A new transport hub has been approved at its second planning attempt, but councillors signing off the scheme have voiced remaining safety concerns. 

Rutland County Council is using money from the government's levelling up fund to transform the Jules House building on Cold Overton Road in Oakham into a new transport hub which will act as a base for its new fleet of electric buses. 

Plans are to renovate Jules House on Cold Overton Road (Photo: LDRS)

The authority's six-member planning committee unanimously approved the scheme last night (Tuesday), following a deferral from September, when concerns were raised that the proposed scheme could be 'dangerous' for pedestrians.  

The council's highways staff had gone back to the drawing board and come up with a new pedestrian crossing with a central reservation and despite some concerns from councillors about its proximity to the level crossing and the current road layout it was given planning permission.  

Councillor Raymond Payne (Lib Dem) who had been against the first scheme said he would not 'savage it this time', although he was very concerned about it and said lorries should be banned 

"This is probably the best we can come up with and it certainly is significantly better than what we were offered before and I congratulate the officers as I imagine there was a lot of work gone in to try and square this particular circle. But it is not perfect and I suspect we will be revisiting this particular nutty issue on a regular basis." 

Cllr David Wilby (Con) questioned why there were not traffic lights proposed before the new crossing. 

Officer Julie Smith said herself and other highways colleagues were of the view that any signals there would have a 'negative impact on the level crossing in that people may not get over the level crossing and think that traffic ahead of them is moving and potentially could get stuck on the level crossing'.



CGI image of the back of Jules House with proposed renovations (Photo: Rutland In Action)

In response, Cllr WIlby said the whole area was a 'nightmare'. 

He said: "Without lights on that crossing, someone coming round the corner will be picking up speed nicely just as little Johnny is going across there. I can't believe that we are not enforcing proper lights on that crossing, so close to that centre where we know it is going to be used by mums, prams, children and folk who are probably not in the best of health." 

Ms Smith said a final safety audit would have to be agreed before any work could start. 

In a statement released after the application was approved, cabinet member for transport Christine Wise (Lib Dem) said: "Receiving planning permission for this important infrastructure and transport initiative marks an exciting step forward. Once fully operational, we expect the new bus service to significantly enhance the mobility of thousands of residents across Rutland and Melton, integrating the two rural market towns and boosting the local economy."  

The approved plans also involve reconfiguring the current land to accommodate suitable parking and turning areas for minibuses on the site. An accessible path will be created through the former Jules House site, seamlessly connecting pedestrians between the hospital area and the town.  

The Jules House property will have an expanded rear extension, full interior refurbishment, and new landscaping. The redevelopment will also provide community space, with first-floor office space available for rent to support the scheme's economic viability. 

The authority's transport team is also looking into securing grants to make improvements to the level crossing. It will first need to commission a business case before it can apply for any funding. 

To learn more about the approved plans or wider Rural Innovation in Action scheme, visit: ruralinnovationinaction.co.uk.

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READ MORE: New transport plan which will see more on-demand services in Rutland approved

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