Regulation 19 Rutland Local Plan
The Visitor Economy and Tourism
What will this policy do?
The Policy supports the visitor economy and encourages high quality, tourism development in Rutland where it is proposed in sustainable locations which optimise and respect the benefits of Rutland's heritage and the character of its building and landscape.
Policy E8 - Local Visitor Economy Comment
Proposals which support the local visitor economy, which are in accordance with the Spatial Strategy of Policy SS8, will be supported where they:
- make provision for visitors which is appropriate in use and character to Rutland's settlements and countryside; or
- support or enhance existing tourist and visitor facilities; or
- support the retention and enhancement of existing overnight accommodation and the provision of new overnight accommodation; or
- provide new tourism provision and initiatives in Oakham and Uppingham and the larger villages which would also benefit local communities and support the local economy.
Sustainable rural tourism development of an appropriate scale and use which utilises the conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings in the countryside will also be supported where they are located adjacent to or closely related to the towns and villages which respect the setting and character of the location.
Why is this policy needed?
An integral part of a thriving local economy in Rutland is a sustainable visitor economy and rural tourism. National Policy requires local policies to support and enable rural tourism and leisure developments. Promoting a year-round visitor economy is an objective within the Council's Economic Strategy (2023) which includes support to enhance tourism sectors.
The market towns of Oakham and Uppingham, the stone-built villages, attractive countryside and Rutland Water combine to make Rutland a desirable destination to visitors. The visitor economy is an important sector of Rutland's local economy, attracting over 1.8 million visitors a year, generating over £141 million and supporting 1,700 jobs.
In addition to major attractions, the rural parts of the County provide appealing walking and cycling routes, waterways, and other varied attractions. The agricultural landscape has encouraged a range of agri-tourism businesses which are complimented by the County's marketing focus on quality food and drink and the strapline, The County of Good Taste.
Employment related to tourism in Rutland includes a wide range of activities catering for visitors including overnight accommodation (e.g., hotels, bed and breakfast, self-catering establishments and camping and caravan sites), cafes, pubs and restaurants, visitor attractions and Rutland Water which provides a diverse range of leisure activities in addition to sailing, fishing, walking, cycling and bird watching facilities. Oakham and Uppingham with their historic character, weekly markets and retail assets contribute to the local tourism economy in additional to the growth in out-of-town garden centres.
The Council has adopted Discover Rutland's Tourism Strategy 2020-2025 which identifies tourism as a sector of the local economy which is capable of increasing economic growth all year round by attracting different types of visitors throughout the year. It acknowledges the need to increase the number of permanently employed staff in tourism jobs and to raise the profile of jobs in tourism.
The Council supports high quality tourism development in Rutland in the most sustainable locations which optimise and respect the benefits of Rutland's heritage and the character of its building and landscape. Tourism development that meets these requirements and encourages the extension of the tourist season throughout the year will be particularly supported. Recreation and tourism development in the vicinity of Rutland Water is addressed in Policy EN10
Rutland Employment Needs & Economic Development Evidence (2023) identifies that the issues for the visitor economy are more complex, particularly given the links to the housing market. However, the intention ought to be to support sustainable forms of tourism (particularly where there are (or could be) strong local supply chains) and to plan for an appropriate local infrastructure for the visitor economy (linking to Oakham and Uppingham Town Centres in particular, but also recognising the significance of heritage attractions).
The policy reflects evidence and the Council's desire to encourage the sustainable growth in the County's visitor economy and to support sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments where these will benefit rural businesses, communities and visitors and enrich the character of the local area.
The policy supports the tourism role of Oakham and Uppingham through the retention and improvement of existing visitor facilities and attractions and the provision of new facilities and services in sustainable locations.
Supporting Evidence
Rutland's Economic Strategy (May 2023)
Rutland Employment Needs & Economic Development Evidence (2023)
Discover Rutland's Tourism Strategy 2020-2025
