A COUNCILLOR has taken to social networking site Twitter to vent his anger at Fenland’s leader Councillor Alan Melton for “chipping in” to support a new social housing estate at Manea.
The application for 38 homes at Williams Way was granted planning permission despite strong objections from parish councillors and villagers.
The site also prompted flood risk concerns from Middle Level.
Manea councillor Mark Archer said it was: “Disgraceful for FDC leader to be sat in the room, chipping in during committee debate, intimidating members to comply with is wishes!
“Melton and his developer friends may want a free for all but it’s not quite what locals want or need.”
He added that the scheme had been forced on a community that did not want it.
The application is for four bungalows and a range of two, three and four bed homes which will be rented as social housing to Roddons tenants.
The site will be accessed by the existing roads leading from the High Street along Edwards way and Williams Way.
Leader Alan Melton joined the debate by urging members to approve the scheme because he said there was a great need for social housing in the village.
The project would help reduce housing waiting lists, he said.
“There has been a lot of concern in the media about Roddons not meeting their targets.
“The least we could do for them is to speed up their application ...it‘s much needed in Fenland.”
Around 41 people with village links have asked for a home to rent in Manea and a further 115 people have applied for social housing within a six mile radius, according to a report.
Cllr Melton said: “When you look at the opposition to the homes it was the parish council and few other local people but overall everybody else was supportive.
“I felt it important to intervene to explain to members of the planning committee where Fenland stood on this issue.”
UPDATE: Since the story broke earlier on our website, Cllr Melton has challenged Cllr Archer’s comments. The conduct committee of Fenland Council may be asked to investigate them.
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