Councillor Slams Affordable Housing Plans as "Disaster Waiting to Happen"

As of October 20th, 2025, a councillor in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire has raised serious concerns about plans to construct 42 affordable bungalows in the town. The proposed development, located off Barton Road, would offer the homes at social housing rates to those over the age of 55, aiming to address the growing demand for housing among the aging population.

However, the councillor, Jan French, has described the plans as a "disaster waiting to happen". Her concerns stem from the area's history of flooding issues, which planning officers acknowledged were the result of a damaged water main in the past. While the developer's flood risk assessment showed the finished floor levels would need to be raised to account for a one in 100-year flood risk, the councillor remains unconvinced.

The planning committee has decided to defer making a decision on the application, requesting representatives from Anglian Water and the Environment Agency to provide more clarity on the flooding situation. Beverley Moss, speaking on behalf of the developer, Boswell Developments Ltd and Housing 21, had emphasized their desire to create a "real sense of community" with the new bungalows.

Despite the officers' recommendation for approval, citing the development's "sizeable contribution to the district's affordable housing needs", the councillors have opted to postpone their decision until they can gather more information on the potential flood risks.