Up to nine dwellings at Fallow Corner Drove, Manea

“SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1. The application site relates to an undeveloped area of Grade 1 agricultural land, approximately 0.98 hectares in size, situated on the south side of Fallow Corner Drove, Manea. The site, at the time of inspection, appeared to be in current agricultural use, with crops apparent.”

“Development in the area is predominately concentrated in a linear pattern to the north side of Fallow Corner Drove only. However, a recent approval for 29 dwellings at the former Lavender Mill site (F/YR23/0423/RM), forming an in- depth development, is set behind existing frontage development opposite the site, infilling part of the backland separation between Fallow Corner Drove and Westfield Road to the northwest.”

“During the Planning Committee meeting of 7 th January 2025, Members resolved to defer determination of the application owing to a lack of ecological information submitted within the original application, including: • Appropriate ecological surveys to confirm the impacts the proposal may have to the nearby Ouse Washes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar site and enable the Council to…”

“In response to the above, the Applicant subsequently provided the following reports for consideration in respect of the application: • Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA), prepared by Glaven Ecology, February 2026; and • Peat Stratigraphy Survey (PSS), prepared by The Landscape Partnership, February 2026”

“Furthermore, the development does not accord with the principles and limitations of Permission in Principle (PiP) as set out in National Planning Guidance. PiP is intended to support a limited range of development types in locations that are clearly suitable in principle, having regard to settlement hierarchy, land use compatibility, flood risk, and the efficient use of land. In…”

“Policy LP12 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014 seeks to ensure that development does not result in an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside and Policy LP16 (d) of the Fenland Local Plan (2014) requires development to deliver and protect high quality environments specifying that development should make a positive contribution to the local distinctiveness and character of the area.”

“Will spoil the traditional village feel • Overdevelopment • Loss of agricultural land • Loss of countryside character • Development would set an undesirable precedent • Development beyond the existing built form • Recent development in the area has mostly been redevelopment of existing sites or agricultural dwellings not new builds on greenfield sites…”

“Concerns over surface water flooding – claims to often have standing water on the land • In flood zone 3 • Raising floor levels above flood Matters relating to flood risk and drainage are discussed in the below assessment. Appendix A”

“Proposed by Councillor Marks, seconded by Councillor Connor and agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer’s recommendation.”

“Members do not support officer’s recommendation of refusal of planning permission as they feel it is not an elsewhere location, is the continuation of existing development and the development will…”