Plans have been submitted to build 249 houses on a site north of Whittlesey.
The development, which would include 25 per cent affordable homes, would be built on the former Whittlesey Showground to the east of East Delph, Whittlesey.
The site, which measures 18.5 hectares, is near the Nene Washes and would be accessed by the B1040, which was closed for 72 days last winter due to flooding.
Alternative access to the site would be provided from Teal Road and Otago Road.
The site has been classified as in flood zone one following a flood risk assessment, which means it is seen as low risk.
Another smaller site to the north of Moorhen Road would undergo some limited works to raise its level to provide extra flood protection.
The design and access statement said: “East Delph has historically been impassable due to flooding for a limited number of days per year.
“In the event that the East Delph access is unavailable, the access to Teal Road could provide for access from the development as a whole.
“Conversely, for the substantial majority of time, residents of the site can travel north along East Delph as part of a journey to Peterborough without affecting the A605.
“This advantage distinguishes the site from other developments at Whittlesey, notably the permitted 460 units at Bassenhally Farm.”
The site is within a five minute walk of Alderman Jacobs Primary School and 15 minute walk of Sir Harry Smith Community College.
The first meeting about building homes on this site was held in 15 June 2011, it was proposed to Whittlesey Town Council in June 2012 and a public exhibition took place in September last year.
The development will not have a damaging effect on the character of the area, it is claimed.
The design and access statement said: “While the visual impact of the proposed development will be significant and adverse for a limited number of receptors in very close proximity to the assessment site, for the majority of landscape and visual receptors the development would not give rise to any significant landscape or visual effects.
“The site is within recognised walking and cycling distances of services and facilities at Whittlesey.
“Public transport services are readily accessible to the site and there is potential to extend the route of existing, approved bus services.”
Fenland District Council aims to make its decision on December 20 2013.
FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
The Nene Washes were closed for 72 days last winter but a comprehensive flood risk assessment of the area has described flooding of the B1040 as “infrequent”.
An analysis of flooding data over the past 10 years found flooding was “rare” until 2007.
The B1040 was closed for seven days in 2007, two days in 2008, 14 days in 2009, four in 2010 and there is no record for 2011.
In the Spring of 2012 it was closed for four days before last winter’s exceptional flooding saw it shut for 72 days.
The report said: “Based on this data, it would seem reasonable to conclude that closure of the B1040 is likely to occur on an annual basis, most likely in winter months and for an average period of seven days a year.
“There is no evidence from the monitoring that has taken place showing the site access to the B1040 being unstable due to flooding.
“Consequently, it’s extremely unlikely that when developed, the site would have to rely exclusively upon other points of access at Teal Road and Otago road during periods of flooding on the B1040.
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