Redrow Homes plans to submit a planning application for up to 170 new homes in Hauxton village, prompting residents to voice concerns about development on agricultural land

Readers of CambridgeshireLive have been weighing in on proposals for new housing, with many expressing concerns over the local impact, loss of green spaces, and whether the development will genuinely serve the needs of the community. Others have questioned how such schemes gain approval and what obligations developers must fulfil if construction begins long after planning permission is initially granted.

Property firm Carter Jonas has been appointed by developer Redrow Homes South Midlands to submit a full planning application for land situated south of High Street in the village of Hauxton, with proposals for up to 170 new homes.

Hauxton is a small village lying approximately five miles from Cambridge. While a formal planning application is yet to be lodged, full planning permission will be sought for up to 170 homes, along with access routes, open space and associated infrastructure. A screening opinion request has already been submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required for the proposed development.

The new homes are earmarked for a 12.44 hectare site currently used as agricultural land. A significant proportion of the site is intended to be retained as open space, with new properties concentrated in development parcels across the central and western sections, while the eastern portion would be preserved as public open space. The proposed site sits adjacent to existing residential properties, allotments and Hauxton Primary School. According to a screening letter, pedestrian and cycle access would be provided via High Street, with a potential connection to Jopling Way currently under consideration.

One reader, Feelgood66 comments: “Right next to the line and east west rail will be, plus shutting off the road permanently. Like the road near me.”

Calumen Nomen says: “Ah, Hauxton’s turn to get ruined. Only fair that all should suffer.”

While over on our Facebook page, Tai S writes: “It feels that whatever developers propose, it seems to get rubber-stamped, under the last government and this one. One thing I learned from dealing with developers was this: they only need to build in accordance with the planning regulations in effect at the time the project was approved. So, if something was approved in 2014, but didn’t get built until now (as is often the case), the developers only need to apply the environmental/social features and conditions from 2014. This is how they get around installing solar, green spaces, providing lots of play areas, preserving nature and adding water-retention features and other blue/green building-infrastructure elements.

“I wouldn’t mind so many estates if they a) included long term, affordable family homes with gardens (like the 1930’s semi I was lucky enough to grow up in), b) included all modern eco fittings; heat pumps, solar panels, green roofs/walls, triple glazed windows etc and c) the developers were forced to create an adjacent conservation area equivalent to the size of the built-up area. The costs are high, but if the developers can’t afford to implement them, let them eat brick dust.

“Additionally, if buy to let, greedy landlords, second homes and housing bought up as capital were clamped down on, we would actually have enough existing housing stock for requirements, but that requires government will that doesn’t exist. Sadly, the ideal home-building scenario with people and the environment put first, as opposed to corporate profits, won’t happen and even if it did, without the government investing heavily on a national scale in energy, water, public transport and education infrastructure (which hasn’t happened in Cambridge while the developers concrete over everything) then the new urban areas are bound to fail as places worthy of being treasured as ‘home’.”

David M pleads: “Stop building on green fields – use other sites.”

Carolyn R adds: “Soon, there won’t be any green spaces left; the ones that are left will be covered in solar panels.”

Marvin H comments: “This is about private equity money flooding the property market. We have enough housing stock in this country; the majority of it is simply not accessible to the majority of people who desperately need it. House prices in places like Cambridge are out of reach for the majority of people. Rental properties in places like Cambridge are out of reach for the majority of people. “

Are you happy to see more homes being built? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.