Save Ulverscroft, Copt Oak & Markfieldโ€™s Countryside

Stop Industrial Development off Junction 22, M1- Ulverscroft

The Issue

The peaceful green landscapes of Ulverscroft and Markfield are under threat from an industrial development proposal near Junction 22 of the M1, Ulverscroft. This area is part of the Charnwood Forest and National Forest, close to the Ulverscroft Wooded Valley โ€” home to ancient woodland, rare wildlife, and much-loved walking routes.

Once itโ€™s gone, itโ€™s gone forever!โ€ฆ

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose any industrial or warehouse development off Junction 22 in the Ulverscroft/Markfield area.

Why this matters:

Nature & Biodiversity โ€“ The site lies within a vital green corridor linking ancient woodland, hedgerows, and meadows. It is habitat for protected and priority species such as bats, owls, red kites, and pollinators.

Landscape & Heritage โ€“ This countryside is part of the Charnwood Forest landscape character area, valued for its scenic beauty, tranquillity, and cultural heritage.
Local Policy Conflict โ€“ The Markfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan (Sections 4.20 & 4.21) commits to strengthening the National Forest woodland mosaic and expanding green infrastructure. Industrial development here would directly contradict those aims.
Traffic & Safety โ€“ Increased HGV movements will add congestion and accident risk to rural lanes and the busy Junction 22 interchange.
Environmental Health โ€“ Noise, light pollution, and air quality impacts will harm both wildlife and human wellbeing.

What weโ€™re asking for:

We call on Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council to:

Reject any planning applications for industrial or warehousing use in this location.

Protect and enhance the Ulverscroft and Charnwood Forest landscape as part of the National Forest vision.
Prioritise brownfield redevelopment and existing industrial sites over destruction of green countryside.

By signing this petition, you stand up for our wildlife, our heritage, and the health of future generations.

Can you help out by signing this petition?
https://chng.it/Wxgr99R65b

Tea with a Twist

Our next 3Ts afternoon is tomorrow, 20th August, 2 to 4 pm.

Hope you are able to join us at Thornton Community Centre, LE67 1AH. 

Everyone is welcome.

No charge.ย  Just come along for a happy afternoon.

Please do let us know if you need a lift.  Email shirley.garlick19@btinternet.com  or ring  01530 230422

Hope to see you.

The team

xx

 

St Peter’s church, Thornton

Good morning St Peterโ€™s and Friends

Building repair work will be taking place at St Peterโ€™s church from tomorrow, 18thย August until 15thย September.

Problems with the roof will be dealt with and some internal plaster works will be carried out.

There should not be any interruption of church services, though parking on Church Lane during the week day could be a problem.

 

New quiz available – fund raiser for Thornton Community Centre

Many of our website readers love the cryptic quiz produced from time to time by a local resident (me).

A real brain teaser. Perfect accompaniment to your ‘elevenses’.

There is a new one available – this time the theme is birds of the UK.

Contact me on thorntonvillage@aol.com if you would like one.

Or if you could sell a few to colleagues, family and friends – that would be really helpful.

All monies raised will be donated to Thornton Community Centre towards the purchase of new chairs (hopefully with a bit of padding on the seats!), to fit on the new chair trolleys recently purchased.

Thornton Community Centre is a registered charity (521506) managed by a small group of trustees on behalf of the residents of Thornton.

Solve 50 cryptic clues to name UK birds. Cost ยฃ1 – Prize ยฃ10. Closing date – 1st October ’25

Reinstate – the Number 28 bus – Thornton, Bagworth

Please put Monday (18th August) in your diary for one of the two venues or both,ย 

Weโ€™re rallying together for the reinstatement of our beloved 28 bus! This route is vital for our community, and we need your support to make it happen. Letโ€™s unite and show our solidarity in this fight.ย 

Together, we can demonstrate our community strength and push for accessible transportation for everyone. Join us in making our voices heard!ย #28Bus#CommunityStrength#Solidarity

VJ Day Service – St Peter’s, Thornton

Hello St Peterโ€™s and Friends

To remember VJ Day, there will be two short services โ€“ prayer timeย  – at St Peterโ€™s church, Thornton.

One at 10 am and the other at 6 pm.

Everyone is invited to join us for a short time of prayer.

Hope you can join us.

Choose How We Move – New bus service for Thornton

LC15A and LC15B

Following changes to Arrivaโ€™s 28 service, the section of route between Ratby and Coalville will now be served in different ways to reflect lower customer demand. The services will be available from Tuesday 26th August 2025. Arriva changes can be viewed on their latest news page. 

