Regulation 19 Rutland Local Plan
Rutland Water
What will this policy do?
The Rutland Water Area designation provides special protection for Rutland Water and Policy EN10 sets out the overall approach to development around Rutland Water. This permits small scale development within the five defined recreation areas and the wider Rutland Water area for certain specified uses related to the enjoyment of Rutland Water or for operational uses.
The wider "Rutland Water Area" comprises of the reservoir and its immediate surroundings where small-scale new recreation, sport and tourist facilities developments are limited to those essential for nature conservation or fishing or essential for operational requirements of existing facilities and subject to requirements in terms of location, scale, design, and landscape impact.
Camping and caravanning activities are seen to be potentially damaging to the character and setting of Rutland Water and are not permitted in the wider Rutland Water Area nor in the defined Barnsdale or Whitwell Recreation Areas.
Policy EN10 - Rutland Water Area Comment
Development in the area defined on the Policies Map as the Rutland Water Area should be carefully designed and located to ensure that it respects the nature conservation features of this internationally important site and does not have an adverse impact on the landscape and wildlife interests and the general tranquil and undisturbed environment of Rutland Water.
The Council will support proposals which contribute to the function and operation of Rutland Water Reservoir, its treatment works, associated networks and supporting infrastructure within the defined Rutland Water Area subject to the criteria below.
New development will be limited to small scale recreation, sport and tourist uses or, essential for Anglian Water operational requirements within the five defined Recreation Areas only. These areas are defined on the Policies Map.
In all cases the applicant must demonstrate that the development within the designated Recreation Areas would:
- be in keeping with its surroundings in terms of its location, scale, form, and design and would not detract from the appearance of the shoreline and setting of Rutland Water;
- be compatible with other uses of land and leisure activities;
- not be detrimental to the special nature conservation interests of Rutland Water (including the conservation objectives for the RAMSAR site, Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest and the requirements of the Habitats Regulations);
- not be detrimental to local amenity including increases to the level of traffic movements and, parking in the Rutland Water Area not having a severe adverse impact on road safety or amenity and not be detrimental to highway considerations and
- no development should pose a threat to or lead to potential pollution/deterioration of Rutland reservoir and nearby/connecting watercourses.
New construction should be modest in scale and existing buildings utilised wherever possible and appropriate, particularly those of architectural or historic interest or of environmental value.
Outside the five defined recreation areas, new development will only be acceptable where it is demonstrated that it is essential for nature conservation or fishing or essential to the operational requirements of existing facilities, subject to it being appropriate in terms of location, scale, design, and impact on the landscape, SSSI/SPA/ Ramsar designations and biodiversity.
Caravan and camping sites will only be acceptable within the defined recreation areas of Sykes Lane, Normanton, and Gibbet Lane where they are appropriate to the area in terms of its scale, location, and impact on the surrounding area.
Minerals development, which is likely to have an unacceptable adverse impact on the environmental and recreational value of Rutland Water and its setting and the supply of water from the reservoir, will not be permitted unless the reasons for development outweigh the likely adverse impact. It would need to be demonstrated that the site is required to secure provision or maintain landbanks and cannot reasonably, or would not otherwise be met from, committed or allocated reserves.
Why is this policy needed?
Rutland Water is an important reservoir providing water supplies to the East Midlands and areas to the south and east. It is an internationally important site for nature conservation with a major role as a recreational facility with importance for tourism and the local economy.
The reservoir and its immediate surrounds have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a RAMSAR site and Special Protection Area with national and international importance for passage and breeding waterfowl. As such, it receives statutory protection, and any development will be subject to strict controls to ensure that it does not adversely affect the integrity of the site.
It also plays a major role in providing recreational activities, of both a passive and active nature, such as sailing and water sports, walking, cycling, bird watching, fishing, and picnicking and it is recognised that some limited development may be needed to support this role.
There are two newly designated bathing waters in Rutland water and appropriate measures that adhere to bathing water criteria should be taken when planning in and around these areas. These are:
- Rutland Water Whitwell Creek - Bathing water profile
- Rutland Water Sykes Lane - Bathing water profile
The NPPF requires that planning policies should recognise the hierarchy of international, national, and locally designated sites of importance for nature conservation. It also seeks to promote a strong rural economy by supporting the sustainable growth and expansion of rural business. This includes supporting rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities, and visitors and which respect the character of the countryside.
The policy approach to the area around Rutland Water has been largely successful since the 1970's in protecting nature conservation interests of the reservoir and retaining the unspoilt and tranquil nature of the area, while accommodating recreation and tourism needs.
A Landscape Review of the Rutland Water Area (2019) was undertaken to provide robust up-to-date evidence to underpin the identification of the Rutland Water Area and its boundaries, and the Recreation Areas inset within it, as required by the NPPF. The study provides the evidence and reasoned justification to support the identification of the Rutland Water Area in the Local Plan as a 'valued landscape'.
The Rutland Water Area designation provides special protection for Rutland Water. Within the defined Rutland Water Area (RWA) around the reservoir and its immediate environs, strategic policy allows for carefully managed limited development of certain specified uses carefully designed and located to ensure that it respects the nature conservation features of this internationally important site and does not have an adverse impact on the landscape and wildlife interests and the general tranquil and undisturbed environment of Rutland Water. Small scale recreation, sport and tourist uses are permitted within five defined Recreation Areas (RAs) around the shores of the reservoir within the RWA where this is directly related to the use and enjoyment of Rutland Water or for operational uses (by Anglian Water) and appropriate in scale, form, and design to its location.
The whole of the Rutland Water Area including the defined Recreation Areas is also within the countryside as defined in the Local Plan and will be subject to policies relating to development in the countryside.
Supporting Evidence
Landscape Review of the Rutland Water Area (2019)
Rutland County Biodiversity Assessment (May 2023)
