Croft Parish Council

06/10/2026

Community library reopening at Huncote Leisure Centre

Huncote Community Library will be officially opening the doors to its new home next week – a former squash court at Blaby District Council's Huncote Leisure Centre.

The library will be formally launched on Saturday 10 October.

The Council offered Huncote Leisure Centre as a new site for the library following the closure of its previous location at Huncote Methodist Church Hall.

An under-used squash court has been repurposed with a new floor and ceiling thanks to external funding and money raised by the library volunteers' own efforts.

Over the last few weeks books, furniture and equipment have been installed in the room which now boasts bright sunny yellow walls.

Volunteers hope the larger space will offer scope for more community and family-friendly activities, tying in with events and promotions at the leisure centre.

Councillor Nick Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Health, Community and Economic Development, said: "We're delighted to welcome Huncote Community Library to our leisure centre, run in partnership with Everyone Active. This latest addition to provision at the centre truly widens its appeal to the whole community and we look forward to supporting the library in the coming months and years.

"With the recent improvements to the leisure centre’s sports hall and the relocation of Leicester Athena Volleyball club to the centre, we are taking a place-led approach to community development. I hope residents welcome the improvements."

Karen Smith, Secretary of Huncote Community Library, said: "The committee of Huncote Community Library are indebted to the tireless support of Councillor Maggie Wright and Alec Knight, chairman of Huncote Parish Council as well as all our volunteers and supporters, who came together to raise the funds which have transformed the squash court into our new home.

"Also, the renovation contractors Gary Howard Services, whose team went above and beyond to help us move in. We are looking forward to working with Blaby District Council and Everyone Active in our new, larger space. Please do come along and see the transformation and our new services for yourselves."

James Naylor, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are excited to welcome Huncote Community Library to Huncote Leisure Centre, widening the range of facilities on offer and increasing its appeal to the local community.

"With the centre including a state-of-the-art gym, group exercise studio, sports hall and 3G football pitch, alongside the new library and existing squash courts, there really is something for people of all ages, interests and abilities."

The official opening event runs from 10am to 1pm and will feature refreshments, children's activities including drawing, storytelling and colouring as well as a quiz for adults. All are welcome to attend.

05/10/2026

📢 POSITIVE UPDATE – HOLCIM QUARRY PROPOSALS

We’re pleased to share some positive news following the recent Holcim Open Evening held at the Pavilion and the feedback provided by local residents.

Following concerns raised by the community regarding the proposed location of the conveyor belt, Holcim have confirmed that they have listened to the feedback and have agreed to redesign this element of their proposals, with the conveyor to be located further away from residential properties.

This is a positive outcome from the consultation process and demonstrates the importance of residents attending, asking questions and making their views known.

The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the open evening and provide feedback.

We will share further information regarding the revised proposals as soon as more details are available.

03/10/2026

🌺 A BIG THANK YOU! 🌺

A huge thank you to everyone who has already donated beautiful handmade poppies for our Remembrance display. ❤️

We’ve received some wonderful knitted and crocheted poppies, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to make and donate them.

We still need lots more! 🌺
Whether you can make one poppy or fifty, every single one will help us create a beautiful community display on the bridge this Remembrance.

📍 Poppies can be dropped off in the collection box outside 53 Arbor Road, Croft, LE9 3GB.

Thank you, Croft – keep them coming! ❤️🌺

02/10/2026

🔒 Parish Council Equipment Theft

Croft Parish Council regrets to inform residents that, during the evening of Sunday 20 September, a break-in occurred which resulted in the theft of Council-owned equipment.

The incident has been reported to Leicestershire Police and an insurance claim is being progressed.

We appreciate that this is disappointing news, particularly as the equipment was purchased using public funds and is used by the Council to help maintain and improve areas around the village.

Following the incident, the Council is reviewing its security arrangements and considering additional measures to help reduce the risk of a similar incident in the future. For obvious reasons, we will not be publishing details of existing or proposed security arrangements.

We are working to minimise any disruption to the ongoing maintenance of the village.

