East Cambs District Council’s planning committee meets this coming Wednesday afternoon (1 November), with two Witchford issues on a busy agenda.

Application 17/00261/OUM is for up to 46 dwellings, together with associated public open space, landscaping, highways and drainage infrastructure works. It’s the site next to West End Close, opposite Needhams, which has already been to the planning committee in May. At that time, the committee delegated approval to the planning manager, subject to satisfactory legal agreements and conditions. It’s come back again to be considered in the light of the draft Local Plan which has now been agreed. However, officers are still recommending councillors to approve it.

One significant issue is the contribution to be made by the developer to education in Witchford. The report says ‘the applicant has agreed to the principle of making an education contribution but not at the level requested by County Education. Discussions are ongoing with County to ascertain an appropriate level of contribution in scale and kind to the development proposed.’
Report here
Map here

TPO E/09/17 is a request for confirmation of a tree preservation order for two groups of ash trees north of Orton Drive, referred to the committee following an objection. The trees are in the area where Gladmans wanted to build 55 homes north of Marroway Lane, an application refused by the council in March.
Report here
Map here