A resident has warned that allowing two homes to be built in a field on the outskirts of Fordham would allow a “precedent to be established” for developing the entire site.

Malcolm Roper, however, was unsuccessful in trying to prevent East Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee from agreeing to the application by RF Turner & Son at 36 Newmarket Road.

Councillors were assured by planning officers that although the site was outside the village boundary “it was at the edge and there were other dwellings close by so it could not be considered isolated”.

Mr Roper insisted there were “no special reasons” for allowing such development in the open countryside and if approved would “most certainly have an impact on the character and appearance of the area and will be visible from the public highway”.

He said that if allowed it would be hard for the council to refuse additional applications on any other parts of the field “resulting in a much large development taking place in the future”.

However the applicant’s agent Andrew Fleet argued the site “abuts” the village and similar applications had been agreed. He said there was no intention to apply for further housing there.

Councillor Julia Huffer, the ward councillor, said the application had caused concern and argued that Newmarket Road was dangerous with fast moving traffic. The scheme, she said, would spoil the approach into the village because the homes would be “isolated and incongruous”.

Councillor Bill Hunt said access and highways issues could be solved by putting conditions on the homes; he proposed the recommendation to agree the homes.

Councillor Derrick Beckett said if members were minded to refuse the application they would need “strong reasons” to argue a case at appeal.

Councillor Ian Bovingdon seconded the proposal to allow the application which was passed unanimously.