New 1,200 home development in March recommended for approval despite objections

Plans to build up to 1,200 new homes and a community hub on land near The Avenue in March have been recommended for approval. This is despite almost 50 objections being raised by local residents.

An application for the development was put forward by Persimmon Homes East Midlands in December 2021. It would involve a wide mix of properties, ranging from terraced, semi-detached and detached, as well as one-bedroom to four-bedroom homes.

The development, known as Orchard Meadows, would also include a hub, containing facilities such as a new primary school and a local centre. The latter could offer a small convenience store, take-away outlets, as well as an area for social events and meetings.

READ MORE: DWP confirms 80,000 state pensioners due £5,600 after errors

READ MORE: Cambridgeshire town divided after Christmas tree 'wonky' for second year

The proposals also include details for a public open space, featuring a children's play area and a network of pedestrian and cycle routes. In addition, the plans have also earmarked the demolition of the existing buildings on the site to make way for the development.

In total, 58 responses were received from local residents, with 49 of them being objections. Among the concerns raised were traffic and access issues from increased use of Knights End Road, the impact on wildlife and trees, the impact on the town's services, oversupply of housing, and that the proposals would worsen the area in terms of risk of flooding.

One person said: "Having a main access road onto Knights End Road does not seem appropriate to me. The Willows nursey will be right on that junction and the area there is already full of cars parking all over the place at school times to drop off/pick up their kids from the nursery."

Another person commented: "The town simply does not have the infrastructure and facilities to handle this insane level of extra housing. It would cause untold congestion to the town traffic."

However, the application did receive two letters of support. These pointed out that the proposal would deliver much-needed housing for the town and district.

A design and access statement with the application said: "Orchard Meadows delivers a high quality sustainable development for the 21st century. It brings significant economic, social and environmental benefits not only to March but also to the wider Fenland District.

"Orchard Meadows provides a mix of dwellings that meets the needs and aspirations of the local community. The internal layouts of dwellings will be designed to provide for modern living and flexibility to allow for evolving uses.

"Public open spaces will be designed to encourage users of different ages and abilities, providing for active play and passive recreational activities. Focal areas of open space create destinations, providing opportunities for people to meet, share experiences and come together as a community."

A planning officer report said that the development would offer "a high standard of accommodation". It added that the proposals would "make a valuable contribution towards improving the overall health of the local community".

The report acknowledged the harm identified to the setting of the Grade I listed St Wendreda's Church, but added that this was outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme. It was therefore recommended to be approved subject to a Section 106 agreement.

A decision on the application will be made at a Fenland District Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, November 27. To view the plans in full, visit the planning portal, using the reference F/YR21/1497/O or click here.