Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Developer should pay for NHS services upfront says health organisation as plans go in for 125 homes in March




A developer looking to build up to 125 homes in March should be made to pay over £75,000 upfront for NHS services in the town.

Birmingham-based Richborough Estates has applied to Fenland District Council for permission to build a mix of houses including affordable homes on land west of Princess Drive.

However, the exact mix of sizes of the properties will be defined during the detailed design stage according to a design and access statement submitted in support of the application.

Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59300007)
Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59300007)

An illustrative layout has been included and shows how up to 125 dwellings could be accommodated on the site, which is currently agricultural land.

Details of a public consultation run as an online exhibition in July and August said a total of 13 responses had been forthcoming - flyers about the consultation were delivered to 1,000 homes along the boundary of the site.

Comments from the consultation saw concerns over the town's infra-structure including schools, GP surgeries and dentists raised and the developer said these would be covered by potential contributions to local services, considered as part of the planning application and dealt with under a Section 106 agreement - should the local planning authority require a contribution.

Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59299999)
Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59299999)

However, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (CAPICS), which is responsible for providing primary care, which includes GPs, commented: "The proposed development is likely to have an impact on the services of the GP practices operating within the vicinity of the application Cornerstone and Mercheford Practices.

"These practices have a combined registered patient list size of 15,788 and this development of 125 dwellings would see an increase patient pressure of 300 new residents which would require additional GP/nurse /admin support workforce to support increase in appointments.

"CAPICS calculates the level of contribution required, in this instance to be £75,126.86. Payment should be made before the development commences. CAPICS therefore requests that this sum be secured through a planning obligation linked to any grant of planning permission, in the form of a Section 106 planning obligation.

Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59300010)
Plans have gone in for 125 homes on land west of Princess Avenue in March. (59300010)

"In its capacity as the healthcare provider, CAPICS has identified that the development will give rise to a need for

additional primary healthcare provision to mitigate impacts arising from the development.

"The capital required through developer contribution would form a proportion of the required funding for the provision of capacity to absorb the patient growth generated by this development. Assuming the above is considered in conjunction with the current application process, CAPICS would not wish to raise an objection to the proposed development.

"Otherwise, the Local Planning Authority may wish to review the development’s sustainability if such impacts are not satisfactorily mitigated."

The design and access statement, drawn up by Nineteen 47, chartered town planners and urban designers, talks about the various aspects of the development including the provision of green space, the density of the proposed houses, access to the site and safety and security among a host of other details.

To view the planning documents and to make a comment visit the council's planning portal and search: F/YR22/1032/O.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More