Criticism of revised plans for 100 new homes at former Peterborough health site

Revised plans for up to 100 new homes at a former health site in Peterborough have been criticised by local residents.
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Homes England is seeking to develop the former Gloucester Centre in Morpeth Close, Orton Longueville, close to Nene Parkway, which it bought from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust as part of a £20 million deal, which also included sites in Cambridge.

A number of issues with the initial plans - which were opposed by MP Shailesh Vara - have led to revisions being made, including the layout of the development. However, the changes have not placated Orton Longueville Parish Council which has submitted its forceful objections to Peterborough City Council.

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The parish council said: “Residents are aghast to find that this is the second time that PCC has issued an application to redevelop the Gloucester Centre during a national lockdown!”

The masterplan to redevelop the area where the Gloucester Centre was locatedThe masterplan to redevelop the area where the Gloucester Centre was located
The masterplan to redevelop the area where the Gloucester Centre was located

It added: “Specifically, we are appalled at the proposed increased density – with several blocks of flats now proposed with additional detached properties which is akin to erecting up to 100 toothpaste homes - so tightly squeezed together.

“We also note that the natural green space is 0.77 hectares in a site development of 3.23 hectares.”

Further concerns included access via Morpeth Close which “remains contentious as far as we and our residents are concerned,” as well as a large increase in traffic and the potential for the site to hold archaeological assets.

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A previous archaeological assessment has concluded that there are potentially prehistoric and previously unrecorded Iron Age/Romano British remains present.

The Gloucester Centre in Orton Longueville ENGEMN00120131218092856The Gloucester Centre in Orton Longueville ENGEMN00120131218092856
The Gloucester Centre in Orton Longueville ENGEMN00120131218092856

The parish council concluded: “Residents and ourselves feel that the site would be best redesigned to accommodate sheltered housing with warden/special supervision for the elderly population of this area, or given the shortage of bungalows of “lifetime homes” be utilised for the disabled or aged population of this area.

“Even providing multiple occupancy properties for students at Peterborough’s new technical university.”

Homes England is the Government’s housing accelerator and has promised that 30 per cent of the new homes would be classed as affordable housing.

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A letter submitted on its behalf from Savills to the city council seeks to address concerns which have been raised during the planning process. These include: the impact on existing residents’ gardens, the proposed felling of trees, the highway layout, car parking provision, the number of flats in a single building (as well as the scale of the building), conservation of bats and surface water disposal.

The most significant proposed change is to place new flats into four smaller blocks throughout the development.

The letter adds: “As you know, it is our clients’ desire to ensure that this development achieves a high quality of design and creates a successful living environment for future residents whilst preserving a good level of amenity for its neighbours.

“For a relatively small, brownfield site the Gloucester Centre site has proved to have a number of constraints which have given rise to significant challenges. Nevertheless, we now believe this new masterplan has resulted in a positive approach that addresses all the issues that have been raised.”

The revised application will now be considered by the council and is likely to be decided upon by the authority’s planning committee, which is made up of councillors.