Controversial plan for 66 homes at Highfields Caldecote approved
A controversial planning application passed by a whisker, with a councillor representing the area calling it a “monstrosity”.
Plans for 66 homes on land east of Highfields Road, in Highfields Caldecote, were approved five votes to five by the South Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee last Wednesday (October 9), with the chair’s casting vote in favour.
The plan was strongly opposed by the councillor for Caldecote, Tumi Hawkins, who called it a “monstrosity” and asked for it to be deferred, “to get it right”.
She said she accepted a development on the site was going ahead, but criticised a number of aspects of the design.
“The three-storey building – it’s a monster, it’s ugly, and it’s inappropriate in that location,” she said, adding “it harms the character” of the area.
“Are we ticking boxes or are we building great places to live, work and play?” she asked the committee.
And she said “the character of Highfield is at stake”.
John Baines, the agent for the applicant, Linden Homes, described it as a “high-quality, low-density development” which would provide “an enjoyable place to live”.
Outline planning permission for up to 140 homes on the site was approved on appeal by the government’s planning inspector in July 2017.
The “phase one” application for 66 homes includes 30 affordable homes, includes two three-storey buildings.
Cllr Deborah Roberts defended the request to defer the application, saying opponents “are not being NIMBYs” because they accept there will be development. “What they are wanting is that it fits in,” she said.
Councillors voted against a motion to defer by six votes to four.