A housing development in Ryhall has been approved. 

Rutland County Council's planning committee passed the development on green land off Meadow Lane in Ryhall by a small margin last night (Tuesday, February 18), with four councillors voting in favour, one against and three deciding to abstain. 

The planning application was put forward in 2022 by Northants based developers Manor Oak Homes and is for 63 houses with a play area. The proposal is to have main access to the site via Meadow Lane and then a minor access via Belmesthorpe Lane. 

Plans for the new development by Manor Oak Homes (Photo: Manor Oak Homes)

Lydia Voyse, planning consultant for the developer told the meeting held at Catmose House: "Manor Oak Homes has positively engaged with planning officers prior to submission of the application and has also sought the opinions of the local community prior to submission of the application, including attending parish council meetings to answer questions in September 2022. 

"The application directly responds to the housing land supply shortfall in Rutland, which originally existed in 2022, which also exists now." 

She said flood risk had been considered, and the development was in a flood risk zone one – which is the lowest flood risk. 

Ryhall parish councillor Andrew Nebel told the meeting the parish council opposed the development in its current form 'recognising it needs substantial revision'. 

He said the main objection points were: the supporting papers are out of date and are an unsafe basis for approval; the travel plan dates to 2022, and the failure to assess other nearby developments 'is of great concern'.   

He said all reports should be updated and access to the development should be changed substantially, as the primary access via Meadow Lane is 'far too narrow'. He suggested a larger entrance via Belmesthorpe Lane could be considered. 

Councillor David Wilby (Con), who represents Ryhall, said: "I know it is difficult to go against the planning manuals, but I do like to try and put some common sense into the argument. 

"What I would like to offer the committee is a strategic look at this particular part of the world at the moment. Over the next five years in this little part of Rutland, we have a solar farm just along the road, we have Stamford North to the south of us and as I live on the main road going through here I can tell you the amount of development in Bourne and other places has already increased the amount of traffic through Ryhall hugely. 

"I really worry about the small roads that we have, even the main road that runs round Ryhall is very narrow. I am really concerned that while there may be a shortage of houses, at this particular time, this is not going to be easy for our folk to live with over the next few years." 

Outline planning permission was granted. The developer will need to return to the committee at a later date with more detailed plans. 

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