Revised housing plans on the edge of Barleythorpe have won the support of planners at Rutland County Council.

They are recommending that that the county council planning committee approves six homes in what were walled gardens belonging to Barleythorpe Hall.

Originally, SA Rutland Ltd sought to build 8 homes on the site but following much opposition from nearby residents, amended its plans to 6 homes.

A report prepared by Rutland council planning staff for next Tuesday's meeting of planning committee says there remains objections from 11 people to the amended scheme.

The objections mainly revolve around impact on residential amenity, impact on the setting of listed buildings, drainage and highway safety.

However, the local parish council noted the design changed and added: "The planned development is a good use of the grounds. The latest changes meet most of the local objections."

The report says the main issues are the principle of development, design and impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area, impact on the setting of adjacent listed buildings, residential amenity, highway safety, impact on trees, drainage and the delivery of affordable housing.

Overall, the Council needs to be satisfied the proposal constitutes sustainable

development in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and that it is unlikely to have any adverse effect on the surrounding environment or character of the area to meet the presumption in favour of sustainable development in a sustainable location. If not, it is contrary to local planning policies.

The report continued: "Whilst Barleythorpe is a restraint village in the adopted Local Plan, the emerging draft Local Plan, the settlement hierarchy has been reviewed and now includes Barleythorpe in with Oakham, due to its sustainability and accessibility to a full ranges of services, facilities and transport.

"The dwellings are of a design and form which complements the range of properties that surround the site and are to be constructed from a pallet of materials and include details which will further assimilate them with the prevailing character of the village."

The planning staff sought a Section 106 contribution from the developers of

£112,032.81- about £20,000 per home. They would also have to pay the Council's legal costs.

They concluded: "The Council's approach to Barleythorpe being a Restraint Village is out of date as it can demonstrate that Barleythorpe is in effect a sustainable location.

"This is a suitable site for residential development, proving affordable housing on

previously developed land. The design and layout is of good quality. It meets the 3

elements of sustainability, social economic and environmental.

"The proposed development does not have a detrimental impact on residential amenity, heritage assets or highway safety. There are no technical issues that cannot be overcome so the development can be approved.

"It is recommended that the application be approved subject to the completion of the legal agreement and that any other minor issues be dealt with in consultation with the Chairman [of planning committee]."