Rutland County Council's Planning Committee will meet this evening to discuss a controversial outline planning application for up to 63 new homes south of Meadow Lane, Ryhall.

Ryhall Housing Development Faces Scrutiny at Planning Committee

Rutland County Council's Planning Committee will meet this evening to discuss a controversial outline planning application for up to 63 new homes south of Meadow Lane, Ryhall.  The application, submitted by Manor Oak Homes, has drawn significant public opposition, raising concerns about the scale of development, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact.

https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=275&MId=2937

The application comes at a time when Rutland County Council is facing pressure to increase its housing supply.  Revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have resulted in Rutland no longer being able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. 

Despite the planning officer's recommendation for approval, the application has generated considerable public concern.  Of the 49 public responses received, only one expressed support.  The remaining 48 objections raise a range of issues.

Objectors argue that Ryhall is already large enough and that brownfield sites should be prioritised.  They also cite concerns about the cumulative impact of multiple developments in the area.  Infrastructure concerns include increased pressure on local schools and health services, loss of walking access to the countryside, and a perceived lack of information on affordable housing.  Some residents question the need for a new play area, given the village already has one.

Highways and transport are another major concern.  Residents argue that the site is located on a "rat run" and that neither Meadow Lane nor Belmesthorpe Lane is suitable for increased traffic.  Environmental objections focus on potential pollution, the loss of arable land, and the impact on wildlife, including trout habitat, the River Gwash, and local fishing.  The site's visual impact and potential devaluation of neighbouring properties are also raised.

The planning officer's report addresses these concerns, stating that the Community Infrastructure Levy will mitigate impacts on education and healthcare, and that affordable housing will be secured through a Section 106 agreement.  The report also suggests that the proposed play area, being closer to the new homes, is likely to be used by residents in that area.  The Highways Authority has raised no objections to the proposed access points, and the report concludes that environmental concerns can be addressed through conditions.

The report acknowledges the loss of arable land but argues that this is outweighed by the need for housing.  It also states that the site has a "low/low-medium sensitivity" in terms of landscape impact, and that the development could improve the transition between the village and the countryside.  Archaeological impacts will be mitigated by a condition requiring further investigation.

Ultimately, the Planning Committee must weigh the public objections against the need for housing and the planning officer's assessment.  The decision will have significant implications for the future development of Ryhall and the surrounding area.