Ely’s 1,200 home project sees changes approved, sparking mixed reactions from locals and officials.
Originally, the plan included shops, a pub, and other facilities. But now, they want to swap the pub for retirement flats. They also suggested turning one shop into a wine bar. Sounds like a shift in priorities, right?
Some community spaces are being cut, which has raised eyebrows. The local council is worried about losing leisure areas. They feel the new plans stray too far from what was initially promised.
Planning officers recommended rejecting the changes. They argued there wasn’t enough proof for cutting community facilities. But the project director insisted they’re just reconfiguring things to fit today’s needs.
He pointed out that the pub market has changed since COVID. With nearby pubs already serving the area, he believes a café or bar would be a better fit. If the changes don’t go through, he warned that the local center might not happen at all.
Residents like Tom Voucher are backing the changes. He thinks a café and bar are more in tune with what people want now. He’s worried that without these updates, the community might miss out on essential facilities for years.
Some council members expressed frustration over the lack of facilities despite many homes being built. They suggested that the council should have required amenities to be added as homes were completed.
Others, like Councillor Akinwale, feel a pub isn’t necessary anymore. She believes the area has changed since the original plans. Meanwhile, some councillors are still puzzled about why shops can’t be built as planned.
In the end, most councillors agreed to approve the developer’s changes. It seems like a balancing act between community needs and development realities.
