SPACE given over to shops and the size of the ‘local centre’ have both been slashed as part of revised plans for High Flyer Farm, on the edge of Ely.

Ely Standard: Artist's impressions of how the new 'local centre' could lookArtist's impressions of how the new 'local centre' could look (Image: Archant)

The 800-house development, to be built on farmland between King’s Avenue and Lynn Road, was unveiled in 2011.

Plans included provision for a centre consisting of a 2,400sq metre food store, 1,800sq metres of additional shop space, a place of worship, primary school, pub and “housing for the elderly”.

Following months of consultation with East Cambridgeshire District Council, however, the developer behind the plans, the Church Commissioners for England, has reduced the amount of space given over to small shops.

The food store will now be 400sq metres while retail space for smaller shops has been reduced to 1,450sq metres.

In other changes, the amount of space set aside for ‘business use’ will almost double from 1,300sq metres to 2,500sq metres, space has been made for a pre-school to go with a new primary school and the number of allotments has increased from 20 to 45.

A spokesman said: “The most significant change to the original plans has been a reduction in the size of the proposed neighbourhood centre in Lynn Road to create a more ‘local centre’ offering a better balance between retail and business space.

“The revised proposals also see the community hall/place of worship moved from the ‘local centre’ to a position at the heart of the development to the north of Longchamp Drive.

“This will enable the facility to be more easily accessed by existing residents.”

The Church Commissioners hope the application will come before the council’s planning committee this year, paving the way for building work to begin.

Visit www.highflyerfarm-ely.co.uk to view the latest plans.