Main Modifications Consultation

Amend policy text to read:

Policy H1 – Sites proposed for residential development

Provision is made in this Local Plan for the delivery of at least 123 homes per annum with an additional 10% allowance for flexibility. The Plan therefore makes provision for 2705 new dwellings distributed in accordance with the spatial strategy in Policy SS1.

The Local Plan meets the minimum housing requirement of 123 dwellings per annum (totalling 2,460 dwellings over the plan period), as set out in bullet 1 of Policy SS1 and derived from the Government’s Standard Method. The Council is seeking to make provision for approximately 10% more than this requirement, resulting in a planned housing supply of 2,705 dwellings. This planned supply is intended to provide flexibility, support delivery and ensure the minimum requirement is met, and is distributed in accordance with the spatial strategy in Policy SS1.

Amend Table to read:

*This is a minimum requirement rather than a supply figure.

Insert footnote next to the 650 at Stamford North in the table to read

** It is intended that any development on the Rutland part of a comprehensive Sustainable Urban Extension to Stamford should count towards Rutland's housing needs and so reduce the requirement for new housing elsewhere in Rutland. It should also be noted that the Housing Trajectory based on a base date of 1st April 2025 shows that only 583 dwellings are to be delivery in the plan period. This also applies to the table in Policy H1.

.....

Uppingham Total: 3141 dwellings

To be allocated through the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan. This figure

is a requirement and not the total supply of dwellings provided for via the

the Neighbourhood Plan.

Amend paragraph to read:

The proposed supply of housingdistribution of housing provision for this Local Plan is set out belowin Policy H1, including a 10% buffer. It is proposed to apply a contingency buffer of 10% to ensure delivery of the minimum housing requirement. This will also provides for a level of market choice, to support delivery.

Delete Table 3

Table 3 – Housing Requirement

* These figures will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis during the preparation of

the Local Plan.

** It is intended now that any development on the Rutland part of a comprehensive

Sustainable Urban Extension to Stamford should count towards Rutland’s housing needs

and so reduce the requirement for new housing elsewhere in Rutland.

Amend text at paragraph 6.7 and add two new paragraphs to read:

The NPPF states that the overall strategic housing requirement policy in the Local Plan should set out a housing requirement for designated neighbourhood plan areas which reflects the overall strategy for the pattern and scale of development and any relevant allocations. Therefore, this Local Plan establishes the strategy for the pattern and scale of development (in Policy SD2) and has allocated suitable and deliverable sites in settlements across the County (excluding Uppingham) and the proposed allocations included in this Plan are considered to meet that requirement. For Uppingham, the figure of 515 dwellings forms part of the spatial distribution of development under Policy SS1 and does not constitute a separate housing requirement for the Neighbourhood Plan area.

The housing requirement of 515 dwellings for Uppingham is derived from the spatial distribution of the Local Plan housing requirement and forms the starting point for assessing housing delivery in the town over the plan period. The figure of 314 dwellings represents the residual housing requirement, calculated by deducting dwellings that have been completed or are committed in Uppingham since the start of the plan period from the overall requirement of 515 dwellings. In accordance with national policy and the spatial strategy of the emerging Local Plan, this residual requirement is intended to be met through policies and site allocations in the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan.

The Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared in alignment with the Local Plan and provides the mechanism by which the residual requirement arising from the 515‑dwelling minimum is delivered, through the identification of sufficient housing supply in appropriate and sustainable locations within the town. Housing delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan contributes to the overall housing supply for Rutland and is reflected in the county‑wide housing land supply position, which is monitored and reported annually in accordance with national policy, as set out in the Housing Land Supply section below. The housing supply identified for Uppingham is therefore assessed against the residual housing requirement.

Amend text at paragraph 6.14 and add two new tables and new supporting text to read:

Development principles to guide the form, layout, dwelling mix (for housing allocations), and infrastructure needs of each allocated site are set out in H1.1 – H1.4below and in policy H2.

Housing Land Supply

The housing supply position will be monitored annually, in order to ensure that a deliverable five-year supply of housing sites with an additional buffer is maintained in Rutland. An annual report will be published every year to set out the Council’s position against the (adopted) housing requirement for the County which identifies the deliverable supply to establish the number of years which are available.

