Opposition to the mayhem caused by the current 'religious' festival at the Rutland Showground in Oakham has fuelled opposition to plans to site caravans there.

The showground has applied to Rutland County Council for a change of land use to enable the site be used for the following: campsite and caravan park; outdoor events and shows, such as charitable, commercial, competitive and show events.

The planning application the land is frequently left fallow. But from time to time it has been used for the following purposes.

They included as a car park for one day a year Rutland Agricultural Show, a space for hosting food and drink events, showing collectors cars and antiques twice a year and for growing silage and grazing sheep.

The change of use would attract caravanners and campers to a site within walking distance of the town centre, continued the application, and provide a sustainable boost to local businesses.

Recommending approval, the application concluded the proposal "clearly demonstrate that the proposed uses of the site are proportionate, in accordance with local and regional planning policy, and will not detrimentally impact either physically or in terms of traffic movement, on the site and its surroundings."

However, in the past few days, opposition to the scheme has rocketed, following a 'religious' festival at the showground.

More than 60 comments have been received in two days alone.

Among them Mrs Hayley Charles of Princess Avenue said: "Due to recent problems with persons using caravans and camper vans on the site, I do

not think it's appropriate to offer this on a continual basis."

Ms Emma Skerritt of Bracken Close, Barleythorpe said: "The current religious/ traveller event at the showground which has turned into a major disturbance to the health safety and peace of the local community has shown that the owners and managers of this land are not capable of managing such a facility in a responsible manner.

"This event has shown that such a camp site is not in keeping with the quiet nature of this residential area and is not in the interests of the local community."

Ms Siobahn Quinn of Linfield, Barleythorpe, commented: "Given the recent shambles of the Rutland Showground having absolutely no control over the behaviour of some of those attending the recent event held there (1500+ travellers at the Light and Life festival), I do not think that allowing further land to be used for outdoor events is a good idea.

"As a resident living in the Barleythorpe estate close to the showground we have had disturbances every night so far from music being far too loud for a venue so close to housing (I work from home and even during the day can hear the music from the loud speakers very clearly), but also going on far too late when people are trying to sleep.

"In addition to this there have been numerous anti-social behaviour acts, with drag racing every night so far on the bypass between 10pm and midnight which can be heard from the estate, intimidation of shop workers and many shops having to close early or not opening at all as they fear for their staffs safety.

"I feel changing the land use on Rutland Showground for what is proposed (camping, outdoor events etc) would only lead to even more disturbances for those living close by and only more problems for the town in general by an influx of numbers we are just not equipped to deal with."

With the application submitted in March, commentators on Facebook said that comments must be received by Rutland Council in the next day or two.

Comments can be made on the link here.