Garendon Park

Background

Garendon Park and its future is of constant interest to the people of Loughborough. At one level it is a simple issue for local people but at another it is a complex issue - but it can be summarised very briefly.

This is not an open park in the sense people would understand it. It stands as an unofficial green wedge between the west of Loughborough, the M1 and Shepshed. It is privately owned land - by DeLisle who has made it clear they will hold on to it for development land, almost for as long as it takes.

I helped lead the fight at Charnwood Borough Council in 1995 against the British Academy of Sport (and lots of housing) being placed on the park. I have always felt that alternative sites should be found and that it would be great if the town could acquire the land for the benefit of the people of Loughborough. Although I feel a level of honesty is required here on this one. Although this is a dream I do not see it is realistic in the short or medium term and it is wrong of some to make this sound easy. Whilst the DeLisle family see this as prime development land it has a value way beyond the means of any group, council or charity to pay the asking price. We have to face that fact. It does not mean we should not try though - but hopefully people won't make it sound simple.

The 2026 - www.charnwood.gov.uk/charnwood2026 - planning process is the place to have your voice heard. The process is the only place really to make a voice heard as the Council are the ones making the decisions about where future housing will go. Quite rightly as an MP my job is to make sure ALL local residents get their voice heard in the process and not to make the decision for the Council when they have all the resources and statutory powers.