Paragraph 77 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 12/23) includes a requirement for local planning authorities to identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years’ worth of housing land when assessed against their housing requirements.

As the Rutland Local Plan was submitted for examination under the transitional arrangements set out in NPPF 12/24, the standard method for calculating Local Housing Need (LHN) provides a minimum housing requirement for Rutland of 123 dwelling per annum, which equates to a five-year local need figure of 615 dwellings. Based on the most recent Housing Delivery Test in 2023, Rutland has gone below the delivery requirement of at least 85%, at 80% over the past three years and therefore the 20% buffer for persistent under delivery does now apply.

The table below demonstrates the Council has a five-year housing land supply for the five-year period from the adoption date of the Local Plan (at end 24/25), for the period 2026/27 to 2030/31.

Furthermore, the Local Plan identifies a total supply of 3,150 for the plan period, it is recognised that this higher than the planned housing provision of 2,705 set out in Policy H1. Providing this additional supply allows the Council to provide flexibility and resilience to ensure the minimum requirement can be met. Table 3 below shows how the supply of 3,150 is forecast to be delivered during the plan period, up to 2041.

Insert new table:

Table 3 – Housing Land Supply Calculation

Spatial Distribution of Housing Land Supply

The table below compares the planned spatial distribution of housing set out in Policy H1 with the expected distribution of housing supply over the plan period 2021–2041, based on the housing trajectory. It provides a clear illustration of how the spatial strategy will be delivered in practice.

Insert new table:

Table 4 – Spatial distribution of Housing Land Supply

The comparison shows that, while overall housing delivery will exceed the minimum requirement and planned provision, the distribution of development does not align exactly with the proportions set out in Policy H1. In particular, a greater proportion of development is expected to come forward in Uppingham and the Larger Villages, while delivery at Stamford North is lower within the plan period. As a strategic site, the latter is anticipated to continue beyond the end of the plan period, and therefore a proportion of delivery falls outside the 2021–2041 plan-period.

These differences are expected and reflect the way housing supply comes forward over time. A significant proportion of the identified supply arises from existing commitments, including sites with planning permission granted prior to adoption of the Plan. These contribute to delivery irrespective of the spatial distribution targets. In addition, the housing trajectory includes an allowance for windfall development, which is not site-specific but is expected to come forward in sustainable locations across the County in accordance with the policies of the Plan.

Overall, the evidence demonstrates that the spatial strategy is operating effectively, with all parts of the settlement hierarchy contributing to housing delivery and sufficient flexibility to ensure that the overall housing requirement is met and exceeded over the plan period.

Amend paragraph to read:

Neighbourhood plans can, however, make provision for more housing development than that required in the strategic policy and the Council supports groups that wish to provide site allocations for housing development within their neighbourhood plans that go beyond the minimum requirement contained in the strategic policy, particularly those who assess their local housing needs through an appropriate assessment and plan to meet it. As a general guide, additional housing development should not exceed 5% of the number of existing dwellings in the neighbourhood plan area or be no more than 20% greater than the minimum requirement already allocated in this Local Plan.

Amend policy text to read:

H1.1 Land south of Stamford Road

Amend policy text to read:

H1.2 Officer Mess, Edith Weston

Amend policy text to read:

H1.3 Whitwell Road South, Empingham

Amend policy text to read:

H1.4 Land South West of Belmesthorpe Lane, Ryhall

Amend policy text to read:

4.  a distributor road facilitating the connection of the Old Great North Road, Little Casterton Road and Ryhall Roadand any associated junction improvements arising from this new road, including increasing capacity at the A1/A606 junctionappropriate mitigation measures to the Strategic Road Network, to be agreed with Highways England.'

…

10. Foul drainage connection via the 1050mm foul sewer in Uffington Road, via a pumping station, or any other arrangement which has been agreed in writing by the LPA in consultation with Anglian Water. A foul drainage pre-commencement planning condition will be necessary to ensure the sewer network upgrades are in place and sewer flooding is avoided;
11. an appropriate buffer for the protection and enhancement of the setting of the Roman Town Scheduled Monument at Great Casterton, the area of this buffer should be determined through a Heritage Impact Assessment and masterplan which addresses the significance of the monument and associated remains;

Amend Policy text to read:

Development proposals for sites of 10 or more dwellings shouldwhere feasible provide a range of house types, sizes, and tenures to meet the general and specialist needs for housing in Rutland in line with Table 4 below, as identified in the latest Housing Market Assessment or other up-to-date evidence of local housing need.

