Dismay as 90 home development in Stilton gets go ahead on appeal

The application for land to the east of North Street, close to the A1M, had been rejected by Huntingdonshire District Council in February 2019, prompting an appeal from Caddick Land and the landowners.

RELATED: ‘Excessive’ 31 home plan in Stilton ‘reluctantly’ approved despite opposition from villagers

And that challenge has proved successful with the Planning Inspectorate giving the green light to the proposals, which include 40 per cent affordable housing.

Keith Bull, vice chair of Stilton Parish Council, said: “Members of Stilton Parish Council were very disappointed at the decision to allow the appeal for the 90 dwellings off North Street in Stilton.

“Both the parish council and the district council spoke against the appeal at the hearing but to no avail. The parish council is particularly concerned at the scale of the development. Stilton is classed as a small settlement in Huntingdonshire District Council’s Local Plan and we consider the scale of building is far beyond what the local infrastructure can support and what we believe is sustainable.

“We also fear that the new development, being so close to the A1(M), will subject its residents to unacceptable levels of noise and air pollution. We consider that measurements made to support the planning application do not reflect the true levels that will be found on the site in the future.”

After the original decision was rejected Caddick Land and the landowners submitted a revised application for 31 homes in the same area while they progressed their appeal.

The second application was approved by councillors.

Outlining his decision to approve the 90 home plan, Planning Inspectorate Graham Wyatt wrote: “The area of land as a green space is also a public benefit that weighs in favour of the development.

“The proposal would boost the supply of housing, resulting in social benefits, and additional economic benefits would ensue both during the construction of the development and once the dwellings are occupied.”

Objections around air pollution from the increase in cars, and from parent driving their children to school in the village, were rejected as sufficient concerns.

Mr Wyatt stated: “The site is within walking distance of a variety of amenities and facilities within Stilton and close to a bus stop with services to Huntingdon, Peterborough and Cambridge.

“Thus, there is a realistic opportunity for residents of the development to use alternative modes of transport to access services and facilities in the area.”

A Huntingdonshire Distrct Council spokesperson said: “Despite the council’s apprehensions around the future impact that this development may have on the residential amenity of existing people near the site and in the village, as well as the residential amenity of future occupiers, we accept the decision of the Planning Inspectorate appeal to allow outline planning permission.”

The Peterborough Telegraph has attempted to contact Caddick Land.