H1.2 Land south of Brooke Road

Object

Representation ID: 4757

Received: 13/12/2023

Respondent: Lin Chatfield

This site is the wrong side of the railway. It will mean increased congestion on the narrow residential roads into and out of Oakham and at crossroads and T junctions, and especially at the crossing which is already scheduled for closure 57 days next year - alternative route then would be through residential area and out to the next crossing. Traffic will be a nightmare for all

Object

Representation ID: 4758

Received: 13/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Terry Lee

No new developments off Brooke road and Greenfield sites to the West of the railway line.

Object

Representation ID: 4776

Received: 16/12/2023

Respondent: Rosemarie Whittaker

Brooke Road is already congested. At its junction with Welland Way it is narrow and there are frequent blockages as traffic tries to turn right in the direction of the level crossing. Development on this site will seriously worsen the congestion, raising safety issues for residents, as well as children and parents going to and from Brooke Hill School. Cycling along Brooke Road will become more perilous. With the probability of persistent traffic jams in this area, the air quality is bound to worsen.

Object

Representation ID: 4825

Received: 19/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Nigel Stark

I wish to protest most strongly to the proposal to develop 136 houses on the field in Brooke Road. This has been proposed and rejected twice before in 2008 and again in 2020 due to Highway safety because of the congestion caused by the railway crossing. The traffic can backup right back up Welland Way and Brooke Road and adjoining roads and often does not dissipate before the barriers come down again. With more houses on the allotment site on the other side of Brooke Road, the traffic will increase further. I note this and also the Braunston Road development, has not been taken into consideration in the Highways Authority Access comments as to capacity. Added to that, the rail traffic is increasing all the time and will be substantially more when the line is upgraded. The barriers are down at least 20 minutes in each hour. It's only a matter of time before there is a serious accident with vehicles being stuck on the crossing.
The Initial Highway Officer comments: Straight road with good visibility. 40mph limit. ignores the fact that
Brooke Road is a narrow thoroughfare, essentially single track due to cars parked, which leads to a school. There has already been a case of a child being knocked down. Even if the road could be widened in the only possible area, it still wouldn't help with the congested junction at the crossing. With 136 houses, with a further 300+ cars all needing access via Brooke Road it can only make the situation worse.
How can this be proposed again when the highway safety issue and congestion, even without any further development, is even worse than before?

I quote from your SHELAA OAK04;
New development could provide an opportunity to create a more positive, softer edge to the town in this location and to increase wildlife / ecological / nature
recovery / green infrastructure networks.

How can covering a greenfield site, home to hares, deer, bats and other wildlife, in housing achieve this objective.? It would in fact do exactly the opposite.

The field often floods and is waterlogged during the winter months.

Surely any development should be accessible from suitable roads where the traffic can move freely, for instance; off the bypass

Object

Representation ID: 4841

Received: 20/12/2023

Respondent: Miss Jenny Cross

The proposed development of 140 houses at Brooke Road, previously rejected due to serious highway safety issues and congestion, is deeply concerning. Brooke Road's current congestion and frequent blockages will worsen, jeopardising resident safety, especially for Brooke Hill School commuters. Increased traffic will endanger cyclists and worsen air quality. The assessment overlooks ongoing developments' impact and disregards the ecosystem, contradicting the objective of enhancing wildlife. The field's winter flooding and unsuitability for extensive development heighten concerns. A reevaluation is imperative, prioritising safety, environmental preservation, and access is already impossible due limit street parking.

Object

Representation ID: 4885

Received: 23/12/2023

Respondent: Miss Lucy Slessor

Parking: Not enough space
Congestion: We already have a large flow of traffic and congestion on Brooke Road.
Flooding: There is a flood issue with Brooke Road, several of my neighbour's houses have been badly flooded on the side of the road the housing area is proposed for and damaged as a result.
Wildlife: Also needs to be considered.
Financial Climate: Many of our current residents are struggling to keep the homes they have.
Oakham needs money ploughed into more surgeries, schools, community groups and activities, we do not need more housing in a town that has more important needs.

Object

Representation ID: 4899

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Piers Tarleton

I find it hard to believe that Brooke Rd is again up for consideration for further development?

