An NHS service has raised concerns about the potential impact of the new homes being built in a Cambridgeshire town

Twelve new homes could be built in a Cambridgeshire town, but concerns have been raised about the impact on local doctors. RCKA has submitted plans to Fenland District Council to build 12 new homes on land of 53 to 69 in Grounds Avenue in March.

The proposed homes include one block of flats with 10 apartments and two houses. A shared garden, secure cycle parking and waste storage is proposed.

Twelve car spaces, including two accessible, also form part of the plans. The site was previously used for garages, and the developers said the homes would “re-use previously developed land and under-utilised space”.

The developers added that the “high-quality” homes will be in a “highly suitable location”. In 2022, plans were approved on the same part of land to build six new homes.

The developers said even though more homes are proposed in 2026, they said they are “smaller in size to meet a specific local need”. The plans have not received any public objections so far, however some concerns have been raised by the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (CAPICS).

A NHS spokesperson said the development is “likely to have an impact” on three GP services in the area. The spokesperson said: “These practices do not have capacity to take on additional patients and this development of 12 dwellings would see an increase patient pressure of circa 28 new residents.”

To “mitigate” the potential impact, the NHS seeks a contribution from the developers. The NHS requested a contribution of £10,316.65, to match up with a possible extension and refurbishment it may need.

The NHS added: “Payment should be made before the development commences. CAPICS therefore requests that this sum be secured through a planning obligation linked to any grant of planning permission – in the form of a Section 106 planning obligation – with the proposal that the sum be used to fund a project which increases clinical capacity at one of the GP.

“Practices in the vicinity of the development, or any project at an alternative premises in the vicinity of the Practices/development which increases primary healthcare capacity.”