Up to 9 homes at Land West Of 16 Bridge Lane, Wimblington

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for up to nine dwellings, with detailed matters reserved for a later technical details application.

“This application is for Permission in Principle for the development of up to nine dwellings; consideration is strictly limited to location, land use and amount of development, with detailed matters reserved for any subsequent Technical Details Consent.”

“Although not a requirement of applications for Permission in Principle, the application is supported by an indicative site layout plan which shows a cul- de-sac style development of detached dwellings and garages extending south, utilising the intended access off Bridge Lane that is also shown to serve the residential development of 9 dwellings to the north (F/YR25/0058/O).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is open agricultural land in a fringe rural part of Bridge Lane, detached from Wimblington and accessed from a narrow single-track road without a footway.

“SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1. This section of Bridge Lane is a fringe rural location, which is abutted by dwellings characteristic of roadside ribbon development. The lane is single track with some passing places, but no separate footway. Sporadic dwellings of various types, styles, and sizes line the road. In contrast the application site and the adjoining land to the west of 2a Bridge Lane is open and agricultural in character.”

“The site is located away from the established settlement of Wimblington and is currently in agricultural use. The site is part of a wider paddock (also within the applicant’s ownership) situated behind two existing dwellings at 2b and 2c Bridge Lane and is roughly ‘L’ shaped covering about 0.75ha. The site will be served by an existing access to the west of 2b Bridge Lane.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

A neighbouring scheme for up to nine dwellings was granted in 2025, while earlier applications for housing and a speedway museum were refused.

“SITE PLANNING HISTORY F/YR25/0058/O Erect up to 9 x dwellings (outline application with all matters reserved) Land South Of 2B And 2C Bridge Lane Wimblington Granted 23.10.2025 F/YR23/0241/O Erect up to 9 x dwellings (outline application with all matters reserved) Land South Of 2B And 2C Bridge Lane Wimblington Refused 07.03.2024 F/0446/88/O Outline application for Erection of a speedway museum Adj 2A Bridge Lane Wimblington Refused F/0340/83/F Erection of a stable block…”

Officer report

Why officers advised refusal

Officers found harm to rural character, an unsustainable access serving cumulative development, and harmful encroachment that could not be resolved later.

“The requirements of Policy LP12 are reinforced by Policy LP16 which stipulates that new development must make a positive contribution to the local distinctiveness and character of the area. The application site within the blue lined wider field comprises an area of open land some 230m deep from the rear of 2b Bridge Lane to the northern boundary of the development currently being implemented at Willow Gardens/Salix Road.”

“Notwithstanding the above, as discussed within the location section of this report, in terms of the landscape and spatial impacts identified, the amount of development proposed (both individually and cumulatively), would also intensify the degree of encroachment into the open rural land that forms an important part of Bridge Lane’s rural character.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and applicant supported the proposal, arguing that surrounding development had changed the area and that pedestrian and highway solutions could be considered later.

The vote

Councillor Purser proposed refusal, Councillor Benney seconded it, and the committee agreed to refuse the application as recommended.

“Proposed by Councillor Purser, seconded by Councillor Benney and agreed that the application be REFUSED as per the officer’s recommendation.”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission in principle was refused because the detached site would harm rural character and provide an unsafe, unsustainable access for the proposed cumulative development.

“The site is accessed solely via Bridge Lane, a narrow, single-track road which lacks segregated pedestrian infrastructure. The Local Highway Authority has advised that cumulative development along Bridge Lane has reached a point where further development can only be supported if a footway is provided, yet no certainty has been demonstrated that such infrastructure can be delivered within land under the applicant’s control or within the existing public highway.”

“The proposal seeks Permission in Principle for up to nine dwellings on a site of approximately 0.75 hectares. When considered cumulatively with the adjoining approved development to the north, the proposal would result in an intensified and extended incursion into open rural land, materially increasing the scale of development along Bridge Lane.”

Officer report