The show home at a new homes development opened its doors for the first time last month – with the event proving popular with many people attending.

Davidsons Homes officially launched the five-bedroom Newstead show home at its new Oakham Pastures site in September, with a good number of visitors visiting over the weekend - some curious residents, and some perspective buyers.

While the grand opening was a celebration for the Davidsons team, and those hoping to buy in the area, many residents have shared their frustration at the new development, and others, going up in and around Oakham.

One resident said: "Extremely disappointed that our once beautiful Oakham is becoming a concrete slab and the Rutland County Council don't care about it one tiny bit."

The development is located oppisite fields and next to Spinney Hill on Uppingham Road. Image credit: Nub News.

Another resident shared their concerns about the increase in housing but absence of facilities, following the closure of the Catmose Sports Centre swimming pool: "As ever the issue with Oakham, more houses and less things to do. There needs to be balance. No I don't mean more pubs, cafes or bakeries. Plenty already. 

"People need mental stimulation and engagement. Particularly folks growing up here otherwise is very easy to get driven to distraction and unhealthy habits. 

"Maybe time to think about an actual leisure centre, purpose built performance space, a variety of spaces for different activities."

Another added: "The issue I have is that no one seems to feel for us youngsters. I have always lived in Oakham, and would love to stay living here, but there is just nowhere to buy in Oakham, houses for sale here or even rent are few and far between, and very expensive."

The development of Oakham Pastures began in early 2023, and work is well underway, with some homes already finished. Image credit: Nub News.

Oakham Pastures will consist of 84 new homes including areas of green open space for all local people to enjoy.

Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes South, said: "We were really delighted with the response to our Newstead showhome launch at Oakham Pastures, with a good number of visitors through our doors to see our impressive showhome.

"Streets and houses are really starting to take shape there, which is wonderful as it brings our plans to life and we can begin to see what it will be like for our buyers to live there. We've already taken a number of reservations since going on sale, many of those from local people, so it will be great to see this community form and enhance the already lovely surroundings of Oakham.

"We're also creating a new 'village green', as well as enhancing ecological features such as a balancing pond, swales and additional tree planting, and there will be a play area and areas of green open space for families to enjoy.

"It's always been our ethos that we don't see ourselves as housebuilders, but rather as placemakers – and Oakham Pastures is a prime example of that."

Oakham Pastures is a new development next to the Spinney Hill estate. Image credit: Nub News.

The development is accessed from a new junction on Uppingham Road, with a variety of connecting footpaths in and around the new development. Contributions to support the local community such as education, health and other needs totalling up to nearly £1million will also be made through the Community Infrastructure Levy.

To find out more about Oakham Pastures, visit the Davidsons Homes website.

Alternatively, get in touch and share your views on the developments going on in and around Oakham, including the proposed Mallard Pass Solar Farm, by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.