Four new dwellings at Land Rear Of 33 Church Street, Gamlingay

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing commercial buildings and building four homes with parking, private outdoor space and landscaping.

“25/02157/FUL – Land Rear of 33 Church Street, Gamlingay Application details Report to: Planning Committee Lead Officer: Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development Ward/parish: Gamlingay / Gamlingay Proposal: Demolition of existing commercial buildings and erection of 4 new dwellings with associated parking, amenity space and landscaping.”

“Report contents Document section Document heading 1 Executive summary 2 Site description and context 3 The proposal 4 Relevant site history 5 Policy 6 Consultations 7 Third party representations 8 Member representations 9 Local groups / petition 10 Assessment 11 Principle of development 12 Housing provision 13 Design, layout, scale, landscaping and Heritage 14 Trees 15 Carbon reduction and sustainable design 16 Biodiversity 17 Water management and flood risk 18 Highway…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a commercial building in Gamlingay’s village centre, surrounded by homes and sharing access from Church Street.

“Table 2 Consultee summary 2. Site description and context 2.1 The application site comprises a large, single storey commercial building located within the heart of the village of Gamlingay. The application site specifically, previously formed the rear of a larger employment site to the rear of the residential property of No.33 Church Street.”

“In addition to being located within the development framework of Gamlingay, the application site is adjacent to the Gamlingay Conservation Area which extends to the eastern edge of the site. No.33 Church Street to the south of the application site is identified as a building of local interest. The entire application site is located within Flood Zone 1 and is not at risk of surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the loss of employment justified and found the housing, design, highway, ecology and neighbour amenity effects acceptable with conditions.

“With regards to criteria 2 of policy E/14, whilst the proposal would result in the total loss of employment within the site, it is considered in officers view that a mixed-use scheme, integrating an element of employment use within this now mainly residential area would, apart from perhaps an office scheme, not be suitable for the application site.”

“This letter sets out that there are a number of constraints within the site that would be exacerbated by including an element of employment use within the site, in addition to residential. This includes conflict within the access to the site and car parking provision within the locality. This is a concern that has been raised by a number of local residents in relation to the proposal and would likely be increased with an element of employment use within the scheme.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

The parish council objected, five residents objected, and technical consultees raised no objections subject to conditions.

“Consultations Publicity Neighbour letters – Y Site Notice – Y Press Notice – Y (Affecting a conservation area) Parish Council - Object 6.1 Raised concerns with the lack of parking for future occupants. Potential impacts upon neighbouring properties through overlooking and disruption from the proposed access. Failure to provide smaller dwellings as per Policy GAM1 of the Neighbourhood Plan.”

“Conservation Officer- No Objection 6.2 No objection to the proposal subject to conditions regarding: • Brick / stonework sample details Contaminated Land Officer - No Objection 6.3 No objection to the proposal subject to conditions regarding: • Phase 1 and 2 site investigation/ remediation • Remediation compliance • Unexpected contamination County Highways Development Management - No Objection 6.4 No objection to the proposal subject to conditions regarding: • Maintenance/…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a person speaking against the application, the applicant’s agent and a parish council representative.

What members discussed

Members discussed the site’s location, employment loss, housing mix, design, parking, waste collection, energy efficiency and neighbour amenity.

“In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planner advised the following: i. The distances between the eastern elevation of the proposed dwellings and existing properties were approximately 16.1-16.9m and were not considered to be significant to justify refusal of the application. ii. The rooms in plots 7 and 8, which would have obscure glazing on the western first floor windows were bathrooms and a staircase.”

“Planning Committee Wednesday, 10 December 2025 During debate the Committee considered the following issues: i. The sustainable location of the site. ii. The change in use of the site from employment use to residential use. iii. Housing need and mix. iv. The design and layout of the site. v. Parking arrangements. vi. Concerns about waste collection / drag distance for bins. vii. Energy efficiency measures proposed. viii.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the application by seven votes to two, with one councillor not taking part.

“The Senior Planner provided the following updates since the publication of the agenda: i. Referred to the Amendment Sheet which contained revised wording for Condition 9 (Energy Strategy Statement) as follows: a.”

“By 7 votes in favour (Councillors Anna Bradnam, Ariel Cahn, Peter Fane, William Jackson-Wood, James Rixon, Peter Sandford, Eileen Wilson) to 2 votes against (Lisa Redrup, Heather Williams) the Committee approved the application subject to: • A completed (signed and dated) s106 Unilateral Undertaking (UU) which relates to GAM 8 of the Gamlingay Neighbourhood Plan with contributions towards walking, cycling and horse riding.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Approval was subject to a Gamlingay infrastructure undertaking, revised energy wording, a waste collection condition and an amendment covering plot 6 windows.

“The planning conditions set out in the officer’s report with minor amendments to the conditions as drafted delegated to officers including: o An amendment to condition 9 to delete the text included within the officer report and replace with: ▪ The approved renewable/low carbon energy technologies (as set out in the Energy Statement and/or as shown on the approved plans) shall be fully installed and operational prior to the occupation of the development and thereafter…”

“Planning Committee Wednesday, 10 December 2025 commence until a scheme for the on-site storage facilities for waste, including waste for recycling, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The scheme shall identify: the specific positions of where wheeled bins will be stationed for use by the resident. The quantity and capacity of the bins per property.”

Minutes