A proposed new housing development has been criticised by a council as 'dull' in design and 'a 'potential danger to children'.  

Allison Homes wants to build 78 houses on land off the Ayston Road, but the planning application submitted to Rutland County Council (RCC) in April came under strong criticism from councillors at Uppingham Town Council's full council meeting on June 4, with criticisms of the design layout and not enough green space. 

The plans include 78 new houses and two self-build plots with a mix of bungalows and two storey homes. There will also be 23 affordable homes, although the county council has said the number needs to be 24 to comply with planning policy. As part of the scheme the proposal is for a small play area and a balancing pond to capture run off water. 

At the meeting, mayor David Ainslie said they had no choice but to accept the building of 314 homes as per Rutland Local Plan, but said the current scheme was not favourable. 

Uppingham Town Council's planning committee chairman Barry Hobbs said there were issues with the layout of the scheme, as the homes were arranged in clusters with the green space around the edges. 

Councillor Andrew Mankowski said: "I would go so far as to say the design scheme is unimaginative and dull. We would like to see a scheme that is more adventurous. I think it is fair to give the designers the right to design, but to say to them this is not the answer." 

Cllr Ainslie said: "We are not completely negative about this. We recognise the need to provide housing, and we like the housing mix. We do want to work positively with the developers, but the scheme does not do it for us." 

A number of residents have so far objected to the scheme through the county council's planning portal and in its submitted response to the unitary council, the town council said:  "We do not agree with the use of the balancing pond for the surface water, this renders a large area of social space unusable, it is difficult and expensive to maintain with a potential danger to children."  

No one from Allison Homes was at the meeting, but in response to the criticisms, a representative from the company, said: "Allison Homes has worked closely with the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Group (NPAG) for a number of years in their preparation of the new Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan. Land off Ayston Road is allocated as a preferred site for residential development, along with a large community recreation area.  

"Detailed plans have been submitted to Rutland County Council for the residential development for the erection of 78 homes, two self / custom build plots, landscaping, open space and associated infrastructure, in accordance with the neighbourhood plan allocation. We look forward to working with Uppingham Town Council and local community along with statutory consultees and key stakeholders throughout the application to address comments made." 

The county council will, at a future meeting, have the final say on whether or not the scheme should be approved. 

Other planning matters discussed at the Uppingham meeting included new signage for the Boots pharmacy in High Street East. The committee decided that since the pharmacy provides medical assistance, the usual procedure of not allowing lighting on signage in the conservation area should be waived. 

Plans by the county council to paint new double yellow lines in Stockerston Road was met mixed views at the town council, and the mayor used his casting vote to formalise approval. A number of councillors said the new restrictions would move parking issues to other parts of the town.