Hawksmead Starts Detailed Planning At Oakham

Published by Mike Holland for Larkfleet Homes in Housing

Following Rutland County Council’s decision to approve the outline planning application for Oakham North, developer Hawksmead is working on the details of the first detailed planning applications.

The proposals include around 1,100 homes (including affordable housing), a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), local centre, meeting places, public open space and structural landscaping.

Paul Bywater, strategic project director at Hawksmead, said: “We are delighted with the council’s decision which has come after nearly eight years of hard work and consultation with the people of Rutland by ourselves and the council. The basic outline of the scheme is now decided and the details need to be agreed. We wish to continue to work with the council and the community to ensure that our vision of a flagship extension to Oakham meets the aspirations and needs of the county and its people.”

The overall development proposals include a new permanent home for the Rutland County Show and improved and enlarged facilities for sport. There will be a full complement of infrastructure provision as set out in the council’s policies. Some of these will be provided on the site (such as the proposed community hall) and some will be provided off site by means of cash contributions from Hawksmead or physical works (such as town centre highway improvements, public transport enhancement etc) paid for by Hawksmead.

There will be some employment opportunities within the housing development including the CCRC (around 90 jobs) and the local centre (approximately 45 jobs).The adjoining Hawksmead commercial development will provide further employment to add to the 150 jobs already there.

The construction of the site will offer many temporary and long term construction jobs over the anticipated 15 year construction programme in addition to providing opportunities for local subcontractors and suppliers to assist in the provision of construction materials and skills. The opportunity for young people to gain training through formal apprenticeships is important to Hawksmead which hopes that courses can be provided for local residents through Rutland County College. It is hoped that this arrangement can be formalised into a partnership between Hawksmead, other employers and the college.

The proposals already approved or awaiting approval will create around 1,000 to 1,200 jobs in addition to those already created. Future development will take the total to around 2,200 jobs.

Whilst take up of employment land has been slower than expected due to the general recession Hawksmead expects that once an anchor tenant such as Sainsbury’s is secured then the development will attract further businesses with the resultant job creation.

Because of the high number of jobs that will be created Hawksmead and Sainsbury’s are in discussion with the council to enable suitable educational and training opportunities in Oakham to maximise the filling of these posts from residents of Rutland.

In conjunction with the provision of more attainable housing the Hawksmead  development will contribute towards the vitality and balance of the county in accordance with the council’s 20 Year Vision. 

Paul Bywater added: “Over the coming weeks, months and years Hawksmead will continue to work with officers, council members, parishes and residents of Rutland and welcomes any thoughts and suggestions which in the first instance should be addressed to mailbox@hawksmead.co.uk “.