Hawksmead seeks permission for Oakham development
16 December 2009
Development company Hawksmead is submitting a planning application to Rutland County Council, asking for permission to build a major extension to the town of Oakham.
The plans for the Oakham North development could provide up to 1,100 new homes, new shopping facilities, offices, parks and open spaces, children's play areas and a new local centre on land between the existing town and the new bypass. The plans also provide improved transport links, including new cycle, footpath and bus routes.
A wide range of housing would be built with an emphasis on providing family homes. Around 300 of the new homes could be subsidised to make them either available for rent or for 'equity share', under which people buy part of the home and rent the rest - giving an opportunity for people who would otherwise not be able to afford to buy a home to get onto the property ladder.
As part of the proposed development there would be a new permanent enhanced home for the Rutland County Show and new improved facilities for the town's football, rugby and other clubs.
The plans were first published for public consultation in April 2008 and Hawksmead made a number of changes to the proposals as a result of comments received from the public and local politicians. The plans were published on the company's website at www.hawksmead.co.uk and earlier this year the company organised a public exhibition at Oakham Castle before making further changes to the plans to reflect public opinion.
Now Hawksmead is formally asking the council for permission to start work on the development.
The company hopes to get approval from the council early in 2010 and work could begin on site before the end of the year.
Paul Bywater, strategic projects director at Hawksmead, said: "We have been encouraged by the support for the proposals which we have received from local people. This is clearly the right site for the future expansion of Oakham and we believe, following our consultation activities, that we are proposing the right mix of facilities.
"We are looking forward to working with the council on finalising the plans and then to starting work on site."