Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has proposed expanding the city’s boundaries to include parts of neighbouring councils, increasing the population from 372,000 to 623,000 by 2028. The plan aims to address land shortages for housing development.
The proposal would merge areas from Charnwood, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, and Blaby councils into a new unitary authority. Soulsby argues Leicester’s current boundaries are too restrictive for growth and must be revised.
Meanwhile, Leicestershire County Council has proposed an alternative plan to create a single unitary authority for the entire county, while district councils favour splitting the area into three separate authorities.
Both proposals are open for public consultation, with final recommendations due by 28 November 2025. Further public engagement is expected in the summer.
