PLANS to build thousands of new homes on a Cambridgeshire airfield have been branded unacceptable and unsustainable. And as Cambourne Parish Council begins to oppose the development of 3,000 homes on Bourn Airfield, further plans have been unveiled to ad

PLANS to build thousands of new homes on a Cambridgeshire airfield have been branded unacceptable and unsustainable.

And as Cambourne Parish Council begins to oppose the development of 3,000 homes on Bourn Airfield, further plans have been unveiled to add another 1,500 homes to Cambourne.

Councillors fear the additional homes would have a detrimental effect on Cambourne and surrounding villages, merging them and removing their indentities.

In a letter to the Bourn Airfield developers, clerk to the parish council John Vickery said: "In no way is this proposal acceptable to Cambourne Parish Council."

The council wants Cambourne to develop its own identity before any more homes are built.

A public consultation form filled out by the parish council states: "The parish council feels that Cambourne should be allowed to consolidate... to ensure the unresolved community can develop an identity, this will not be possible if Cambourne continues to grow."

It adds: "Cambourne Parish Council believes other developments should be looked at to bridge the deficit in housing within the district rather than Cambourne which has borne the brunt of development in South Cambs."

There are currently 2,464 occupied homes in Cambourne with another 950 being considered after a Government inspector highlighted a shortfall of housing in South Cambridgeshire.

However, the village looks set to expand even further after a public consultation was launched on Monday (March 3) to build another 1,500 homes.

David Chare, Cambourne project director, said he was excited about the opportunities the proposal could spell for Cambourne.

"Extra space would improve Cambourne's sustainability, the viability of the town centre and the biodiversity of the area."

Mr Vickery said he could not comment on the latest proposals as the council had not yet seen the consultation documents but said it was due for discussion on March 18.