An application for outline planning permission to build more than 130 homes on the outskirts of St Ives has been re-submitted by a developer.

Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire originally applied for permission for 131 homes on a 26-acre site off Old Ramsey Road in September last year, but withdrew the plans a few months later.

The developer has now resubmitted the plans to Huntingdonshire District Council, however, in light of what it called “material changes in planning policy circumstances”.

In a statement submitted to the district council, Abbey Properties said: “The need for this site has been enhanced significantly as a result of the council’s decision to remove the redevelopment of RAF Wyton from its draft local plan, owing to viability concerns.

“It would also provide the town with a new housing development which relates well to the existing shape and form of the town.

“Potential expansion to provide new housing to the east or west of St Ives would, in our view, be poorly related to the existing settlement and, as such, it would also prevent genuine and sustainable linkages between existing and any proposed facilities.”

Huntingdonshire District Council decided to remove a possible housing development at RAF Wyton from its local plan owing to concerns over access and the impact on surrounding roads. The site had been earmarked for more than 4,000 new homes, which will now need to be planned elsewhere in the district.

When Abbey Properties first submitted the plans last year, they were met with objections from neighbours of the site, which is currently agricultural land, who felt the new homes would represent overdevelopment.

Neighbours at adjoining business St Ives Caravan Storage wrote to the council outlining concerns around noise, traffic and wildlife.

“Old Ramsey Road is a no through road; most homes now have two cars per household, which would be up to 262 cars,” the business noted.

“The emissions, noise and potential increase in traffic on this single track road would certainly cause congestion, and affect the wildlife around and about. Not to mention large farm machines using this road.”

To find out more about the plans, log on to www.huntingdonshiredc.gov.uk.