A design handbook by which the future updates of two town centres could be guided has received a council's approval.

The Uppingham and Oakham Town Centre Design Guide was accepted by Rutland County Council's cabinet on Tuesday (October 13), priming the document for its next phase of public consultation.

Once finalised the design guide will help inform the appearance of future developments by promoting a regulated and consistent style.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, Rutland County Councillor Rosemary Powell said: "We all know that Rutland is a very special place. What we see around us in our day to day life has an impact on everybody, whether we're residents, business owners or visitors.

"The purpose of this design guide is not to preserve everything in aspic because towns and communities do need to develop and grow. Instead it will provide a framework with design principles to ensure change is coordinated and fits with local character."

A wide array of design principles from Oakham and Uppingham's public realms – areas free to access by the public – feature within the guide.

They include street lighting considerations, recommended park and town bench designs and the shades of paint advocated for public bins.

Additionally, a large section of the guide is devoted to regulating the appearance of shop fronts across Oakham and Uppingham.

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The document covers a comprehensive list of design characteristics, from the shape of windows to the size and style of door frames.

According to Coun Powell, the design guide will be used with "material consideration" in the assessment of town centre planning applications, while also finding use in developing the council's upcoming housing plan.

"This must not sit on the shelf," Cllr Powell continued. "We must use it as much as we can, we must give it weight and promote it as the way forward."

Cllr Powell praised community groups and other local authorities, including Oakham and Uppingham town councils with whom the guide was developed, for their work managing their respective public spaces.

Having now obtained the cabinet's approval the document will be subjected to public input before final sign off.