Following the approval for planning permission in August of this year, initial steps to progress the development of 11 homes on Barton Road, Ely are set to commence on the 7th November.

The next stage of the development will be an archaeological survey, which will identify whether there is anything of historical interest on the site.

Whilst the work is taking place, Barton Road car park will remain open to the public. Ahead of the works, East Cambridgeshire District Council will be freeing up spaces on the Council owned depot land next to the car park and with the co-operation of Poets House, Ely, spaces on the western side of the site (adjacent to Parade Lane) to ensure there are no loss of car park spaces over the festive period.  Construction of the new homes will commence early in the New Year with the development completed by March 2018.  Coach parking will be unaffected for the duration of the survey work.   

Councillor Bill Hunt said: “Starting work at the earliest convenience means that we can provide much needed homes and reap the rewards for the public purse sooner.  With any new development, such as Barton Road, the developer must pay a fee to the District Council on commencement of work called a community infrastructure levy (CIL), and this has been earmarked to be re-invested back into the new leisure centre on Downham Road and the Ely Southern Bypass, so we’re keen to get going.  Can I also thank the new owners of Poets House, Ely for their understanding and co-operation at short notice to make sure there is no loss of free car parking during the festive period."

The CIL will also help fund projects in the district such as Littleport Schools and Soham Railway Station. A full list of projects identified on the Regulation 123 list can be found here.