Oakham has seen a great deal of change over the last decade, with a population increase of 14.6% between 2016 and 2039 predicted in the 2018 review by Rutland County Council.

This is only set to rise, with an increase in local housing ongoing and a consultation for the proposed Barleythorpe development of up to 650 new homes in the pipeline.

Oakham residents are beginning to feel the impact of this increase in housing and population.

An Oakham local, Jamie Williamson, has spoken out: "This may come across as a strong opinion but I've kept it to myself for too long and want to hear others views.

"Firstly I feel let down by the latest rutland police work namely social media posts. The latest knife hedge hunt has cost the tax payer between £45-75 an hour, now I am completely supporting "operation spectre" and agree knife crime is a real worry and concern to all but I personally feel a little insulted that it took 4 paid officers searching hedges for knives in the smallest county of England which has only 11 recorded weapon related offences in the last year to search on the off chance. Surely tackling this seriously would require a serious approach, wasting time and resources taking selfies of the process mocks the cause to me. That time could've done so much more and scrolling down is a recurring problem.

"(I am not aimlessly slating or knocking the cause and goal, just find wasting time like this for a photo opportunity that Rutland's supporting operation spectre is making me lose confidence in our leadership).

"And lastly I'm concerned at the lack of concern for expansion in Oakham, I'm not stuck in the past I'm simply seeing problems from 30 years ago reoccur like we've done a circle.

"One example is the bypass, it was build as we couldn't tolerate the hgv traffic blocking up every road in town making it barely useable, the problem is it's not longer a bypass, what started off as a bridge and a road with access to the industrial estate has turned into a residential epicenter again with 3 sets of traffic lights within 1/2 mile and the new crossings that will be causing the same back log and queues as before.

"I am all for upgrade and improvement but Oakham has increased 14.7% population in 18 years with the council directly profiting from each new resident to buy a home, my question is why arent we seeing anything back? Only longer waiting times at doctors, longer queues and more frustration moving around Oakham, children not being able to get catchment spaces at schools before long, nurseries overwhelmed as they haven't magically increased 14.7% capacity. In fact it's caused such a problem 3 more surgeries have popped up to try and help take the strain and now even they have become incapacitated.

"And then there are these marvellous futuristic plans for a one way brighter Oakham that appeared from nowhere with the "people's approval", the same approval Braunston road, Brooke road, Langham main Street, Ashwell road towards Burley there are plans for houses in the 1000's nobody knows about until the bricks are being laid and all I continually see are people that don't remember the morning carnage or a time when you could ring the doctor's and see your GP the same day continually brush it all off, it'll be too late by the time it's a problem the people allowing it will of made their profit.

"Rant over I guess I know this is going to bring some mixed views but I'm sick of paying more than ever and getting less. Without getting a say in Rutland ourselves (even though we're told we do) it seems as if the ones standing to profit the most will of retired before the problems come. Look for yourself at the averages, again balance involves all sides, when there's a 3 generation gap between most of the new upcoming residents and the elected council who run the show it's a loosing battle, the current situation is typical of old ways and ideals attempting to be applied by people out of touch with its reality. (I wouldn't ask my grandad for advice on my computer but likewise I'd be the first person he'd ask, without age diversity we are being lead down a one way road).

"I wonder how quickly a planning application that would directly affect one of the people making its decisions would fair, if anyone agrees id like to form a voice for us and have a potential way of helping, I understand this is too long for most but seeing all these problems re appear and not voicing my concerns would be adding to the problem.

"Looks like they don't allow petitions for this unfortunately which means we'll have to take this direct to the Council."

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