Chatteris faces a pressing demand for affordable housing as plans for 70 new homes gain approval despite local concerns
Chatteris: A developer just got the go-ahead to build 70 affordable homes on the town’s outskirts. They stressed there’s a real need for this housing. But not everyone is on board. Some locals are worried about too much development and the traffic issues on already crowded roads. A petition against the project gathered 144 signatures.
Despite the pushback, the council members agreed with the developer’s point about needing more affordable homes. The plans involve building on some grassland on West Street, which had previously been approved for 58 homes, but that permission has expired.
The new proposal includes a mix of homes: 29 two-bedroom houses, 29 three-bedroom houses, six four-bedroom houses, and six two-bedroom bungalows. All of these will be affordable, with options for both ownership and rent.
At a recent planning meeting, Jake Stentiford from the developer emphasized the urgency of the situation. He mentioned that families in the area are in immediate need of decent, affordable homes. He believes this development will create a nice neighborhood where people will want to live.
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Stentiford also pointed out that having good housing can really help with social issues. When people have a stable place to live, their health and work life improve, which eases the strain on local services.
He mentioned that they’re ready to start building this summer, but some locals are still concerned about the size of the project. The petition against the homes had 144 signatures, and 11 people formally objected, saying the area can’t handle more traffic and that open spaces shouldn’t be developed.
One neighbor expressed worries about the road conditions, saying it’s already in bad shape and too busy with parked cars and through traffic. Stentiford reassured everyone that the density of the homes is reasonable given the need for affordable housing. He also mentioned that they’ve done a transport assessment and plan to improve West Street.
Councilor Ian Benney acknowledged the objections but stressed the need for more affordable homes. He pointed out that if they don’t build more, council tax will keep rising due to the costs of temporary housing. He firmly believes this project should go ahead.
Another councilor, David Connor, expressed his support, saying he’s glad the developer plans to start soon. He feels this is a solid application that meets the town’s needs.
Councilor Sidney Imafidon also saw no reason to reject the plans, noting the significant waiting list for housing in the area. When it came time to vote, the committee unanimously approved the development.
