Fenland District Council has approved plans for more than 400 new homes to be built in March at a meeting today (Wednesday August 21).

A planning application was submitted to the council on July 31, 2023, for up to 425 homes, playing fields, public open space, a community garden and orchard and children's play areas to be built on land in March.

The plans, which were were submitted by Barratt David Wilson Homes, set out to build the properties on the land south of Barker's Lane and east of Wimblington Road.

Fenland District Council's Planning Committee decided to approve the plans, with Cllr Jan French telling the applicants: "It's amazing what you’re trying to do, well done."

Cllr French did state that it was "deeply disturbing" that the drainage board had not provided a comment on this application despite the risk of flooding, but the applicants confirmed that they "chased and chased" them, but got no response.

Councillors at the meeting eventually felt that the concerns over flooding were addressed by the applicants.

The application had previously been met with flooding concerns from nearby residents and March Town Council.

In one letter of objection to the plans, a nearby resident said that drainage and sewage problems in Barker's Lane, "have not been addressed" by the applicant.

March Town Council have also objected to the plans on the grounds of, "flooding and drainage concerns, conservation and unsatisfactory active travel findings".

However, planning officers at Fenland District Council recommended that the committee approve the application. The planning committee approved it.