Labour councillors have again voiced their opposition to 'unacceptable' plans aimed at almost doubling the amount of new homes to be built in North West Leicestershire.

Councillors at a Full Council meeting last night (Tuesday) had the opportunity to debate the 'Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground on Housing and Employment Need'.

But Labour councillors opposed North West Leicestershire District Council's proposal for an additional 314 new homes a year - over and above the 372 suggested by the Government for the District between 2021 and 2040.

The City of Leicester's preparation for future housing and employment need between 2020 and 2036 shows that around 18,700 new homes are unable to be built within the City boundary during the time period.

The Westminster government now requires neighbouring councils to take this "unmet need".

Labour councillors say that Leicestershire's local council leaders have come to an agreement behind closed doors to divide Leicester's "unmet need" among neighbouring districts using complex methodology.

This is said to take account of 'common boundaries with the City' and 'good connectivity' with all parts of the City.

But Labour says that neither apply to North West Leicestershire.

Labour Planning Lead, Councillor John Legrys (Coalville West), said: "Labour accepts that Leicester cannot accommodate all its housing needs within its current boundary.

"But North West Leicestershire has no common boundary with the City and the non-existent direct links to Leicester, from our 'Growth Area' around East Midlands Airport, have been ignored.

"Conservative councillors at North West Leicestershire have pushed through the agreement without care for the poor and overloaded road connections, oversubscribed schools, and overstretched healthcare already in existence in our area.

"The additional housing requirement from Leicester will place more strain on our already overburdened facilities."

Labour Councillor, Dave Bigby (Ashby Willesley), added: "These numbers are unacceptable for a mainly rural area like ours.

"The government calculated that North West Leicestershire needs to build at least 372 new homes a year – that's a reasonable number which can almost be met through the development sites already in the Council's Local Plan.

"But we are now being asked to accept a further 314 a year, due to the City of Leicester being unable to provide sufficient housing.

"And Conservative controlled North West Leicestershire wants to add another 10 per cent for 'flexibility'.

"This represents nearly 30 per cent of Leicester's 'unmet need'.

"North West Leicestershire does not have a common boundary with Leicester, and our public transport links to the City are appalling.

"Labour accepts that Leicester's unmet need has to be accommodated, but we believe it should be distributed much more fairly between the surrounding districts, particularly those adjacent to the City which have the infrastructure to cope."