Object

Representation ID: 4542

Received: 23/11/2023

Respondent: Stewart MacDonald

As the main county town, policies need to be introduced to revitalise Oakham town centre. The council seems to have no ambition in this regard having recently turned down the opportunity of having a local cinema in the centre of town and not implementing a plan to pedestrianise the high street. There appears to be no vision or plan. Stamford has a thriving town centre and so should Oakham.

Policy E10 seeks to ensure that Oakham is the focus for development of the town centres in Rutland, whilst also recognizing the secondary role of Uppingham. The Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study (2023) includes a number of recommendations based on it's findings and where possible will seek to action the recommendations as set out in this report.

Object

Representation ID: 4851

Received: 21/12/2023

Respondent: ANCER SPA Ltd

The Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft Policy OR1: Preferred locations for larger convenience stores has already confirmed that the provision of additional food/convenience stores, of an appropriate scale to meet the growing needs of Uppingham, will be supported as part of a mixed-use development on the Uppingham Gate site.

Local Plan proposed policy E10 should acknowledge the role of the Uppingham Gate site in resolving the acknowledged currently restricted level of provision and choice of convenience shopping in Uppingham.

Comments noted. The Uppingham Gate site is not in the town centre and therefore there isn't a necessity to make reference to this in this policy.

Support

Representation ID: 5020

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs Sara Glover

Agree but much more needs to be done to regenerate Oakham town centre - it is a very sorry state compared to five years ago and needs a more diverse shopping experience to draw in visitors

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 5197

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Frank Brett

Supported

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 5312

Received: 01/01/2024

Respondent: Ms Ann Lewis

As a resident of Rutland since 1974 and Oakham since 1985, and having been employed in Oakham for thirty years, I can only assume that Oakham has been allowed to decline. The much-needed town centre refurbishment did not happen, even after Joy Clough’s excellent report on what would boost our town centre. The economy of Oakham has declined with very little investment in attracting businesses here which might offer well paid employment. Why are we happy to accept employers like McDonald’s who offer few and low paid jobs? Job creation needs to be more imaginative and forward-looking.

The town does not offer employment for those who buy the advertised executive houses on the new developments. They get in their cars and commute to other places. We have become a dormitory town where people no longer shop here.

Policy E10 seeks to ensure that Oakham is the focus for development of the town centres in Rutland, whilst also recognizing the secondary role of Uppingham. The Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study (2023) includes a number of recommendations based on its findings and where possible will seek to action the recommendations as set out in this report to enhance and improve Oakham Town Centre.

The allocation of employment sites and proposals that come forward via Policy E6, when combined seek to ensure employment development is located in the most suitable locations and uses, where there is opportunity to provide to boost the local employment and skills market.

Support

Representation ID: 6313

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Chris Read

Support: BUT I strongly believe that the Council should give much more support to businesses in Oakham - and much more consideration to planning that will help rather than hinder these businesses - they are the future of Rutland.
I have mentioned it in earlier questions - but a chat with any high street business in Stamford will show the level of support they get from their council. I think Rutland Council could maybe learn from them.

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 6467

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Dennis Stanley

A big question but in brief we need a proper vision for the town center's including details of how we wish the street scene to look and put policies in place from shop front design to street furniture . Does the existing retail units address new investors needs or limit them i.e we arnt going to attract a M
and S but will high quality niche quality shops. do we have a coordinated inward invest strategy. can we stop paying money for consultants reports and get an actin plan. What about cafas society encouragement a really community square.

Rutland has seen a considerable growth in out of town shopping in recent years known locally as garden centres. We have three within 20 minutes of Oakham town centre. These centres offering free parking nice cafes and Restruant’s also offer everything from kettles to shoes, clothing to furniture even plants.
I enjoy visiting these centres but wonder if they offer a real threat to the long term viability of our town centres.

Noted

Object

Representation ID: 6495

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Ron Simpson

This policy needs rewording to acknowledge that Uppingham serves the whole county and beyond. The draft has caused great offence to business proprietors who manufacture goods and /or deliver services to the county and UK/international markets. Much work has ben done to integrate the towns three trading/employment sites with town centre businesses. It is important the Local Plan support this beneficial relationship, not damage it.

