20 new homes between Coates and Eastrea approved despite recommendation for refusal

Fenland district councillors on the authority’s Planning Committee gave the green light for the development on land south of 127-141 Coates Road after praising the applicants Postland Developments.

The local firm’s proposals include bungalows for over-55s and two-storey dwellings.

Planning officers had wanted the development to be refused due to it going against planning policy which states that developments should not reduce the gap between the two villages.

The application would reduce the divide between Coates and Eastrea from 380m to 300m.

But committee member Cllr Ian Benney said that Postland Developments, which is based in Coates is a “very, very high standard developer” and would be providing “much needed homes”.

Cllr Andrew Lynn added: “I do like the application. We need the housing, especially the bungalows. The goodwill the developers have shown here is impressive.”

A previous application for 21 properties on the site had been rejected for reasons including the reduction of the gap between the villages and the “harm to the open character of the area”.

Speaking during the meeting, Kelly Kennedy, who lives in a neighbouring development which is still being finished, said gardens from the new bungalows would back onto existing properties, including her own.

She said: “This presents a serious infringement on our privacy as families and individuals.”

Her suggestion that a six foot fence to “protect privacy” be erected was accepted by Brent Warner from Postland, who added: “There is a considerable amount of support for the scheme, including from Whittlesey Town Council.”

Mr Warner said it would be a “high quality development” with bungalows for the over 55s while also providing “much needed homes for people of Fenland”.

Both himself and planning consultant Gordon Smith said that local residents had shown support for the development during a consultation process, with Mr Smith adding that a scheme in Wimblington, which also saw the reduction of a landscape buffer, had also previously been agreed.

The committee unanimously approved the application, subject to the fencing being added in and a financial contribution from the developers.