LC15A will offer a fixed route, catering to schools and commuters, as well as onward journeys from Groby.

LC15B is a Demand Responsive Transport service, that residents can call up to book. 

LC15A โ€“ Fixed Commuter Provision 

The LC15A will be operated by Coalville Cabs and serve all stops in Bagworth, Botcheston, Thornton and Merry Lees.

It will be available Monday to Friday, term time ONLY, allowing people to travel to Groby (Brookvale Groby Learning Campus). Pick-up times* for the LC15ABagworth: 6.45am & 7.45amThornton 6.50am & 7.50amMerry Lees 6.55am & 7.55amBotcheston 7am & 8am

*Please note that pick up times are approximate and it is recommended that passengers arrive at stops 10 minutes early. 

The return times from Groby (stop opposite Woodbank Road) are at 3:20pm and 6:10pm.

Adult single fares will be ยฃ2.00 and child single fares will be ยฃ1. Free travel concession passes will be valid in accordance with current terms and conditions. 

LC15B โ€“ Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)

The LC15B will be operated by Coalville Cabs and serve all stops in Bagworth, Botcheston, Thornton and Merry Lees. 

This is a bookable service, operating Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm. Passengers will need to call the booking phone number before 5pm the day before travel. 01530 833800

Passengers from the villages served can book to travel to Groby (Brookvale Groby Learning Campus), Glenfield (Near County Hall / Hospital) and Coalville (Memorial Square).

Adult single fares will be between ยฃ2.00 โ€“ ยฃ2.50 (dependant on destination) and child single fares will be 50% of that rate.

Free travel concession passes will be valid in accordance with current terms and conditions. See full details on the table below.ย 

Watch the short clip below to understand what a DRT is, and how it operates. 

LC15B Fares

To Grobyย To Glenfieldย To CoalvilleFrom Bagworthย ยฃ2.00ยฃ2.50ยฃ2.00From Thorntonย ยฃ2.00ยฃ2.50ยฃ2.00From Merry Leesยฃ2.00ยฃ2.00ยฃ2.50From Botchestonยฃ2.00ยฃ2.00ยฃ2.50

Arriva – changes to the 28 bus service Leicester to Ratby and Coalville

There will be changes to the route and timetable of these services to reflect changing travel patterns and current customer demand.

Buses will continue to operate between Leicester, Groby and Ratby.  Whittington Drive will now be served by route 28 rather than route 27.

The section of route between Ratby and Coalville will now be served in different ways to reflect lower customer demand:
โ€ข    Thornton and Bagworth will be served a by a revised route LC15 operated under contract to Leicestershire County Council.  The County Council will also be providing new routes LC15A and LC15B catering for scholar and commuter movements, details of these services will be confirmed at choosehowyoumove.co.uk shortly.
โ€ข    Customers travelling from Botcheston should contact Leicestershire County Council through their website choosehowyoumove.co.uk with details of their journey needs in order to shape a โ€˜demand responsiveโ€™ service here.
โ€ข    Customers travelling from Ratby to Coalville can use routes 27/28 a short distance to Leicester Road in Groby to connect with routes 29/29A.
โ€ข    Our 153 service continues to serve Newtown Unthank every hour Monday to Saturday.

There is a petition in the Corner shop at Thornton.

Or you can sign the petition online.

https://chng.it/JL26p6qdP2

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES

Changes to bus services are to be rolled out in Hinckley and Coalville at the end of August.

They include a new bus route connecting the two towns and expanding a newly introduced service to cover more parts of Hinckley.

The majority of bus network changes have been made by Arriva, in close partnership with Leicestershire County Council, and will start from Tuesday, August 26.

Routes have been designed to increase access to health care sites, new developments and local amenities.

A series of roadshows will be held throughout the month so residents can find out more about the changes, timetables and local travel, as well as the councilโ€™s wider bus network review.

Ann Carruthers, Director of Environment and Transport  said: โ€œArriva has made their changes in liaison with the council as part of wider plans in the county to increase travel opportunities, improve punctuality and support the wider bus network.

โ€œIf youโ€™d like to find out more, do come along to one of the roadshows and have a chat with a representative from Arriva, or one of our officers.โ€

Jonathan Wills, Network Manager at Arriva said: โ€œWe have worked closely with the County Council to review and revise our local bus services in the Hinckley and Coalville areas, reflecting current customer demand while supporting the servicesโ€™ ongoing financial sustainability and incorporating new residential areas into the network.

