Developer lodges new housing bid

A developer has unveiled plans to build five new houses on council-owned land in Witchford.

SGS Associates, of Chettisham, has applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for outline permission for the four and five bedroom houses, complete with garages, off Barton Close.

The land is owned by the district council and is described by SGS as “an area of waste ground which has been allowed to become overgrown with thorn bushes and elder”.

In its submission to council planners, SGS said: “The proposed development consists of providing a new shared access roadway from Barton Close and the construction of five new two storey dwellings.

“The new houses are to be a mix of four and five bedroom units each with garaging, car parking and private amenity spaces.

“The existing site, currently owned by the district council is an area of waste ground which has been allowed to become overgrown with thorn bushes and elder. The site itself is vacant and has no history of use.”

Last year, a social housing provider offered to buy the land at Barton Close from the district council and build 16 affordable homes on the site.

But the plans met with resistance from neighbours, who said the drains and roads would be unable to cope with the extra residents.

A decision on SGS’s plans is due within the next eight weeks. To view the plans, or to have a say, visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk