Greenlight for 50 homes to be built in Chatteris
Plans for 50 homes in Chatteris have been approved by Fenland District Council, despite concerns from local residents.
The application by T Bartlett to build the homes on land south of 8 to 59 Fairbairn Way, Chatteris, was supported by the town council, but members asked for a donation from the developer for a 'pot' which they felt should be set up to fund the final section of the southern bypass for Chatteris from London Road to the A141 - however, the request was not successful.
But the developer will be dipping their hands in their pockets to meet the requirements of the Section 106 agreement, which sets out how much should be paid towards any extra services needed as a result of the homes.
This will include a total of £38,720 for open space and play areas, including £14,080 for outdoor sports. A contribution of £5,265 is also required for libraries and lifelong learning together with various contributions to cover the provision of extra school places - including £33,333 per place needed at the Cromwell Community College.
On top of this 25 per cent of the homes - 13 - must be affordable housing both for rent and for shared ownership.
A planning officer's report said there had been seven letters of objection from local residents who raised various issues including the claim that the amount of parking proposed was not sufficient for the development and would result in overspill parking in Fairbairn Way, which residents felt was already at an unacceptable level.
Parking was also a concern of the town council who asked that the width of the road be wider than the existing estate road, which members described as "woefully inadequate with pedestrians often forced to walk in the road as the pavements are also blocked by parked cars".
Other concerns raised by neighbouring residents was the impact on wildlife with many concerned it would be destroyed affecting the foxes, muntjac deer, owls and woodpeckers that live on the site.
The town council had a similar concern and suggested hedgerows should be retained and asked for further landscaping to include native and wildlife attracting species.
A design and access statement drawn up in support of the application by Sisco Architecture said: "The southern boundary of the town has been highlighted as a key development area within Chatteris as it seeks to create 11,000 new dwellings to accommodate its expanding population.
"Following a pre-application enquiry in which feedback expressed the need for new developments, this proposal outlines the plans for a mixed development of housing tenures and styles. As an extension of an existing and established residential estate, the development would have very little negative impact on the surrounding context. "
