The developer behind plans to build 92 homes has insisted that the company's doing all it can to address concerns about increased pressures on local services.  

Members of Rutland County Council's planning committee heard that the development on land north of Braunston Road in Oakham was granted outline planning permission in 2021 following an appeal.  

Councillors initially approved an application for up to 100 homes to be built at the site, but this was later reduced to 92 homes after a design and layout assessment was carried out.  

At a meeting on Tuesday (December 16), councillors considered the reserved matters application which included the 'layout, scale, appearance and landscaping' of the proposed development. 

Oakham resident Kyle Sansone-Richmond said: "The proposal has no support locally. I would be surprised to find anyone who lives in the immediate area who isn't opposed to this development 

"As you have already seen, there has been an incredibly large and sustained voice against this proposal since its inception in 2021, citing concerns which are repeated issues causing issues on the same road which are all documented by the residents." 

He added that the additional vehicles driving around the town "will worsen the existing traffic problems" and more families moving to the area would put additional pressure on local schools.   

He added: "I can't see where the developer has proposed a new school facility to accommodate this influx (of pupils), nor are they providing any additional NHS capacity for Oakham residents or a new NHS dentist office to cope with the increased need to access treatment." 

Mr Sansone-Richmond went on to say that the developer has failed to put forward any "wider benefits or support" for the town. 

Cllr Ramsay Ross (Labour – Oakham North West ward) said that the developer hasn't currently proposed any screening to compensate for the "loss of privacy and the associated light pollution" for existing residents living nearby.  

He added: "I'm assuming that the developer will commit to the provision of appropriate screening, in keeping with the surroundings? 

"Furthermore, can the developer commit that the existing hedging and trees planted by residents, natural screening and wildlife habits will be retained?" 

Alistair Weir, managing director of Honwood Homes, said: "I want to assure our neighbours that the site will be developed considerately from the outset. 

"We will liaise with and advise them through letter drops the timings of our works and as part of this commitment, we will sign up to the Considerate Constructors Scheme. 

"We do so on all our sites, and by following this best practice, we will also protect the environment and positively impact the community." 

Mr Weir added that the proposal had been "carefully designed" to offer "good landscaping" which fits in with the surrounding area.  

Councillors eventually approved the reserved matters application.