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Solar Farm Update - May 2024
Link to Scottish Power Renewables website for Ranksborough Solar Farm
Issue 39 – April 2024
Highlights from the most recent meeting of Langham Parish Council,
Tuesday April 30th 2024 at Langham Village Hall
LPC meetings are held at Langham Village Hall. Langham residents are welcome to speak before the start of a Parish Council meeting about any items on the agenda and to observe the full meeting. For meeting dates and agendas, see our Village Notice Boards and the Langham Parish Council website, https://www.langham-pc.gov.uk.
Fence replaces gate at the Community Park: following representations from a member of the public about safety concerns relating to the gate recently installed on the Burley Road boundary to the Park, Councillors agreed to replace the gate – covering an unofficial entrance to the Park created by a gap in the hedge – with a fence, and to plant saplings to fill in the hedge gap.
Capital Plans and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) projects – your ideas needed! Langham Parish Council (LPC) receives a payment from Rutland County Council (RCC) for any new houses built within the parish. Currently, we have some unexpected unspent funds because the planned installation of a layby for allotment holders has had to be put on hold because we have, for the time being, been unable to obtain the necessary advice/permission/assistance from RCC. CIL money can only be spent on certain things - see https://www.langham-pc.gov.uk/index.php/planning/spending-cil and must be spent by October of this year – or it has to be returned to RCC.
LPC has already decided to look at spending some of the money on the creation and installation of a new Village sign, and is also considering planting banks of daffodil on verges in and out of Langham, and the costs and permissions required are being explored. However, your ideas on how the money could be used for the benefit of Langham and its residents would be very welcome. A request in last month’s ‘Lookout’ produced a nil response, so we very much hope you will let us have your ideas for your village soon, either by contacting
Annual Litter Pick and Sign Wash – Saturday May 11th, between 2pm and 4.30pm. We do hope you will join us to help keep the village clean and tidy. Just come to the Village Hall to collect your litter picker, high-viz vest and litter bag and/or your bucket, sponge and water, decide on the area you want to cover- and off you go! Refreshments available on your return!
A Flood Plan for Langham? Flooding in the village continues to be an on-going concern – and it seems that it may be some time before we hear the results of RCC’s review of flooding issues and action plans for Rutland. So, we are actively considering our own village action plan-including the purchase of a supply sandbags (no longer supplied by RCC) for use by Langham residents. Storage space will be needed – and any offers or ideas would be welcome.
Langham Annual Parish meeting: come and join us to learn more about what LPC has been doing and what it plans to do, let us have your ideas on how to use the CIL money, and let us know of any concerns or issues affecting the village that you think we could help with. 7.00 pm on Tuesday 28th May in the Village Hall.
Progress on major local developments. Cold Overton Road: the most recent news from Langton Homes is that while they have dug the first footings for the 18 house development, they do not intend to start building for some time yet. The issue with the ransom strip dividing the 18 and the 50 house sites has now been resolved and Langton Homes continue to seek a larger builder to develop the 50 house site. Ranksborough Solar Farm: the latest news from Sottish Power Renewables is work is unlikely to start before 2026, with the site potentially going ‘live’ in 2028.
Date of next meeting: 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th May 2024.
A summary of Planning Applications and LPC Planning Committee recommendations since the March 2024 LPC meeting – (https://publicaccess.rutland.gov.uk for full details )
New Planning Applications
2024/0388/PTA Lime Grove, 5 Oakham Road
2 no. Corsican Pine trees – crown lift to a height of 8.5 metres. The trees are subject to a Tree Preservation Order and are situated in a Conservation Area. The applicant states that the reason for wishing to carry out the proposed work is the condition of the trees and provides a photograph showing where a branch from one of the trees has previously fallen. The Guidance for TPOs states that applications for proposed works MUST be accompanied by the necessary evidence to support the proposal – written arboricultural advice or other diagnostic information from an appropriate expert. This appears to be missing from the application, and for that reason we must recommend refusal until such time as appropriate advice/information is provided.
Recommend Refusal.
2024/0382/FUL Land East of Ashwell Road
Construction of 40 x 30 metre all-weather horse-riding arena. This is a comprehensive and well-presented application for a manege for family use only. The proposed siting seems appropriate in relation to the land in question and should minimise any potential negative impact on the surrounding area.
Recommend Approval
2024/0414/CAT 22 Melton Road
T1 – 1 no. Cherry – reduce crown by 3-4 metres. The tree has grown rather large for its position and the proposed reduction would be of benefit to the garden as a whole.
Recommend Approval
2024/0415/FUL 39 Church Street
Single storey rear extension. The proposed extension is at the rear of the property, not visible from the road, and is of appropriate size in relation to the building as a whole.
Recommend Approval
Planning Decisions:
2024/0209/FUL Lime Grove, 5 Oakham Road.
Extension to existing garage and car-port style addition and solar panels to south side facing roof slope.
Granted 11/04/24.
2024/0862/MPD Land North of Cold Overton Road.
Modify Planning Obligations to change on-site affordable housing planning obligation to deliver through 'first homes' scheme in relation to application 2020/0380/OUT and 2021/1334/RES.
Approved 02/04/24.
2024/1367/FUL Mickley Lodge, Burley Road.
Single storey side & rear extension. Detached garage with annexe in roof space. Demolition of timber stable & replace with a 3 bed annexe (ancillarydwelling).
Granted 05/04/24.
2024/0288/CAT The Coach House, 9 Melton Road.
Conifer (T1) & (T2) – reduce in height by 3-5 metres and trim.
Granted 05/04/24.
2024/1223/MAO Land North of Cold Overton Road.
Variation of Condition 14 (diversion of public footpath) of application 2020/0380/OUT - Erection of 18 no. dwellings with associated access, highways, open space and drainage infrastructure.
Granted 18/04/24.
Langham Allotments
The Langham Allotments are located between Burley Road, Langham Community Park and Munday's Close wildlife area. They are owned by Langham Parish Council but leased to Langham Gardeners Association (LGA) for a peppercorn rent. The day to day management of the allotments is conducted by LGA. If you have any queries about the allotments please contact LGA
Burial Ground Guidelines
- All Grave space to be left without kerbstones.
- Maintenance of the memorial is the responsibility of the grave owner. Langham Parish Council (LPC) contractors will maintain the lawn area and fencing.
- Single headstones can be erected but not to exceed 122cms (4 ft.) in height, a wooden cross may be placed at the head of grave as a temporary measure only.
- Headstone to be either black, white or natural stone.
- Text must be approved by Langham Parish Council.
- Pots only on headstones.
- Plants and shrubs should be potted only and not planted in the ground.
- Seasonal or anniversary memorabilia may be placed at the head of the grave plot or secured to the headstone with natural materials.
- The owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial (purchaser of the plot) is responsible for removing any memorabilia after a reasonable time. Langham Parish Council will remove items after two months as part of our routine maintenance works.
- Cremation plaques are not to exceed 46cms (18 inches) square and only in black, white or natural stone.
Please Note
Due to the rural location rabbits will graze flowers and grass, this is something that LPC have no control over.
Langham Burial Ground
Langham Burial Ground is located off Mickley Lane between Munday's Close wildlife and nature area and the Community Park. There is limited burial space available. We have looked at extending the existing Burial Ground and for a new plot of land around the village but have not found any suitable sites.
Langham Burial Ground has been provided by Langham Parish Council since 2001. Plots for burial or the internment of ashes can be reserved by Langham residents. For information on current fees, please contact the