De Merke Estates have appealed the 500-house build proposal for Land West Of Main Road, Barleythorpe, Rutland.

A planning application for a 500 home development in Barleythorpe was submitted by De Merke Estates in July 2022.

This application was received on the 13th of July and was validated on the 19th of July 2022. 

Read more here.

The proposal, put forward by De Merke Estates was not accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment, a decision that was deemed acceptable by Rutland County Council (RCC).

As such, a local group, Oakham Action, contacted the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and communities, arguing that the proposal would likely cause significant environmental impact and therefore required a full environmental impact assessment.

The group said: "After detailed analysis, the Secretary of State agreed with our request and overturned a previous decision by Rutland County Council that environmental issues could be addressed as part of the standard application process."

Find out more about Oakham Action and read their statement regarding the 'indefinite' postponement of the build here.

Subsequently, a Direction issued on behalf of the Secretary of State on 16 February 2023 stated that the development proposed is classed as 'EIA development' within the meaning of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

The Planning Inquiry originally scheduled to open proceedings on 28 February 2023 has been postponed.

De Merke Estates have requested clarifications and a further explanation from the Secretary of State on the EIA direction.

The application was originally submitted for:

Outline planning permission (with all matters reserved except for means of access from Main Road) for residential development, with landscaping and public open space, associated drainage infrastructure and access works, and safeguarded land for community uses.