Main Modifications Consultation

Amend policy text to read:

Policy SS1 - Spatial strategy for new development

The Local Plan allocates sufficient land together with existing commitments and development built since 2021, to deliver:

• at least 123 dwellings per annum (2460 over the 20-year period 2021-2041) and
• a minimum of 2616 hectares for new employment generating uses, (with the aim of generating additional jobs) over the Plan period 2021-2041 to address the objectives of the Economic Strategy.
   

1. the majority of new development will be focussed within the Planned Limits of Development (PLDs) of Oakham (and Barleythorpe) and Uppingham, which has a distribution figure of 515 dwellings as part of the Local Plan’s spatial distribution of growth, and on land adjacent to Stamford North as part of an urban extension. This will be met by allocated sites (see policies H1, H2 and E1), sites allocated in made neighbourhood plans such as Uppingham and through windfalls on sites compliant with the other policies in this plan.
2. ..........
3. development will be limited to very small scale redevelopment and infill* opportunities only (subject to the criteria of policy SS3), in the following smaller villages and hamlets listed below:

   ........

4. the reuse and/or redevelopment of land within the defined St George’s Barracks and Woolfox Opportunity Areas will be supported where it accords with the requirements of policy SS4 and the principles and requirements of any adopted masterplan, SPD or DPD for the site; e) places not identified above are considered to be part of the wider countryside where development will only be appropriate if permitted by other policies of this plan, a neighbourhood plan or national policy.
5.  ............ .

Amend paragraph 5.9 to read:

The above approach is intended to meet the minimum housing requirement set out in the Government’s calculation of Rutland’s Local Housing Need (LHN). The employment land requirement is based on the Employment Needs & Economic Development Evidence Report (2024), which identifies a need range of between 19.7 and 36.4 hectares. Planning for 26 hectares provides a balanced level of flexibility, choice, and capacity to support business growth, renewal of older stock, and the objectives of the Economic Strategy. However, it is recognised that there are limits to the continued development being added on to the edges of existing settlements. Equally, the Future Rutland Vision looks to a longer time period than the proposed plan period for the Local Plan.

Amend policy text to read:

Policy SS2 – Development within Planned Limits of Development

.......

Proposals for development on sites which adjoin the Planned Limits of Development of Oakham and Barleythorpe, Uppingham and the Larger Villages (as listed in SS1b) may be permitted for:

1. major housing applications only where it is clearly evidenced that the proposal is needed to maintain a sufficient supply of deliverable and developable housing land (usually a 5 year land supply), in accordance with the requirements of national planning policy and Policy SS1 of this Local Plan; or
2. small scale housing proposals for infill and redevelopment in accordance with Policy SS3; or
   1.    3) local business and community needs, where the site makes use of previously developed land and is physically well related to the existing built form in accordance with policies E2, E3 and E4;
   2. the redevelopment of previously developed land which is physically well related to the existing built form.

In all cases it must be demonstrated that the development is sensitive in scale to its surroundings in scale, and will not have an detrimental unacceptable impact upon the landscape character and setting of the settlement, and that it will not have an unacceptable impact on local roads.............

Amend policy text to read:

Policy SS3 – Small scale development on the edge of settlements

Proposals for any of the development types listed below and which are very small in scale* will be supported where essential criteria a) – g) h) below are met:

1. redevelopment of previously developed land or buildings;
2. an infill plot within a substantially built-up frontage.;
3. where development will improve or enhance the existing settlement edge

The proposal must:

1. be well designed and proportionate in size / scale, layout and character to the setting and reflect the existing pattern of development of the immediate locality;
2. be adjacent to within the existing built form and maintain or enhance the pattern, character and setting of the settlement;

..........

8. demonstrate clear evidence of substantial support from the local community** .......Where this cannot be determined, support (or otherwise) should be sought from the Town or Parish Council or Neighbourhood Plan Group or Forum.

Development of isolated sites outside the existing pattern and form of a settlement will not be considered acceptable.

Delete footnote indicated by ** to Policy SS3.

** ‘demonstration of clear local community support’ ............would constitute a ‘thorough but proportionate’, preapplication consultation exercise, they should contact the local planning authority.

