Burglary Alert for Rutland, Over the past 24 hours 4 dwellings in the county have been burgled by the use of force to gain entry.

Message sent by

Jon Gower (Police, LSTO, Rutland)

Burglary Alert for Rutland

Over the past 24 hours 4 dwellings in the county have been burgled by the use of force to gain entry.

The first offence occurred in Uppingham between 22:00 on Sunday 7th October and 07:15 on Monday 8th October.

The second offence occurred in Oakham on Monday 8th October between 09:40 and 20:05.

The third offence occurred in Great Casterton on Monday 8th October between 08:30 and 16:30.

The fourth offence occurred in the village of Ashwell (Tuesday 9th October) between 09:30 and 13:30.

Can we ask that you remain vigilant and if you saw anybody acting or anything appearing suspicious please call Leicestershire & Rutland Police on 101.
Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobiles and land lines.

Rutland LPU

Residents who live in Ashwell and Whitwell are being encouraged to have their say about how to best protect the appearance of their village. Conservation areas

Residents who live in Ashwell and Whitwell are being encouraged to have their say about how to best protect the appearance of their village. Conservation areas 

The council is seeking views on possible changes to the Conservation Areas which are already in place throughout both villages (Whitwell since 1979 and Ashwell since 1999).

The purpose of a conservation area is not to prevent development but to make sure that any changes made do not have a negative impact on the local character of the area.

A draft Conservation Area Appraisal has been produced for both villages, which provides more detailed guidance on their special character and appearance.  These aim to specify what is important about a conservation area and what further measures could be taken to protect it.

Councillor Terry King (pictured left), Deputy Leader of Rutland County Council, says: “There are already 34 conservation areas in Rutland and they work extremely well to protect the heritage and rural nature of our villages. It’s important that we revisit them from time-to-time to make sure they are still relevant and whether any changes need to be made.”

Councillor King added: “Those living in Ashwell and Whitwell should see this as a chance to comment on whether any proposed changes are appropriate.  It’s important they have their say as once agreed, the detail of each conservation area is taken into account when planning applications are considered.  We want as many people as possible to comment from both areas and look forward to receiving their views.”

In Ashwell, it is recommended that houses still have to apply for planning permission to make any external changes to their property, but residents are specifically asked whether this should include solar panels on the front roof slope of houses.

In Whitwell, residents are being asked whether they want to introduce the rule about applying for planning permission (free) when making changes to the front of properties, and whether or not the existing conservation area should be extended to cover land to the rear of buildings on the north side of the main road.

The full consultation documents for both Ashwell and Whitwell can be viewed at the Council offices in Oakham, at all Rutland libraries or on the council websitewww.rutland.gov.uk/conservationareaappraisals. 

Printed copies of the document can be downloaded from the Council’s website or are available on request from the Council.

Comments should be sent to the Council in writing during the consultation period starting on 3^rd September and ending at 4:45pm on 1^st October 2012.

Comments may also be submitted by using the response form available on the website or by email to localplan@rutland.gov.uk.

For enquiries please email localplan@rutland.gov.uk or ask for the David Trubshaw, Conservation officer or the Planning Policy Section on 01572 722577.

Ashwell Harvest Supper, Ashwell, Oakham, Rutland, LE15, UK

Ashwell Harvest Supper, Ashwell, Oakham, Rutland, LE15, UK

Ashwell Village Hall

Saturday 8th October 2011

7 for 7.30pm

Contact Joy Harvey 01572 759204

Ashwell Super Dance, Ashwell Village Hall, Ashwell, Rutland

Ashwell Super Dance, Ashwell Village Hall, Ashwell, Rutland

Sunday 26th June 2011

7.30pm -11.00pm

The Rutland Group of the Hardy Plant Society Annual Specialist Plant Fair (Oakham)

Annual Specialist Plant Fair (Oakham)

Saturday 29th May 2011

10.30am - 4.00pm

Ashwell House
Ashwell,
nr Oakham

Ashwell Spanish Evening, Ashwell Village Hall, Ashwell, Rutland

Ashwell Spanish Evening, Ashwell Village Hall, Ashwell, Rutland

Saturday 21st May 2011

7.00pm

Spanish themed food and events

Contact Jo Harvey 01572 759204

Rutland County Council grant permission for the Demolition of Listed Buildings at Ashwell Hall Rutland

Rutland County Council grant permission for the Demolition of listed buildings at Ashwell Hall Rutland.

Former out buildings attached to Ashwell Hall will be demolished.

