A MASSIVE new housing development on around 60 acres of church-owned land in Ely has been revealed. The giant project, which would include 500 new homes, a country park, sports facilities and a community centre, would push the city out eastwards towards Q

A MASSIVE new housing development on around 60 acres of church-owned land in Ely has been revealed.

The giant project, which would include 500 new homes, a country park, sports facilities and a community centre, would push the city out eastwards towards Queen Adelaide and swallow up ancient farmland.

It could be built behind the new Cathedral View estate and the Bishops Way Circular Path in Prickwillow Road and has been unveiled by the Church Commissioners for land at Highflyer Farm - a working farm owned by the church for more than 100 years.

The ambitious project is in its early stages but includes two phases of housing, each involving 250 properties including affordable housing on around 33 acres of land, a community centre at the heart of the

development, possible youth, sports and leisure facilities and public transport improvements.

There would also be a 27-acre country park split into two and linked by a green walk-way. One part, on two acres, would connect to an area already outlined by the deputy prime minister under a wider vision for country park provision for Ely and the other on 25 acres.

Now the Church Commissioners are planning talks with local groups and a public consultation in the next few weeks to give residents a chance to air their views.

The project is being considered as part of the district's local development framework and, if successful, the new development would be built in stages.

A spokeswoman for consultants, Green Issues, acting on behalf of the Church Commissioners, said: "A formal exhibition will be held which will outline the latest thinking and allow residents, businesses, community groups and other interested individuals and groups to feedback their views and comments.

"These will be carefully considered by the Church Commissioners before the plans are developed in more detail.

"The plans are at a very early stage and will continue to evolve as the site is considered as part of the local development framework process with contributions from the local community seriously considered and addressed where possible."

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Would this be good news for Ely?

Write to: the Ely Standard, 38 Market Street, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4LS or email: editor@ely-standard.co.uk