East Cambs Council rejects 90 homes on one Burwell site - then rejects 70 on another

A fresh bid by David Wilson Homes to build 90 houses at Ness Road, Burwell, has been thrown out by East Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee.

And Burwell has been spared a further 70 homes after Barratt Homes were issued a refusal notice for a site in Toyse Lane.

Councillor backed their officers on Ness Road who had recommended refusal on the main grounds that the application would be outside the village boundary “where new development is strictly controlled”.

It was the second attempt by the house builder to win consent for the site and their fresh application had, they claimed, addressed the issues which had led to an earlier refusal.

But councillors – supported by many residents who had opposed the scheme – felt the arguments from officers against the scheme were sufficient to reject it.

David Wilson Homes had noted in a report to the council that of 125 people who attended a public meeting, 68 were against it, 22 were unsure and only 35 were in favour.

But the company also argued that when asked an amended question, 54 per cent favoured the housing planned for Ness Road over Toyse Lane.

Planning officers said the Toyse Lane site was also outside the village boundary where again development is strictly controlled.

Highways safety was also given as a reason for refusing the Barratt plans and access was questionable.