The owners are Mr and Mrs Mills, Mrs Elizabeth Mills former Conservative High Sheriff of Rutland sat patiently in the public seats at the council chambers and watched the proceedings of Rutland County Councils Development and Licensing Committee.

The Council had previously granted permission for the tiles to be removed and replaced from these historic building grade 2 listed buildings to enable repairs to be carried out on the main hall.

Photographs were shown, taken after the tiles had been removed. The buildings did not look neglected at this stage. The roof felt and battens appeared to be in good condition. Before the new tiles could be put in place all this vanished and in a short period of time the buildings building have fallen into a state of what looks like neglect. (I point out I am only saying looks like a observation also made by former Councillor Dr Reese at the same meeting) The buildings are now close to a state of collapse, after the meeting a member of the public approached the expert in stone buildings and asked why had the roof been completely remove his answer was he did not know it appeared to vanish. Another Councillor said to me he felt the various holes in the buildings walls looked as if the can be knocked out deliberately.

The council attached some conditions to their approval to demolish another part of Rutland's Historic past.
Because they felt the buildings were no longer as historic as the old hall, at one point the council must have felt they held some importance because they listed them. The planning officer were asked English Heritages view and the reply was they had written to English Heritage and received no reply so they assume English Heritage had no concerns.
The council have said the buildings must be rebuilt in a dark stone and the dwelling house must remain a part of the main hall and not sold off.

Sometimes I wonder what the point of listed building status is here in Rutland?

The before and after photographs shown to the public showed a very sorry picture, I hope the new buildings will bring about a improvement.

Another member of the public spoke to me and made a allegation. I can not publish their allegation because they asked me not to quote them.

So instead I am going to ask a question. Is this family one of the largest donors to the Local Conservatives Party?

Rutland Ashwell Garden Centre up for sale

Rutland Garden Centre up for sale.

Rutland Garden Centre has been put on the market after the owners secured planning permission to expand.


The Garden Centre, on Ashwell Road, Oakham, has been granted permission to build a 580sq m retail shop and extend the car park to include 40 more spaces.


The Rutland garden centre, spread over 3.5 acres is home to over 5000 plants, shrubs and trees.

In addition to the extensive plant range, the garden centre has large stocks of fencing panels and posts, decking, hard landscaping materials, barbeques, patio furniture, hand tools, mowers and a vast range of pots.

In fact they say everything the gardener could need - enthusiast or professional.

Inside the large shop they also stock a wide range of clothing, books and gifts.

Opening times:
Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm
Sun: 10am - 4pmTel: +44 (0) 1572 723 583
Web: rutlandgardencentre.com
Email: info@rutlandgardencentre.com

Ashwell Garden Centre & Oakham Town Council Freindship and Public Funds

Oakham Town Councils planning and general purposes committee met last night

They discussed a number of applications this included.

APP/2010/1138/PG Rutland Garden Centre
Retrospective application for change of use of part of first floor of retail unit from storage to living accommodation.
Rutland Garden Centre Rutland Village Ashwell Road

At this point the meeting turned into a complete shambolic mess!

All but four member declared a personal and prejudicial interest.

It took some time for them to leave the chamber along with the clerk.

Who all knew the applicant as she was once the assistant town clerk employed by Oakham Town Council. And it was also stated she was a close friend.

This is a very interesting development because this has never been declared at any time in the past.
The garden centre receives huge sums of money for the hanging baskets and watering throughout the summer.

When I was a councillor I question the high cost and the possibility of tendering and the clerk told me no one else was interested.

I can not see why when the contract runs into thousands of pounds it is a very lucrative contract.

Any way when they finally departed the chamber the remainder did not seem to want to deal with the application.

The members needed to elect a chairman so Cllr Dewis proposed. Cllr Charles Haworth because he was a senior member. He accepted of course this is total rubbish all town councillors are meant to be equal clearly not the case at Oakham Town Council.

Cllr Dewis was unhappy the council was being asked to consider the application, because they had not considered the original.

What does he not understand about a retrospective planning application? It means the applicant has already implemented the change without planning consent or any previous application.

Members were not happy to consider the application because it was outside the parish boundary and it was suggested it was solely a matter for Ashwell Parish Council.

The four members agreed not to comment on the application. It was clear they did not want to upset anyone.

As they returned to their original seats Cllr Haworth suggested they could have considered the matter further if they had ambition to expand their territory .

Cllr Alf Dewis added yes back into Leicestershire!

A Harrier plane from RAF Cottesmore crashed near Ashwell Rutland and the village was closed

Monday Jun 16  2008A Harrier plane from RAF Cottesmore crashed near Ashwell Rutland  and the village was closed.