Ely residents express worries as developer seeks to reduce community facilities in a major housing project
Ely: There’s a bit of a stir going on about a housing project in Ely. The developer, Endurance Estates, wants to cut some facilities from a big 1,200 home development. They say it’s to keep things viable, but not everyone is on board with that.
They claim there’s not much demand for a pub, but some locals are worried about losing that community vibe. Instead, they’re suggesting a wine bar might fill the gap. They also want to add a smaller work hub, which could be a nice touch.
While they’re looking to add more shops, the overall space for retail would stay the same. They’re also planning to get rid of a micro library and some live/work homes. Plus, they want to make some buildings taller, which could change the look of the area.
But here’s the kicker: the number of jobs expected from this project could drop from 250 to 178. That’s a significant hit for the community.
The City of Ely Council isn’t too happy about these changes. They’ve voiced serious concerns about losing community spaces and leisure areas. They feel the new plans stray too far from what was originally promised.
Planning officers are backing the council’s stance, saying the developer hasn’t provided enough evidence to justify cutting these facilities. They’ve asked for more details, but nothing solid has come through yet.
So, the council is set to meet next week to discuss this whole situation and decide what happens next. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds!
