New houses approved on Wenny Road in Chatteris

Fenland planners have given the go-ahead to nine homes on land off Wenny Road in Chatteris after originally deferring a decision.

The application by Hawthorne Properties to build six three-story and three two-story houses on the road, in place of a disused, detached building which will be demolished was due to be determined at the Fenland Council’s September planning committee.

But councillors deferred the decision despite it being recommended for approval because of questions over access to the site located at 14–16 Wenny Road.

The site shares a junction with Ellingham Gardens, a private road which FDC councillors said was in a “poor state”.

In September it was unclear who owned the road and the management company supposed to maintain it has let it become overgrown and in need of a new top surface.

The councillors agreed to defer approving the application until they could speak to developers – who did not attend the meeting – about options for ensuring the road is maintained as residents of the new properties will be affected by it.

Since the September meeting the applicant had lodged an appeal on the grounds of non-determination. However, an officer’s report said the appeal had not been validated by the Planning Inspectorate, which meant the council still had the power to determine the application.

If the appeal was validated before that happened councillors would still have to make a decision to determine whether the appeal would need to be contested and on what grounds.

The report also said the concerns raised over the access have now been resolved.

It said: “The application site boundary has been revised as requested by Cambridgeshire Highways to overcome their concern and a condition will be imposed to secure highway improvements that will enhance the quality of Ellingham Gardens to the benefit of the existing and future occupiers.

“This proposal would be considered to take the opportunity to address existing concerns raised by local residents about the quality of Ellingham Gardens and the proposal would be considered now to meet the aspirations of Chatteris Town Council.”