Plans to build new affordable housing in an East Cambridgeshire village have been given the go ahead, despite concerns about sewage backing up into homes.

An objector to the development shared that people living in existing homes in Little Downham were having to install non-return valves to stop sewage backing up into their homes.

They raised concerns about how building even more homes could impact this situation.

The proposals for the new homes had been put forward by Accent Housing Group, which asked East Cambridgeshire District Council for permission to build 39 affordable homes on farmland off Ely Road.

The existing farm buildings and farm house are due to be demolished to make way for the new development.

The new homes are proposed to be a mix of rented and shared ownership, and the developer said it will help meet the housing need in the area.

The development is due to include a mix of one-to four bedroom homes, with four homes planned to be bungalows, and six one-bedroom homes provided as flats.

Planning officers explained that the range of home sizes settled on followed negotiation between the developer and housing officers about the need in the area.

Officers also said the developer had agreed to a condition that would give people with connections to Little Downham the priority for the rented housing.

A play area for young children is also proposed to be built within the centre of the development.

A representative of the developer told councillors at a planning committee meeting last week (March 6), that the new homes would be designed to be energy efficient and would provide “comfortable living spaces”.

They said: “This project provides a significant opportunity to address the pressing need for affordable housing in our community.

“The housing needs survey provides clear evidence of the demand for affordable housing in this location, the report identified 59 households with a direct connection and in need of affordable housing.”

Concerns about the development had been raised by a number of objectors to the plans.

Ian Massy said there were concerns in the area about the drainage from the development.

He said he knew of existing households in the village that were having to install non-return valves to stop sewage from backing up into their homes.

Little Downham Parish Council also objected to the development, arguing 39 homes would be an “overdevelopment” of the land.

The parish council also claimed it was aware of empty social housing in the village that it said could address the needs in the area.

It added that the field where the new homes are proposed to be built is “regularly flooded” and raised concerns about the new development increasing the flood risk.

The ward councillor for the village, Councillor Anna Bailey, told the committee that she welcomed the affordable housing, but said she did have concerns about the proposals.

She said there were highway concerns, in particular around whether the proposed access to the site would be wide enough.

Cllr Bailey also raised concerns about the plans to demolish the existing farmhouse. She argued it could be kept and sold privately to enable someone else to renovate it rather than knocking it down.

Planning officers highlighted that no objections to the development had been raised by the highways authority, or by the lead local flood authority, or Anglian Water.

Councillor Christine Ambrose Smith said she recognised there were some concerns, but said she believed the development would be a good thing.

She said: “I really feel that this will mature into a very attractive site if approved. Obviously we have identified some niggles, I would not have thought these are not anything that can be overcome following a little bit of discussion.”

However, Councillor Julia Huffer said she was still concerned about the drainage and highways issues, adding that she had “great scepticism” about the comments made by Anglian Water and the highways authority.

She said she also had “serious concerns” about demolishing the farmhouse, adding that it was a “charming cottage”, which she believed could be sold separately to someone who would like to renovate it rather than knocking it down.

Councillor Gareth Wilson said the farmhouse had been empty for a number of years and suggested if someone had wanted to renovate it they would have already come forward to do so.

He said he believed the proposed development was a “good scheme” and said the affordable housing it would provide was “desperately needed” in East Cambridgeshire.

Councillor John Trapp said he still had some concerns about the drainage from the development and the potential for sewage to be backing up into homes.

When a decision was put to a vote a majority of councillors voted to approve the plans.