Groby District Plan 1976

October 2018

A vision of Groby – the 1976 Groby District Plan

Football, hockey, cricket, a sports pavilion/club house,

tennis courts, bowling green and squash courts

Forty two years ago Groby was facing a period of significant growth and change. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council had a plan, the Groby District Plan, which set out a view of what the next phases of development could deliver. This was after the arrival of the M1. But the A46 Western Bypass, before many fields to the south of the village disappeared and Sacheverell Way marked the new southern boundary. Over the 42 years much has changed and much has stayed the same.

Playing fields and sports

At the time Marina Drive had the only playing field. Purchased by the Parish Council it was described as well laid out and containing a full sized soccer pitch and children's play area with equipment. Even then the drainage difficulties on the site were recognised.

The site of the filled in and levelled disused Groby quarry off Ratby Road had also been purchased and subject to the availability of finance it was considered suitable for a football pitch, children's play area, picnic area and car park.

The number of sports pitches required in the village had been calculated by using a modification of the Sports Council's methodology. It was thought that 3 soccer pitches would be the minimum immediate requirement to cater for demand which should be met locally, and before 1991 this figure could have risen to 6 pitches. However, should any of these pitches not be usable twice per week due for example to poor drainage, a higher standard of provision would be required and up to 5 pitches should be provided in the short term and up to 8 pitches by 1991. It is estimated that one cricket pitch should meet the short term needs of the community, though in the long term a second pitch may be required, and this could help to meet any extra demand arising in Ratby.

Similarly one hockey pitch should meet both long and short term requirements. This could be situated on a cricket outfield. It is anticipated that any further demand arising could be met by use of an all-weather area possibly on the proposed community college site.

It forecast insufficient demand for rugby in Groby and it was considered that one pitch at Glenfield should also be sufficient to serve Groby and Ratby.

It was proposed that land would be allocated in the plan to cater for more specialised sporting activities such as a bowling green and tennis courts, although the impetus for developing such facilities would have to come from the Parish Council or sporting organisations.

Sufficient land was allocated in the plan to accommodate 7 football pitches, 1 hockey and 1 cricket pitch, a sports pavilion/club house and car parking. Sufficient land was available, perhaps in the vicinity of the pavilion, to put tennis courts, a bowling green and squash courts, when such facilities are needed. However, with the construction of an Upper School/Community College it was thought that the question of the joint use of the recreational facilities should be further investigated. Public use of such facilities would affect the future requirements for open space within the village and the allocation should be reviewed if there was dual use.

Informal open space and play areas

Informal open space, areas primarily for informal recreational pursuits, was calculated by using the National Playing Fields Association's standard. This type of open space should be located mainly within the village and the amount envisaged by the end of the plan period was 7 acres.

Approximately 4 acres of land were allocated off Pymm Ley Lane to the rear of properties in Field Court Road and Meadow Court Road. It was proposed that landscaping should be carried out and was is hoped that in time this would become a small 'park' like area with seating and slightly more formal landscaping.

The Social Survey confirmed that walking was considered the most important of informal pursuits. The Borough said it was essential to maintain and provide good pedestrian access to the countryside, so it would seek to establish a more direct footpath to Groby Pool from the Lena Drive Community and to define a pedestrian way from the northern end of Forest Rise to Groby Pool. The link already existed, but it was hoped that parts would be improved and better landscaped and that the disused mineral line north of the A5O would form the final part of the link. The same disused

line, from the allotments on Ratby Road southwards out of the village, was also to be a major pedestrian way. A landscaping scheme had been prepared for part of the line.

Provision of further play areas within the existing built up area was thought difficult, but it was suggested that some provision would be made in the new open space areas. It was also suggested that a play area in the vicinity of Lena Drive would be investigated.

Indoor recreation

Indoor recreation was most likely to take place in existing buildings but the plan suggested facilities could be provided as part of the proposed community college. A swimming bath was particularly asked for and could be provided on the Community College complex, but the majority of funds would have to come from the residents themselves.

Urban Fringe Park

The Structure Plan gave assurances that reasonable physical separation would be maintained between Groby, Branting Hill and Rothley Brook and that this land would be considered for recreational use. The County Planning Department was undertaking a recreation demand study, which considered the possible use of this land, as it was policy that appropriate recreation facilities should be sited in urban/rural fringes.

The policy of creating urban fringe parks aimed to meet the demands of people from large urban areas by providing for relatively intensive recreation facilities, thereby reducing pressure on more sensitive and overcrowded areas such as Charnwood Forest, while preserving open spaces between existing settlements. These parks would provide semi-rural recreation without the need for long journeys, and in with good public transport links. They would be mainly intended for people making half day trips. Local demand should be provided met within each community. Consequently the types of facilities normally provided in such parks could include parkland, walking routes, picnic areas, farm parks, golf courses, show grounds, private sports fields, camp sites or riding schools.

