Councillors have backed plans for six new flats beside a busy road junction in Huntingdon – despite objections from neighbours.

Huntingdonshire District Council’s development management panel approved plans last Monday (July 18) submitted on behalf of Conroy Construction Limited to build the flats on an open space between Ermine Street and St Peter’s Road.

The approval came despite objections from Huntingdon Town Council, and nearby residents, who suggested that the plans represented an overdevelopment of the site.

In plans submitted on behalf of Conroy, councillors were told: “The site offers the opportunity for development that is easily accessible to all town centre facilities and within easy walking distance of the railway station. It offers an opportunity for truly sustainable design in accordance with current government policy.

“The proposed development will be beneficial to the street scene and enhance this important junction presenting a building of good quality and interesting form.”

Similar plans for flats on the site were previously approved by the district council in 2010 and 2013.

But objectors said that building six flats on the site – which measures about 0.05 hectares – would be overdeveloping the site, could reduce visibility for vehicles using the junction, and could have a negative impact on the structural integrity of surrounding buildings.

District council planning officer, James Lloyd did not agree with the objectors, however, and recommended the plans be approved, saying: “The highly sustainable location of the application site was noted, given the walking and cycling routes in the immediate vicinity and the range of public transport services available coupled with the close proximity to the services/facilities of Huntingdon town centre.”