FRESH hope emerged today that the remaining 66 houses could be built on a Fenland housing estate where work stopped 16 years ago. Nigel Brown, development manager for Fenland District Council, will present the council s planning committee with proposals

FRESH hope emerged today that the remaining 66 houses could be built on a Fenland housing estate where work stopped 16 years ago.

Nigel Brown, development manager for Fenland District Council, will present the council's planning committee with proposals that could finally see the housing estate completed.

Mr Brown said work started on the site south east of New Drove, Wisbech, in 1993 but was left unfinished when the original developer entered administration the following year.

"The site has remained in a poor state since the cessation of works," he said.

For 10 years the council has been working with the new owners to unblock the site, he said, and he believes a solution is in sight.

Mr Brown wants to amend some of the original requirements relating to public open spaces and a new footpath and insert a new clause about access to ensure the work can be completed.

"The site has been stalled since the mid 1990s due to the economic climate at that time," says Mr Brown.

"As a result only 27 of the 93 houses were constructed and occupied. The council has been working with the developer for many years to attempt to unblock and progress the site. The developer is now in a position to continue with the site. In order to do so, the developer must overcome financial viability issues".

Mr Brown says the changes to the section 106 agreement would resolve the outstanding absence of a footpath on New Drove, and would progress the completion of roads to adoptable standards.

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