Was the planner's vision realised?

The way young and old spend their free time has changed dramatically over the years since the 1976 plan. Some forms of recreation never materialised but others, like the Multi Use Games Area, outdoor gym, or bmx, had not been foreseen. The 1976 Plan tried to cover the open space needs to serve the existing village and the future development.

But there was one aspect which is even more relevant today, with the relentless drive for more housing : the Plan said that “many of the suggested facilities will not be implemented immediately. The most important factor is that the necessary land remained open and free from development and can be used as the community grows.”

August 2018

A vision of Groby – but not as we know it

Shopping

Forty two years ago Groby was facing a period of significant growth and change. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council had a plan, the Groby District Plan, which set out a view of what the next phases of development could deliver. This was the decade after the arrival of the M1. But it was before the route of the proposed A46 Western Bypass had been determined, before the fields to the south of the village disappeared under the new homes and Sacheverell Way marked the new southern boundary of the settlement. Over the 42 years much has changed and much has stayed the same. But was the planner's vision realised?

At the time there were 20 shops in the village, which included the Co-op which traded from the premises now occupied by the Cathy Stevens design centre, showroom and workshops. The Conservation Area discussion included a suggestion about landscaping in front of the supermarket. Cars were a lot smaller in 1976.

The planners envisaged two new shopping areas to supplement the existing facilities available in the village centre and Martinshaw Lane and which could have alleviated on street parking problems.

The first, opposite what is now the Co-op Village Store on Leicester Road and extending through to Rookery Lane, was ultimately used for housing instead. Planning permission had been granted for an 18,000 square feet shopping precinct with 158 car parking spaces which had the potential to provide space for the launderette, shoe shop, bakers, wet fish shop and small supermarket which residents had identified as needed in the Social Survey.

Although approved the proposed shopping centre was not considered to be of a particularly sympathetic design in relation to the traditional character of the village and from a conservationist viewpoint small scale housing was the preferred option rather than a shopping development that would have dominated Rookery Lane through to Leicester Road.

The second site, on Laundon Way, now a Co-op store, used to trade as Budgens and, for a time, under the Budgens Penny Market discount brand. Alterations when the Co-op took over have created some small additional units, currently unoccupied.

This didn't turn out quite as intended. It was not thought that this 'Local Centre' would compete with Groby Village Centre and which would be adequate to meet the shopping requirements of the majority of villagers. The emphasis, therefore, was to be 'local' and as such provide a service mainly for residents of the new development area. It was hoped that as the development of the area progressed and more community facilities were needed that this would become increasingly an activity centre and focal point for the new area. There was the caveat that should the proposed shopping development on Leicester Road in the centre of Groby be changed, or not go ahead for any reason, then the question of the 'local' centre would have to be reconsidered.

The location of the centre was thought to be in a position that would be easily accessible to a maximum number of residents whether reached by foot, car or bus, though the emphasis would be primarily for the pedestrian who will be the predominant user. The Social Survey that had been conducted indicated that some 2/3rds of daily shoppers walked and only 16% used a car. For this reason it was proposed that the buildings situated in the Laundon Way Local Center would be tightly grouped around and along a "pedestrian only street" which would act as the main pedestrian route through to Groby village.

It was thought the Laundon Way Local Centre could have aged persons accommodation nearby and comprise:

Approximately 6 shops

Small number of services e.g. hairdressers, launderette

Public House

Public Convenience

Children's play space

Major public transport stop.

A small shopping centre of half a dozen shops was proposed to provide a limited range of essential goods and services, together with customer car parking facilities which would be shared with the Public House and possibly any aged persons accommodation. It was anticipated the Local Authority would acquire a small area of land near the centre for aged person accommodation order to locate the homes near to the available facilities, and also the bus stop. Some residential accommodation should also be provided above the shops. At the time the village already had the Stamford Arms, a members club and the Brant Inn at Overdale Avenue on the Groby/Glenfield boundary, so the suggested pub site was eventually developed as Lady Jane Grey School instead.

The Plan suggested Public Conveniences should be provided in the Local Centre in an unobtrusive position preferably near to the Bus Stop. A small area of open space could be provided for a young children's play space with a small amount of simple equipment in a position adjacent to the shops. Landscaping provisions should aim to make the centre as attractive as possible with tree planting, shrubs, seats, etc.

Emphasis in the design of this centre was for the pedestrian and in the Local Centre there would be a 'pedestrian only street' from which will run courtyards and secondary pedestrian routes to other community facilities. Consideration should also be given to the provision of a cycleway alongside the main pedestrian route.

A District Plan is a vision, not a promise. With hindsight, and the knowledge that increasing number of shops are failing and need to be adapted for alternative uses, perhaps the outcome has spared residents of the eyesore of more empty shops. What do you think?