One person said the local infrastructure ‘can’t cope’ if more houses are built in the village
Residents have said their once “small village” has become “overgrown”. In the 1970s, the village of Sawtry, between Huntingdon and Peterborough, was home to just over 1,700 people.
Over the last five decades, the population has grown to nearly 6,000, with more houses being built and more people moving to the area. With it being so close to the A1, the area is seen as a desirable place for new houses to be built.
Residents in the area who have been there for many years, believe Sawtry has become “overgrown”. Peter Ball, who has lived in Sawtry for 32 years, said it “was a nice village” when he moved there, but put an “emphasis on was”.
He added: “It was a nice Cambridgeshire village, but it’s not like that now. All these new estates being built has made it like a mini Milton Keynes.
“It’s going to get worse. It used to be a nice quiet village. We had a row of shops and a good doctors, and we still have a row of shops and doctors.
“But, the shops are rundown and you can’t get a doctor’s appointment anymore. If I had the chance to move away I would. It’s tragic it has become like this.”
Jenny Measures and Wendy Hunt, both volunteers at the Caresco charity shop, also believe the village has become too big.
Jenny said she “doesn’t mind houses being built”, but believes developers are “not adding to the infrastructure”. She added: “There are not enough facilities for cyclists and walkers.
“They have to go onto the main road from the new estate. If kids want to walk or cycle to school, they can’t because it’s too dangerous.”
Wendy described Sawtry as a “friendly” place to live, with lots to do. However, she said the more houses being built will lead to a worsening effect on local amenities.
She said: “There are three new estates and they are still building on one near me. The infrastructure can’t cope. Some of the facilities are going to struggle.”
Jenny and Wendy also think the village’s bus services could be improved. While Jenny praised the “good” bus services, she added: “It would be nice if it was more frequent and a bit later on.”
Wendy said: “The buses are okay during the week, but there are none on a Sunday. I would say you need a car to get out and about.”
Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, has lived in Sawtry for over 30 years. She said it is a “nice village”, but with more houses being built, it has “become a small town rather than a village”.
She added: “When I first moved here, Sawtry was a smaller community. But over the years, it has grown so much. It feels like the doctors and schools are not going to have enough space with the new homes being built all the time.”