Rutland County Council is asking for feedback on housing, as Rutland house prices remain a whopping £133,000 above average.

This comes as the Council continue to seek feedback on its Draft Local Plan, which contains the Vision, Objectives, Spatial Strategy and Planning Policy framework that will be used to shape the future of Rutland.

While the plan has been heavily criticised for being complex and difficult for the general public to understand in its entirety, the Council is accepting feedback until 8 January, giving residents plenty of time over the Christmas break to get to grips with the information.

A spokesperson for Rutland County Council said: "We are consulting on the Regulation 18 Preferred Options for the new Local Plan.

"This is the first draft of our new Local Plan for Rutland and contains the Vision, Objectives, Spatial Strategy and Planning Policy framework which we consider will best address the challenges and utilise the unique opportunities that face Rutland now and in the future.

"The draft Local Plan has been informed by the responses we received to our Issues and Option Consultation in Summer 2022. It has also been informed by the new and updated evidence base that has been prepared, this includes research on specific issues relating to the Plan and range from; Retail and Town Centre to Climate Change and Viability, as well as emerging Council and Regional strategies.

"This document looks and reads like a new Local Plan, but it is still a work in progress. We welcome your comments and ideas on how it can be improved to best create a happy, healthy and well Rutland for all."

The plan considers the economy, environment, heritage, infrastructure, waste and minerals, climate change, parking, policies, open spaces and housing - something that is of concern to many locals, who are increasingly struggling with the cost of living and have called for more affordable housing to be built in the area.

RCC have proposed that a further 2,460 houses are needed in the area. Image credit: RCC.

The Council is proposing to build a minimum of 123 houses per year in Rutland, with 30% being affordable.

However, many local developments that have gone up in Oakham over the last two years have included affordable housing that is shared ownership, provoking criticism from those who want cheaper housing, including flats, that can be bought without shared ownership or similar schemes.

With the average house price in the area £133,000 higher than the national average, is remain unsurprising to many that housing is unaffordable across the county.

Additionally, Rutland's Council Tax is the highest in the country, meaning that if residents can afford to buy in the area, they cannot always afford to stay.

Rutland County Council shared on their social media: "The average house price in Rutland is £380,000, compared to a regional average of £247,000. Our Draft Local Plan has important policies about where new homes should go. We also need your feedback on how we can meet everyone's housing needs."

You can comment on housing, and other issues being approach in the Local Plan here.

Alternatively, get in touch to share your views by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.