Victory for Oakham Residents as Rutland County Council Rejects 140-Home Brooke Road Development Over Critical Road Safety Fears.
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Rutland County Council has delivered a significant victory to local residents by rejecting an outline planning application for the erection of up to 140 new dwellings on land to the south-east of Brooke Road, Oakham. The Council's decision was based on overriding concerns regarding road safety and the resulting impact on the local highway network.
The rejection is welcome news to the Oakham South Action Group (OSAG), who have been steadfastly expressing their objections for some time. The Group gave a very detailed deputation against the application and had provided the council with extensive reports to support their case.
Level Crossing at Heart of Congestion Fears
The primary issue underpinning the Council’s decision is the existing and escalating traffic congestion around the nearby level crossing, an issue campaigners argued the new development would inevitably exacerbate.
The application site is located approximately 350 meters from the Brooke Road level crossing. Campaigners highlighted that traffic problems have increased significantly since other housing developments had been completed in the area, leading to gridlock at peak times.
Crucially, the crossing is currently closed for around 25 minutes every hour, a time that is reportedly set to increase according to the objectors. Concerns submitted to the council suggested delays could reach "up to 40 minutes per hour," worsening congestion and compromising access for emergency vehicles.
Council Overrules Officer Recommendation
The Council's decision to refuse permission was a notable departure from the officer’s report prepared for the application (2025/0480/MAO). The report had concluded that the proposal, subject to conditions, should be approved. The Local Highways Authority had previously indicated that there was "capacity for the traffic levels proposed" and therefore "no objections... in terms of impact on highway safety".
However, the Council ultimately sided with the local community, recognising the severe adverse impact the additional 140 dwellings would have on an already fragile and congested local road network, particularly given the frequent and lengthy closure of the level crossing.
