Six years after Taylor Wimpy pulled out from developing much of the Wisbech waterfront, the first homes could soon be under way.

Cambs Times: Land at Nene waterfront for planning application.Land at Nene waterfront for planning application. (Image: Archant)

But this will be a local affair after GB Construction from Wisbech St Mary agreed to buy the former gas works site and have now submitted detailed plans for 70 homes.

The company says a public exhibition last month indicated “broad support for the development: the proposals will act as a catalyst to kick start the wider regeneration of this part of Wisbech”.

Six of homes will be offered through a shared ownership scheme, four put up for rental, and 24 will be sold to Circle Housing Roddons for social housing. The rest will be offered for sale.

The 2.2 acre site is next to Chase Street and is owned by Fenland Council who negotiated the remediation works that include decontamination and diverting the existing gas main and the building of a new access road with sewer connections (Cotterell Way).

Cambs Times: Proposed housing plan for Nene Waterfront scheme. Managing Director Neil Ogden,Proposed housing plan for Nene Waterfront scheme. Managing Director Neil Ogden, (Image: Archant)

GB Construction says the site is in an area at high risk of flooding from the River Nene but says the Environment Agency mapping takes no account of the flood defences. However the company says that all the homes will be two storeys “so that a safe refuge is available on the first floor”.

The company says their exhibition “was reasonably well attended by members and the public. The feedback received was mostly positive although one person did raise concerns regarding flooding and surface run off from the site.”

The scheme is expected to win approval in the New Year from Fenland Council and work could start in the Spring.

Cambs Times: Proposed housing plan for Nene Waterfront scheme. Consultant, Gerald Boston.Proposed housing plan for Nene Waterfront scheme. Consultant, Gerald Boston. (Image: Archant)