Huntingdonshire residents fear that thousands of planned homes will overwhelm local infrastructure
Huntingdonshire District Council has been told to “take responsibility” on improving infrastructure amid fears new homes will overwhelm the region. Cllr David Keane brought a motion to council, asking for a “consolidated infrastructure readiness report” to be prepared on the local plan.
The wording was amended by Lib Dem councillor Brett Mickelburgh, who said he wanted to “clarify the asks of officers”. This included asking for a “non-technical, plain English summary relating to infrastructure readiness” instead.
Cllr Ross Martin accused him of “trying to water down” the motion with the changes – but the amendment was passed.
The Conservative councillor said: “I didn’t hear in the opening statement from Cllr Mickelburgh what this amendment actually attempts to achieve. This just feels like the Lib Dems trying to stick their mucky fingerprints all over the motion so they can take a bit of credit at the other end.”
Cllr Keane said he couldn’t support the amendment as it “changes the purpose of the motion in an important way”. The Conservative councillor said: “Members are not simply being asked to acknowledge that information exists, we’re being asked in September to make one of the most significant planning decisions this council will take.
“I think that carries a very heavy responsibility and our residents will, quite rightly, expect us to have challenged the evidence before we make that decision. Asking for a plain English summary sounds like an improvement but has an inherent risk of producing a document that explains the evidence without necessarily helping members test its implications.”
Cllr Tom Sanderson, executive councillor for planning, said the government increased their housing target 18 months ago and “we need to have a plan for growth”. The Lib Dem councillor said: “The local plan is actually supported by a raft of evidence including evidence relating to infrastructure and viability.
“Alongside the evidence basis, we’ve actually chosen to go over and above requirements to be transparent in our engagement with stakeholders, publishing collaboration documents as they’ve been finalised.” He said Huntingdonshire is a “high-growth area” and said the council must be careful to stick to the timetable set by the government.
He said: “If we don’t have a local plan for growth, Huntingdonshire will lose the ability to decide where the homes are that need to be built and where’d they’d go – we’ll also lose control over the infrastructure.”
Cllr Sanderson said the council’s 3.68 year supply of housing falls below the minimum target of five years and remaining in “tilted balance” means refused plans are more likely to be granted on appeal. He said: “Without an up-to-date plan to meet our identified need for housing, we’re essentially inviting speculative development.
“Whilst I do share the concerns expressed by members, and I know we have representatives in the audience as well, I’m confident that we’re on the right track with our local plan and I think that the substantive (amended) motion will make the process much smoother.”
Cllr Alex Bulat seconded the motion and said: “We cannot build the jobs and homes of tomorrow on yesterday’s infrastructure and assumptions. We need up-to-date evidence to make sure that we have informed choices when it comes to September.”
The Labour councillor asked why the council hadn’t challenged the government’s housing targets “if we’re unhappy” as “there are other councils who at least have spoken politically or otherwise”.
Cllr Sanderson said: “I’m not blaming the government for changing the targets – I can understand why, but the fact is we are a high-growth area. No council has successfully challenged the government’s housing targets that I’m aware of.”
Cllr Bulat said: “I’m just referring to the wider narrative – it’s always someone else’s fault rather than ours. I think we need political leadership, and if we think it’s a good idea – which I do, we should stand by it and make a positive case for what we’re planning to do in this area.”
She said the A141 and St Ives improvements schemes mentioned in the motion is “the major piece of work” and “we actually need to deliver those strategic sites”.
She said: “I don’t blame residents if they see this has started in 2018 and we’re here, eight years later and six million pounds spent later, and we’re still waiting for the outline business case. Forgive me chair if I think from a residents’ perspective it’s not unsurprising that many people lose faith in the process.
“I think most people won’t be opposed to development if they actually have the trust that this infrastructure can be delivered first. The point we’re making is not for or against the local plan – it’s trying to get the evidence and make the case and no more excuses.
“Let’s take leadership and responsibility on this issue – stop blaming everybody else and actually have a positive case for our area.”
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