The developers proposed a mixed of “high quality” one, two, three and four-bedded homes

Plans to build over 50 new homes in a Cambridgeshire village have been refused over environmental concerns. In December 2024, Bellway Homes proposed to build 52 homes, as well as access and an open space on land at West Newlands on St Ives Road, Somersham.

The developers proposed for there to be a mix of “high quality” one-bed to four-bed homes, offering both private and affordable housing. The applicants said it was an “opportunity to provide 52 new homes in an appropriate and sustainable location”.

Each property was designed to have parking, and an open space was planned for the north and south of the site. Huntingdonshire District Council has refused these plans after it raises concerns over the applicant’s waste water management.

In its decision document, a HDC planning officer said: “The application fails to demonstrate that the proposed development can be accommodated within the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure without resulting in deterioration of water quality or environmental harm to designated habitat sites.”

In its design, Bellway Homes said it had an agreement with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water that “waste water flows from the proposal can be accommodated”. In making its decision, HDC said Anglian Water told the council that Somersham Water Recycling Centre was “operating above its permitted dry weather flow limit”.

It added that it was “unable to accommodate additional flows” that would come from the development. The council added: “The Environment Agency and Natural England have not been able to confirm that the development would avoid compromising the requirements of the water framework directive or the habitats regulations.”

The developers can appeal the decision within six months of the decision notice being published.