An application to build 103 new houses and flats on Houghton Road was rejected by St Ives Town Council at a meeting last Wednesday (May 28) after the developers - George Whimpy - failed to follow flood prevention advice set out by planners.

Cllr Colin Saunderson explained after more than four years and three applications, Taylor Whimpy are still not taking into account nearby residents fears that the new homes will cause flooding to their properties.

When granting initial permission, Huntingdonshire District Council added a condition that the developers must prevent the risk of flooding by providing a satisfactory means of disposing of surface water, as well as appropriate balancing facilities.

Cllr Saunderson explained the council and residents were expecting the latest application - which has upped the original number of homes from 93 to 103 - to include a 3,000 square metre balancing pond to collect excess rain and surface water, but this was not included.

He said: "There's been problems with flooding for years and lately there has been a lot more of it.

"We threw it out because the plans for the development hadn't put in any balancing pond at all."

Cllr Saunderson also explained residents of Audley Close and Houghton Road were disappointed that a proposed footpath, connecting Houghton Road to the outdoor centre, as part of the development hadn't been relocated after complaints the light's would shine into their homes.

Cllr Saunderson added: "The developers ignored the balancing pond and they ignored the moving of the path. I recommended refusal because the application didn't meet the criteria set out in the outline application."

The application is due go before Huntingdonshire District Council's planning panel on July 14.