Amend paragraph 5.29 to read:

Policy SS3 assumes that development arising from development at the edge of within settlements will be very small-scale. This means that which is proportionate in scale and density, and complementary with, the size and character of the settlement and its surroundings. It is expected that housing development on such sites will usually be limited to 1-2 new dwellings, although exceptionally there may be a case for a site to yield up to a maximum of 5 dwellings if this makes the best and most efficient use of land.

Delete paragraph 5.31.

Development proposals on the edge of a settlement must be supported by the local community.......... ........................hey should contact the local planning authority.

Delete Policy SS4 and all of paras 5.32 to 5.35 that relate to it:

5.32 - 5.35

Policy SS4 – Future Opportunity Areas

St. George’s Barracks and an area of land at Woolfox are identified as future opportunity areas, defined on the Policies Map as SS4. ... etc.

Delete paragraph 5.36, amend the text at paragraphs 5.37 and 5.38, delete the entire sections on St George’s Barracks and Woolfox (paragraphs 5.39 to 5.59), and amend paragraph 5.60 to read:

The NPPF advises plan makers that the supply of a large number of new homes can often be best achieved through planning for larger scale development, such as new settlements or significant extensions to existing villages and towns, provided that they are well located and designed, and supported by the necessary infrastructure and facilities.

Opportunities for addressing future housing and employment needs

The Council is mindful of the potentialsignificant increases in the Local Housing Need for Rutland and neighbouring areas as set out in the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the more recent National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) and other changes to the planning system. The NPPF 2024 requires the Council to plan to meet this higher level of need through the early preparation of a new Local Plan for Rutland.

Two potential locations for new settlements were identified through this plan making process. Neither site (St. George’s Barracks or Woolfox) is allocated for this use in this plan,. But this Local Plan does not allocate either site (St. George’s Barracks or Woolfox)for development, as they are not needed to meet the housing need in this plan proposed for the initial Local Plan period as this Local Plan is based on the current NPPF 2023 requirements.The early review of this Local Plan will involve appraising the suitability of these sites and any other site options which are either (or both) site(s),put forward through that plan preparation process may be requiredboth housing and economic development., therefore policy SS4 sets out the baseline requirements for developing future allocations for them as opportunity areas. This will involve having regard to a range of suitability and deliverability factors and taking account of the spatial development strategy for Rutland in the new Plan.

Delete the entire sections 5.39 to 5.59 inclusive on St George’s Barracks and Woolfox.

Amend paragraph 5.60 to read:

Operational facilities in Rutland currently include Kendrew Barracks at Cottesmore (formerly RAF Cottesmore), St George’s Barracks at North Luffenham and HMP Stocken. It is expected that the use of these facilities will change and some may need to expand during the plan period. A separate policy (SS4) is included for St George’s Barracks which is expected to close in 2026.. Policies SS5 and SS6 will not apply to the redevelopment of St Georges Barracks.

Amend policy text to read:

Any proposal for the comprehensive re-use or redevelopment of redundant military bases and other secure residential establishments should be planned and developed in a holistic and co-ordinated manner.

Where such sites are large‑scale or operational at the time of plan adoption, and proposals would result in significant redevelopment or a change of use, this is likely to require consideration through a Local Plan review, depending on the nature and scale of the proposal.

Proposals must be in accordance with an agreed development brief or masterplan setting out the main requirements of the scheme. This could form part of a supplementary planning document or a development plan document to be prepared in consultation with the landowner, prospective developers, the Council and local communities.

Amend the section heading and policy text to read:

Development in the open countryside

.....

Policy SS7 Residential development in the open countryside

New-build housing will only be permitted in the open countryside ........

Amend policy text to read:

Policy SS8 - Non-residential development in the countryside

Non-residential development in the countryside will only be supported where it is for one of the following purposes:

1. essential for the efficient operation of a rural use (such as agriculture, horticulture, equestrian or forestry uses); or
2. essential for the provision of sport, recreation, community and visitor facilities where the countryside is the most appropriate location; or
3. ............

All proposalsfor new development will be expected to demonstrate that criterion a)-h) below are met:

1. .........
2. the amount of new build or alterationis kept to a minimum and the local planning authority is satisfied that existing buildings available buildings elsewhere in the County are not suitable for the purpose;
3. ................