Regulation 18 draft Local Plan

Object

Representation ID: 7815

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

At the outset there is no analysis of population data. With the benefit of the 2021 Census, some sort of demographic
account would have been expected.

Population figures seem to have increased markedly since the last (draft) plan, in 2020. The population is projected
now to rise to 45,038 by 2036 and 46,100 by 2041, against 41,700 and 42,200 respectively in those years from the previous plan, although the source of these projections - the 2021 Census results perhaps - is not stated. So, a roughly 6% rise forecast in the 2020 plan has now become an increase of over 11%. This will clearly have implications in many areas and must be fully explained. These figures should feed into the justification/requirement for extra housing, infrastructure, etc.

We are told that 36% of the population is retired and that by the end of the plan period 30% will be aged 80+. Again,
what is the source of these statistics and what are the implications? Where will the residential homes/serviced
apartments be located? If we need affordable homes for the less well off, then we also need bungalows and small
serviced apartments. The implications in terms of medical care and transport for the elderly are glossed over in this
plan when they should be central to the vision and policies for caring for our population.

The population projections are clearly fundamental to planning for the future of the county and for any new
developments needed. Full explanations and justifications for the figures are therefore essential to ensure that the
right housing is provided in the right timescales.

Object

Representation ID: 7816

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

The first paragraph is unclear. The section headed 'Why are the Vision and Strategic Objectives needed?’ should be moved to a position before the vision itself to improve the flow of the narrative.

The Vision statement reads almost as if the Plan is intended to build up from a pretty low base; it needs to be more positive about where we are now and how we hope to move on from there. It would probably also be useful to set out how the various policies and objectives will contribute to achieving the vision – see comments below against the Spatial Strategy Chapter.

Object

Representation ID: 7817

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

This should also include a bullet on waste management/recycling and also mention the need to minimise demolition, etc. in developments.

Object

Representation ID: 7818

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

add '…the right houses in the right places' or some such qualification.

Object

Representation ID: 7819

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

an explanation of ‘landscape connectivity' would be helpful.

Object

Representation ID: 7820

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

– surely it is not just new development that must be supported by appropriate infrastructure, but all
aspects of life in the county (economy and business, recreation, health, education, etc.) as the population grows and evolves.

The Strategic Objectives need to be expanded to cover:
i) Healthcare and well-being, physical, mental or spiritual
ii) Protecting open countryside and preserving our rural environment
iii) Need to co-ordinate the use of available space and prevent unnecessary and unwelcome urban sprawl
iv) Matching additional developments, both residential and commercial, with projected population changes
v) Cooperation with adjoining regions.

Object

Representation ID: 7821

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

There should be more emphasis on the standards required for effective insulation of new buildings and a
requirement to include renewable energy features, including solar panels, heat pumps and the like, unless good reason
not to can be demonstrated.

Support

Representation ID: 7822

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

This is an important and welcome inclusion.

Object

Representation ID: 7823

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

Is this just for new residential buildings or should it apply equally to commercial developments? It should
also address waste water disposal.

Object

Representation ID: 7824

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

It is accepted that current government policy on EPCs is as reflected here, but it is also the case that EPCs
in practice relate more to energy cost than energy performance, such that some changes or new measures
recommended to improve energy performance actually have the effect of making the EPC rating worse. There is talk of reviewing EPCs and the plan should perhaps note this possible future revision and not place too much reliance on the current EPC regime.