Plans to build 300 homes recommended for approval

Plans to build 300 homes on the edge of Ely were recommended for approval

Plans to build 300 homes on the edge of a city have been recommended for approval.

Councillors at East Cambridgeshire District Council will now decide whether the new homes can be built on land to the north of the Isle of Ely Primary School in Ely.

The development was proposed as the fifth phase of the wider Orchards Green development where about 1,200 homes were due to be built.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Programme, the developer Bellway Homes Limited (Eastern Counties), said: "The homes have been designed to a high quality standard and are set within a comprehensive high quality landscape scheme with significant onsite green infrastructure and open space contributions."

Of the 300 homes, 120 are proposed to be made available as affordable housing.

The homes would be a mix of one and two-bedroom flats as well as two to five-bedroom houses.

The developer added: "The proposed development accords with the original vision for Ely North as set out within the Ely North Supplementary Planning Document and the approved design code and contributes to the creation of a sustainable community."

Some locals have raised concerns about the development, specifically about the lack of facilities.

One person said it would "be a huge disadvantage to anyone living near or on the planned development" as "there is quite simply a lack of amenities such as play parks and shops".

Planning officers recognised the concerns that had been raised, but said shops would be created in other phases of the wider development.

The officers' report said: "There have been a number of comments made in relation to the lack of amenities such as shops and green space.

"This part of the allocation site was not intended for the provision for shops as these will be delivered in other phases."

Planning officers have recommended that the application to build the 300 new homes should be approved.

Councillors will make a decision on the plans on 3 September.