More high rises?

We're being asked to comment on plans to build nearly 22,000 new homes in and around Peterborough over the next 15 years.

The City Council says the growth is needed "to ensure Peterborough can cope with continuing demand for homes, work spaces, schools, health services, shopping and leisure facilities."

4,300 new homes are being proposed for the city centre - the shoppers we spoke to had fairly mixed reactions to it.

One woman said, "I think it's a good idea, there's just too many overcrowded houses in Peterborough."

But another shopper was typical in his comment that "there's just not the jobs here to support more people coming to the city...there's so many houses out at Hampton - why would you need more in the city centre?".

The other allocations are spread across Bretton, Hampton, Millfield, Orton, Werrington, Stanground, Paston, and the new town planned for south of Hampton, Great Haddon.

Copies of the site allocations document will be available for viewing at every library in Peterborough, at the city council’s Bayard Place offices in Broadway, and online at www.peterborough.gov.uk.

The deadline for comments is 5pm on Thursday 22 April 2010.

Councillor Piers Croft, cabinet member for strategic planning and growth, said:  “I urge everyone to look at the plans and submit their comments so that we can move forward with our aim of building a bigger, better Peterborough.

“Based on rigorous evaluation processes and the views of local people, it identifies the best locations for the construction of new homes, work places and other facilities for an attractive, economically successful community for the benefit of all residents of Peterborough and surrounding villages."

The strategy proposes extra housing in the following areas:

City centre – Approximately 4,300 homes are proposed in the city centre with development that is not already committed taking place at a range of densities according to location and surroundings.

District centres – Around 1,300 homes are proposed at five district centres of Bretton, Hampton, Millfield, Orton and Werrington to help maintain the vitality of local communities, while supporting the improvement of local services and amenities.

Peterborough urban area – Approximately 4,400 additional homes (including 1,634 homes already committed) are proposed for the existing built-up area of the city of Peterborough, outside the city and district centres.

Hampton – Approximately 4,100 homes expected as part of continuing development.

Stanground South – Planning permission exists for approximately 1,500 homes.

Paston Reserve – Planning permission exists for approximately 1,200 homes.

Urban extensions – Planning applications have been submitted for development of 5,350 new homes, 65 hectares of employment land and other facilities at Great Haddon to the south of Peterborough.  The core strategy identifies the Norwood area, near Paston, for an urban extension of approximately 2,300 dwellings.

Villages – Approximately 600 homes will be divided between the two Key Service Centres of Eye/Eye Green and Thorney (including 246 homes already committed). These are two of the largest villages with a range of facilities and capacity for modest expansion.

Limited growth villages – Approximately 450 homes (142 of which are already committed) will be divided between the villages of Ailsworth, Barnack, Castor, Glinton, Helpston, Newborough, Northborough and Wittering.  The remaining 300 homes will be distributed between Limited Growth Villages taking into account such matters as site availability, development constraints and local primary school capacity.

Small villages – There are no plans for any substantial development at small villages such as Ashton, Bainton, Deeping Gate, Etton, Marholm, Maxey (including Castle End), Peakirk, Pilsgate, Southorpe, Sutton, Thornhaugh, Ufford, Upton, Wansford and Wothorpe.  However, around 50 homes are expected in total.