Work has started on the first phase of a 460-home housing estate in Whittlesey where solar panels will be fitted as standard.

Cambs Times: Karl Hick, Chief Executive Officer of Larkfleet Homes.Karl Hick, Chief Executive Officer of Larkfleet Homes. (Image: Archant)

Housebuilder Larkfleet Homes has begun work on 120 properties between Drybread Road and Eastrea Road.

The build is the first phase of Whittlesey Green which will include 15 different house types ranging from two-bedroom starter homes to five-bedroom executive homes.

Larkfleet CEO Karl Hick commented: “I am delighted to see work start in Whittlesey as the properties will help meet the local demand for new housing.

“The variety of property types available means that there will be something to suit a range of homebuyers.”

Solar panels will be fitted to all of the properties so homebuyers can benefit from reduced energy bills and generate an income from selling their excess energy to the national grid.

Last year, Larkfleet asked pupils at Alderman Jacobs Primary School to come up with names for the new development and some of those will be used for street names in the new development.

Larkfleet Homes has permission to build the homes plus a 70 bed nursing home at Bassenhally Farm.

Whittlesey Town Council originally opposed the application on the grounds of congestion and insufficient schools locally as well as the need for better infrastructure.

However Fenland Council revealed they had taken advice on the site – originally planned for a school and for housing- and had been told the scheme was “supported by existing policy and therefore the planning balance should fall in favour the proposed scheme”.

Larkfleet has signed up to a section 106 (planning gain) agreement to give £197,000 towards pre school education, £126,000 waste contribution, and £70,000 for local transport initiatives as well as providing a cycle route.