540-home Soham Eastern Gateway development approved along with new medical centre
Approval has been given to a major development that will see up to 540 new homes built on the edge of Soham.
The Soham Eastern Gateway development has faced backlash from people in the town with over 280 objections formally lodged against it and fears shared about the impact it will have on the area.
However, councillors at East Cambridgeshire District Council highlighted the benefits the new development would bring, including a new medical centre to replace the oversubscribed GP surgery.
One councillor suggested the development and its benefits would be “welcomed with open arms” in other areas.
The plans for the Soham Eastern Gateway development were put forward by This Land Development Ltd, a company set up and owned by Cambridgeshire County Council.
The new 540 homes are proposed to be built on land west of the A142 between East Fen Common and Qua Fen Common, and East of Brewhouse Lane, in Soham.
The new homes are proposed to include 108 affordable homes and 27 self-build plots.
A ‘mixed-use neighbourhood centre’ is also proposed by the developer, including shops, community facilities, a nursery, and a new medical centre to replace the existing Staploe Medical Centre.
The development is due to be built out over seven phases, starting with the new roundabout and main access from the A142.
Richard Seamark, from Carter Jones, representing the developer, told councillors at a planning committee this week (August 13) that the new development would provide “social, economic, and environmental benefits to the town”.
He highlighted that the land had been allocated for new housing since 2015.
Mr Seamark said the developer had made a lot of changes to the proposals since the original plans were submitted in 2019, and said it had been “worth taking the time to understand and find solutions for concerns raised”.
He highlighted that £70,000 would be given towards protecting and enhancing the Commons.
Louisa Woods, from Mereside Medical which runs Staploe Medical Centre, said they had spent 13 years trying to find a way to get a “fit for purpose and fit for the future building”.
She said the existing medical centre was built to cater for around 13,000 patients, but was currently serving around 24,000 people.
Ms Woods said they had looked at all the options and concluded that the “only viable solution” was to build a new facility.
She said the new centre proposed within the Soham Eastern Gateway development would offer the capacity to serve 32,000 people, with the potential to expand in the future.
Ms Woods stressed that the project to build the new medical centre depended on the wider Soham Eastern Gateway development getting approval.
While there was support for improving the health care services in the town, many people raised concerns about the impact of the housing development, particularly on the Commons.
One objector argued the application would be “the end of the Commons” and said the development “cannot be allowed to happen”.
The objector argued: “The Commons are unique, special historically and currently valuable for wildlife, residents, wellbeing and daily visitors.”
Another opponent said: “We stay united in doing everything in our power to prevent our beautiful and well-loved Commons from being enclosed by modern-day developments that will change the Commons as we know them, to nothing more than a green space bereft of wildlife, wildflowers and the peace and tranquillity we love and enjoy.”
Cllr Bill Hunt (Con, Stretham) said there had been no mention of building on the actual Commons, and highlighted the financial contributions proposed for facilities by the developer.
He shared his support for the proposed medical centre, saying he had an “obligation” as an elected councillor to “keep the health and wellbeing of this district at a high level”.
Cllr Julia Huffer (Con, Fordham and Isleham) understood the anger from residents who did not want to see the new homes built on the edge of the town.
However, she said other parts of the district had seen developments “inflicted on them without all the benefits” proposed in the Soham Eastern Gateway.
She said: “We would have loved to have a doctors’ surgery. Anything like that would be fantastic and welcomed with open arms, and if it had come with more housing we would have taken it.”
Cllr Huffer said she also remembered the “dark days” when the district council did not have a five-year supply of housing and had seen developments “thrust” upon them “without any community benefits”.
She argued the authority had to “defend” its five-year housing supply and noted: “If we do not do this today it will be done to us by the government or some land agent who will challenge our five-year housing supply.”
However, some councillors said they did have concerns about the development.
Cllr John Trapp (Lib Dem, Bottisham) was “very concerned” the development would only be offering 20 per cent affordable housing, which he argued was “very poor”, and shared concerns that residents there would be “car dependent”.
Cllr Trapp said: “I know it is in the Local Plan, but the point here is they are trying to shoehorn something in where it does not actually fit.”
Cllr Alan Sharp (Con, Woodditton) had concerns but saw the benefit of the medical centre.
Mr Seamark said 20 per cent affordable housing was the “maximum viable amount of affordable housing” the developer could provide due to the “significant amount of infrastructure needed”, highlighting the new roundabout and medical centre.
Planning officers said there would be a review mechanism to see if it became viable for more affordable housing to be provided as the development progressed.
A majority of councillors agreed to approve the outline application.
More detailed plans will need approval before building can begin.
The committee also unanimously approved the detailed plans for the new medical centre.
David Meek, CEO of This Land, said: “We are committed to delivering sustainable, high-quality homes which benefit local communities.
“The Soham Eastern Gateway plans are designed to support the revitalised town centre of Soham, one of the largest and fastest-growing market towns in the area, and we are delighted that they have been approved.
“We have worked hard to deliver plans that offer a multitude of benefits for residents including new homes, a much-needed new medical centre and community space, while protecting and promoting biodiversity and green spaces that everybody can enjoy.”
