Concerns over 870 new home plan for Peterborough

Plans from Taylor Wimpey and Calco 101 Ltd will be submitted to Peterborough City Council next month for land at Leeds Farm, to the east of Newborough Road, close to the A47/A16 roundabout.

The development at the ‘Norwood’ site would be near the existing Paston Reserve estate in Manor Drive if councillors on the authority’s planning committee approve the plans, with building on the site possibly beginning in 2020.

However, independent councillor for the area Cllr Darren Fower believes Norwood Lane, which would link the two developments, is not suitable for more traffic.

He said: “These plans have been in the pipeline for some time. Myself and colleague Cllr Julia Davidson have spoken with officers previously about our concerns regarding this expansion.

“We have had serious concerns from the outset. The road itself in its present state is totally inadequate.

“An expansion on this scale will be to the detriment of the existing Manor development community, and serving the area I fear this will be a fine example of a council reaching in without a proper plan which will have an impact on residents for a number of years.”

Cllr Fower said some of the land was previously owned by the Church Commissioners - which supports the work and mission of the Church of England - and that he and Cllr Davidson hope a proportion of the proposed properties will be affordable.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey and Calco 101 Ltd said: “We will shortly be consulting on our proposal for up to 870 new homes on land at Leeds Farm, to the east of Newborough Road, Peterborough.

“All feedback will be taken into consideration and will help to shape our proposal before we submit an outline planning application to Peterborough City Council in mid-October 2018.

“Our proposal will comprise a mix of homes including two, three and four-bedroom houses, of which a proportion will be affordable housing.

“Subject to the necessary planning consent we anticipate starting work on site in 2020.”

The Norwood extension has been earmarked by the council in its Local Plan for 2,000 new homes in total.

Once the Paston Reserve development is completed it will have a total of 1,050 homes as well as a new primary school, secondary school, community centre and play facilities.

Taylor Wimpey is holding a public exhibition on the proposals from 3pm until 7pm on Tuesday at Manor Farm Community Centre, High Street, Eye.