Previously delayed and criticised Rutland housing development set for approval after concerns over flooding
After delays and objections, the final parcel of land at Barleythorpe is being recommended for approval.
The Allison Homes development at Wheatfield Way, which includes assisted living units, will mark the end of agreed building on Oakham's northern expansion, which was approved back in 2011.
The scheme has faced a number of objections from the highways and flooding authorities, but after numerous revisions to the detailed plans by the developers, the statutory authorities now see no reason for Rutland County Council's planning committee to dismiss the plans.
Last month, the application was put before the planning committee, with a recommendation for approval, despite the statutory objections, but the committee did not even hear the application, deciding to defer it due to large amounts of information being added at the last minute by council officers.
The proposal is for 65 homes including 26 assisted living units on a patch of land just under two acres. The assisted living homes will be located on the east of the site and separated from the rest of the development by an existing line of trees.
The majority of homes will be one bed, with a quarter of the total two bed and another quarter three bed units. There will be three four-bedroom properties. Two thirds of the homes would be rental and a third for sale.
The local highways authority had raised 19 concerns about the scheme, including inadequate parking and insufficient turning space for refuse trucks. But last month it removed this.
The planning report says: "The Local Highways Authority have reviewed the application and withdraw the previous holding objection and now raise no objection to the proposal.
"All LHA previous comments made on 4th March 2025 have now been addressed satisfactorily and all of these recent plans should be named as approved with the decision notice."
Conditions the highways authority has asked for include: a wheel wash on site, visibility displays, lighting, and a construction management plan.
The Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) had concerns about flooding, as the nearby area had flooded a number of times in 2024. The initial system had been for a series of pipes and gullies which took the water into an onsite tank. However, the flood authority had concerns, as said the highways authority did not adopt roads where such a system was used. It also had concerns about the developers saying that any additional surface water discharged into the Barleythorpe Brook would be kept at a minimum, as it said that there should be no discharge at all.
The report says the flood authority had 'undertaken detailed investigations into recent flooding around Barleythorpe Brook, and Allison Homes have assisted in this process.'
It says: "Previously it was proposed to discharge into Barleythorpe Brook. Following consultation with the LLFA, the previously submitted drainage statement has been superseded. This now shows discharge into the system at Maresfield Road, at a rate of 7 litres a second (this restricted rate is already coming from the adjacent care home, so there would be no material increase). This then discharges into Barleythorpe Brook near Lands End Way, beyond the 900mm culvert that has been the source of flooding problems in the past (and which Alison Homes are proactively looking into solutions for (this is beyond the scope of this application)."
The flood authority has now withdrawn its objections. Barleythorpe Parish Council has some objections and would like one of the homes from the design removed as it says it would block out light to three properties on nearby Grooms Close. It also thinks a planned footpath is unnecessary and wants all green boundary hedges to remain.
The planning committee will meet at 6pm on Tuesday (April 15) to decide the matter.
Share:
