NEIGHBOURS living near a site earmarked for 65 homes breathed a sigh of relief when councillors threw out the controversial plans. Residents of Blackmill Road and London Road, Chatteris, as well as the town council, protested against plans to build the ho

NEIGHBOURS living near a site earmarked for 65 homes breathed a sigh of relief when councillors threw out the controversial plans.

Residents of Blackmill Road and London Road, Chatteris, as well as the town council, protested against plans to build the homes after developers entered the three-and-a-half acre site and destroyed all its features.

Blackmill Road resident Janet Young said after last week's meeting: "We have won this battle but know we have not won the war."

The plans caused uproar at the town council's meeting in December after councillors learned that between outline permission being granted to previous site owners Bartlett and Sons four years ago and a more detailed application by new owners Persimmon Homes, contractors had "torn through the paddock".

The committee rejected the scheme unanimously because members felt the homes would be out of character with the area and overlook existing properties and that the scheme would create overdevelopment of the site.

But the mix of homes and apartments was recommended for approval by Fenland District Council after its officers considered the scheme to be in line with the policies in the council's development plan.

The council's report also said it would not detract from the area's character.

However, the council's planning committee rejected the advice and refused the application.

Afterwards, Mrs Young said: "We know they are going to build on the land because it is designated for building since the town structure plan was moved to cover the land.

"But, on the other hand, it was always a special case that would have to have bungalows on the land because there are a lot of bungalows around it.

"To put 65 houses there was too dense.