A local Councillor with Rutland County Council has spoken out about the quantity of "expensive executive-style" houses being built in Oakham despite a desperate need for affordable housing, as well as a lack of action taken by RCC to ensure that these housing developments parallel the Council's "aspirational statements" concerning climate reform.

Cllr Paul Browne, Liberal Democrat Member for Oakham South, has condemned Rutland County Council's approach to climate change. He added that RCC have done nothing to move towards its stated aim of being Carbon neutral by 2050, despite the opportunity to do so in passing multiple housing developments which may benefit from environmentally-friendly design features.

Cllr Paul Browne said: "Last week Rutland Planning Committee approved a further 213 new homes for Oakham on the site between the Oakham Co-op and the Rutland Veterinary Hospital.

"In the Oakham area alone, there are now 1,100 new homes for which planning is now approved, or for which applications are in hand, or are being discussed with planners. Whilst Rutland urgently needs affordable homes, that really are "affordable", the vast majority of these applications coming forward are for expensive executive-type houses, which evidence shows are often purchased by incoming retirees, and the wealthy new-comers  who work outside the County. This process will turn Rutland into a series of dormitory towns and villages.

"What is bizarre, is that despite the now undeniable Climate Change problems facing the whole world, and RCC both passing a Climate Emergency Motion and making aspirational statements towards taking innovative measures to reduce emissions, RCC have done absolutely nothing to move towards its stated aim of being Carbon neutral by 2050, despite having the opportunity to do so, for example in approving the design of these properties.

"The Joseph Rowntree's Trust have published calculations that 1,100 conventionally heated homes will produce 6,300 tons per annum of the worst kind of CO2. Yet RCC still allows such applications to go ahead, because the Council claims it has no formal policy to the contrary, that the government haven't legislated as yet, and officials are concerned as to the effect of such a ban on the developers' viability!  None of those arguments I respect!  

"On this application, I repeatedly asked the developer's representative to confirm they would not use gas central heating, no confirmation was given. Nevertheless, all committee Members, except Liberal Democrat members, voted for approval.  Even the Green Party Member voted for it!

"Liberal Democrat Councillors will however continue to press for non-fossil fuelled heating, on every occasion open to us."

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