Plans for retirement home refused
The application was unanimously rejected by the planning committee.
Plans for a retirement home on land allocated for a pub in a town residents said “desperately” needs more places to meet have been refused.
Central Cambourne had few pieces of land left undeveloped when the application was decided, with the area next to the Holiday Inn Express off Back Lane one of them.
Permission for a restaurant and pub had been granted for the site, but it was still empty when the 58 retired living apartments were proposed.
McCarthy Stone Retirement Lifestyles Limited claimed the scheme would provide “much needed” retirement accommodation in the area.
But one resident, in a written objection submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council, said there were “still many unsold McCarthy Stone retirement flats in their other Cambourne developments”.
They said that since the site was the “last available space” in the town centre it could have a “big impact on the community” which is “already lacking amenities”.
Another written objection said: “The last thing Cambourne needs is another retirement development.
“There are thousands of people now living in the various Cambourne sections with more development being carried out. There is nowhere for people to go, nothing to do, and the one GP surgery is struggling; one pub, one coffee shop.
“My view is that another retirement block will do nothing to enhance the town.”
The council’s planning committee were asked to decide on the application, which they were recommended to refuse, on Wednesday (August 12).
Julie Ayer, speaking on behalf of Cambourne Town Council, said the design of the development “simply doesn’t fit”.
She said: “Cambourne is a vibrant, active community which embraces development and accepts and encourages change – but not at any cost.
“Unfortunately, the application before you today is not one of a quality that Cambourne Town Council feel they can support for several reasons.
“The design and form of this proposed development is poor and doesn’t enhance the character or have any social inclusion benefits within it.”
Cllr Helene Leeming, speaking as a ward councillor for Cambourne, said the site was “one of the last unallocated parcels of land” in the town centre.
The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “A town that desperately wants more places where people can meet and spend leisure time.
“Earlier plans to build a pub there were supported, but a residential block like this removes the opportunity for this piece of land to be available to the community.
“Cambourne needs more than just housing to thrive.”
She said that 61 residents had written to object to the scheme, and said the design was “overcrowded, uninteresting and blocky”.
Cllr Michael Booth, also of Cambourne, added that the development would be “fundamentally unsafe”.
The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “The lack of provision of adequate crossings for elderly residents would inhibit their access to daily services without asking them to take risks on their own safety on a regular basis.”