The existing congestion at both the crossing and school ends is terrible, day after day there are near misses because of the sheer volume of traffic. It is almost inconceivable a plan would be considered that would only make things worse. I fully appreciate houses need to be built but this would truly be a terrible location to consider.

Object

Representation ID: 4923

Received: 28/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Zak Ward

I would happily invite anyone of the council committee on this proposal to come down to Brooke Road/Welland Way and monitor for a day or two. That includes school times and not 11am when it's at it's quietest and think everything is fine and dandy which is what tends to happen.

Object

Representation ID: 4936

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Ian Razzell

Development on Brooke Road has already been dropped previously based on highway safety, congestion and the overcrowding of the Brooke Road railway crossing. I oppose this site without reservation as it is yet another example of exploiting green field sites (with proof of gates, bats, newts and otters in place) against the use of brownfield (St George’s Barracks).

Object

Representation ID: 4939

Received: 30/12/2023

Respondent: Ms Jo Osborn

Like others I'm very concerned on the impact this choice will have on congestion along Brooke Road with the railway crossing. Due to existing housing having minimal off-road parking for residents the road is double parked all the way along. There is already examples of traffic backing up when the railway line is down, an additional 140 homes will make a big impact.
With the primary school it is particularly busy during school run times. This location has been considered previously and agreed that it is the wrong location - I don't think anything has changed so why select again?

Object

Representation ID: 4962

Received: 01/01/2024

Respondent: Ms Ann Lewis

This site was rejected in 2008 and later due to ‘Derimental Highway Impact’. This situation has not changed. The highway and the crossing have not magically gone away. So why is this being proposed now when we have the added concerns of Barley Woods and the allotment site which will have devastating impacts on the crossing.

Object

Representation ID: 4964

Received: 01/01/2024

Respondent: Hannah Clarke

Rutland needs another GP surgery, another secondary school, better SEN provision, NHS dentists, NOT more housing in what is already a congested area. Cars speed down Brooke Road, the train crossing causes congestion in both directions, it's unsafe crossing the road when the path on the allotment side ends, and the only viable alternative route is down on to Cold Overton Road, the crossing point of which is utter chaos. This would ruin the aesthetic of Brooke Road, potentially resulting in a depreciation in house value, and it would make the routes even more busy than they already are.

Object

Representation ID: 4967

Received: 01/01/2024

Respondent: Jennifer Hughes

Insufficient infrastructure. The Rivers and Palaces estates are enclosed by only Braunston Road and Brooke Road. Neither has direct access to the bypass. The area is (un)affectionately known as ‘the wrong side of the railway’ due to the problems accessing the other side of Oakham and beyond via the bypass. When the rail barriers are down there are problems with traffic queuing on Brooke Road on the west side of the railway, as drivers must wait for the traffic to clear from Welland Way, and the queueing traffic also blocks vehicles trying to turn into this section of Brooke Road.

Object

Representation ID: 4968

Received: 01/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Julian Barwell

The inevitable increased crossing congestion will be unsafe with parked cars blocking a lane by the cricket green when the barrier goes down a couple of minutes after a long wait for a train. At the crossing, if a car want to turn right the blockage could lead to a car being left on the line- an accident waiting to happen. Congestion is already becoming severe and we already know school places and GP appointments are challenging. We need a better crossing for more houses and improved infrastructure/facilities for young people. They are woeful for individuals aged 18-25.

Object

Representation ID: 4979

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Murdo Ross

Objection is based upon a combination of increased traffic at the rail crossing (with no provision of information on future train frequency, and consequently increased congestion) and increased congestion on what is a narrow road with necessary on-street parking.

Object

Representation ID: 5002

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: J Kibblewhite

I am really concerned about this proposal to build houses on Brooke Rd it has already been assessed that this is a unsuitable location for such a project and twice turned down so what on earth makes it now acceptable.It will considerably increase greater congestion on these very narrow roads which are already struggling due to parking issues especially during school hours. Plus waiting times at the crossing due to more trains using the line is becoming more and more difficult with a back log of traffic building up trying to get across to access the town .
I cannot stress enough that I think this proposal has not been thought out properly.

