Public inquiry over 70 new retirement homes

A decision on whether the development can go ahead will now be made by a planning inspector

A public inquiry will be held to decide if more than 70 new retirement homes can be built on the former TC Harrison Ford Garage.

The plans for St Neots town centre, Cambridgeshire, include 57 flats, 15 cottages and one bungalow, alongside communal facilities.

Developer, Churchill Living, asked for the inquiry after Huntingdonshire District Council did not issue a decision on the Cambridge Street development in time.

It said the country had a "rapidly growing and ageing population and its plans would offer "much-needed retirement living apartments".

More than 10 objections were formally lodged by nearby residents with one saying the proposed homes (artist's impression pictured) would "seek to dominate" Cambridge Street

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the inquiry was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 5 November and was expected to last five days.

The developer said the site would be "specifically designed to meet the needs of independent retired people" and provide self-contained apartments.

Concerns about the proposal were raised by the lead local flood authority at Cambridgeshire County Council.

It said it was not happy with the plan for some of the sewer pipes, and said it was not clear how surface water running off the access road would be treated to make it “acceptable water quality to protect receiving waters”.

Developers said it would "meet the needs of independent retired people"

More than 10 objections were also formally lodged by nearby residents, and one said the new housing would “seek to dominate” the street.

They added: "The increase in height in this locality will have the detrimental impact of both the reduction of natural light on the opposite properties, and be detrimental to the setting of the listed building.

"The site should ideally be developed to a lower physical height and a lower density of housing provision to more accurately reflect the surrounding area."

St Neots Town Council said it supported the plans as long as highways and bin management reports were put together.

A decision on whether the development could go ahead will now be made by a government planning inspector after the public inquiry has been held.