New 2,000-home village could get its own council

More than 2,000 homes are being built at Broadnook, north of Leicester

A new village in Leicestershire where more than 2,000 homes are being built could get its own council.

Broadnook garden village is currently being created on land to the north of Leicester, between Birstall and Rothley.

Charnwood Borough Council has been asked to consider establishing a new parish council to serve residents moving into the development.

The authority said more than 50 of the new homes were set to be occupied in the coming months, and the developers behind the scheme had asked if a new council could be set up.

The borough council said the new village would eventually include land for employment, a school, a village centre with a supermarket and community facilities.

It said a new council, funded by an additional council tax precept, could fund services such as looking after parks, community transport schemes, and leisure facilities.

A parish council could also organise crime reduction and community safety measures, festivals, celebrations and tourism activities.

The borough council has now launched a consultation on the proposal for a parish authority for the village, which is currently represented by a charitable trust - Broadnook Community Trust - set up in 2023.

Broadnook is currently split between four parishes

The Broadnook area is currently split between four parishes - Wanlip Parish Meeting, Rothley Parish Council, Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council and Birstall Parish Council.

The borough council said a small number of existing homes in those areas would also be covered by a new parish council, if it were set up.

The borough has also been considering setting up a new town council to serve Loughborough and has launched a consultation on that proposal.

If the reviews conclude new councils should be created, it is anticipated they would come into effect in 2027, the borough said.

The consultation runs until 30 November.

Charnwood Borough Council leader Jewel Miah said: "This is an important opportunity for people to help shape the future of local representation in Loughborough and Broadnook.

"Town and parish councils can help give communities a stronger voice and greater influence over local services and decisions.

"I encourage everyone to take part in the consultations and have their say."