Controversial housing plans are recommended for approval

A controversial housing development has been recommended for approval despite the objections of local councillors.

City planners have recommended that plans put forward by Allison Homes (previously Larkfleet) for 265 new dwellings in Eye be approved by the city council’s Planning and Environmental Protection Committee on Tuesday (January 25).

The decision to recommend the plans for approval was referred to the committee by Cllr Nigel Simons after the initial plans put forward were for 300 homes despite LP40 of the Peterborough Local Plan setting out the number of new homes that should be built on ths site, just off Eyebury Road, should be no more than 250.

Plans were then reduced to 284, with a recent further reduction taking that down to 265, still above the figure outlined in the local plan. In referring the recommendation, Cllr Simons asserted that “any development in Eye should not be allowed unless sufficient infrastructure is in-place and proven. This is not the case. “Eye is already overdeveloped with existing infrastructure.”

The plans were first tabled in 2019 and, during the original consultation, 139 representations were received from the public, 137 of which were objections. Many residents raised concerns about the extra pressure the development would put on school and GP services, the danger to the character of the area and the traffic build-up.

During three further consultations, the number of objections has risen to 378 from 381 responses. Among those that have objected are the village’s parish council and the three ward councillors.

Campaigners against the development during a protest.