COUNCILLORS ignored advice from officers and approved three homes south of 42 March Road, Wimblington.
Planners felt the application by Peter Jones of Westfield Road, Manea, would be outside the footprint of the village and create “unacceptable ribbon development.”
The county council also objected, claiming there were insufficient visibility splays at the site entrance which would be detrimental to road safety.
But Fenland District Council Planning Committee went against it own officers’ advice after a representation from Fenland District and Manea parish councillor Pop Jolley.
Chief planning officer Graham Nourse explained that Cllr Jolley wanted to “ensure consistency of decisions for planning applications outside the development area boundary when viewing the emerging core strategy”.
He also wanted the committee to ensure “the leader’s statements are fully considered.” Council Leader Alan Melton has said he wants flexibility in the emerging Core Strategy
Of the March Road proposals, planning officers had insisted “the proposed development is located in an unsustainable location”.
The report added: “Development here would introduce additional ribbon development into an area that is currently open and has a strong relationship with the adjoining countryside.”
Wimblington Parish Council expressed concern about access on to March Road and there was also an objection from Middle Level Commissioners.
Planning permission was granted, subject to conditions.
Agent Peter Humphreys told councillors the core strategy “is now in use” and a more flexible approach was in operation
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