MAJOR plans for 460 houses, shops and a nursing home in a Fenland town are set to be approved at the second time of asking.

Larkfleet Homes’ plans for Bassenhally Farm, Whittlesey, are set to be approved by Fenland District Council’s planning committee tomorrow despite numerous objections.

An identical outline scheme – which also includes a 70-bed nursing home and extra care accommodation – was refused last summer because councillors considered the scheme would be premature for Fenland’s Core Strategy.

Larkfleet has appealed against the committee decision, with a public inquiry set to take place in May. In the meantime, Larkfleet resubmitted its application.

A report to Wednesday’s meeting said: “The application site forms part of a current housing allocation within the Fenland Local Plan and for the policy reasons it is recommended that planning permission is granted.”

Whittlesey Town Council objected to the scheme with concerns about the existing road infrastructure and education capacity being unable to cope with increased demand.

Highways officers say the roundabout design, at the entrance to the site off the A605, needs to change and street lighting must be included.

NHS Cambridgeshire, meanwhile, says there is “insufficient primary medical service capacity to absorb development”.

Eight residents have also objected, raising problems with traffic movement on the A605 because of King’s Dyke level crossing and a shortage of school, doctor and dentist facilities.

They also claim there is no need for the care home, but care home provider Axiom Housing wrote a letter of support claiming there is the need for additional provision.

A transport assessment says the scheme will not have a detrimental impact on the existing highway network but acknowledges the need to encourage non-car trips by re-routing bus services and improving pedestrian/cycling infrastructure.

Negotiations about Larkfleet’s community contribution, or Section 106 agreement, are ongoing but a list of requirements will be completed before the meeting.