Cropston Road, Anstey
The new Puffin (Pedestrian User-Friendly INtelligent) crossing is being installed in February. Unfortunately, that does mean there will be some disruption and road closures.
The work starts on Monday 16th February, with various road closures up until the end of March 2026.
Further details will be published in February, and we will provide an update in our reports here and on social media.
Residents directly affected should receive letters about access to their homes nearer the closure times. If there are any issues, please contact us.
Charnwood Local Plan
Following a lengthy progress and multiple public hearings, the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the Charnwood Local Plan has been found ’sound’ which means it has ticked all the boxes and the plan is ready to be adopted.
The adoption of the Local Plan is a decision taken by the full council at Charnwood. A meeting was held on Monday 19th January, where it was put to the vote.
The council voted to approve the Local Plan. It was approved with votes of 37 in favour, 4 against, and 6 abstentions.
This means the plan is now adopted and any planning applications will be in assessed according to the plan and all the policies included herewith.
Both Paul and Deborah voted against the Local Plan at the Charnwood Borough Council meeting. We believe the 900+ houses it recommends for our village will have a devastating impact on Anstey, its character, and the community.
We include a map of Anstey here, which highlights all the development sites in the now-adopted Local Plan.
Update on Large Housing Proposals Affecting Anstey
We thought it would be a good time to update residents as work continues in the background on the long discussed 920-home development on the edge of Anstey, with developers recently seeking clarification on whether additional environmental assessments are required before the scheme can progress.
Although still not approved, the scale of this proposal means it remains a significant issue for our village. Charnwood Planning department have advised that the site HA43 could be ready to come to the Plans Committee in May this year. We will update you as we know more.
Meanwhile, other applications across the parish could bring the total number of new homes in the pipeline to over 1,300 houses, which is greater than the 900+ allocated in the now-adopted Local Plan, raising ongoing concerns about road safety and infrastructure—particularly around the Gynsill Lane/Anstey Lane proposals for 375 houses.
Alongside these, the separate 60-home development on Gynsill Lane is moving forward after the site’s acquisition by Allison Homes, with construction expected to begin this year and completion estimated for late 2026. This project includes affordable housing and local investment through Section 106 contributions to support schools, healthcare, bus stops, parks and community facilities.
Loughborough Light Nights
Loughborough Light Nights, organised by Charnwood Borough Council, will see the award-winning Queen’s Park transformed into a glowing wonderland.
The event takes place over three days from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th February 2026, from 5pm until 10pm each day and promises an unforgettable experience of illuminated art, live performances, and family-friendly fun.
Sections of Queen’s Park will be transformed into glowing stages for illuminated art installations, vibrant projections, live performances and entertainment, and interactive activities and workshops.
Full details about Lights Nights will be revealed over the coming weeks on the Discover Charnwood website: www.discovercharnwood.co.uk/lights.
You can keep up to date about this and other Council events by signing up for email alerts at www.charnwood.gov.uk/alerts or by following the Council’s social media channels @CharnwoodBC.
The event is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
7,000 New Trees
Charnwood Borough Council has announced the creation of a new 8.6 hectare woodland just off Nanpantan Road Cemetery. The tree saplings planted will be a combination of native broadleaf species including oak, birch, ash and rowan. It is expected that the woodland will take around 30 years to fully mature with some trees maturing within ten years.
The Council has worked with Forwoods Forestry and Woodland Consultancy to access grant funding and undertake the project. The £172,000 project will be funded by The National Forest and will provide improved outdoor space and biodiversity benefits for decades to come.
Refurbishment of Loughborough Town Centre Toilets
Charnwood Borough Council is investing £300,000 to fully refurbish the Market Yard public toilets in Loughborough, after confirming that the existing facilities had reached the end of their life and were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain hygienically.
The upgrade will see the entire building stripped out and completely renewed, including new wall and floor coverings, modern sanitaryware, a full roof replacement, and upgraded mechanical and electrical systems.
Work is due to begin early in 2026, and while the refurbishment is underway, visitors will be able to use alternative toilets inside Loughborough Town Hall.
If you have any issues or concerns, we are here to help.
