Plans approved for 59 new homes in Godmanchester

Plans for a new housing development which will help fund an all-weather pitch at Godmanchester Town Football Club have been given the green light.

Bellway has received planning permission to build 59 homes on a seven-acre site off Bearscroft Lane at the southern edge of the town.

Approval for the scheme was granted by Huntingdonshire District Council’s Development Management Committee on 21 December 2021.

The development, which is to be known as Whitehill Gardens, will feature a range of two-bedroom bungalows, two, three and four-bedroom houses – comprising 35 properties for private sale and 24 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.

As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway will provide funding of more than £30,124 towards the conversion of the existing grass pitch at Godmanchester Town FC’s nearby ground into a 3G artificial facility.

The developer will also make a payment of over £420,000 to the council though the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to support local services such as health, education, libraries and community facilities.

Philip Standen, Managing Director of Bellway Eastern Counties, said: “Whitehill Gardens will deliver a significant investment in community facilities in Godmanchester as well as providing much-needed new homes for the area. Our contribution to Godmanchester Town FC will enable the club to install a modern artificial playing surface which can be used all-year round and in all weathers.

“The mix of homes we are building reflects the housing needs of people in Huntingdonshire, with four bungalows being provided for the downsizer market as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses to suit first-time buyers and families.

“Whitehill Gardens has been carefully designed to ensure it blends in with its semi-rural location. The homes will be traditional in appearance and will include architectural features such as black weatherboarding to create a visually interesting street scene which is in keeping with existing buildings in the town. We will be providing 1.6 acres of public open space within the development, including a children’s play area, and we will also be planting 65 new trees on the site.

“Work is now underway at Whitehill Gardens and we expect the first homes at the development to go on sale this summer.”