The Fenland Council Planning Committee met on 17 September 2025, to discuss several planning applications. Councillors approved applications for the demolition of 2 Broad Street, March and for the erection of dwellings at Land South Of 4 - 16 Back Road, Gorefield, and Land North and West of 47 Fridaybridge Road, Elm. Councillors refused applications for the erection of dwellings at Land North West Of Cobble House, Gull Road, Guyhirn, Lavender Mill Bungalow, Fallow Corner Drove, Manea, Garages At, River Drive, March, Land Northeast of 93, Dartford Road, March, 46 Elwyndene Road, March, 8 Bramble Walk, March, and 18 Broad Street, March.

Major Applications

Land North West Of Cobble House, Gull Road, Guyhirn

Councillors considered an outline application for the erection of up to 24 dwellings at Land North West Of Cobble House, Gull Road, Guyhirn. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reasons for refusal were:

• The proposal was contrary to policy LP3 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014, which defines Guyhirn as a 'small village' where development will be restricted to that of a very limited nature and normally be limited in scale to residential infilling.
• The development is located within Flood Zone 3, the area of highest flood risk, and the application fails to pass the sequential test.
• The application is not supported by a completed legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the development in its entirety as affordable housing nor to secure the infrastructure contributions required to meet the education and medical provision needs of occupiers of the development.

Lavender Mill Bungalow, Fallow Corner Drove, Manea

Councillors considered an application to erect 5 dwellings at Lavender Mill Bungalow, Fallow Corner Drove, Manea, involving the demolition of the existing dwelling and garage. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reasons for refusal were:

• The amount of development taking place on the site, its layout, scale, form and appearance would result in a development at odds with the prevailing pattern of development and general character in the locality.
• The development would result in overlooking of the side and rear of the neighbouring bungalow, Coolruss Lodge.
• The development proposed by virtue of the substandard garden areas to Plots 1 and 2 and the overlooking from Plot 3 to the garden area of Plot 5 would afford an inadequate level of amenity for future residents of the development.
• The applicant has failed to undertake a substantive and evidenced sequential test.
• No comprehensive viability assessment covering both development sites, as required under Policy LP5 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014, has been submitted.

Land South Of 4 - 16 Back Road, Gorefield

Councillors considered an outline application to erect up to 9 dwellings at Land South Of 4 - 16 Back Road, Gorefield. The officer's report recommended approval of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. Councillor Mrs French asked whether any contact has been made with the North Level Internal Drainage Board with regards to the application, and was advised that officers have confirmed that there is a comment on the officer's file from the drainage board. Councillor Marks asked for confirmation as to what response the Internal Drainage Board provided to officers, and was advised that a response was received on 24 June which stated that they had no objection subject to a pre-commencement condition requiring submission of surface water systems and outfalls.

Other Planning Applications

Garages At, River Drive, March

Councillors considered an application to erect 1 x self-build/custom build dwelling with a 2.0m high boundary fence at Garages At, River Drive, March, involving the demolition of existing garages. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reasons for refusal were:

• The application site is constrained in size and consequently the dwelling proposed would result in a linear form of development, in close proximity to the boundaries of the site.
• There is considered to be a material overlooking impact on the private amenity spaces of 8 River Drive and 9 River Drive as a result of the proposed covered terrace area and the rear elevation stepped access.
• In the absence of a legal agreement or other enforceable mechanism to secure the delivery and occupation of the proposed dwelling as a self-build unit, the development fails to meet the definition and requirements of self build housing as set out in the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended).

Land Northeast of 93, Dartford Road, March

Councillors considered an application to erect 1 x self-build/custom build dwelling at Land Northeast of 93, Dartford Road, March, including the demolition of the existing garage. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reasons for refusal were:

• The proposal will result in a cramped and over intensive form of development due to the exceptionally narrow width of the land.
• The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP): Waste and Management Design Guide SPD, Policy DM4 of the Delivering and Protecting High Quality Environments in Fenland - SPD - July 2014 and Policy LP16 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014 seek to ensure that adequate, well designed bin facilities are conveniently located with easy access for users.
• In the absence of a legal agreement or other enforceable mechanism to secure the delivery and occupation of the proposed dwelling as a self-build unit, the development fails to meet the definition and requirements of self-build housing as set out in the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended).

46 Elwyndene Road, March

Councillors considered an application to erect a single-storey extension to the existing garage and conversion to form an annexe at 46 Elwyndene Road, March, addition of new solar panels to roof slope, and changes to fenestration. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reason for refusal was:

• The proposal is contrary to Policy LP16 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014 as the annexe would be significant in size and scale and is considered to be an independent dwelling in size, scale and functionality due to having its own independent access to the side of the host dwelling, own parking area and garden space, thus being tantamount to a new dwelling.

