Planning

AI and Rutland

The Rutland and Lincolnshire Executive Team and Trustee Board had made their present felt earlier in the year by successfully using Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer software to support many in Lincolnshire who were opposing a planning application to build a huge anaerobic digester in South Kesteven. The application was ultimately rejected by the Planning Committee of SK District Council.

A branch task group has prepared and submitted a formal objection to the Planning Inspectorate hearing in September of the Rutland Local Plan. The group are assisted by a local planning consultant. The primary concerns are the proposed housing numbers and in particular a sweeping proposal to remove the planned limit of development from around Rutland’s villages. In this case the charity is campaigning in harmony with many of the county’s parish councils who fear the plan will open a Pandora’s Box to unprincipled developers. The branch has requested permission to appear and speak at the planning hearing.

The hearing comes at a time when many in Rutland and Lincolnshire are concerned about the future governance of the two counties due to the government’s devolution plans. A very public campaign to support the preservation of the heritage county of Rutland is being supported by the charity.

AI and Lincolnshire (Housing, Pylons and Oil)

In July 2025 branch representatives engaged with Corby Glen Parish Council and its residents at a number of public consultation and council meetings called to assess public opinion and agree a way forward on the huge planning challenges now threatening Corby Glen. The village finds itself at the eye of a perfect storm with a huge number of additional homes allocated in the district’s Local Plan, a major foul smelling drainage problem in a new development area and, most worryingly for the community, the site of a new National Grid substation to be fed by giant new pylons carrying electricity from the East Coast as part of the major National Grid upgrade.

As part of the follow up to the Corby Glen meetings the branch has again sought the assistance of AI to submit planning consultation objections to two of the major stages of the National Grid plans.

The planning appeal seeking to allow drilling for oil in Biscathorpe, North Lincolnshire following the Finch judgement in the Supreme Court has also now been prioritised by the branch. The judgement ruled that the environmental impact assessment of such an application must include the well’s total impact offsite as well as onsite. AI has once again assisted the branch in submitting to the planning authority a detailed schedule of concerns. The response can be read on the Lincolnshire County Council Planning Portal.