Legal Challenge Launched Against Housing Project Bordering Protected Commons

A legal challenge has been initiated by a group of individuals against proposals to construct homes on land situated between two protected commons. The Qua Fen Common Action Group, located in Soham, Cambridgeshire, asserts that the planning process was unjust, a claim disputed by the involved council. Earlier this year, East Cambridgeshire District councillors granted outline planning permission to This Land for the construction of 540 residences on a site positioned between Qua Fen and East Fen commons. A spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire District Council stated: “The council disputes the claims made and has confirmed that any claim for a judicial review will be resisted.” The authority maintained that it had adhered to the correct procedures when approving the development in August. Permission was granted to the developer, This Land, which is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council. A small number of people have formed an action group to protest against the initiative, noting that the planning meeting was presided over by a district councillor who also serves as a county councillor. During the meeting, the councillor indicated that he had sought legal advice prior to the decision and emphasized that he had not been involved in This Land’s planning application. Members of the Qua Fen Common Action Group still felt the decision warranted reconsideration. Charles Warner, a Soham town councillor and a member of the group, stated: “We don’t accept it.” He added: “We want a judicial review to ensure that it looks reasonable, it looks fair.” Mr. Warner acknowledged that legal action could be costly, but noted that the group benefits from several “substantial local backers,” asserting: “We intend to defend it right up to the hilt.” Carol Duff, also from the action group, expressed a desire for council planners to re-evaluate the proposal. She commented: “If the decision is the same, well it’s the same, but at least it will be done honestly, open, fairly and transparently.” Other members of the group voiced apprehension regarding the potential effects on Soham’s commons, which are classified as County Wildlife Sites. A local plan published in October forecasts an increase of 2,890 homes in Soham and the adjacent area of Barway between 2011 and 2031. This Land stated that the project is expected to deliver “social, economic and environmental benefits” for Soham, with an allocation of £70,000 for the protection and improvement of the commons. Since its establishment in 2016, the company has remitted over £40 million in interest payments to Cambridgeshire County Council and characterized its collaboration with the council as a “strong alliance.” A spokesperson for the authority indicated that it collaborated “proactively” with This Land to safeguard its investment. They further commented: “The company has delivered significant returns to the taxpayer to date, and we remain supportive about the company’s future plans.”