New development could offer 100% affordable homes

A new development promising to offer 100% affordable housing exclusively for local people has been recommended for approval.

Living Space Housing wants to demolish an existing home and disused sawmill in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, to make way for 34 new homes.

Planning officers at South Cambridgeshire District Council have recommended councillors approve the proposal for the site in Histon Road when they meet on Wednesday.

Drainage concerns were among the issues raised by Cottenham Parish Council, one of two consultees to submit objections.

A report by the council's planning team said there was a need for affordable housing in the village, which is home to about 6,000 people.

If approved, the new homes would only be offered to people with a local connection through a mix of affordable rent, social housing, and shared ownership schemes.

They would be arranged around a centrally-located open space, including a children's play area.

Planning officers said the scheme would "provide substantial public benefits", including the redevelopment of an otherwise underutilised site.

The developer would have to invest in local infrastructure, including more than £340,000 to fund additional primary school places.

As well as drainage, the parish council also raised concerns about sewers and biodiversity.

The report said the local flood authority was not concerned about flooding and had confirmed surface water could be "appropriately managed".

Anglian Water submitted a holding objection because of concerns about a lack of capacity at its water recycling centre in Cambridge.

The site covers about 1.4ha (3.5 acres), roughly the same size as two professional football pitches.

Councillors visited the site on 4 November as part of their decision-making process.

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