Object

Representation ID: 5003

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Mrs C Goodson

I write to add my objections to the new proposed housing development on the allotment site on Brooke Road.
The railway crossing is congested enough with traffic from the houses south of the railway, and traffic from outlying areas like Braunston. If this level crossing is closed for any reason the traffic congestion at the other main railway crossing will be intolerable!!

If the housing development goes ahead I suggest that exit onto Brooke Road is by a footpath only and vehicular exit should be at the opposite end of the development onto the end of Uppingham Road.

Object

Representation ID: 5004

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Christine Dukes

I am disappointment and alarmed to see that the site south of the Brooke Road level crossing, previously 'thrown out' on the last local plan, is now a preferred site for building a further 140 new houses.
The section of Brooke Road where the housing is proposed is a country lane, unsuitable for heavy traffic. To build any further housing and increase traffic will:
• impact on the safety of parents and children using the road to Brooke Hill Primary School.
• cause even more congestion when the level crossing gates are closed.
• refuse lorries and public service vehicles will be compromised with the extra congestion, in particular ambulance and fire engines.
• further developments on both sides of Braunston Road and on the old allotment site on Brooke Road will mean more traffic heading towards the Brooke Road crossing for traffic heading to Stamford and other towns
• because of the downturn in shopping or work opportunities in the town centre together with real cut back of local bus services, more traffic will be using Welland Way and Brooke Road to travel to other towns.
• As is stands we have an abundance of wildlife from hares, muntjack and fallow deer, bats, red kites to name but a few. How can a housing development improve on nature and a natural town boundary where the local vista is stunning to any visitor to the town. There is no opportunity to improve this section of Brooke Road sufficiently to enable such an increase in traffic without compromising the safety of residents, local children and visitors

Object

Representation ID: 5032

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Bettina Hill

I have to register my OBJECTION to the proposed building of 140 houses on Brooke Road.

I do understand that new houses are required in and around Oakham, as in all other areas, however, the siting of this development is ridiculous and dangerous owing to the nature of the road layout and proximity to both the railway and the level crossing.

The railway crossing already causes congestion several times every hour and the queues often stretch a long way in both directions and can take a very long time to negotiate, leading to frustration and delays. The addition of a potentially extra 200+ vehicles will in no way help this situation no matter what road widening scheme is in place.

Extra traffic cannot be diverted to use the main crossing on Melton Road as the roads leading into that are even more congested than those around Brooke Road.

Full closure of the Brooke Road crossing for 8 or so weeks - as we are led to understand - during building works will also cause no end of problems for residents trying to get to school and work, the Melton Road crossing will become impassible and the whole area will be gridlocked.

Sort out the current traffic congestion before adding to the stress! - and that’s not mentioning the loss of greenfield, biodiversity and trees under this ridiculous plan.

Object

Representation ID: 5033

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Dave Chivers

I'm writing to express my horror at the plan to build 140 houses on Brooke Rd, this plan will only escalate the already terrible situation with the traffic on the roads whenever the gates are closed on the crossing.

The plan to build another 140 houses in Oakham without the means to support the existing population,there is no infrastructure to support us at the moment, have tried to get a doctors appointment lately, there are not enough schools for the children It would appear to me that the plan is ill thought out at best,with what appears to be no regard for the people of Oakham. I have lived locally and in Oakham since 1969 the place is changing not nessar;y for the better .

Object

Representation ID: 5034

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Maureen Lyall

I strongly disapprove of this proposal as there is already a lot of disruption and congestion there , especially on the south side. Why is this being suggested again when it was rejected before as being an unsuitable site? Already there are long waiting times at the crossing and more houses/ traffic will only make it worse!
I also believe there will be a loss to bio-diversity on this land.
More generally, although I understand the need to build more homes , alongside this there needs to be development of the infer structure and amenities in the town. In particular medical facilities in the town are already inadequate for the population.

Object

Representation ID: 5035

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Paula Diep

I am writing to register my disapproval of the plan to build 140 new houses on Brooke Road.

The situation has not improved since the proposal was deemed unsuitable 4 years ago:

There is already considerable congestion both sides of the railway line at peak times when the crossing is down, along both Welland Way, Derwent Drive and Brooke Road, exacerbated by the parked cars near where the old allotments used to be.

