A Rutland county councillor has quit following an unpopular planning vote.

The move from Oakham South Conservative Nick Woodley came on Wednesday, the day after he spoke out against an application for 62 homes on a greenfield site on the edge of Oakham, as previously reported by Nub News.

As ward councillor, he attacked the application from Mr Gareth Ball and Ms Amy Ball, plus Ben Ward of Rosconn Strategic Land, Stratford Upon Avon, at Tuesday night's meeting of Rutland County Council's Planning and Licensing Committee.

However, the councillors voted 6-to-4 to approve the scheme to build 43 market and 19 affordable homes in a 3.38ha agricultural field off Braunston Road, following officer recommendations.

Nub News has today sought comment from Mr Woodley but his wife Mel Woodley took to social media to praise her husband in an online debate that followed the vote on the issue.

Mrs Woodley said: "My husband absolutely did the right thing. As a councillors wife, I see first hand how frustrating planning laws are. Nick has absolutely done his best for Oakham South East….. now it's somebody else's turn, good luck, we wanted to make a difference, it's impossible."

Asked if her husband was resigning, Mrs Woodley replied: "Nick has had enough. I have never been more proud of him."

Rutlanders reacted with sadness at the news.

Sally Mullins said: "This makes me incredibly sad- he's a superstar but I don't want to intrude at a difficult time."

Rachel Nealson said: Mel Pippy Woodley that is such a shame - Nick is such a good guy, he always seems so smart and considered and that is definitely a skill required. I wish him all the best."

Daniel Bottomley said: "It can always be said that Nick has always done his best for the good and benefit of the county."

However, Coun Abigail MacCartney commented: "I didn't particularly want that site developed either, but people must bear in mind that Nick and [Coun] Ian [Razzell] both voted FOR this site to be included in the local plan.

"The council has not been good at engaging with people and the time to object to this site was at consultation stage on the local plan when the sites are allocated. In this instance that was in 2019.

"It's all very well saying that this site is only being developed because of uncertainty at St George's but that isn't the case. Braunston Road was always going to be developed if the new local plan is adopted."

In a statement issued yesterday, Rutland County Council announced: "A vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the Oakham South Ward of Rutland County Council District Council, following the resignation of Councillor Nick Woodley.

"Cllr Woodley submitted his resignation from Rutland County Council in writing on Wednesday 30 June, effective immediately.

"An election will be held to fill the vacancy within thirty five days, after the required notice is made in writing to the Returning Officer by two local government electors.

"The full Notice of Vacancy has been published on the Rutland County Council website: www.rutland.gov.uk/elections."