Plans for 25 bungalows at Lavender Mill development in Manea

The plans, submitted to Fenland District Council this week by James Development Ltd is Phase 3 of the development for which outline planning permission has already been granted on the site off Fallow Corner.

A design and access statement submitted in support of the application, which will include 20 two-bedroom bungalows and five three-bedroom bungalows, explains: "The dwellings are laid out to maximise solar gain and provide for south orientation wherever possible.

"Back garden depths are generous and appropriate for a bungalow scheme."

A CGI picture of what the bungalows might look like. (Image: James Developments LTD)

The new phase will include a play area in a central position.

The statement explains: "It is also positioned so that it is fully visible by all entrants to the estate – this forms part so the strategy regarding crime prevention."

It also points out that the most of the housing in the area is of bungalow format, and so it is felt the proposed 25 bungalows will create no overlooking issues and "will offer a very unobtrusive form of development".

The statement also states that Phase 3 will adopt the same sustainable drainage principles, utilising tanked permeable pavements to provide both water quality treatment and attenuation, as Phases 1 and 2.

Measures have been included in the plans to help wildlife, including holes in fencing. (Image: James Developments LTD)

"This strategy ensures that Phase3 integrates effectively with the existing sustainable drainage infrastructure and meets current planning and environmental standards," adds the statement.

The statement also makes it clear that wildlife has not been forgotten, with many measures added to support wildlife.

These include the planting of native trees, with substantially greater tree density than the undeveloped land has.

Timber fencing will have ground-level holes to allow wildlife to pass through. The bungalows will have overhanging soffits, which offer excellent habitats for house martins. There will be nesting boxes on the bungalows, and the roof ridges will be built to provide crevices ideal for bats to roost.

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A CGI picture of what the bungalows might look like. (Image: James Developments LTD)

The developer had contacted 11 providers of social housing, including Clarion, Cross Keys, Access, the CHS Group, and Longhurst, offering five affordable homes, which was 20% of the proposed new development.

However, the statement said they had all turned down the offer or not responded.

As a result, the developer is offering £50,000 of Section 106 money (£2,000 per plot), plus a £10,550 in-lieu payment for affordable housing off-site.