There is already a lot of traffic and parking issues along Brooke Road, Trent Road, Spey Drive created by parents bringing their children to Brooke Hill school

There will be a loss of natural habitat to the wildlife we see regularly in the fields and hedgerows.

Object

Representation ID: 5040

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Bruce Allison

We object to any housing development on the three pockets of land surrounding and to the west of Copse House because:-

1. resulting substantial extra road traffic CANNOT be accommodated at the Brooke Road level crossing, due to (A) its bottle neck of parked cars by the Victorian houses with no driveways and the over-long jams caused by the frequently shut crossing for the busy line, and (B) the single file of traffic resulting from existing parking on both sides of Brooke Road between Dyrham Place and Trent Road.

2. the loss of wildlife habitat on the fields which currently grow cereal crops - I myself counted 22 hares on just one of the affected fields opposite our house one morning last winter. We have already noticed barn owls no longer frequent those fields as more new housing gets closer (e.g. site currently under construction just north of Copse House farm).

Object

Representation ID: 5041

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Stuart Oldham

Summary of objection based on the following grounds.
1. Traffic congestion along Brooke Road caused by increasing road and rail use.
2. Traffic safety issues related to above
3. Use of a 'greenfield ' site and effect on the environment and the local ecology.
4. Pressure on infrastructure especially surgeries and schools.
This proposal needs to (once again) be rejected.

Object

Representation ID: 5043

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Graham Charity

It is with horror I think of 140 houses in the Brooke Road location.
We are all aware of the traffic issues this development will bring, the loss of more green space and what concerns are there for the welfare of resident wildlife, “oh they will move elsewhere”
Please reject this development.

Object

Representation ID: 5044

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Professor Julian Barwell

Happy to support new builds, which we need nationally, if we have plans for the Brooke Road crossing which is getting dangerous with cars parked near cricket ground when two close trains and if we have enough general practitioners and school places.
Of course there is a lot of wild life there, especially hares, and the loss of biodiversity would be a great shame.

Object

Representation ID: 5046

Received: 29/12/2023

Respondent: Mr and Mrs J and C Dunderdale

At school times it is impossible to get off the drive due to school traffic from Brooke Road and Catmose Primary Schools.

Lengthy commercial trains and re-routed trains are using this route, sometimes with 60+ carriages.

There is further considerable congestion due to resident parking opposite the proposed development, more so on refuse collection day.

Consideration does not seem to have been taken into account for emergency vehicle access through this area.

As it stands at the moment taking the route via Cold Overton Road over the main level crossing is a real hazard. There is no other route to take living this side of Brooke Road level crossing.

The development on the site in question will cause more congestion, disruption and become an extremely serious safety hazard.

Object

Representation ID: 5073

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Anthony Howard

I utterly oppose this development. In this area we already suffer terrible traffic congestion which will be made worse by the allotment development on the other side of the railway crossing. Brooke Road is a narrow road and more traffic will cause havoc, especially at school drop off and pick up times. It is already very difficult for traffic to turn right onto Welland Way from Brooke Road. With ever increasing rail traffic, the queues at the gates will be much, much worse. Road safety will also be a major issue.

Object

Representation ID: 5078

Received: 30/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Alan Young

I am totally against this proposed development for the following reasons.

- It is already a problem on the narrow road to get past the legally parked vehicles, especially when the traffic is heavy and long waits at the railway crossing.
- More vehicles would make this so much worse.
- More homes in this area would add more congestion and emergency vehicles would incur more hold ups.
- Oakham does not have sufficient NHS Doctors to cover for more people.

Object

Representation ID: 5079

Received: 30/12/2023

Respondent: Susan Young

I am totally opposed to this development for the following reasons:
1. Brooke Road is already almost a single lane road opposite the site due to resident parking. The residents of these properties have no alternative parking places nearby.
2. Due to queuing traffic access from the site onto Brooke Road would be extremely difficult. Vehicles trying to access the site would cause further hold ups on Brooke Road.
3. Emergency vehicles could be severely delayed due to queuing traffic at this point.
4. If the road had to be closed for construction/infrastructure work there are very limited options to access what is a large estate.
5. Oakham does not have enough GP provision for the existing population. 140 houses would put further strain on the existing services.