Publication earlier this month of the application to build 553 homes as part of the Soham Eastern Gateway in Pratt Street is attracting massive opposition from Brewhouse Lane residents fearful that their road could become an access to the new development.

One resident told East Cambs Council: “We have no concern with the 500 plus properties being built but believe that access is going to cause problems with congestion in Brewhouse Lane and also the surrounding roads.”

Another said: “The main reason I like living here is the quietness, the safety for my children with no lorries, speeding cars or pollution.” She said using it as an access is “absolutely ridiculous”.

One other resident accused developers of “ripping our community apart. Soham used to be a place where everyone knew each other, a quiet little village. Now you are sticking homes on every available piece of land. You are unsettling the ambience of this community and ruining it for the long standing residents, me being one of them.”

A Brewhouse Lane husband and wife told East Cambs they fear lorries will use their road to get into Soham and “why spoil such a lovely area?”

The couple added: “We have been in out house for 10 years and love the area. We are against this idea and believe it will ruin where we live – you should think of consequences of this for homes in Brewhouse and surrounding areas”.

Another couple insisted it would be “a major detriment to residents” if Brewhouse was used as an access.

“It does not make any sense to increase traffic into the town centre which is not designed to handle heavy traffic levels,” they said.

The Eastern Gateway, if approved, is expected to deliver the first wave of 110 homes within five years with a “steady completion” rate of 60-80 per year thereafter.

Developers argue that “meeting housing need is a significant component of sustainable development”and the site will meet many of the objectives of the council’s housing policy.

The developers also plan a new roundabout onto the A142, land for primary school playing fields, a health centre, and retail area.

The application has been submitted by Cambridgeshire County Council who owns the bulk of the land. Other land owners include Soham Town Council, Bishop Laney Charity and G Hobbs.