St Neots is one step closer to seeing more than 1,000 new homes built in the town.

Huntingdonshire District Council looks set to support the outline planning application for the eastern expansion of the Loves Farm housing development today (Monday). This could include up to 1,020 homes, a primary school, a nursery or crèche, pub, hotel and care home.

St Neots Town Council has recommended refusal of the plans, which will be discussed by HDC’s development management panel. In a report to the panel town clerk Ed Reilly says: “It will increase the weighting of facilities on one side of the town and increase the traffic crossing the river to an unacceptable level. The provision of land for facilities – for example, a cemetery – is insufficient.”

Toseland Parish Council has recommended approval, while Abbotsley Parish Council has recommended refusal on the grounds of lack of transport infrastructure. The Highways Agency did not object, subject to the implementation of measures to ease traffic on the A428.

HDC received 10 letters about the plans, including five objections. Concerns were raised about increases in commuters and congestion on the A428, problems with parking, and loss of agricultural land.

Clara Kerr, HDC’s development management team leader, states in the report: “It is considered that the amount of development and proposed uses are acceptable in principle, the amount of proposed development can be satisfactorily accommodated on the site and the development can deliver a sustainable extension to St Neots.”

The Loves Farm extension is not the only housing planned for the area. A development for 2,800 homes, schools, shops, restaurants and other facilities to the south of Cambridge Road, known as Wintringham Park, has already been given approval in principle by HDC.