Noted. The town centre hierarchy was previously set out in Policy CS17 of the Core Strategy, which defined Oakham as a main town centre. More up to date evidence in the form of the Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study considers that Oakham remains the main town centre in Rutland, with Uppingham providing an important role, but lesser than that of Oakham. More widely as the centre of growth, as the largest settlement in Rutland, this follows the natural settlement hierarchy as set out in the Spatial Strategy for the Plan (Policy SS1). Where Uppingham is seen as a secondary focus for development, below Oakham.

Object

Representation ID: 6587

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs Susan Shepherd

A vibrant county town high street should be the heart of the community. This policy needs more focus on revitalising the town centre and attracting independent retailers through improved business rates or by other incentives.

Noted and agreed. The high street is essential to the community. The Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study (2023) includes a number of recommendations based on its findings and where possible the Council will seek to action the recommendations as set out in this report. Increasing business rates is outside the scope of the Local Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 7103

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Stamford Civic Society

Policy E10 Town Centres and Retailing. This policy states: “Oakham Main Town Centre – serving the whole of Rutland” This is an inaccurate statement as clearly any housing allocation in North Stamford would look to Stamford Town Centre for retail activity. Whilst this is to be applauded, it means that Rutland CC have no control over the planning environment within Stamford Town centre and it is not clear to what extent any co-operation with SKDC will contribute financially to public sector finances in relation to expenditure within Stamford Town centre, particularly in relation to Stamford Town Council funding.

Noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7146

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Jacqueline Towl

A better selection of shops in Oakham would help in keeping residents coming into the High Street, could a reduction in Council Tax be considered for new comers?

Commented noted. However, changes to Council Tax are outside the scope of the Local Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 7211

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Nigel Blackburn

Why is there not more in the local plan about the regeneration of Oakham High Street.

Policy E10 seeks to ensure that Oakham is the focus for development of the town centres in Rutland, whilst also recognizing the secondary role of Uppingham. The Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study (2023) includes a number of recommendations based on its findings and where possible the Council will seek to action the recommendations as set out in this report to enhance and improve Oakham Town Centre.

Object

Representation ID: 7260

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Manton Parish Council

Whilst we agree with this Policy, consideration must be given to taxi and public transport infrastructure.

Comments noted. The Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study (2023) recognises that although public transport usage for access to Oakham and Uppingham town centres is low. This report states that the retention and enhancements of existing public transport, specifically bus services are key, given Oakham's role as a hub for local shopping and services. The same also applies to Uppingham. The Council recognises the importance of maintaining and enhancing the two town centres and where possible will seek to action the recommendations as set out in this report.

Support

Representation ID: 7584

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Historic England

Reference to the Shop Front Design Guide within criteria
e) is welcomed.

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7682

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Plan refers to developing evening and leisure entertainment, cafes and retail, small markets are “dying”, and they bring footfall into the larger urban towns together with having a vibrant high street. Identifying sites for retail development outside of these centres will hasten their decline.

Noted. Policy E10 provides support for retail and leisure development in Oakham and Uppingham which improve the vitality and viability of the town centre and enhance the evening economy. This policy does not identify sites for retail development outside of the town centres.

Support

Representation ID: 7746

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Anglian Water

We agree (Policy E10) that Oakham and Rutland Water support each other’s functions as a town centre for retail and service provision and a destination and visitor hub, respectively.

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7883

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

Why should Uppingham not support the whole of Rutland? In any case, surely both centres will also support users from out of county. Also, Uppingham's plans are addressed in the emerging neighbourhood plan, which should be referred to here, and is in effect implied by H12 which deals solely with Oakham.

Noted. The town centre hierarchy was previously set out in Policy CS17 of the Core Strategy, which defined Oakham as a main town centre. More up to date evidence in the form of the Rutland Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Study considers that Oakham remains the main town centre in Rutland, with Uppingham providing an important role, but lesser than that of Oakham. More widely as the centre of growth, as the largest settlement in Rutland, this follows the natural settlement hierarchy as set out in the Spatial Strategy for the Plan (Policy SS1). Where Uppingham is seen as a secondary focus for development, below Oakham.

It is considered that there is no necessity for the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan to be referred to here.

Support

Representation ID: 7930

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

E10 Town Centres & Retailing - Support

Support noted.