If anyone has any information that may assist in relation to the incident, we would encourage them to contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Thank you for your continued support.

02/10/2026

Leicestershire County Council are making it easier and more affordable than ever to use public transport across Leicestershire this autumn and winter.

Residents and visitors can take advantage of these fantastic offers every single Saturday from October to December!

🚌 Free Saturday bus travel on all Leicestershire County Council supported bus services
🦊 50% off FoxConnect journeys every Saturday across all 11 operating zones

More information can be found and shared at

Make the most of autumn and winter by bus! Whether you’re enjoying a woodland walk as the leaves change colour, browsing the Christmas markets, meeting up with friends and family...

01/10/2026

FoxConnect is an on-demand transport service operating in Leicestershire. You can choose where you want to be picked up and dropped off, meaning it’s a convenient and flexible way to travel at a time that suits you. Passengers will be able to book a journey through the app or the telephone booking line.

The service operates Monday to Saturday, 06:00 – 19:30.

Download the app on smartphones from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or call the telephone booking line on 0116 216 7756 during opening hours 08:30-16:30 on Monday to Friday.

https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicestershire-foxconnect/south-west-leicestershire-foxconnect/

29/09/2026

23/09/2026

Blaby District Council has been required to change when councillors decide planning applications as new national planning rules come into force this autumn.

The changes, agreed at the authority’s Full Council meeting on 22 September, follow the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which introduced a national scheme of delegation for planning decisions in England from 31 October 2026.

Under the new rules some types of planning applications, such as those for extensions, small developments of up to nine homes or minor commercial developments, will have to be decided by planning officers rather than by planning committee. These will be known as schedule one applications.

All other application types will be schedule two, these include major applications or those for listed buildings, which will only be decided by Planning Committee if they meet new tests.

Only applications that raise concerns about economic, social or environmental issues, or one of more significant planning matters, will be heard by planning committee members. It will be a decision of the Council’s Chief Planning Officer and Chair of Planning Committee to discuss the suitability of an application to be heard at committee.

The national scheme designed by government will also remove the ability for local councillors to ‘call in’ planning applications in their area.

Councillors and communities will still be able to comment on planning applications, while also inputting into the Local Plan process to decide how the District grows.

Full Council agreed to accept the national changes and amended the Council’s constitution to ensure planning decisions are legally sound, transparent and consistent with the new national scheme.

Guidance warns that, from 31 October 2026, planning decisions made by committees when the regulations specify they should be delegated to officers may be vulnerable to legal challenge.

Updating the constitution will help protect the Council’s decision-making process and reduce the risk of decisions being quashed.
Councillor Mike Shirley, Blaby District Council’s portfolio holder for Planning and Strategic Growth, said: “These changes are being introduced across England, so it is important that we adopt them and change the constitution to ensure our planning decisions remain lawful.

“While the process for how some decisions are made will change, residents, communities and councillors will still be able to comment on applications and raise local issues as part of the planning process.”

22/09/2026

🧶🌺 CALLING ALL KNITTERS & CROCHETERS! 🌺🧶

Can you help us decorate the bridge with poppies this Remembrance?

Croft Parish Council would love to create a beautiful display of handmade poppies on the white bridge by the War Memorial as a community tribute to those who served and sacrificed.

❤️ We need LOTS of knitted or crocheted poppies! ❤️

Whether you can make one poppy or fifty, every single one will help us create a wonderful sea of red across the bridge.
🌺 Knitted or crocheted poppies welcome
🌺 Any pattern is fine
🌺 Red poppies are particularly needed
🌺 All ages and abilities are welcome to get involved

If you're part of a knitting group, craft group, WI, school, community group – or simply enjoy knitting at home – we'd love your help!

📍 Poppies can be dropped off in the box outside 53 Arbor Road, Croft, LE9 3GB
📅 Please have them to us by: 30th October 2026

Please share this post and help us spread the word. We'd love to see the community come together and cover the bridge in poppies for Remembrance. ❤️

Thank you for helping us create something really special for Croft.

🌺🧶 READY… SET… KNIT! 🧶🌺