Former medical clinic in Bury to be bulldozed to make way for housing

Developers have been given the go-ahead to build dozens of new homes on the site of a former health clinic at RAF Upwood, despite the reservations of parish councillors.

Upwood Estates applied to Huntingdonshire District Council almost a year ago to build 60 homes on the six-acre site of a disused United States Air Force clinic at the air force base, in Bury.

The clinic remained in use by the USAF’s 423rd Medical Squadron when RAF Upwood was returned to British hands in 1995, and provided outpatient services and dental care to service personnel.

The clinic was finally closed in 2012 when the services were transferred to RAF Alconbury.

According to Barford and Co, agents acting for Upwood Estates, the clinic has fallen into a state of disrepair and has been vandalised since its closure.

In its submission to the district council, Barford said: “The size and scale of the proposal is in keeping with its surroundings and we have ensured that the proportions of the proposal blend nicely into the area, having only a positive impact on the area.

“The proposal has been carefully designed to sit neatly within the site, without causing a large amount of disturbance to the landscape.”

Both Upwood and the Raveleys and Bury Parish Councils objected to the plans on the grounds of highways safety, with the two authorities questioning whether surrounding roads would be capable of sustaining the increase in vehicles brought about by the new housing.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways department initially shared concerns over the transport plan and road dimensions submitted by Upwood Estates but, after the plans were amended, the county council withdrew its objection and the district council subsequently granted permission.