Harborough MP takes fight against Leicester's expansion plans to Parliament

The proposals from Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby could see parts of the Harborough district coming under the city boundary – with the most extreme option extending Leicester's boundaries to take in the whole of Harborough district.

Next month, the Government is expected to announce its plans for the future of local councils in Leicestershire - and Mr O'Brien secured a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament dedicated entirely to the issue.

He was joined by fellow Leicestershire MPs Peter Bedford and Ed Argar, who also have concerns about the plans.

Opening the debate, the Harborough MP said there is a strong level of local opposition to the plans and claimed that residents "could face higher council tax bills, a loss of local identity, and decisions being taken further away from the communities they affect".

Following the debate, Mr O'Brien said: "The message from residents has been very clear. They do not want to be absorbed into Leicester.

"People value their towns, villages and communities. They don't want to see their local identity erased, and they certainly don't want to pay more council tax for the privilege.

"What was striking was that MPs from all over the country stood up and warned about exactly the same thing - local government reorganisation imposed from above, with local people ignored.

"This fight is far from over. I will continue making the case to Ministers and fighting to protect the identity and independence of our local communities."

As we previously reported in May, Harborough District Council has written to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook to outline its firm opposition to any expansion of the city of Leicester.

Council leader Simon Whelband said: “I want to make the position of this administration absolutely clear from the outset - we do not support proposals that would see parts of the district absorbed into the city, nor do we support proposals that would place the whole district under Leicester city governance.

“The people of Harborough district do not want to become part of Leicester city. That has been made clear repeatedly through public consultations, petitions and representations from residents, parish councils and local MPs.

“Our towns and villages have their own identity, character and interests, and we will continue to defend them.”

Sir Peter Soulsby said the case for revising Leicester’s boundaries was “unarguable”, and bringing more land into the city’s control was “in the interest of Leicester” to ensure its “financial sustainability” and its ability to deliver the “desperately needed housing” required locally.

The new city boundary could take parts of the Harborough district - as well as Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Birstall, Kirby Muxloe, Thurmaston and Countesthorpe.