Regulation 18 draft Local Plan

Object

Representation ID: 7671

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Agree in principle but the cost of fabric first energy reduction could make the extension not cost effective.

The policy is flexibly worded (‘are expected where possible’) rather than mandatorily requiring the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures and it is acknowledged that many small extensions/alterations to dwellings all outside the scope of the policy as they would not require planning permission. There is no evidence to suggest that the policy would deter home improvements, and there are already a number of industry standards/targets relating to energy efficiency measures in place that have been and are currently applicable.

Object

Representation ID: 7672

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Background documents indicate what energy might be derived from wind turbines or ground solar PV. Has any analysis been undertaken to review existing electrical infrastructure and if Statutory Authorities infrastructure can accommodate any new generation. Open spaces in rural county might be far apart and significant distance/cost for DNO extend their infrastructure to effect connection to renewable energy source. Impact on landscape.

Comments noted. The Rutland Renewable Energy Study considers capacity of the grid and concludes that the total available ‘headroom’ on the distribution network is currently 11.26 MW, which gives an annual yield generation of 15.3 GWh. This means that the availability of grid connections will likely not be a barrier to renewable energy installation up to that total capacity. It should be noted that availability of connection capacity is dynamic: it changes as new connections are agreed or grid upgrade are carried out. The impact of a renewable energy proposal, including any overhead grid connection, would be assessed against Policy CC8 and other relevant policies in the Local/relevant Neighbourhood Plan. Policy CC10 supports proposals for upgraded or new electricity facilities such as transmission facilities.

Object

Representation ID: 7673

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Due process would need to be undertaken to determine that there is a benefit to the community

Comments noted. Community benefits are a voluntary package of benefits (usually financial in nature) that renewable energy businesses provide to support communities in which they operate. Large scale ground mounted solar and wind energy projects can offer a unique opportunity for communities to reap a range of social, economic, and environmental rewards. Further guidance on community benefits in relation to wind turbine development can be found in Good Practice Guidance on Community Engagement and Benefits from Onshore Wind Developments (Dept for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 2021). (Extra paragraph on this issue to be included in the text accompanying Policy CC8.)

Object

Representation ID: 7674

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Any impacts need to be fully understood and doesn’t undermine Rutland’s ability to attract tourists to the county which is one of the cornerstones of the Plan.

Comments noted. Policy CC10 recognises the importance of energy infrastructure towards achieving net zero by supporting such development whilst also seeking to mitigate against any harm (such as to landscape, biodiversity and historic assets that make Rutland attractive to tourists) that may be caused. Some renewable energy schemes may also include community benefits such as improved rights of way. The economical importance of tourism to Rutland is recognised in the Local Plan and the impact on tourism would be a material consideration when considering renewable energy schemes.

Object

Representation ID: 7675

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Limited charging points in Oakham and Stamford, people will only use electric cars for local trips, when they know they can charge their vehicle at home and return to home after trip from larger centres.

Comments noted. Policy CC13 and Appendix 5 (Parking Standards) set out the requirements for EV charging points in relation to new development where planning permission is required. Permitted development rights also exist for EV charging points although the Local Plan cannot influence such provision. An extra sentence setting this out is suggested: At end of para 4 on page 52 insert: ‘In addition to the requirements set out in this policy, permitted development rights (where planning permission is not required) also exist for EV charge points, including in off-street public and private car parking areas.’

Object

Representation ID: 7676

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

South Luffenham only contains 2 No public house, soon to be 1 with no other facilities such as convenience store, doctors’ surgery, post office etc. Limited public transport links to Stamford. Any proposed development is certain to increase vehicle traffic from, through and into the village.

Comments noted. See the Spatial Strategy Background paper which shows that South Luffenham has more than 150 homes and a population of more than 300 people.
The categorisation of villages uses this data rather than the presence of local shops and public houses which can change during the lifetime of the plan.

Object

Representation ID: 7677

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Needs Clarification - Where sites have been indicated within the plan but not adopted, can the Developer seek review with RCC /DoE to still develop the site, or does the fact the application has been discounted and does not form part of the plan, effectively block development.

An applicant can always put a planning application in for any site at anytime. the Local Plan cannot prevent an application being made for a site.

Object

Representation ID: 7678

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

While not presently considered as part of the Regulation 18 Local Plan, MOD activity ceases at the base in 2026 if the development of some 350-500 dwellings become part of the local plan will this impact on RCC Local Plan Options 1-5 and will there be therefore a reduction in numbers of dwellings from Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford.

Comments noted. The purpose of Identifying St George's Barracks as a Future Opportunity Area in Policy SS4 provides a framework to ensure that any future development is sustainable and holistically planned and address the issues raised. The Woolfox site will also be identified as a Future Opportunity Area in the Regulation 19 Plan. Given that the masterplan for SGB would be an SPD or DPD considered through a review of the Local Plan, then any future allocation of housing on SGB would be taken into account in terms of housing land provision for the remainder of the county at the time of the review.

Object

Representation ID: 7679

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Not Descriptive enough - would a “motor cross” site and impact on the landscape and environment be acceptable.

Objection noted. SS9 (now SS8) 7. states that economic projects which have a functional need to be located in the countryside and have a demonstrable economic benefit to the County and significantly outweighs any harm and there are no unacceptable adverse environmental impacts
SS9 (now SS8) also states that 'the development itself or cumulatively with other development, would not be detrimental to the character and appearance of the landscape.' No policy change required.

Object

Representation ID: 7680

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

The plan identifies the extent of residential development but fails to identify how existing schools and healthcare providers will cater for the increased footfall of what are already stretched providers.

Noted. The infrastructure delivery plan (IDP) identifies Rutland's infrastructure requirements including social, physical and green infrastructure. The IDP sets out what is needed, where it is needed and when it is needed.