The Huntingdonshire Council Development Management Committee met to consider planning applications for a wellness centre and wedding venue, and for the removal or variation of conditions on planning permissions for traveller sites. The committee was also scheduled to discuss a planning services peer review action plan, and appeal decisions.

Legacy Park, Chatteris Road, Somersham

Two applications relating to Legacy Park on Chatteris Road, Somersham, were scheduled to be discussed:

• An application to vary conditions relating to a previously granted planning permission, 18/00840/FUL, for four additional gypsy/traveller pitches. The applicant, Mr F Adams, requested the removal of a condition that limited the permission to five years, and a condition that named the specific occupants of the pitches. They also requested a variation to a condition relating to the timeframe for access works. Somersham Parish Council objected to the application. The Environment Agency also objected, stating that the removal of the time limit would allow the permanent siting of mobile homes in Flood Zone 3[^2], and that the sequential test[^3] had not been passed. [^2]: Flood Zone 3 is land assessed as having a high probability of flooding. [^3]: The sequential test is a planning process that aims to steer new development to areas with the lowest risk of flooding.

• An application for the removal of conditions relating to a previously granted planning permission, 23/02358/FUL, for seven gypsy and traveller pitches. Mr F Adams requested the removal of conditions that limited the permission to five years, that named the specific occupants of five permanent pitches, and conditions relating to two transient pitches. They also requested a variation to a condition relating to the timeframe for access works. Somersham Parish Council objected to the application.

Hemingford Park, Common Lane, Hemingford Abbots

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at Hemingford Park, Common Lane, Hemingford Abbots. Dr Phil Kaziewicz applied for a change of use from a dwelling and agricultural land to a wellness centre and wedding and events venue with guest sleeping accommodation and parking.

The planning statement submitted with the application stated that the venue would host weekend wedding events primarily between May and September and in December, but that they could take place all year round. When not in use for weddings, the hall and cottages would be available for holiday lets, and the wellness centre would be open to the public Monday through Thursday and on non-event weekends. The statement also noted that the event and wellness centre would operate without the use of fossil fuels, using air-source heat pumps and supplemented by an existing 50kW solar array.

Hemingford Abbots Parish Council objected to the application, raising concerns about traffic, highway safety, inadequate parking, noise and disturbance, and the impact on heritage assets. 52 letters of objection were received from local residents, with concerns raised including:

• Harm to the historic setting through increased traffic, noise, lighting, and commercial activity
• Impact of the track upon the ridge and furrow¹, setting of the Listed Building and Conservation Area
• Noise and disturbance to residents
• Additional traffic and congestion
• Inadequate parking for events
• Potential light pollution from the events
• Potential impact upon local biodiversity
• Risk of increase flooding

61 letters of support were received, with points raised including:

• Long term use of heritage assets
• New commercial enterprise
• Economic benefits for the local area in terms of employment and spending

Planning Services Peer Review Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to review the Planning Services Peer Review Action Plan. The plan was developed in response to the findings of a peer review of planning services, and sets out the key improvement actions currently being progressed across the service.

The action plan included the following actions:

• Corporately recognise the value of the Local Plan - prioritise, resource and adopt a Local Plan that will help to deliver corporate priorities
• Consider reviewing the role and membership of the Local Plan Advisory Group
• The Planning Service needs to create a clear strategy for delivering the Place Strategy and Corporate Plan
• Training for Councillors and Planning Committee
• Revise the Scheme of Delegation
• Develop a Corporately supported Communications Plan for the Planning Service
• Develop and implement a long-term (3-year) Planning Service Improvement Programme
• Improve Pre-application Advice Service
• Urgent - Short Term (1-6 months)
• Consider preparing planning guidance on Householder Extensions
• Update Planning Enforcement Policy
• Develop and agree a Planning and Parish and Town Councils Service Framework/Protocol
• Set up clearer arrangements for better collaborative working between the Planning Service and key services and partners
• Set out clear Customer Service Standards
• Refresh and relaunch the Planning Agents and Developers Forum
• Update the Statement of Community Involvement²

Appeal Decisions

The committee was scheduled to note the planning appeal decisions determined since August 2025:

• Appeal Allowed: Outline application for up to 115 dwellings at Livery Stable Folly Farm, London Road, Yaxley.
• Appeal Dismissed, Costs Refused: Variation of condition 1 of application 16/00657/FUL at 7 Marina View Mill Road, Buckden.
• Appeal Dismissed: Erection of 2no. dwellings at 50 Windsor Road, Yaxley.