Around 137 homes will be built on the former site of College of West Anglia in Wisbech.

Cambs Times: The site in Elm High Road was given the green light at Fenland District Council’s planning committee this afternoon (August 15).The site in Elm High Road was given the green light at Fenland District Council’s planning committee this afternoon (August 15). (Image: Archant)

The development in Elm High Road was given the green light at Fenland District Council’s planning committee this afternoon (August 15).

Councillors welcomed the application by Foster Property Development’s to build the homes on the brownfield site and to accept an offer of a £250,000 contribution towards local services.

A range of two and three storey houses will be built with a completion date set for 2021.

The development will also see highways improvements including alterations to the Ramnoth Road and Elm High Road junction to form new access for vehicles and pedestrians.

Cambs Times: Councillor Samantha Hoy at the Fenland Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 15. Picture: HARRY RUTTERCouncillor Samantha Hoy at the Fenland Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 15. Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

Councillor Sam Hoy spoke at the meeting to raise her concerns about how the build could affect the Wisbech Access Strategy which concentrates on major transport projects, housing and job growth in the town.

Agent Matt Hare said: “There is a mixture of residential units of various sizes on the site of the former school and the design layout has been carefully considered.

“It will be of great quality and fit in with the local area. There have been concerns raised about the Wisbech Access Strategy but any money that is not spent towards access will go towards another form of public benefit.”

In a statement from Foster Property Development, they said that apprenticeships could also be available during the construction stage.

Cambs Times: Councillor Dee Laws at the Fenland Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 15. Picture: HARRY RUTTERCouncillor Dee Laws at the Fenland Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 15. Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

“We are keen to nurture training and skills growth within the local community and plan to work with the College of West Anglia to support opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships in areas of construction,” it read.

“We want to develop future talent that can support and grow the local economy.”

Plans were first lodged for the site in September 2016.

Approval was given on the basis of a Section 106 agreement being signed within four months and that no open space was adopted by the council.

Councillor Peter Murphy said: “I have no objections to this as it’s a good mix of properties and the road layout will approve the area.”

Councillor Dee Laws added that she “applauded plans for a quality build.”