TIME has been called on the expansion of a Fenland hamlet after planners used a new Government directive to bring to an end a rash of house building. New homes have been springing up in Tipps End near Welney in recent years under laws which allowed in-fil

TIME has been called on the expansion of a Fenland hamlet after planners used a new Government directive to bring to an end a rash of house building.

New homes have been springing up in Tipps End near Welney in recent years under laws which allowed in-fill in the countryside.

But now Fenland District Council says the Government policy which allowed such developments has been deleted.

And the first casualty has been a bid to build a home in the garden of Toft Cottage.

The council says two five bedroom homes nearby were applied for an approved just before the directive came in.

"The site lies within an existing hamlet, which has seen a variety of consents granted supported by the now deleted policy "says a report by council officers.

"However following the deletion of this policy no such policy justification exists to allow the development.

"No concerns are raised in respect of the impact that the proposal would have on existing residential amenity, nor that of the future residents of the approved dwellings at Windmill Farm.

"In addition no concerns are raised in respect of access, parking or layout.

"Notwithstanding this, it is considered that the principle of development is unacceptable"

The council says development in hamlets such as Tipps End will be in future be more strictly controlled.