Residents protest against proposed development in Cam

9:30am Wednesday 1st July 2009

By Claire Marshall

A GROUP of homeowners intent on keeping their estate family-friendly are campaigning to stop a development of 12 properties being built on the site of two old Cotswold houses.

A developer has submitted an application to build 12 separate dwellings on the site of two semi-detached homes in High Street, Cam.

The proposed houses would back onto properties in The Vennings and would involve creating a small junction onto the main road through Cam.

In response a group of over 20 local residents have set up a campaign group to object to the planning application.

The group, called Cam Roots (Cam Residents Opposed to Overdevelopment of 88-90 High Street), say that the development would have a serious effect on their house prices, the buildings would encroach on their outside space and the extra cars would cause road safety issues.

Brian Sparrow, a resident in The Vennings, said: "As far as we residents are concerned these houses will practically be on our patios. We object to the amount of properties being on the site, there isn’t enough room for all the cars and they will block out the daylight to our houses. "Also the house that stands there is a very nice one, it is part of the character of Cam. How many new buildings do we really need, can’t we just keep some of the old ones? This is a nice peaceful, family orientated area to live in, it won’t be if these houses are built."

The large house, which is two semi-detached properties, is thought to be made of local Cotswold stone from Cambridge and several mature fruit trees are planted in the gardens, which back on to allotments.

The proposed development would be a mix of one and three bedroom properties, with gardens and parking. However local residents are concerned that as most families have more than one car it will lead to on road parking.

Shelagh Thomson, who lives at The Vennings, said: "If anyone has any information about the history of the house we would like to know because it might help our case. Or if anyone wants to support our campaign then that would be great."

Cam Roots is having a meeting about the proposed development this evening at 6.30pm at The Berkeley Arms pub, Cam.

A spokeswoman from Mark Snook Planning, the agents working on behalf of the applicants, said: "The parish council acknowledge the need for further housing in Cam and this development will help meet the need in a sustainable way."