Regulation 18 draft Local Plan

Object

Representation ID: 6996

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: De Merke Estates

Agent: Stantec

Whilst the Plan seeks to deliver housing needs (in numerical terms), it seems to do this almost in isolation to wider considerations, as we do not believe it effectively “plans” for other infrastructure needs to support the prosperity of existing communities, including improvements to health, social and cultural well-being.
Whilst the Plan correctly identifies that Oakham is the most sustainable location for new development, however only a moderate amount of housing growth is directed to Oakham (16% of the total identified supply) and even then, it is “just housing” with no additional facilities or services to serve new or existing communities. This, in our view, lacks foresight and ambition for what should be a positively planned strategy for growth, for the most sustainable location in the County, over the next 18+ years.
The Plan should look to maximise opportunities for delivering truly sustainable development which meets more than just housing needs, with a focus on how Oakland (as the County Town) can positively grow over the forthcoming Plan period and beyond. We consider the approach currently proposed will not do this and an alternative strategy, including considering additional sites, should be more proactively and positively considered.

Object

Representation ID: 7687

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: De Merke Estates

Agent: Stantec

Land at North West Oakham is an available site which provides a ‘blank canvas’ for the delivery of a truly mixed-use development comprising homes, alongside local services and facilities to meet the needs of both existing residents of Oakham and future residents too.
The Site has been assessed within RCC’s “Housing Site Assessment Report (October 2023)” with a potential capacity across the Site of 833 dwellings. We wholeheartedly disagree (and object) to such an assessment.
Whilst this level of development could potentially be achievable, it bears no regard whatsoever to wider environmental or technical assessments that have been undertaken by our Client (and the LPA previously).

Nor has it had any regard to our “Supplementary Call for Sites Submission” (July 2023), which set out a series of alternative (smaller) schemes that could come forward separately and/or evolve over time.
The Site can readily accommodate additional facilities and services to not only enhance its sustainability criteria, but also benefit the existing nearby residents with improved access to much desired local facilities and services. This would be wholly in line with the Vision of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 7688

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: De Merke Estates

Agent: Stantec

Details comments made about the Housing Site Assessment Report conclusions in respect of the site called “Land at North West Oakham” (previously known as “The Lookout” via a recent Outline Application and then withdrawn S78 Appeal) which concludes the site is deliverable but unsuitable for allocation.

We therefore consider the Council has not adequately or accurately considered the suitability of the Site to accommodate the development options that we have put forward. Further consideration should be given to what would be appropriate on the Site, including whether a distinct area of it (ie. eastern parcels) could be suitable, plus whether any further services/facilities could be provided for in addition to simply housing.