Green Wedge (c(i)) Between Whetstone, Enderby, Glen Parva, Braunstone, Blaby, Littlethorpe, Narborough and Cosby (Soar Valley South) (North) – Parcel A

• Purpose Question Assessment
• Prevent the merging of settlements Question 1A: Are there physical features to prevent the merging of settlements and does the land contribute to maintaining the open and undeveloped character of the land? Answer 1A: Yes. The River Soar running along the Eastern edge of the land and floodplain prevent the merging of Enderby (at Fosse Park) and Aylestone in Leicester City. Further erosion of the gap is prevented by the floodplain (Flood Zone 2 / 3). Other watercourses (Lubbesthorpe Brook) branch off from the river into the parcel itself. The Grand Union Canal and/or the Great Central Railway (in Leicester City) are physical features that would discourage development encroaching from this direction. Pylons are also present on the site, which are not an untypical feature in non-urban areas and would restrict development taking place in certain areas.
• Question 1B: Are there features to provide a visual perception of distance between settlements? Answer 1B: The physical distance provides a perception of distance although the buildings in the vicinity of Grove Park and Fosse Park can clearly be seen in the distance due to the topography of the land. The visual perception of distance is enhanced by rows of mature hedgerows and trees.

Question 1C: Does the land include uses or proposed developments that are incompatible with the Green Wedge policy. Answer 1C: No. The land is currently in agricultural use, open space and part of a Local Nature Reserve. As referred to, pylons are present, however these are not untypical features in non-urban settings.

Overall Assessment for Purpose 1 The River Soar, Lubbesthorpe Brook, and connected watercourses as well as their associated Flood Zones substantially restrict the potential

A55