Rutland County Council members delay decision on accepting money for St George's Barracks development

Rutland county councillors have put off deciding whether to accept £29.4m to help fund infrastructure for the proposed St George’s Barracks redevelopment in North Luffenham.

Chancellor Sajid Javid announced in November 2019 that Rutland County Council had been successful in applying to The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) money.

The fund supports the building of new homes by making sure important infrastructure, such as improvements to roads and public transport, can be put in place at the right stage.

The council submitted its application for HIF funding in February 2019, based on the latest 'evolving masterplan' for the St George’s site.

A report noting the bid’s success was presented to cabinet in November 2019, with full council given the final say on whether to accept the funding.

With some of the terms and conditions for the HIF grant still to be confirmed by Homes England, councillors voted unanimously to defer their decision on HIF until final details are known.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Oliver Hemsley, leader of Rutland County Council, said: “The decision on whether to accept HIF funding is extremely important.

"Full council has been given the final say and members have made it clear that they want a greater degree of certainty on the terms and conditions that come with the HIF grant.

"Once we have received further details from Homes England, HIF will be brought back to cabinet and then full council for a decision.

"We will confirm the dates for these meetings in due course.”

As well as going back to cabinet and full council, the decision to defer HIF will also allow the council’s growth, infrastructure and resources committee a further opportunity to provide comment and feedback on the grant.

St George’s Barracks is due to close in 2021/22, prompting joint proposals by the Ministry of Defence and Rutland County Council for a new garden community that would include up to 2,215 new houses, together with a further 30 possible houses on the site of the current Edith Weston School.

The development would provide affordable homes for young people, space for new businesses, a new primary school, healthcare facilities and a country park.

For more information about St George’s and to view the latest 'evolving masterplan' for the site, visit www.stgeorgesrutland.co.uk.