Residents Clash with Council Over 'Stealth' Plans for 30,000 Homes

Residents in Huntingdonshire are expressing outrage over the council's proposed development of over 30,000 new homes, accusing the local authority of pushing the plans through 'by stealth' and without adequate public consultation. Campaigners argue the scale of the development will place an unsustainable strain on already stretched public services, including general practitioners' (GPs) surgeries, schools, and roads, and could lead to water shortages.

Huntingdonshire District Council has been accused of attempting to implement a new housing plan that locals say will irrevocably harm their community. The proposals, which could significantly increase the local population, are feared to overwhelm existing infrastructure. Residents point to a decade of what they describe as a 'failure' by the council to invest in the area's infrastructure, leading to fears that access to essential services could collapse.

A spokesperson for Anglian Water has indicated that the region, which is one of the driest in the country, requires new homes to incorporate water-efficient appliances and technologies like rainwater harvesting. The company has also warned that existing customers may need to reduce water usage. Campaigners claim that water companies have warned that daily water consumption might need to be reduced significantly, potentially pushing the infrastructure to its limit.

Paul Bootham, a resident of Houghton and a member of the campaign group 'Pause the Plan,' stated that introducing approximately 30,000 new homes without a corresponding infrastructure plan is 'crazy.' He expressed concern that new homes would be built years before essential facilities like schools, GP practices, hospitals, or shopping centers are developed, a pattern he attributes to developers' financial constraints.

Concerns also extend to the road network. Bootham claimed that the planned construction could lead to an additional 200,000 car journeys per day on roads that are already in disrepair. The area, historically significant and described as agricultural 'bread basket of Britain,' faces the prospect of losing its character, with some proposed development sites located in areas documented in the 11th-century Domesday Book.

From 2021 to 2046, the plan outlines the construction of 32,200 houses across Huntingdon and surrounding towns and villages. Of these, 4,400 have already been completed, and permission has been granted for an additional 11,300. Major sites include Alconbury Weald, slated for 6,500 homes, and Lodge Farm, for 4,900. These developments are set to significantly increase the population of a district currently home to 190,619 people.

Residents' concerns are supported by a survey conducted by the 'Pause the Plan' group, which found that over 90 percent of over 1,000 respondents distrust the evidence base for the draft proposals. Key concerns cited included road congestion, pressure on water and wastewater systems, and the impact on schools and healthcare.

Ray Baxendale, an 80-year-old resident, described the proposed housing numbers as 'vandalism' and criticized the plans as 'political mismanagement and naivety.' He highlighted the strain on the NHS, citing long waits for A&E and GP appointments, and questioned the deliverability and funding of the necessary infrastructure.

Audra Green, a 30-year resident of Hemingford Abbots, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the lack of 'joined-up thinking' regarding roads, GP surgeries, school places, and water capacity. She pointed to issues like chronic road congestion, a Victorian drainage system that has led to flooding and sewage problems, and GP surgeries already operating at breaking point.

Huntingdonshire District Council on September 9 approved the proposals by a majority of 25 to 17, with eight abstentions. A six-week public consultation period will now follow. Council leader Sarah Conboy stated that the Local Plan is crucial for ensuring well-planned, sustainable development and meeting government housing targets. She encouraged residents to participate in the consultation to help shape the district's future.

However, the decision faced opposition. Reform councillor Peter Gammons described the housing target as 'outrageous,' arguing it significantly exceeds the national average and would be a 'betrayal of the residents.' Conservative councillor David Keane acknowledged the need for homes, calling it an 'unavoidable reality.'

An Anglian Water spokesman reiterated the company's investment in infrastructure to support housing growth but stressed the necessity of water-efficient designs in new homes to safeguard supplies and the environment. The company is advocating for these standards to be included in local plans.