Local Plan Supporting Documents - HRA and SA

Object

Representation ID: 7380

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: The Society of Merchant Venturers

Agent: Savills

The Sustainability Appraisal confirms the Council’s approach taken for housing delivery in the County – as
set out in Policy SS1 and equating to 123 dwellings per annum (2,460 over the 20-year period 2021- 2041).

The Sustainability Appraisal also highlights alternative growth strategy options by identifying constants
(‘components of the growth strategy options which would be similar across all the options’) and variables
(‘components which can vary across the options’).

In total, five alternative growth strategy options are detailed, ranging from 2,905 dwellings to 3,985 dwellings
to be provided over the Plan period. It is notable that the higher growth options are not predicted to result
in significant negative effects, or indeed are predicted to result in significant positive effects, against some
of the SA themes – e.g. the Communities, Health and Wellbeing SA theme (Table 7.6), the Transportation
SA theme (Table 7.7) and the Economic Vitality SA theme (Table 7.8).

In regards to Oakham, which is the focus for housing growth over the Plan period and the ‘main town of
Rutland’, the supply ‘constants’ equate to the delivery of 229 homes. ‘Land south of Stamford Road’ (ref.
H1.3) is included within the supply ‘constants’ for Oakham. In terms of the ‘variables’ for Oakham, these
equate to 464 homes across two reserve sites.

Notably, ‘Land at Uppingham Road’ is not included within the reserve sites for Oakham as the Sustainability
Appraisal seemingly places an emphasis on growth at larger villages when assessing the alternative growth
strategy options. This is however not considered to be in line with the spatial strategy which seeks to focus
growth within Oakham (and Barleythorpe) and Uppingham, and on land adjacent to Stamford. It is therefore considered that if alternative growth strategy options are pursued, then more growth could be directed
towards Oakham in line with the spatial strategy set out within Policy SS1. This would also have potential
to deliver additional significant positive effects against some of the SA themes, as referred to above.

In addition, it is noted that the Sustainability Appraisal is informed by the Landscape Character Assessment
(December 2022) and the RSLSS (July 2023). As noted in our response to Policy SC1, both assessments
were undertaken prior to the development at Oakham Pastures (located to the west of Uppingham Road
and south of Oakham). This notably changes the baseline position for the sites, and therefore it is important
that the Sustainability Appraisal is updated to accurately reflect the landscape position of the sites
(specifically in regard to the findings in the RSLSS for ‘Land at Uppingham Road’).