Plans for 34 affordable homes on Peterborough farmland ‘an act of piracy’

An application has been submitted by Bourne-based housebuilder Larkfleet Homes for new affordable rent and shared ownership homes on farmland off Lincoln Road, close to Clare Lodge - a secure all-female children’s home.

But the proposals have been slammed by Peterborough City Council leader Cllr John Holdich, who is also chair of Glinton Parish Council.

Cllr Holdich highlighted the fact that a previous planning application on the site from Larkfleet was refused by the council, with an appeal by the developers later being rejected by a government inspector.

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Those plans had been for 78 homes as well as sporting facilities for Glinton & Northborough Football Club, but it was ruled that development should not take place on the countryside as it went against the council’s policy, while the site had also not been earmarked for housing.

Cllr Holdich said: “This is an act of piracy this planning application. This piece of land has recently gone through an extensive planning inquiry where it was turned down by the inspector.

“Now they come back with lesser housing which is so called ‘affordable’. If it is really affordable it should go through the exception site process which they won’t do.

“The inspector was quite clear this land is outside the village envelope. I’m very disappointed after such a short space of tine Larkfleet should come back with another application for it.”

Rural exception sites are small patches of countryside outside a village boundary used to build affordable homes for local people.

Under the plans submitted by Larkfleet the new development would be accessed via a new junction off Lincoln Road.

There would be 19 affordable rent and 16 shared ownership new homes with either two or three bedrooms.

They would all be “geared towards the smaller end of the spectrum in terms of size,” at under 1,000 square feet, the application notes.

It adds: “Given the location of the proposed development it will not compromise any statutory protection given to areas or assets in the locality. It will not demonstrably harm any conservation area, listed buildings or countryside protection designations.

“The scheme will provide modern homes with a range of house types, which will help meet local housing requirements and contribute towards national objectives of creating mixed communities.”

Larkfleet has been approached for comment.