Residents in Oakham and Barleythorpe have voted in favour of a Neighbourhood Plan for their areas, following a referendum on Thursday the 26th of May 2022.

The referendum asked residents:

"Do you want Rutland County Council to use the neighbourhood plan for the Parishes of Oakham and Barleythorpe to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

More than 50% support from those who voted is needed to bring a Neighbourhood Plan into force.

The number of people who voted 'Yes' in response to the referendum question was 987 (76.28%). The number voted 'No' was 307 (23.72%). Total turnout for the referendum was 12.7%.

This relatively small turnout suggests a lack of enthusiasm or understanding though, with many residents asking for assistance on Facebook and Twitter in the days leading up to the referendum.

One local, Karen, asked "What am I actually voting for here? The Plan is vague and doesn't offer much clarity about the impact of the plan being carried forwards."

Ex-Rutland County Councillor Ian Razzell added: "I'll be voting no, on the basis that it fails (yet again) on almost every level for Oakham and Barleythorpe."

The full Declaration of Result of Poll for the Oakham and Barleythorpe Neighbourhood Plan referendum can be viewed online.

Further information about the Neighbourhood Plan itself can be found here.

As the Local Planning Authority, Rutland County Council must formally adopt the Plan within eight weeks of the referendum.

Join the discussion by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.