Access to green spaces is very important to people and, as Covid has shown, especially to people living in crowded housing and who may not have access to transport. We are very lucky in Loughborough to be surrounded by some lovely countryside but we are increasingly losing our local, urban, green spaces in the quest for more and more housing.

 

In 2020 Loughborough Green Party became aware of a local group seeking to save the field at the top of Leconfield Road from development. The field, a haven for wildlife, is used and enjoyed by local people and is the last sizeable green space in Nanpantant ward. It affords a lovely view over Loughborough and is adjacent to the ancient Burleigh wood (of bluebells fame) and within the Charnwood Forest. 

 

A number of local Green Party members were among a gathering of more than 200 people who met in the field one Saturday morning. Subsequently some of us wrote to Charnwood Borough Council objecting to the planning application and we still await the outcome.

 

Loughborough needs its green spaces protecting, for people, for nature and for the planet. We don't want the remaining green lungs to be swallowed up by tarmac and more housing. Let it be noted that we did what we could, for this and future generations. Once you lose it, its gone forever.

 

You can read more about this issue here https://www.nanpantan.com

 

- Paul Goodman