Information on Loughborough

Loughboroughs Eastern Gateway

Posted on 20/06/2008

railway line in Loughborough

Charnwood Borough Council’s flagship regeneration project is being considered at next week’s Cabinet meeting.

“Loughborough Eastern Gateway”, if approved, will transform the appearance of a run-down area around Loughborough Station. It will remove through traffic from the Ratcliffe Road/Burder Street area and result in a major upgrade to Loughborough Station with extra car parking and new facilities for buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians. There will be 120 new homes, 99 of them affordable, and a new office complex.

Councillor Stephen Hampson, Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration said “We’re asking Cabinet to take the lead in assembling the land, securing the new link road and driving the project forward. Our partners Network Rail, William Davis and Nottingham Community Housing Association will then be able to deliver their contributions. This project shows what can be done when the public and private sectors work together in partnership”.

Subject to final approvals, funding support for the overall scheme is coming from various sources including the Housing Corporation, the Government’s Growth Point Fund, Network Rail, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, Charnwood Borough Council and the County Council. Detailed proposals for planning permission will be submitted in September and it is hoped that work can start in April 2009.

Carol Kirk, Chair of the Sidings Park Area Resident’s Association said: “This is good news, When the link road is complete and the roads are closed It will help to return the area to the local residents.”

Background Information:

The Eastern Gateway Scheme is a long standing proposal of Charnwood’s Local Plan. It has the support of many partners and is included in the Charnwood Together Community Strategy.

The total value of the scheme is over £19m. Funding bids to the Housing Corporation, the Government’s Growth Point Fund and the LSEP have been approved in principle with final approvals expected soon. Charnwood Borough Council has taken the lead on the project and is putting in £550,000 plus more than two acres of its own land.

The Housing development will be delivered by Nottingham Community Housing Association and William Davis Ltd with funding support from the Housing Corporation.

Network Rail will be carrying out £1.5m of improvements to the front of Loughborough Station as well as investing £3.8m in further improvements to the booking hall and platform crossings.