Land South Of Stamford Road Morcott Rutland

1. 1.Notwithstanding the modest scale of the proposed stable building, the Local Planning Authority must assess the proposal as a whole. Cumulatively, the change of use from agriculture to equestrian, the introduction of new built form on an undeveloped countryside site, and the associated access works and hardstanding would introduce visually prominent and urbanising features in a sensitive rural location. Insufficient information has been submitted in respect of access works, hardstanding and landscaping to demonstrate that harm to the character and appearance of the countryside and established screening and landscaping would be avoided or adequately mitigated. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy SP13, SP15 and SP23 of the Site Allocations and Policies DPD (2014), and Policy CS19 of the Rutland Core Strategy (2011).
2. 2.No ecological appraisal or protected species surveys have been submitted, despite the proposal having the potential to affect protected species and habitats. This is contrary to ODPM Circular 06/2005, which requires such information to be provided prior to determination. In addition, the submitted Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) baseline habitat map and metric are inaccurate and incomplete, use the incorrect metric, omit habitats and features within the redline boundary, and lack sufficient supporting evidence. As a result, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the development would avoid harm to biodiversity or achieve mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain. As such, the proposed development is contrary to Section 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy SP19 of the Site Allocations and Policies DPD (2014), and CS21 of the Core Strategy (2011).
3. 3.The proposed development would result in an intensification of use of an existing field access onto a classified A road, for which insufficient and inadequate information has been provided. The submitted plans and Equine Management Plan fail to demonstrate that safe and suitable access, parking, turning arrangements, and visibility splays can be achieved to accommodate equine-related vehicles, including a vehicle towing a horsebox, in accordance with appropriate highway standards. In particular, the application does not provide a swept path analysis, or visibility splays compliant with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges standards, nor does it adequately address the impact of required works on existing hedgerows, trees, or highway safety. In addition, the suitability and construction of the access within the public highway, surface water drainage, and gate positioning have not been satisfactorily addressed. As a result, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the proposal would not be detrimental to highway safety or the safe and convenient use of the public highway, and the development is therefore contrary to Section 9 of the NPPF, and Policy SP15 of the Site Allocations and Policies DPD (2014).

From the council's decision notice.

Application type

Full Application

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Morcott Parish Council

Date validated

20 February 2026

Consultation expiry

9 April 2026

Consultation start

23 February 2026

Consultation end

16 March 2026

Neighbour consultation end

16 March 2026

Last date for comments

9 April 2026

Target decision date

17 April 2026

Statutory period

56 days

Last advertised

26 February 2026

Advertisement expiry

19 March 2026

Site notice start

17 March 2026

Site notice end

9 April 2026

Planning Portal ID

PP-14687052

Documents

15