new housing and transport improvements that would be needed to attract jobs and investment to Leicester and Leicestershire from now until 2050.Since the consultation was launched, additional evidence has been published that people responding to the consultation might wish to read and consider.The plan estimates that Leicester and Leicestershire needs 96,580 new homes and up to 1,000 acres of employment land from 2011-2031. Some of these homes have already been built or have planning permission.Beyond 2031, the plan identifies the need for a further 90,500 dwellings and additional employment land, which is why further land needs to be unlocked.