Two architectural practices are at loggerheads over 28 houses planned for Wisbech with one accusing the other of ‘cherry picking’ profitable sites ahead of a much wider scheme.
Peter Humphrey Associates Ltd labelled the application for Stow Lane by Swann Edwards as being ‘contrary’ to an existing town development masterplan.
In a response to Fenland District Council Mr Humphrey says that the land forms part of Wisbech East Broad Concept Plan (BCP) area and this application has ‘cherry picking profitable elements’.
He said: “The land forms part of Wisbech East BCP area, to which Swann Edwards have been in attendance at the steering group meetings and are aware that any application such as this is contrary to planning polices.
“This scheme could have an effect on the density, connectivity, open space, sustainable drainage systems, etc of the whole BCP. I would welcome this scheme not being supported until an outline planning application for Wisbech East has been approved, at which time the land use for this site will have been established.”
Despite concerns from residents - along with Peter Humphrey Associates Ltd - Wisbech Town Council is supporting the application.
The Wisbech East BCP was approved in April 2015 and will provide a mixture of housing for the town.
The proposed development at Quaker Lane would see a mixture of two and three bed detached and semi-detached homes and garages.
Letters from residents raise concerns about parking, destroying habitat, noise pollution and outlook.
A design and access statement states that the authorised use of the land is agricultural; however it is not currently farmed and has been left to overgrow.
The land is positioned to the east of the byway and has housing to the north, west and south, with agricultural land to the east.
Access to the site would be directly off Quaker Lane, towards the north and would involve the removal of some of the existing landscaping.
The houses would be mainly positioned along a main arterial roadway with three small private roadways serving no more than six dwellings each.
The application was validated with Fenland District Council on February 13 and is pending consideration.
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