Growth plan is ruled out
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 8th July 1999.
PLANS for major expansion in Haverhill over the next two decades have been ruled out by an Inspector who considered the Draft Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia earlier this year.
His report to the government stated he did not see a major role for market towns around Cambridge, such as Haverhill and Newmarket.
Instead he recommended a review of the green belt around Cambridge and the creation of a new town of between 10,000 and 20,000 homes to the north of Cambridge.
A joint submission by South Cambridgeshire District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council was made to the Public Examination in Ely, stating Haverhill should be allowed to absorb some of the expansion from South Cambridgeshire.
It could have taken Haverhill to a population of 30,000 by 2016
George Elsbury, chairman of South Cambridgeshire District Council's Planning Committee , said: "I am disappointed the idea of allowing Haverhill to benefit from the economic success of the Cambridge area has not received stronger support."
"Brown field sites are in the north of Cambridgeshire, yet many of our new jobs are located in the south, close to Haverhill. I fear the panel has missed the point of people living and working as close as possible."
Mike Brundle, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said Haverhill still had an important part to play as a freestanding town in the region and would benefit from some further growth.
"It is disappointing the panel's report does not fully reflect the housing and employment opportunities to the south of Cambridge that we would liked to have seen."
His report to the government stated he did not see a major role for market towns around Cambridge, such as Haverhill and Newmarket.
Instead he recommended a review of the green belt around Cambridge and the creation of a new town of between 10,000 and 20,000 homes to the north of Cambridge.
A joint submission by South Cambridgeshire District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council was made to the Public Examination in Ely, stating Haverhill should be allowed to absorb some of the expansion from South Cambridgeshire.
It could have taken Haverhill to a population of 30,000 by 2016
George Elsbury, chairman of South Cambridgeshire District Council's Planning Committee , said: "I am disappointed the idea of allowing Haverhill to benefit from the economic success of the Cambridge area has not received stronger support."
"Brown field sites are in the north of Cambridgeshire, yet many of our new jobs are located in the south, close to Haverhill. I fear the panel has missed the point of people living and working as close as possible."
Mike Brundle, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said Haverhill still had an important part to play as a freestanding town in the region and would benefit from some further growth.
"It is disappointing the panel's report does not fully reflect the housing and employment opportunities to the south of Cambridge that we would liked to have seen."
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