A government minister has been asked to step in to help resolve a dispute over highly controversial plans for a housing estate.
Developer Cannon Kirk has applied for planning permission to build the first 93 homes of a 350-home scheme on Wenny Meadow, on the outskirts of Chatteris.
The historic land is widely considered to be the town’s last piece of green space, and 574 objections to the proposals have been logged with Fenland District Council.
Despite widespread opposition, a council report advises the planning committee to approve the application when it meets on Wednesday (July 5).
Campaigners against proposals for the 20.7-acre site next to Wenny Road have shared their "dismay” at the recommendation, particularly when it comes to the issue of biodiversity loss.
A press release from the Friends of Wenny Road Meadow highlights how the analysis of Cannon Kirk’s appointed ecologist differs widely from The Wildlife Trust’s.
The group says while “both agree that the loss will be significant”, the developer’s ecologist estimates the loss to be 19.28 per cent of “biodiversity units” and The Wildlife Trust’s figure is 32.19 per cent.
In November, new legislation is set to be introduced where all developments will be required to provide a 10 per cent biodiversity gain.
Martin Baker, a Conservation Manager for The Wildlife Trust, wrote to the council’s planning department on Tuesday (June 27) in response to a report drafted for the planning committee.
He said: “A 32 per cent net loss in biodiversity from this development is unacceptable and clearly contrary to Fenland DC planning policies.
“Wenny Meadows has significantly more value as natural greenspace to contribute to the sustainable growth of Chatteris, than it does as another bland edge of town housing development.
“It is the only piece of non-arable historic countryside and the most biodiverse area of countryside immediately adjacent to the town that could act as a green lung for current and future residents.”
He added: “Once lost it cannot be replaced.”
Concerns over the differing biodiversity calculations, together with new legislation around the corner, prompted campaigner Lawrence Weetman to request the application is "called-in" by the Secretary of State.
At the moment, the position is held by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and he can direct a local planning authority to refer an application to him for a decision.
In an email to planners this week, Mr Weetman said: “I am aware that very few applications are called‐in in practice.
“I know that only a handful are called‐in each year, and that this only happens for matters of ‘national importance’....
“... It clearly isn't acceptable for there to be one ecologist claiming a loss of 19.28 per cent and another claiming a loss of 32.19 per cent, with no understanding of how to assess the true figure.
“Therefore, I think this application is a vital case study in the development of this nationally important policy and that the Secretary of State should help find a way forward.
“I ask that the council defers a decision on this application until the [Secretary of State] has had an opportunity to decide whether or not to call it in.”
The Campaign to Protect Rural England outlines the historic significance of the land and surrounding area in its objection to the proposals.
It explains The Manor House is among the Grade II listed buildings close to Wenny Meadow built in the late 18th Century.
Parkland around the house was created in the Victorian era and, it is argued, such mature trees are considered rare in the Fenland landscape.
“We are surprised that this whole area is not designated as a Conservation Area,” its objection to the application states.
Friends of Wenny Meadow say it the area home to 11 UK "priority species" of birds, bats, and reptiles.
All 10 species of bats found at the meadow are considered to be protected.
The meadow is also home to a rare species of false scorpion, only found in a few sites across the country such as Windsor Park and Sherwood Forest.
Fenland District Council’s report to the planning committee argues "the public health benefits of this scheme would outweigh the harm in terms of heritage”.
It said: “By providing a new community with accessible open and green space in a high-quality environment, with easy access to local services the scheme will make a valuable contribution to improving the overall health of that local community.”
The report also explains how the proposals will create temporary and permanent jobs in Chatteris, have been designed in a “heritage-led manner” and will include social housing.
A screening opinion for the development was granted in 2016.
Another separate application was submitted last month to work on trees covered by tree preservation orders related to the development.
Kirsty Patterson, Secretary of the Friends of Wenny Road Meadow, said: “After six years of campaigning, a record number of written objections, thousands of petition signatures, and the overwhelming rejection of development of this site in the parish poll it’s offensive that none of these local voices have been listened to...”
“... It is laughable to suggest that the public benefits of this development outweigh the substantial losses, given that this is something the local community have repeatedly demonstrated they do not support.”
The planning committee meeting will be held in the Council Chamber at Fenland Hall from 1pm. It will also be livestreamed via YouTube.
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