Ashby residents have launched a growing campaign to stop the proposed development of Site A27, Land South of Burton Road, citing serious environmental, legal, and community concerns.

In just a few days, the online petition has already gained over 80 signatures, as public opposition builds ahead of further decisions by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC).

Campaigners are urging the council to withdraw the site from its emerging Local Plan, highlighting that A27 lies within the protected River Mease Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – one of the UK's most sensitive ecological waterways. They argue that development here would be "legally indefensible" unless proper environmental assessments are completed - including a Habitats Regulations Assessment, which has not been disclosed.

There are also concerns over the lack of public consultation. Despite being registered on the Council's Local Plan Consultation Database, some residents say they were never informed of A27's inclusion, Local Plan updates or upcoming meetings.

Abigail, who started the petition, said: "The gist of it is: Severn Trent's plan to divert water from the River Mease to unlock developments like site A27 in North West Leicestershire risks drying up the river entirely - and could simply shift flooding and pollution problems onto neighbouring protected lands and other districts. Worse still, there have been no proper assessments or meaningful consultation with residents.

"Our district council doesn't appear to have a contingency plan if Severn Trent's Packington Pipeline Project is delayed, or doesn't go ahead at all. Without it, development at A27 would directly harm endangered species like white-clawed crayfish and spined loach, as well as the otters that rely on the Mease."

Site A27 was discussed at the Local Plan Committee meeting on 30 July 2025, where committee members were given documents highlighting concerns about missing flood risk assessments, unrecorded drainage infrastructure, and potential legal breaches related to phosphate pollution and the River Mease SAC.

Planning officers acknowledged the site requires further review and stated a follow-up meeting would be arranged with the same committee members, but no date has been confirmed so far.

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Campaigners are now calling on NWLDC to remove Site A27 from the draft Local Plan before it reaches the Regulation 19 stage, and are encouraging more residents to sign and share the petition.

"If this site goes ahead despite all these legal red flags, it will set a dangerous precedent - showing that protected land, wildlife, and the law can be ignored for development. Every single signature helps us show the Council, planning officers and planning inspectorates that Ashby residents care about this land and expect better."

Residents can also contact NWLDC's Planning Policy team to raise questions or submit late objections about A27: [email protected]

Sign and share the petition here: https://www.change.org/stop-site-a27