Things Oakham School Do Nicely, Oakham Town Council Planning, Conservation Area

Things Oakham School Do Nicely, Oakham Town Council Planning, Conservation Area.

At last nights Town Council meeting, Oakham Town Councillors very swiftly approved
a major new planning application from Oakham School.

I am starting to believe there is some truth in the local rumour, if your Oakham School
you can do as you please when it comes to planning.

I can't work it out if it is the Masonic links enjoyed by some councillors or the fact
some County Councillors attended the school or their children do.

Some are even trustees of the school.

Cllr Joyce Lucas said "Oakham School does things nicely" and the others appeared to
agree. Less time was spent on the application and more time was spent considering the
conversion of a ladies toilet which Cllr Lucas said "I think this one is funny" Even more
time was spent on considering an application for a large garden shed. Serious issues were
raised like "are we sure the owners are not going to put granny in  it"

As Oakham Town Council feel Oakham School always does a nice job I thought
I would share two of those on this post.

First the building below is listed, people with an interest in the historic appearance of
Oakham might be wonder how a listed building within the heart of Oakham's Conservation
area is now capped of with a a cheap nasty concrete tiled roof?

I can't see how the Conservation Officer has failed to notice?







Half the building still has a slate roof in-keeping with the building
and the surrounding conservation area.



The front half of the building now has very cheap nasty tiles and concrete
the sort you can purchase for around 25p each from Travis Perkins.



Of course Oakham School might say we can't match the tiles, so why
just across the road in typical Rutland County Council Planning Fashion
a small private concern rightly so, is forced to use costly tiles on a new
extension in-keeping with the surroundings of the conservation area?
This is also not a very visible location.



Then there is the constant fire risk to our castle caused by their
pupils who discard cigarette carelessly wherever they please.

Above is one example of how close the risk of fire is.

Staff at the castle say the CCTV installed has stopped the
pupils smoking on the hard stone area behind the castle.



there are the hundreds of empty packets discarded each week.
the Council Contractors only clean up once a week at this time of the year.
Looking around the Oakham School Smoking area today it was hard to
believe the contractors cleaned up yesterday.



The ashtray paid for by the School was removed some time ago.

the Castle staff pointed out the do have litter bins around the
grounds.

Maybe Oakham School could train its pupils in the art of using bins?

I collected up all I could and put them in the bin provided at the
school reception.

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.