Builder secures approval to construct 115 residential properties in Yaxley

In a recent decision, Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire Ltd has been given the green light to build 115 new homes at Livery Stable Folly Farm in Yaxley. The planning inspector, Mr. Campbell, ruled that the development can proceed, as no concrete evidence was provided to support the concerns about highway safety and congestion.

The proposed development has been under scrutiny by both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, the local highways authorities. Despite initial refusal by Huntingdonshire District Council due to concerns about the impact on the countryside's beauty, neither of the local authorities have any outstanding objections to the appeal scheme, subject to mitigation.

The development is planned to be built on land that is mostly comprised of greenfield and farm buildings. This development will see 40% of the new homes designated as affordable housing. However, concerns have been raised by locals living near the proposed development about the potential increase in traffic.

A transport assessment has been conducted on the development for potential impacts on traffic and highway safety. The planning inspector found no good reason to conclude that the appeal scheme would have any significant negative effects on highway safety or congestion that could not be mitigated. Yaxley Parish Council raised concerns about highway safety and congestion at the inquiry, but these concerns were not found to be substantiated.

The Folly Farm Equestrian Centre, located near the site, has expressed concerns about having to relocate due to the proposed construction. Despite these concerns, the planning inspector's decision stands, and the development is set to move forward.

Meanwhile, there are calls to scrap office-to-homes conversions in England, as nationwide figures show a 0.1% drop in house prices in August. This drop in house prices might be a factor in the continued development of new housing estates like the one proposed at Livery Stable Folly Farm in Yaxley.