By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
Uppingham Town Council set to revisit recreation land debate at tonight’s meeting
Uppingham Town Council will meet tonight, Wednesday, September 2, with the future of the town’s recreational land once again high on the agenda.
The full council meeting begins at 7pm at Uppingham Town Hall, with councillors due to consider a number of planning, financial and local government matters.
One of the most significant items will be a proposed ecological report for the recreational land. The council is being asked to consider quotations for a current ecological survey and report, with prices of £1,550 and £2,350 put forward. The purpose of the report would be to help councillors make informed decisions about the future management and use of the land.
The issue follows a lengthy discussion at the council’s previous meeting, when the recreational land was the subject of considerable public interest.
According to the minutes of the August 5 meeting, members of the public raised concerns and suggestions ranging from biodiversity and wildlife protection to the possible provision of additional sporting facilities. Seven members of the public spoke, with views expressed in favour of finding a balance between sport and wildlife, while others argued that Uppingham already has sufficient sports facilities and that the recreational land should not necessarily be developed for further sporting use.
Suggestions included archery as a potentially less impactful activity, as well as improvements around Tod’s Piece, including additional seating and swings for older children.
The council itself spent considerable time debating access to the recreational land. Councillors agreed to authorise the Town Clerk to pursue a single provisional vehicular access via the Elms estate, with gates to be installed at the access points at a cost not exceeding £5,000. The minutes record that vehicular access was to be interpreted as access for maintenance and emergency vehicles, with existing pedestrian access retained for other users.
The proposal was carried by 10 votes to three, with one abstention.
Importantly, councillors also agreed that further evidence was needed before decisions about the land could be taken. The Town Clerk was asked to establish whether an ecological report would be required and whether a licence from Natural England would be necessary, with the information expected to be available by the November 2026 meeting.
That makes tonight’s proposed ecological report particularly significant. Rather than simply being another item of expenditure, it could provide some of the evidence the council previously said it needed before determining the longer-term future of the land.
Another resolution from the last meeting was that the full legal advice obtained concerning the TP1 and Section 106 agreement should be made public.
Recreation land is not the only potentially significant matter on tonight’s agenda.
Councillors will consider three planning applications, including a retrospective application for a hot water heater flue at West Bank, an application relating to a gas service pipeline at Merion House, and a proposal for a single-storey extension and garage at 66 Stockerston Road.
The council will also discuss main modifications to the emerging Local Plan, following an invitation from Rutland County Council for representations from residents, businesses, statutory consultees, landowners, developers and community groups.
There is also a specific item on devolution, described on the agenda as “The next step for Uppingham”, with a report from Councillor Ron Simpson.
The future of the Tods Piece toilet is also due to be considered. The council says the facility has remained closed throughout the year because of vandalism and misuse and that there is not currently a demand for a toilet at that location. Councillors will consider whether the location should be handed back to the football club.
Financial business will include the August receipts and payments, income and expenditure, bank reconciliations and the year-to-date phased budget report.
The council will also review its bank mandate and authorised signatories and receive the external audit report.
Insurance is another item for councillors to note, with the renewal of public liability and employee insurance with Clear Councils costing £3,706.24. The council says this remains within its approved £3,800 budget, despite an increase from the previous year's £3,591 premium.
There is also some more festive business on the agenda, with an update on Uppingham’s Late Night Shopping event.
The Town Clerk reports that planning is progressing and that a hybrid model based on previous years is being developed. A professional road management contractor will be used for road closures, alongside external emergency first-aid cover.
Plans include a Christmas fair in the Town Hall and children's fairground rides in the Market Place. The number of external traders will be limited in an effort to support Uppingham's existing shops and traders.
The event has a budget of £4,000, with expected expenditure of £3,500 and anticipated income of £2,000.
Tonight's meeting therefore comes with an important piece of unfinished business
The previous meeting ended with councillors agreeing that questions surrounding ecology, Natural England licensing, planning advice and the legal obligations attached to the recreational land needed to be properly established.
With an ecological report now formally before the council, councillors have the opportunity to begin putting that evidence-gathering process into action.
The meeting starts at 7pm tonight at Uppingham Town Hall, and the agenda also provides opportunities for members of the public and County Councillors to speak.
visit:
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
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