CAMPAIGNERS have secured more than 2,000 signatures against plans for a 750-home development in Godmanchester.

Miriam Radford and Ann Collier, from Godmanchester Residents Against Bearscroft (GRAB), pictured with the town mayor, Councillor Christopher Vane Percy, presented planners at Huntingdonshire District Council with their latest petition on Monday (December 17) which brings the total of signatures to more than 2,000 people.

Ten days earlier, on December 7, The Fairfield Partnership submitted amendments to its plan for Bearscroft Farm, including increasing capacity of a primary school, business units limited to office, research and development, and light industrial uses and a 30mph limit on the A1198 alongside the proposed development. The revised plan, as reported by The Hunts Post last week, also includes ‘intelligent traffic lights’ on junction 24 of the A14, controlling the flow of traffic onto the road.

But GRAB remains unconvinced.

A spokesman said: “The provision is now for a two-form entry primary school which indicates that there will only be young children at Bearscroft Farm. No provision has been made for children of secondary school age. Pre-school places, which are vital for working parents, are at a premium. There are only four providers in Godmanchester and all are at capacity. It seems pretty evident that The Fairfield Partnership have not done their homework. They are not familiar with the traffic problems in Godmanchester nor do they have any idea whatsoever with the layout of the town as far as community facilities are concerned. This development is not sustainable for Godmanchester.”

A Fairfield Partnership spokesman said: “There is some capacity available at existing secondary schools in Huntingdon but improvements will be required to accommodate the proposed development at Bearscroft. The situation remains as it did before the amendments to the masterplan in that The Fairfield Partnership will be contributing funds through the Community Infrastructure Levy which Cambridgeshire County Council will use to fund necessary improvements.

“With regards to pre-school places, the proposed primary school at Bearscroft includes early-years school provision.”