H1.c Whitwell Road South, Empingham

Support

Representation ID: 5575

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: Empingham Medical Centre

Proposal to promote this site from reserve to priority list so as to allow for a residential development which is necessary to enable the development of a new medical centre for Empingham and the surrounding area. This proposal has widespread support from local residents, the parish and local county councillors. It will have the added benefit of alleviating traffic congestion in Willoughby Drive. Supporting documentation has been emailed to planning@rutland.gov.uk.

Support

Representation ID: 6333

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs Hannah Williams

I support this in principle.

Support

Representation ID: 7013

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Empingham Medical Centre

Empingham Medical Practice need the council to incorporate the reserve site off the A606 (Site H1.C - see map) into the local plan on the proviso that this can be used for residential development provided around a one-acre parcel of land is allocated for a new medical centre on the land directly adjacent to the reserve site (shown red hatched on the Site H1.C map). This will enable the practice to obtain the land at a token rate, the landowner to develop housing at a profit, and for a new medical centre to be built to serve the people of Rutland. Initial discussions with the landowner have agreed the above approach in principle with planning permission being required for both residential and medical centre development for either to proceed.
A new centre is needed to meet increasing patient numbers, address a lack of existing clinical space and parking. The primary reason for a new building in Empingham is to enable the practice to thrive whilst providing excellent primary care services to the growing population of Rutland. However, a new site could potentially offer further benefits to local people by extending medical services available on site.

Support

Representation ID: 7405

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Hereward Homes

Agent: Barmach Ltd

Hereward Homes fully supports the allocation of site H.1.c to the south of Whitwell Road for 40 dwellings.
However, it is requested that this site is upgraded to a full rather than a reserve site allocation given that it is within single ownership and can be delivered within the first 5 years of the plan period. Furthermore, it is requested that the allocation is extended to include land to the immediate west as set out in the plan below to provide a site for a GP surgery/medical centre (as a mixed-use allocation). The residential element will enable the land for the GP surgery/medical centre to be secured and this is supported by the Parish Council to provide this much needed community facility.

Object

Representation ID: 7606

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Historic England

Scheduled Moated site with fishponds and enclosures at
Empingham, c. 200m to south. Assessment of impact
upon setting will be required, both visual and through
changes to the character of the landscape and the
historic context of the monuments.

Object

Representation ID: 7718

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Class Q Ltd

In the Landscape section of the Technical Consultation, it is noted that the site is situated in Parcel EMP6 of the Landscape Sensitivity Study (2023). However, there appears to be minimal consideration given to key aspects of the study. Specifically, the study advises that housing development should "avoid the rising ground to the north" and it highlights that "The church is a focal point in views from the A606 across the study parcel". These recommendations seem to have been overlooked in the assessment of the site's landscape impact.

The proposed reserved allocation, covering the northern half of Parcel EMP6, directly contradicts the findings of the Landscape Sensitivity Study. This allocation would significantly and irreparably impact the approach into Empingham from the A606, a viewpoint identified as crucial in the study. Such a development would disrupt the landscape as outlined in the study's recommendations.

Conclusion: The site is unsuitable for a reserve allocation due to the Council’s identified landscape impact.