Latest news with #SouthCambridgeshire
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Meldreth new homes plan refusal appealed by developer
A developer has hit back at criticisms of its plans to build 22 new homes on the edge of a village and has lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate. South Cambridgeshire District Council had refused permission for its plans to demolish a warehouse and to build the new homes off the High Street in authority argued it would be an "overdevelopment" of the developer, Talbot Homes Ltd, had proposed to demolish a warehouse in Station Yard and replace it with the properties. The authority raised concerns about the potential for some of the proposed new homes to be overlooked by existing homes in Victoria Place, as well as concerns over a lack of argued some of the private gardens would be overlooked to the extent that people living there would "not benefit from a private amenity space, resulting in a poor quality of life".But in its appeal statement, Talbot Homes disputed the district council's conclusions, saying there would be "some incidental overlooking [of] rear gardens from two bedroom windows, one study window and one kitchen window at Victoria Place."However, this is not considered to be an unusual relationship in suburban density developments, where it is quite common to be able to see into more than one rear garden from first floor windows."The developer argued the plans would offer people a "good level of amenity and quality of life".The district council will need to set out its own case to the planning inspector before a final decision is made on whether the development can go ahead. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Court order blocks expansion of Cambridge caravan park after fire
Court order bans more caravans at site of fire 9 minutes ago Share Save Joanna Taylor BBC News, Cambridgeshire Share Save JOHN SUTTON A fire broke out at The Laurels caravan park in Cambridge last month A court order banning more caravans and mobile homes being added to a site has been put in place after several were destroyed by a fire. The blaze spread to 11 caravans as well as stables, outbuildings and vehicles at The Laurels in Fen Road on the outskirts of Cambridge on 20 April. South Cambridgeshire District Council said The Laurels only had planning permission for seven pitches. The High Court injunction was obtained on Friday, a spokesperson said, and adding more caravans would pose a "public safety risk". The council said planning permission was granted specifically for seven pitches to be used by people from the Gypsy and traveller communities. "However, the green belt site has been used recently for a much greater number of caravans - some of which were being used by people who are not from the Gypsy and traveller community," they said. "As well as breaking planning rules, the potential replacement of the unauthorised caravans would again pose a significant fire risk." JOANNE ASHMAN About 45 firefighters responded to the blaze in Fen Road last month The authority, which shares its planning services with Cambridge City Council, said it was "assessing the most appropriate approach" for the units that remain at the site, but that it was illegal to add more. South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead member for housing, Liberal Democract John Batchelor, said the council "continues to offer free advice and support to people displaced from the site" after the fire. He said council staff "always assess whether anyone facing homelessness needs a place to stay for a short time". The injunction runs until 1 May 2026. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
