Ongoing saga of the Glatton Road development

The on-going planning saga of Glatton Road in Sawtrey near Huntingdon continues as the developer re-submits their plans for 340 homes and a site for a new primary school. Following on from the original refusal in May by the council, the scheme is now resubmitted as an outline application with more detail on green infrastructure and landscaping screening.

In the resubmitted application, the developer, Larkfleet Homes, has provided this level of information to address the planning committee’s main reason for the refusal.

The proposal includes a mixture of one and two storey properties ranging from one to four-bedroom homes for first buyers, families and the elderly. Up to 40% will be affordable housing to help address the housing needs in the area.

As well as the new homes, the development, if approved, could see nearly £4.5 million paid in community contributions in projects including, the primary school site, increased early years provision, an NHS contribution and other community improvement works.

David Morris, Senior Land Manager at Larkfleet Homes, says “the development will provide huge material benefit for the area and Huntingdon Council, not only in the form of increased housing provision but also through the provision of a site for a new primary school”

Huntingdon District Council’s development management committee voted ten to five to reject the initial outline application from the developer on May 18^th.

Councillors cited fears over the visual impact, the encroachment into the countryside, and the lack of community amenities to support the development.

This refusal tabled by members was at odds with the Council planning officers recommendation to approve the development, with the potential harm to the landscape outweighed by the benefits of the provision of the school site.

Sawtry Parish Council opposed the plan. Parish councillor John Potter said the village is already “somewhat at bursting point”. He said the development would require a new supermarket to be built as the existing Co-Op is already heavily used and lacks sufficient parking.

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