A rejection of £29.4M of central government funding to pay for infrastructure development at the proposed St George's Barracks Garden Community has thrown the whole scheme into doubt, along with Rutland's Local Plan.

The rejection of the cash was made at a meeting of the 'full' council last month, with the council now saying it has written to the Planning Inspectorate to confirm when it intends to provide an update on Rutland's Local Plan examination.

The £29.4million of national Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) was linked to the Garden Community proposals for St George's Barracks.

Following confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate that Rutland's Local Plan Examination would need to be paused until there is clarity on the possible implications of the HIF decision, the council says discussions are ongoing about funding for infrastructure and the viability of current St Georges Garden Community proposals.

Once concluded, the outcome of these discussions will be reported back to a future Full Council meeting, possibly in May. Following this meeting, the Council hopes to be able to confirm its position regarding the Local Plan Examination.

Coun Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "Full Council has made its democratic decision on the Housing Infrastructure Fund and voted not to accept the grant that was offered to Rutland.

"As stated in the report presented to Councillors last week, this will have an impact on our Local Plan, which lists St George's Barracks as a development site and was itself approved by Full Council.

He continued: "Rutland must have a viable Local Plan to manage future development in the county.

"Options include looking at whether current St George's Garden Community proposals can be delivered by closing the funding gap left by the absence of HIF, or whether we will need to revisit the Local Plan.

"We hope that a further report with recommendations can brought back for Councillors to consider in May."

The agenda and reports for Full Council on Monday 22 March 2021 can be viewed online at: www.rutland.gov.uk/meetings. Further information about Rutland's Local Plan can be also be found at: www.rutland.gov.uk/localplanreview.