Plans for new homes slammed as ‘ludicrous and ridiculous’

One objector described the development as ‘totally inadequate’

Locals say that plans for new homes in a Cambridgeshire village are “ludicrous and ridiculous”. Back in February, Burgess and Walker Transport submitted permission in principle plans to Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) to build new homes along Overcote Lane in Needingworth.

The plans, which were for between seven and nine homes, have been refused by Huntingdonshire District Council after concerns were raised about safety. Proposed access to the site is “unmade” and is around 250m from the nearest footpath.

A planning officer said this didn’t “provide safe and convenient access for future residents” to nearby services. The officer also described the development as “unacceptable”. It added that it would result in “visual harm and encroachment of a small settlement into the countryside resulting in the loss of land” which offers a buffer between the countryside and existing homes.

The plans also received several objections from residents. One person in Ashton Close described the plans as “ludicrous and ridiculous” and that they “totally object” to them. The objector said: “There is no appropriate access to this site, to gain access would mean destroying current hedgerows and trees which would also affect wildlife.

“The infrastructure is totally inadequate for any new developments.”

Another person in Ashton Close also raised concerns about the impact on wildlife. They said the homes would “destroy the peaceful nature” on the nearby field. They added: “The proposed access via the farm track to Lodel Farm is not wide enough and if it was widened then this will require trees and hedges to be removed which as far as I am concerned should never be considered.”

Despite concerns raised, Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways team didn’t raise concerns about effects on the public highway. However, it required further detail on access, layout, visibility splays and traffic impact.

Environmental Health raised concerns about the site. It stated that the site for the proposed development was used on a former plant nursery, which is used for contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides.

An Environmental Health spokesperson said the substances could “pose a potential risk to the health of future occupiers”.