Councillors ignore concerns to give Gorefield homes go-ahead

Fenland's planning committee discussed the application for nine homes on land north west of 176 High Road off Hassock Hill Drove in Gorefield, at their meeting on Wednesday, and decided community benefit was more important than other concerns.

Lorena Hodgson, chair of Gorefield Parish Council, addressed the meeting and urged councillors to follow officer's advice and reject the plans by McDermott Residential Property Ltd.

She said there were already problems with access to new houses that had been built on land adjoining the site.

RECOMMENDED READING: Baby boy found in 'life-threatening condition' in Fenland town dies

Ms Hodgson said the 60mph speed limit along the road was a major safety concern, she also claimed an area of the site, which was previously a horse field, regularly floods.

She said drivers coming out of the site will not have good visibility to the right, the development would be on a crossroads and not a simple road junction.

The officer's report argued: "The proposal fails to recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and the pattern and character of the surrounding natural landscape and sporadic built character of the immediate area of Hassock Hill Drove, which is largely open agricultural land.

"It would be inconsistent with the core shape of the village, conflicting with the settlement hierarchy of the Local Plan, and would appear incongruous both in terms of the landscape character of the area and in terms of visual appearance.

"It will inevitably result in an unacceptable urbanising impact and an adverse impact on the verdant rural character."

Officers were also concerned about the "high risk of flooding" and that there was insufficient justification for the development of the site.

Matthew Hall, the applicant's agent, told councillors that Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of the Diamond Learning Partnership, which runs the village school, had written a letter that suggested the school could be under threat through falling pupil numbers and that any development could help the situation.

Mr Hall also quoted figures off the county council's website which showed a prediction in a drop of pupil numbers.

He said: "It says major changes in future house building will also affect intake and cohort changes.

"There's an opportunity here that a development like this with a mixture of homes could support this school."

Councillors questioned whether Section 106 contributions would be required as the site had previously been part of the land where houses had already been built, which would bring the total, with the nine being proposed, to 14.

However, because the application was for "permission in principle" councillors could not request contributions to the village infrastructure at this stage.

Committee chair Cllr David Connor told members he was minded to go against officer recommendation.

He said: "Sometimes people don't want things in a village. This is about land usage, you have got houses behind it, and a factory opposite that the others were built in front.

"More importantly than anything, the community benefit of this is looking at the school numbers. You know, that school needs support."

Cllr Ian Benney also highlighted the need to support the school and pointed out that other villages were suffering a drop in pupil numbers.

He said: "Once you lose a school, you'll never get it back. I think the people of Gorefield deserve this to keep this going. You start bussing people out, it's never the same as just walking to school or being taken to school with your mum or dad."

Cllr Jan French proposed approval for application.

She said: "The community benefit of trying to keep this school outweighs any objection."

Cllr Benney added: "This is good use of land. I think this is a good solid application and should be supported."

The committee unanimously agreed to go against the officers and approved the application.