Affordable homes plan submitted

Plans have been submitted for 33 affordable homes close to the A15 in Peterborough.

Minster Property Group wants to build the eight onebedroom and 25 two-bedroom homes on land south of Columbus Road in Hempsted.

They would be situated near local shops and recent residential developments.

The site has previously received planning permission for 15 units which did not include affordable housing.

The application will now be considered by Peterborough City Council which will have to weigh up the issue of parking.

The city’s Local Plan, which earmarks future development, indicates that 58 parking spaces will be needed for residents at the site, as well as six for visitors.

However, the application only includes proposals for 50 spaces.

The application claims, though, that there is only a need for 43 residents’ spaces.

It also notes that “car ownership is typically lower among occupants of affordable housing,” meaning even fewer spaces may be needed.

It adds that there are 44 unrestricted parking bays on each side of Columbus Road, adjacent to the site, as well as bays along Drake Avenue and kerbside parking along other nearby roads.

“None were operating at full capacity when surveyed at both peak and off peak times.

Occupancy of the Columbus Road spaces was typically 40%-50%,” the application notes.

It adds: “The proposed buildings have been carefully designed to prevent any harm to the amenity of existing neighbours to the site, and in particular the occupants of the existing residential development to the south.”