Fifteen business units and three trade related retail units have been approved in Barleythorpe.

Tungsten Oakham Ltd has gained planning approval from Rutland County Council for 4450M2 of units on a 3.857 acres off Panniers Way, Barleythorpe.

The scheme proposed 18 units spread across six subdivided buildings with dedicated parking, bin stores and cycle shelters.

The developers promised new hard and soft landscaping installations "to deliver a high quality scheme that links into the surrounding area and ensures the proposals are environmentally, ecologically and visually appropriate."

There would also be parking for 89 cars and 38 bikes on the site by the Oakham bypass, which is already within an existing commercial environment.

A report by Rutland Council planning staff said the land is allocated for employment development in the council's development plan.

The application also benefitted from an outline planning permission for employment uses (2013/0598).

"The principle is thereby acceptable. However, special consideration needs to be given to the 3 small retail units within the scheme."

Such units would be prevented from accepting 'inappropriate town centre uses' and instead would have to be 'Class E' business, commercial, service operations.

The report said during the application process, the design and layout of the scheme has been improved.

"The design of the buildings shows some interesting elements of glazing etc and is not as plain as the Tractors and Estate agents building being erected on the adjacent site," it continued.

"There are no residential properties near to the site. There is a public house to the west and new employment units just completed to the east. The overall use of this site amongst other commercial uses will not impact on any nearby interests."

Therefore, it concluded, the application met a range of council planning polices and should be approved.