Some of the Harborough district's most historically significant buildings and places are being preserved for future generations. 

Within the Harborough District there is a wealth of nationally recognised heritage assets with 1,281 listed buildings, six historic parks and gardens, 65 scheduled monuments and 63 conservation areas, all of which are designated heritage assets and protected through national legislation.

In addition to these, Harborough District Council has now identified a list of local sites of interest, known as 'non-designated heritage assets', which are deemed worthy of protection due to their historic, architectural or archaeological interest.  

'Designated heritage assets' can include World Heritage Sites, listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled monuments; and 'non-designated' assets are sites identified by the local authority as having local interest.

A non-designated heritage list is a way for the Council and communities to identify and celebrate historic buildings, archaeological sites and designed landscapes which enrich and enliven the area.
Once identified, assets are scored and if they meet the criteria, they are included on the Council's Local List of non-designated heritage assets which, as well as helping to preserve them for the future, can attract tourism, business and investment.

Last year, the Council held a consultation asking people to nominate assets for inclusion in the list. Assets can also be identified through Conservation Area Appraisals or Neighbourhood Planning.

Anyone who wants the Council to consider a site or building for future inclusion in the list can email planningpolicy@harborough.gov.uk 

View a full list of the non-designated assets here

Pictured: (Top) Prominent architect Waller Bedingfield's former home in Lutterworth, and a rare WWII pillbox in Oakham Road.

Thank you to everyone who enjoyed the array of comedy performances across the Harborough district as part of the BIG Weekend event - organised by the Council as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Some of the country's best comedy acts and entertainers arrived in the Harborough district - with something for all the family - including stand-up shows, comedy movie nights, kids' entertainment, author events, variety shows, plays and more - with a number of shows selling out. 

There were performances at venues across the district such as Lutterworth Town Hall and Harborough's Market Hall which was transformed into a packed-out live venue. Other shows took place in Kibworth, Foxton, Lutterworth's Wycliffe Rooms, and Market Harborough's Methodist Church. 

The event was supported by the Welcome Back Fund which is providing funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and recovery from the pandemic.

Pictured: Comedian Seann Walsh on stage at the Market Hall, and the crowds enjoying a number of comedy acts as part of the event. 

Farmers, landowners, residents and community safety representatives gathered earlier this month for the fourth Rural Crime Event in the district.

Around 40 people, plus speakers, attended the event, held at Kilworth Springs Golf Club, which began with an introduction from the local policing team and the Rural Crime Team, followed by a presentation from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service about their new Fire Safety Booklet for Farms. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews also attended and wa among those taking questions from attendees.

It was a chance to speak to representatives from the Police, National Farmers' Union (NFU), Crimestoppers, DataTag which were talking about their forensic marking security system, as well as the Council's Environment and Community Safety teams.

The issue of 'fly-grazing' was brought up as a key concern, particularly in Foxton and Great Bowden. Fly-grazing is the deliberate grazing of horses without the landowner's (private or local authority) permission.

The use of the Control of Horses Act 2015 was discussed, alongside any criminal action and anti-social behaviour legislation that could be used in the district. It was agreed there would be a further multi-agency meeting shortly after the event to discuss this in more detail.

Organisers of the event thanked everyone who attended or took part.

One of the group's new housing developments in Market Harborough has been officially opened, honouring the local war veterans it was named after. 

The 25 homes on Sturgis Road - made up of 9 shared ownership and 16 affordable rent - are now fully occupied with residents and local dignitaries invited to mark the completion with a tour and short ceremony.

The road was named after two brothers, Ben and Samuel, from Great Bowden who were called up to fight in World War One, sadly both losing their lives in the conflict in 1918. Their great niece Di Evans was invited to accept a specially commissioned plaque marking their lives that will be added to the road sign. 

As part of the day, residents Natalie and Dan Irvine invited visitors in to see their 5 bedroom home which was adapted by the construction contractor Lindum Group for their family to help with mobility issues.
  
Dan and Natalie (pictured talking to Cllr Simon Whelband), who moved in at the end of last year said: "We previously lived on a busy road in a much smaller house which had become unsuitable for our family situation so to have the opportunity to live here has been brilliant; Platform helped us with aids and adaptations fitted throughout the house from grab rails to seat aids. The space has benefited all the family and given us peace of mind for the future." 

Read full story here

The occasion follows work starting earlier this month on more affordable homes at Tymecrosse Gardens in Market Harborough. 

The Boundary Commission for England is holding an independent review of all constituency boundaries in England, and invites you to have your say on its proposals.

Go to bcereviews.org.uk to view the proposed new constituencies for your area and share your views before the secondary consultation closes on 4 April.

You can also speak at a public hearing in your region - find your nearest hearing and book your attendance at bit.ly/ bcepublichearings.

The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors in each constituency, and the number of constituencies in England will increase to 543.