- 17/07/2025
- Posted by: Amanda Hack MP
- Category: News
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Government Lifts HS2 Safeguarding in North West Leicestershire
Today, the Government has formally lifted safeguarding directions on the former Phase 2b Eastern Leg of HS2, which included parts of North West Leicestershire.
The decision means that properties and land in Measham and Kegworth that had been under safeguarding protection, restricting development and creating uncertainty, are no longer subject to these planning constraints.
This move will allow the local area to move forward, ending years of uncertainty for residents, businesses, and local authorities who have had to operate under the shadow of HS2 route planning.
In addition, the Government has closed several property schemes in the affected area, including the Rural Support Zone, Express Purchase, Rent Back, and Need to Sell schemes. Any existing applications from residents will still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Amanda Hack said:
“Many local organisations have contacted me about the opportunities that the safeguarding of areas in North West Leicestershire has been holding back. I’ve discussed these issues with the Secretary of State on multiple occasions over the last 12 months, and I’m now pleased that this land has been released.
This opens the door for new opportunities in the constituency, including the potential extension of the Ashby Canal near Measham, and gives the district council the confidence to complete its Local Plan without the uncertainty of having to exclude specific sites from consideration.”
Over 10% of the properties along the former Eastern Leg are in North West Leicestershire, these will now enter a disposal programme. Open market sales are expected to begin in 2026, but before then, former owners whose homes were bought under statutory blight will be given the first opportunity to repurchase their properties at the current market value.
The Government has pledged to manage the disposal of land and property with care, to protect local housing markets, ensure value for money for taxpayers, and minimise disruption to communities.
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Violence against women and girls is a national emergency, so I welcome the action taken by the Government yesterday to confront it head on.
The new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy sets out bold measures to better protect children from misogyny and abuse, with a strong focus on healthy relationships, consent and early prevention. Alongside this, it strengthens the tools available to our police forces and expands the support offered to victims.
The strategy will help keep the next generation of girls and boys safer, while guiding boys and young men away from harmful misogynistic influences, including toxic online figures who radicalise young people with extreme views, anger and a sense of victimhood.
This work with children and young people forms part of a wider, cross-government mission: the largest crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history, with a clear commitment to halving these crimes within a decade.
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Earlier this week I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on ‘Planning Policy for Quarries’ 👇
It goes without saying that quarries are vital to our infrastructure, and I’m proud to have so many call North West Leicestershire home. However, lorry queuing has been part of my casework recently, with serious safety concerns, alongside issues around air quality, dust and noise.
I spoke on a few examples of where quarries can be good neighbours, liaising with local communities on how they can minimise their impact on the everyday lives of those living around them.
What we need going forward is a planning system that considers the impact on local people, whilst also addressing the impact of existing sites. Getting the balance right must be central to planning decisions going forward.
Overall, the debate called for planning guidance to better reflect modern environmental standards, current science and the reasonable expectations of communities affected by major industrial developments.
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