Uppingham Council to create new vehicle entry point for Elms Estate
Decision made amid fire safety concerns and lack of resident consultation
Members of Uppingham Town Council have voted to establish a new entry point for vehicles on the southern border of the Elms Estate in Uppingham.
The move is intended to facilitate easier access from Aris Close onto the adjacent field.
The field's future use is currently under discussion.
Councillor David Ainsley emphasised the necessity of the entry point, noting that various maintenance vehicles would need ongoing access to the area.
He further highlighted growing fire safety concerns, citing severe fires across Europe as a potential risk for the region.
Councillor Ainsley said, “I am sure you have all seen the horrendous scenes across Europe right now involving bush fires and flash fires.
Similar things are happening in Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
Our summers are going to get hotter."
“If we have a fire in that field, we’ll need somewhere for the fire engines to get in.”
While some council members agreed with Councillor Ainsley's concerns, others were critical of the decision-making process given the absence of consultation with Elms Estate residents.
“Good decision making requires evidence, consultation and due diligence.
This proposal has skipped these essential steps,” Councillor Hugh Illingworth said.
“To spend £5,000 before consulting those affected or exhausting the alternatives is not prudent stewardship of public money.
It is premature and risks becoming an avoidable waste of taxpayers money.”
The proposal was eventually voted through with amendments indicating the access point is “provisional” and subject to future alterations, securing 10 votes in favour, two against, and one abstention.
In a related motion, the council agreed to a deadline by its November meeting to finalise details concerning the land's maintenance and ecological implications.
This deadline coincides with the field's last annual mow, in line with environmental precautions.
The motion received unanimous approval.