8 Bramble Walk, March

Councillors considered an application to erect a single storey rear extension and part two storey and part first floor side extension to the existing building at 8 Bramble Walk, March. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reason for refusal was:

• The proposed first floor and two storey side extension will adversely impact upon neighbouring property No. 2 The Hollies by way of causing overshadowing and overbearing impacts.

18 Broad Street, March

Councillors considered an application for the display of 1 x internally illuminated fascia sign (retrospective) at 18 Broad Street, March. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. The reason for refusal was:

• Policies LP16 and LP18 of the Fenland Local Plan 2014 seeks to protect, conserve and enhance the historic environment as well as requiring development to make a positive contribution to local distinctiveness and character. The illuminated fascia sign is dominant upon the principle elevation of the host building, concealing important architectural features such as the ionic columns that form the termination of the pilasters and keystones to the centre of the window arches, as well as due to its size and scale, in combination with other advertisements on the building, creating a cluttered frontage.

Other Matters

Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meetings of 6 August and 20 August 2025 were confirmed and signed as accurate records.

F/YR25/0111/O Land North West Of Cobble House, Gull Road, Guyhirn

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

F/YR25/0280/VOC Land North And West Of 47 Fridaybridge Road, Elm

Councillors considered an application for a variation of conditions relating to external materials, surface water, external lighting, biodiversity, finished floor levels, landscaping and approved plans and documentation. The officer's report recommended approval of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee.

F/YR25/0149/FDC 2 Broad Street, March

Councillors considered an application for the demolition of the existing building and erection of a max 2.4m fence in a conservation area. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, however, this was not supported by the committee. Councillor Mrs French stated that members will have seen with their own eyes the transformation of March Town Centre using external grant funding from Government and the Combined Authority which has reinvented Broad Street, the riverside and Market Place. Councillor Marks expressed the opinion that he feels that building is a blot on the landscape compared to the updated March town centre. Councillor Connor expressed the view that the building needs to be demolished as soon as possible. It was agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer's recommendation with delegated authority given to officers to apply reasonable conditions in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

F/YR25/0473/O Land South of 4 - 16 Back Road, Gorefield

Councillors considered an application to erect up to 9 x dwellings. The officer's report recommended approval of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. Councillor Mrs French stated that she is pleased that the agent has considered the suggestions made by the committee following the previous lengthy debate which took place in December.

F/YR25/0280/VOC Land North and West of 47 Fridaybridge Road, Elm

Councillors considered an application for a variation of conditions. The officer's report recommended approval of the application, and this recommendation was supported by the committee. Councillor Mrs French stated that the application has already received approval and is before the committee for a variance in the conditions which she is happy with.

F/YR25/0156/F Sharman Fabrications, Gaul Farm, Gaul Road, March

Councillors considered an application to erect 1 x self-build/custom build dwelling and erect 1 x storage shed involving demolition of existing shed and stable (B2). The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, however, this was not supported by the committee. Councillor Marks stated that he welcomes the fact that a business is trying to expand. Councillor Connor stated that the Council uses the strapline that Fenland is Open for Business and, in his view, the application should be supported. It was agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer's recommendation with delegation given to officers to finalise the conditions in consultation with the Chairman, proposer and seconder.

F/YR24/1000/F Land West of 27 Norfolk Street Accessed from Morley Way, Wimblington

Councillors considered an application to erect 5 dwellings with associated garages and the formation of an attenuation pond. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, however, this was not supported by the committee. Councillor Benney stated that members have all had the opportunity to consider the confidential aspect of the officer's report and acknowledged that listed buildings do need to be looked after but the setting is an important factor to be considered and, in his view, the setting of the building is not going to change the status of the Grade 2 Listed Building. Councillor Mrs French stated that she agrees with Councillor Benney and added that if the Listed Building was the other way around then she would not support it. It was agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer's recommendation with authority delegated to officers to apply conditions.

F/YR25/0328/F 108 High Street, March

Councillors considered an application to erect 1 x self-build/custom build dwelling involving demolition of shed within a conservation area. The officer's report recommended refusal of the application, however, this was not supported by the committee. Councillor Mrs French expressed the opinion that there is no harm whatsoever to the Listed Building as the proposed dwelling is located a fair distance from the existing dwelling. Councillor Benney stated that he agrees with Councillor Mrs French and added that he had stated on the previous occasion that the proposed dwelling would cause minimal harm, however, having reread all the reports and associated information he is now of the opinion that there is no harm. It was agreed that the application be GRANTED against the officer's recommendation with authority delegated to officers to apply conditions.