Fenland villagers “horrified” by plan to build executive homes outside development boundary

PROTESTORS fighting plans to build executive homes beyond their village boundary described the move as “a direct assault on the very existence of traditional Fenland villages”.

As reported in last week’s Wisbech Standard, Peter Humphrey Associates of Wisbech has submitted plans for luxury homes on four sites in three villages, all outside development boundaries.

However, residents who live close to one of two schemes in Tydd St Giles have got together to oppose the five executive homes planned off Hockland Road.

A statement says residents were “horrified” to read about the multiple planning applications; there are also plans to build four homes off Leverington Common, Leverington; four homes in Kirkgate, Tydd St Giles; and five homes in Elm Low Road, Elm.

The Hockland Road residents said in a joint letter: “Every household that is directly affected by this proposed development is against planning permission being granted, and the majority have written to the planning officer.

“At the same time, none of the households are against the development of Tydd St Giles within the framework of the development plan.”

Earlier this year, Fenland District Council leader Alan Melton pledged that village development boundaries “will no longer be sacrosanct” and that boundaries set in 1993 would not be a reason for planning refusal.

But residents said the planning application, coupled with Cllr Melton’s remarks, “is tantamount to a direct assault on the very existence of traditional Fenland villages, in that unregulated and indiscriminate planning developments, apparently, are to be permitted”.

Supporting statements with all four applications said the land outside village boundaries should be released to build the “much needed” executive homes.