RODDONS Housing Association has been given the go-ahead to build 67 homes including flats and houses on a former school playing field in Chatteris after winning a planning appeal.

RODDONS Housing Association has been given the go-ahead to build 67 homes including flats and houses on a former school playing field in Chatteris after winning a planning appeal.

A Government inspector has allowed the appeal against a refusal by Fenland District Council to grant outline planning permission for the site which was no longer needed after the amalgamation of Burmsfield infant and King Edward junior schools.

The site, which is accessed from Treeway, a short cul-de-sac, lies to the east of a new development in Old Station Place and Fenland Way, and west of Burnsfield Estate and the primary school.

The council refused the application in November last year arguing it was over development of the site and did not fit in with the existing character of the area, It said that the development would lead to the street scene being dominated by cars, there were also concerns about highway safety and flood risk and drainage in the area.

There were representations from residents of Gipson Close who believed they could be overlooked by those living in some of the three-storey units planned for the site. The properties will include 34 flats in three-storey form and 31 houses for social registered landlords Roddons Housing Association and two private houses. There is also provision for parking, open space and cycle storage.

Chatteris Town Council also had serious concerns about the density being too high, the loss of open space, access problems and drainage.

Inspector Steve Taylor said: “I consider that the proposal would provide a mix of house types and that the overall layout and appearance of the proposed dwellings would relate well to existing properties nearby helping to reinforce local distinctiveness without unduly relocating the local style or form.”

He said after his site visit he would accept the plan would lead to an increase in traffic levels on the roads leading to the site but saw nothing that would have an adverse impact on highway safety.

As regards drainage, he said there were conflicting views from the Middle Level Commissioners and Anglian Water but was sure the matter could be addressed satisfactorily.