Objectors have said that a proposed development would cause ‘absolute havoc’ for residentsThe homes are proposed to be built on land west of Hemingford Road (Image: Google Maps)Locals say that plans for new homes in Cambridgeshire would result in “irreversible loss” to greenfield land and cause “absolute havoc” for residents. Plans were submitted in April 2026 to Huntingdonshire District Council to build 20 new homes with parking, access and associated infrastructure on land west of Hemingford Road near the village of Hemingford Grey and the town of St Ives.The proposed design consists of six two-bed homes, eight three-bed homes and six four-bed houses. These homes include a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.The site was initially considered to be of an appropriate size for up to 26 houses but the proposed layout has since been reduced to 20. If approved, this will be combined with a targeted car parking provision of 34 spaces across the site.The applicant, Gurjit Thiara, said that in developing the site, it would “bring more revenue into the district and assist in providing housing in an area currently not meeting its targets”.A planning statement said: “The site is considered to be in St Ives where the average property price is £304,163 in comparison with the national average of £268,144. This scheme could deliver a small development of 20 dwellings with a mix of tenure including 8 affordable housing units.”The full planning application has seen local backlash, with more than 25 objections lodged so far. One objector said that the development would result in “irreversible loss of greenfield land” which they believe “plays an important role in maintaining local biodiversity, natural drainage and landscape character”.They added: “Developing this site undermines long standing planning principles that prioritise brownfield land before greenfield expansion. I believe that the principles of a conservation area are to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the landscape. Introducing a housing development of this scale would fundamentally alter visual and ecological integrity of the area.”The same local also raised concern over the “increase in traffic”. They said that the roundabout leading out of the village and towards St Ives and Cambridge is “already congested” and, once the site has residents, they believe it will become a “major bottleneck”.The objection continued: “The addition of cars from a further twenty properties is of serious concern. I believe that this is an ill-conceived development of twenty modern, box like, black clad properties, totally out of keeping with this ancient village and urge that this application be turned down.”Another objector said that the build would cause “absolute havoc” for all residents in the area. They also said that construction would cause “unacceptable” noise and traffic pollution.Meanwhile another resident said that they were concerned about potential “flooding, safety, the loss of greenfield land and the possible reliance on pumping infrastructure” . They described the local road as “busy and narrow” which is used by cyclists and children on their way to and from school. Due to these risks, the resident feels as though vehicular access to the road would “cause chaos”.
Locals fears new housing development would cause ‘irreversible loss’
