A scaled-down proposal to redevelop a key site on Market Street in Whittlesey has won the backing of the town council, following the withdrawal of a much larger and more controversial scheme.
The new planning application for 24–30 Market Street, submitted to Fenland District Council, outlines plans for a smaller, mixed-use development featuring eight dwellings and two retail units.
The revised scheme — drawn up by Peter Humphrey Associates Ltd on behalf of Fairfax Ventures Ltd of March headed by Ben Skoulding – replaces an earlier proposal that faced criticism for its scale and potential impact on the town’s historic core.
The latest plans propose the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of four one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom terraced houses, and two new ground-floor shops. The site, located between The Black Bull public house and a local barber’s shop, sits within Whittlesey’s conservation area.
Under the new design, the front portion of the building will contain the retail units with four flats above, while a small terrace of houses will be built to the rear, accessed via the existing drive. Thirteen parking spaces, secure cycle storage, and screened bin areas are also included in the plans.
The design team says the scheme has been “carefully scaled to reflect the form and character of this area of Whittlesey,” taking into account the traditional frontages and modest building heights that define Market Street.
Materials such as Cambs Buff brick, natural slate roofs, and timber casement windows have been chosen to complement the surrounding architecture, while modern sustainability features — including high levels of insulation, energy-efficient glazing, and bird and bat boxes — are incorporated throughout.
Landscaping details show a courtyard garden for the terraced homes and the removal of four trees to make way for the development. New fencing and the retention of boundary walls aim to provide privacy and continuity with neighbouring properties.
The scheme represents a significant reduction from the previous application which proposed 16 flats and three shops within a three-storey block. That application, submitted in November 2023, was withdrawn in March 2024 after planning officers raised concerns over overdevelopment, design, and the loss of retail space in the town centre.
A retail assessment concluded that the earlier scheme would have resulted in “a significant net loss” of ground-floor commercial space within a Primary Shopping Frontage, contrary to policies in both the Fenland Local Plan and the Whittlesey Neighbourhood Plan.
At its recent meeting, Whittlesey Town Council’s planning committee voted to support the revised application.
The applicant says the project will “deliver a high-quality, mixed-use development that revitalises a key town centre site” while preserving the area’s historic charm.
Fenland District Council is expected to determine the application later this year.
