Bid to demolish historic Ram Jam Inn in Rutland loses appeal
Plans to demolish the historic Ram Jam Inn by the A1 and replace it with four retail units have been lost at appeal.
The Planning Inspectorate said the application from Godwin Developments would significantly harm the open country location.
Rutland County councillor Nick Begy (Con-Greetham) said the appeal decision was “excellent news”.
He said the Ram Jam Inn was a ‘landmark’ building and locals believe it should be restored in any future project.
Rutland County Council refused approval last October on similar grounds, also noting it would mean the loss of the historic inn with links to highwayman Dick Turpin.
This is despite a smaller scheme of furniture store, cafe, offices and two industrial units, resulting in a part-demolition of the inn gaining planning approval in 2017.
Godwin Developments had sought to build three drive-through units and one drive-to units on the 0.82ha site with parking for up to 88 car parking spaces.
The application did not say who might use the units, but cited McDonald’s, KFC, Costa, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose as potential users.
The scheme would generate up to 160 local jobs, in addition to short term construction jobs. But only 30 to40 staff would be employed on the site at the same time.
The appeal decision said the main issues were the impact of the scheme on the character and appearance of the area, plus the highway safety of pedestrians, cyclists and road users.
A heritage report identified the Ram Jam as not worthy of listing, even though it is seen as an iconic historic building on a main entry to Rutland. Its many extensions over the years meant it had little heritage significance.
Despite landscaping, the scheme would create ‘a dominant and oppressive environment’. This ‘unsightly over-development’ would also harm the character and appearance of the area.
However, Highways England had no objections about proposed access from the A1, with no unacceptable impact on highway safety.
