Current Projects : Instructions and project planning progression

LAND NORTH OF BLACKBERRY LANE,

Soham, Cambridgeshire

Welcome to Manor Oak Homes’ public consultation website for our proposed new development at land north of Blackberry Lane, Soham in Cambridgeshire.

Our Vision: Manor Oak Homes are pleased to announce we are promoting a development of up to 35 new houses providing a variety of tenures including affordable units and public open space. The site forms part of land that is allocated for residential development by Policy SOH 6 of the East Cambridgeshire District Council Local Plan 2015.

We welcome your views on our proposals

Previous Public Consultation

This consultation follows a previous consultation in summer 2023. Due to a delay in progressing the proposals to a planning application, Manor Oak Homes want to ensure that any local residents who have moved into the area more recently are aware of the proposals and have the opportunity to provide comments before a planning application is submitted.

There were 7 comments received to the previous consultation and we are pleased to provide a response to the comments raised in the table below.

 

Summary of Comments Response
Traffic: Several comments raised concerns regarding the impact of a further increase in traffic on Regal Lane and Brook Street which are not considered suitable due to on-street parking and a lack of pavements. One comment also stated that an alternative construction access should be proposed. Pre-application advice received from County Highways did not raise any concerns regarding the capacity of the local road network to accommodate additional traffic from 35 no. dwellings, but it is noted that the larger Felix Park development will be delivering highways improvements in the local area. Construction access will be subject to detailed consideration prior to the commencement of development, including potential alternatives to using Dace Drive.
Flooding: A couple of comments raised concern that the site is on a flood plain. As shown on the plans in the consultation boards, it is only the western part of the site that is within the flood plain. This area is proposed to be public open space with no buildings on it.
Wildlife: A concern was raised regarding the impact on wildlife. We can confirm that detailed surveys of on-site wildlife have been undertaken. It is proposed to retain and enhance existing trees and hedgerows and also to create new wildlife habitats in the open space areas on site to deliver a net gain in the biodiversity value of the site.
Energy efficiency: One response supported the inclusion of heat pumps instead of oil and gas heating. We can confirm that the dwellings would be built to high environmental standards in accordance with new building regulations requirements.
Play space: One response was supportive of the additional public open space proposed and suggested that a children’s playground should be provided. In response to this request and feedback from planning officers, the masterplan for the site now shows a play area within the open space.

Online Public Consultation

Stakeholder engagement is a key part of the development process and we are interested to hear residents’ views, ideas and concerns.

We are therefore holding another Online Public Consultation until Friday 6th September.

Information about the proposals is found by clicking on the PDF link below.

An online comments form, a PDF copy of the leaflet sent to nearby residents, and a PDF copy of the consultation boards can be found below. Please submit any comments you may have by Friday 6th September. 

Data Protection: all contact details and comments will only be used expressly in connection with this consultation.

Next Steps

This consultation exercise precedes the submission of an outline planning application to East Cambridgeshire District Council which will seek permission for the principle of up to 35 dwellings along with access. All other details will be subject to reserved matters applications in future.

Residents in close proximity to the site should receive a formal invitation to respond to the application from East Cambridgeshire District Council upon the submission of the application. Any response you make will be made available to Manor Oak Homes accompanied by Officer advice explaining how we should address any issues raised.

Thank you for your feedback

Online Consultation Boards

A PDF version of the Online consultation boards is available here, click to download.

 

Leaflet

We have published a PDF of the leaflet circulated to nearby residents, click to download.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this download, if this isn’t installed on your device, simply click on the ‘Get Acrobat’, prior to downloading.

We welcome your views on our proposals:

As part of developing our proposals, we would like feedback from local people about what this future environment should look like and how it will best fit in with your community and your surrounding areas.

We would like to hear your views on areas such as:
– Public open space
– Broad mix of homes
– Access and connectivity
– Affordable homes

Please email any comments or suggestions to: info@arplanning.co.uk

Or alternatively you can write to us at:

Armstrong Rigg Planning,
The Exchange,
Colworth Science Park,
Sharnbrook,
Bedford,
MK44 1LZ

Data Protection: your contact details and comments will only be used expressly in connection with this consultation.

We welcome your views on our Proposals by Friday 6th September 2024

MEET THE TEAM

Manor Oak Homes is a multi-disciplined company that specialises in promotional agreements, option agreements and freehold purchases for strategic land opportunities.

We believe in working on an open-book basis, building a strong relationship with clients, consultants, political bodies and industry contacts alike. We insist on working in a spirit of good faith, ensuring that we work in an environment of transparency and trust. We do not rely on a board, or the excuse of a board not to get things done, and will always pick up the phone at the first opportunity.

MANOR OAK HOMES: PROFESSIONAL, PROACTIVE, PERSONAL

This website, drawings and reports are the copyright of Manor Oak Homes and their Consultants and shall not be reproduced without their permission. Ordnance Survey map information reproduced with permission of HMSO Crown Copyright reserved. Manor Oak Homes will take reasonable measures/actions to ensure the website is updated regularly, but will not accept any liability. Viewers of the website should also check with the planning department of the Council.