Amend Policy text to read:

Where practicable, new dwellings should also be provided with convenient external access, parking and storage facilities for mobility scooters.

On sites totalling 50 or more dwellings, a minimum of 2% of all dwellings is required to meet part M4(3) of the Building Regulations. Where practicable, these new dwellings should also be provided with convenient external access, parking and storage facilities for mobility scooters.

Amend sixth paragraph of policy text to read:

…….consideration may be given to this at the planning application stage. This may particularly be the case with extra care housing. The Council will follow national guidance…

Amend Policy text to read:

2. include at least two-thirds of affordable housing which will normally be affordable housing for rent and the remainder will be affordable home ownership, both within the definition in Annex 2 of the NPPF, and which shall apply to all affordable housing delivered under this policy with the exception of First Homes Exception Sites where a more flexible approach can be taken through Policy H9 (First Homes Exception Sites);
3. ensure that where major development is proposed the remainder of the affordable housing is through Shared Ownership and/or Discounted Market Sales Housing such as First Homes, as part of the overall affordable housing provision, at least 10% of the total number of homes to be available for affordable home ownership , unless a contrary approach is justified by the relevant paragraph of the NPPF;
4. achieve a minimum of 25% of all affordable homes secured through developer contributions as First Homes (with the exception of Oakham and Barleythorpe whilst they are covered by their Neighbourhood Development Plan which was 'made' on 24 June 2022), unless a contrary approach is justified by the relevant paragraph of the NPPF;

Amend supporting text at paragraph 6.59 to read:

Under Policy H7, one-third of affordable housing will normally be affordable home ownership and the remaining two-thirds will be affordable housing for rent, both within the definition in Annex 2 of the NPPF. Policy H7 allows two over-lapping requirements in national planning policy to be met. Under paragraph 66 of the NPPF, 10% of the total homes on a major housing development (sites of 10 or more homes or of 0.5 hectares or more) should normally be available for affordable home ownership. Under the Written Ministerial Statement on First Homes, at least 25% of the affordable homes secured through developer contributions on a site should normally be First Homes.

Amend policy text to read:

1. Small sites for affordable housing (which meets the NPPF definition of affordable housing) may be permitted within, or immediately adjacent to, the Planned Limits of Development of a Larger Village as defined in Policy SS1 or adjacent to existing built form of a Smaller Village and Hamletsas an exception to normal policies of restraint provided that they:

Amend para 6.78 to read:

Government Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2015) Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2023) (PPTS) states...

Amend policy text to read:

The Council will seek to meet the need identified in the latest Gypsy, Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTTSAA) for the period 2021-2041:

• 16 27 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers
•  33 34 plots for Travelling Show people (of which there is already a consent granted for 7 plots)

(Remainder of policy text deleted)

Amend supporting text to read:

Why is this policy needed?

The Council has published (in 2023) a new assessment of the accommodationneeds of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople (GTTSAA) in its area. There are families within the study area who would like to increase the number of pitches and plots and/or number of caravans allowed per pitch or plot on existing site/yards and consider that the expansion of sites with adequate space would contribute towards meeting existing need. The report concluded that there is an overall need shortfall in Rutland over the next 20 years of some 1627 residential pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and 33 34 plots for Travelling Showpeople. The need for 3334 plots does not take account of 7 additional plots allowed in 2024 as an extension to an existing site to meet their need.

The table below shows the five year need and supply for 2026-31. This has been added to the need for 2021-26, apart from the need met by the 7 Travelling Showpeople plots which has been met by an existing consent. There is 1.59 years supply for Gypsies and Travellers and 5 years for Travelling Showpeople. The Council makes allowance for windfalls under Policy H11.

The table below shows indicative need and supply for 2021- 41, not including windfalls. It assumes Area 3 of the Five Counties extensions is developed last out of Areas 1 to 3. It shows a total of 27 pitches and 34 plots as being needed over the periods 2021 to 2041, with an identified supply of 7 pitches and 35 plots over the same period. Unmet needs will be dealt with via windfalls through Policy H11.

