A decision date has been set on whether 540 new homes should be built on the edge of Soham, as calls are made for the development to be abandoned.

The plans have faced backlash with over 280 objections being lodged and fears shared about the impact of the development.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is due to meet next week (August 13) at a specially called planning committee meeting to decide whether the development can go ahead.

The planning application to build the new homes has been put forward by This Land Development Ltd.

The new 540 homes are proposed to be built on land west of the A142 between East Fen Common and Qua Fen Common, and east of Brewhouse Lane, in Soham.

The new homes are proposed to include 108 affordable homes and 27 self-build plots.

A ‘mixed-use neighbourhood centre’ is also proposed by the developer, including shops, community facilities and a medical centre.

A separate planning application for the new healthcare facility will also be considered at the planning committee meeting next week.

The plans said the new development would be built out in seven phases, starting with the new roundabout and primary access road from the A142.

The developer said the new homes would only start to be built once the access road and primary infrastructure had been completed.

It is estimated at this stage that it could take until 2030 for all of the new homes to be built, if planning permission is granted.

In plans submitted to the district council it said: “There are a number of social, economic and environmental benefits associated with the proposed development, including the delivery of affordable housing, self-build plots, land for a new medical centre, high quality open space and green infrastructure, employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases, a new neighbourhood centre, and support for the existing services and facilities in Soham.”

The proposals have faced backlash with 282 objections to the development being formally lodged.

A number of objectors raised fears about the impact the proposed development could have on the Commons.

One objector said: “We stay united in doing everything in our power to prevent our beautiful and well loved Commons from being enclosed by modern day developments that will change the Commons as we know them, to nothing more than a green space bereft of wildlife, wild flowers and the peace and tranquillity we love and enjoy.”

Another objector argued the application would be “the end of the Commons” and said it “cannot be allowed to happen”.

They said: “The Commons are unique, special historically and currently valuable for wildlife, residents, wellbeing and daily visitors.”

Concerns have also been shared about the impact of extra traffic from the development leading to “considerable congestion in the area”.

Another objector said: “Every feature of this application is going to have a negative impact on Soham, from transport, environment, schools, parking, health centre, employment, utilities, the list is endless.

“The loss of prime agricultural land and the inevitable damage to the two Commons forever is very poor judgement.

“Attitudes towards self-sufficiency and planet-saving have changed so much in the last decade that this project seems to have originated in the dark ages.

“This whole development has to be abandoned now.”

If the outline application is approved by councillors next week, more detailed plans will still need to be submitted and approved by the district council before work can begin.