Public views sought on 'large scale' housing plan

The views of village residents are being sought for a new housing development earmarked for land near Peterborough.

The city council has launched a public consultation on the development of "a new large-scale settlement" to the west of the village of Wittering, which lies north of the A47 and west of the A1.

The West Wittering site is believed to have capacity for approximately 3,000 houses - with the possibility of delivering 1,800 homes within the council's housing plan period.

It is being considered as part of the authority's commitment to meet government housing requirements within Peterborough's Local Plan strategy.

Local Plans guide how places change over time in terms of the overall approach to developments in housing and employment.

The Peterborough Local Plan will direct growth and regeneration in the city and the surrounding villages by 2044.

The proposed site is considered an alternative option to an area of land northeast of Castor and Ailsworth that was initially considered for development.

According to the Peterborough Draft Local Plan consultation document, the potential inclusion of the land north-east of Castor and Ailsworth led to "significant concerns" being raised by "both the public and statutory stakeholders on impact on the natural environment and biodiversity, impacts and pressure on the local infrastructure, including highways and other services and facilities, and impacts on landscape."

Councillor Mohammed Farooq, cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said: "No other singular site, or combination of sites have been suggested to the council that can deliver the level of housing required.

"Therefore, this [Wittering site] is the only alternative and available site for consideration.

"This consultation exercise does not mean the council has made a decision to include the site on land to the west of Wittering in the submission version of the Local Plan."

The public consultation will last for six weeks, until 5 March.

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