(Delete remainder of policy text from 6.82 to 6.85)

Add new Policy to read:

Policy H10.1 to H10.4 Development principles for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople allocations

Specific allocations to meet the identified need are proposed below and shown on the Policies Map. The sites allocated at The Paddocks, Langham and Five Counties, Greetham are extensions to existing authorised Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople sites and have been identified to meet locallyarising needs from existing households.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation:

H10.1 The Paddocks site at Langham

• The Paddocks South Extension
• The Paddocks intensification within existing site boundaries

Travelling Showpeople Accommodation:

Five Counties extension, Greetham

• H10.2 Area 1 Five Counties Extension
• H10.3 Area 2 Five Counties Extension
• H10.4 Area 3 Five Counties Extension

Additional provision will be delivered through safeguarding authorised sites (including potential extensions) and policy compliant extensions to existing sites.

Policies H10.1 – H10.4 set out detailed development principles which should be incorporated into the development proposal for each site. Development principles are set out to guide the form, layout and infrastructure needs for both the Gypsy and Traveller allocation at the Paddocks, Langham (H10.1) and the Travelling Showpeople allocations at the Five Counties Extension, Greetham (H10.2 to H10.4). They also include a list of additional studies and evidence which will be required to support a planning application for each site. This list is not exhaustive, and additional work may be requested as part of the planning application process. The development principles at sites H10.1 to H10.4 are site specific and should be read alongside the general development principles at H11.

H10.1 The Paddocks site at Langham

H10.2 to H10.4 Five Counties Extension

At Five Counties, Greetham, consent has already been granted for Five Counties Extension (ref. 2023/1250/FUL) for 7 plots, which is allowed for in the tables above for supply in 2021-26. This is separate from the allocation sites and is located to the immediate east of Area 1 (H10.2).

Provision is made for up to 28 plots to be safeguarded and allocated for Travelling Showpeople for the plan period, consisting of Areas (1), (2) and (3) to be phased to best meet need, with Areas 1 and 2 developed first. For modelling purposes in the tables above it is assumed that Areas 1 and 2 will be developed prior to 2031 (covering the period of need for 2026-31) and Area 3 not developed prior to 2031 (covering the periods of need for 2031-36 and 2036-41). However, 2031 should not be viewed as a rigid timescale, with the allocated sites expected to be developed according to identified need as assessed by the GTTSAA, with Area 3 covering identified need at some point from 2031 onwards. In the event that Area 2 does not come forward in a timely way but Area 1 does, Area 3 may be brought forward before Area 2 if the need is sufficient.

Add new policy to read:

Policy H11 – Assessment Criteria for Proposals for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation

Proposals for sites for Gypsy and Traveller and/or Travelling Showpeople will be supported provided that:

1. in the case of permanent sites, there is reasonable and convenient access to schools, medical services, shops, and other community facilities;
2. the site is well located and provides safe and convenient vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access and will not result in a level of traffic generation which is inappropriate for roads in the area;
3. the impact on heritage assets, landscape character and/or sites/areas of nature conservation value including the internationally designated nature conservation site of Rutland Water is minimised;
4. the site provides adequate on-site facilities for parking, storage, play and residential amenity (including basic essential services);
5. the site is not visually intrusive;
6. adequate levels of privacy and residential amenity for occupiers and adjacent occupiers will be provided;
7. site shall normally only be occupied by households who meet the planning definition of Gypsies, Travellers or Travelling Showpeople and
8. no significant barriers to development exist in terms of flooding, poor drainage, poor ground stability or proximity to other hazardous land or installation where other forms of housing would not be suitable.

Add supporting text to read:

Why is this policy needed?

The purpose of Policy H11 is to set out the criteria against which planning applications will be assessed to meet the identified needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople through the allocations at H10.1 to H10.4. The criteria based approach also provides a robust framework to consider any unidentified needs that may come forward and contribute to the supply during the plan period.

The Council has previously adopted a criteria-based policy towards sites for Gypsies and Travellers and this had been successful in ensuring that sufficient sites have come forward to meet the previous need for sites for Gypsies and Travellers that had been identified. The Council works with the Multi-Agency Traveller Unit (MATU) in Leicester to support the travelling communities within the County.