Rutland County Council will shortly launch an Issues & Options consultation as part of the process to prepare a new Local Plan for the County. 

Every Planning Authority must have a Local Plan that sets out what can be built and where building should take place over a period of at least 15 years. Local Plans hold important policies to support environmental protection, jobs and the economy. They also help to decide where investment is needed for infrastructure like roads, schools and health services.

Brook Road, looking down into Oakham

The Issues & Options consultation is an important part of the Local Plan process. It asks residents how they would choose to tackle the big issues that will affect Rutland's future. People's choices will then be reviewed alongside detailed evidence and analysis of the same key issues to create a starting point for a new Local Plan.

Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "The Issues & Options consultation is an early step along the path towards a new Local Plan for Rutland. It is an opportunity to shape our towns and villages in a sensitive and sustainable way, provide the infrastructure we need, protect our environment and help local businesses to grow.

"Through the recent Future Rutland Conversation, we have already heard how residents value the rural nature and community feel of Rutland. We also know that sustainability is key. As we move forward, we will be guided by these core principles and the legal constraints that govern the plan-making process.

"We must also make sure that we are always being led by the evidence that comes from detailed studies of our landscape, housing needs, economic health and environmental credentials. This is vital to ensure the Local Plan can stand up to robust scrutiny when it reaches the independent examination stage."

Oakham Market Place, a short walk from the Council offices

The Issues & Options consultation will run from Thursday the 30th of June to Friday the 16th of September.

This is the first of three consultations that will take place as part of the process to develop Rutland's new Local Plan before it goes to the government's planning inspectorate for independent examination in 2024. 

Residents will be able to take part in the consultation using a dedicated website. Information will also be available at public libraries and can be provided in print and accessible formats on request. Rutland County Council is also planning pop-up events around the County to tell people about the consultation and how they can take part.

At this stage, no specific sites or development options are being considered or put forward. A request for landowners to suggest possible development sites was issued by Rutland County Council in February. This is also known as the 'Call for Sites' process.

Further information about the Local Plan and how to take part in Rutland's Issues & Options consultation will be published on the Council's website from Thursday the 30th of June 2022.

If you would like to get regular updates on the development of Rutland's new Local Plan, you can register to receive a free e-newsletter by emailing: [email protected].

Alternatively, sign up to the Oakham Nub News newsletter here.