โ€œAll of our Adult Single fares remain capped at just ยฃ3, and with unlimited travel available from just ยฃ2.82 per day with our 4-Weekly tickets thereโ€™s never been a better time to get onboard.โ€

The roadshows will be held at:

  • Tuesday 12th August, – 5.30-7.30pm โ€“ Hinckley Leisure Centre
  • Thursday 14th August, 11am to 1pm โ€“ Coalville Library
  • Saturday 16th August – 11am to 1pm – Coalville Library
  • Monday 18th August- 11am to 1pm – Hinckley The Crescent 
  • Thursday 21st August โ€“ 5.30 – 7.30pm – Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre

Among the service changes, the LC14 route introduced in June is being enhanced to improve coverage around Hinckley. It will now serve Hollycroft, Tudor Road, Netherley Road, Barwell Lane, and Leicester Road.

Residents will also benefit from a new one-year trial of the LC6 route, operated by Centrebus, connecting Coalville and Hinckley. Free bus pass holders will be able to travel at no cost all day.

Additionally, a new two-vehicle service is being introduced to support travel between Coalville and nearby villages including Bagworth, Thornton, Merry Lees, Botcheston, Groby, and Glenfield. It will run on fixed routes during school term time and be bookable throughout the day. The service follows changes to the number 28 bus route and takes account of recent feedback from residents to help better meet local travel needs.

More information is available on the Choose How You Move Website. 

Click to access LC15-Coalville-to-Leicester-26.08.2025.pdf


Demand Responsive LC15 bus service

The demand-responsive element of the revised LC15 bus service in Bagworth & Thornton, operated by Arriva under contract to Leicestershire County Council, means that the route will adapt to passenger demand, potentially offering a more flexible and convenient service compared to traditional fixed-route buses. This could involve adjusting the route or schedule based on passenger requests, especially in areas where the service may be less frequent or where there is a need to connect to other transport hubs. 

  • Demand Responsive Transport (DRT):DRT is a flexible transport service that adapts to passenger needs, offering a more personalized and on-demand experience. 
  • LC15:The LC15 is a specific bus route that has been revised and includes a demand-responsive component. 
  • Arriva:
    Arriva is the bus operator contracted by Leicestershire County Council to run the service. 
    Leicestershire County Council:
    The council is responsible for commissioning and overseeing the service. 
  • How it works:
    Demand responsive services like the LC15 may involve features like:
  • Flexible routes: The bus may deviate from a fixed route to pick up or drop off passengers at their requested locations. 
  • Adjusted schedules: The service may run at different times or frequencies depending on passenger demand. 
  • Integration with other transport: The service may act as a feeder to other public transport options like trains or other bus routes. 
  • Benefits:
    DRT can offer several advantages, including:
  • Improved accessibility: It can help connect communities that are not well-served by traditional public transport. 
  • Reduced reliance on private cars: It can provide a convenient alternative to driving, potentially reducing traffic congestion and emissions. 
  • Increased flexibility: It can cater to a wider range of travel needs and preferences. 
  • Enhanced social inclusion: It can provide access to essential services and opportunities for people who may have difficulty with traditional transport options. 
  • Potential cost savings:ย If implemented effectively, it can potentially reduce the overall cost of providing public transport.ย 
  • Arriva boasts … ArrivaClick is the smarter way to get around Leicester. Download the app, select where you want to go and we’ll get you there with one of our premium minibuses.ย 

Proposed solar farm Bagworth & Thornton

Plans for a new large solar farm near a former colliery in Leicestershire have been revealed.

Developers said the 76-acre site on fields off Heath Road, in Bagworth, and Merrylees Road, in Thornton, near Desford Colliery, would produce energy to power more than 7,500 homes a year.

The planning application submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said a consultation exercise had found feedback was positive but concerns had been raised about farming land being lost.

If approved, construction would take about 24 weeks and the farm would be operational for up to 40 years.

The site across three fields is situated near Bagworth Heath Woods – a country park that previously formed part of Desford Colliery but is now made up of woodland, grassland, heathland, lakes and ponds, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Feedback invited

Planning documents submitted by Renewable Connections Development said dioversity at the farm would be boosted by barn owl boxes, bird nesting boxes, beehives, log piles and small, buried rubble piles for reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The company said a four-week public consultation held earlier this year revealed concerns over arable land being lost and construction traffic.

However, people acknowledged the need for renewable energy and the biodiversity proposals.

The site is in an area with 13 other solar farms, arrays, renewable energy stations, wind turbines and clay works.

People are able to submit views on the plans on the council’s website until 28 August.

Reported by Julia Breens

Local Democracy Reporting Service

BBC news 6th August.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy57p08neno?app-referrer=deep-link