Almost 100 concerned villagers turned out to a public meeting on Monday to discuss controversial plans for a new housing estate in Gamlingay.

Merton College is proposing to site a mixed use development incorporating 85 houses, 2,500 sq m of office space and 1,000 sq m of industrial land on the site off Station Road.

The land already has outline planning permission for industrial use but the college decided to alter its proposals after talks with South Cambs District Council, which says there is a shortfall of 2,200 homes in its area.

As well as providing starter accommodation for new businesses, the plans would allow for the expansion of the parish's biggest employer KMG, which it is thought would create an additional 25 jobs.

But the plans have causes uproar in the village, and while some are voicing tentative support for the proposals - which are currently in the very early stages - the majority of people present at the meeting said they did not want the development to go ahead.

Martin Page, speaking on behalf of the college, told the villagers that the development would bring significant benefits to Gamlingay, including park land, the facility to expand the cemetery - which is expected to run out of space in ten years, improvements to footpaths and contributions to the pre-school and secondary school education in the village.

Financial contributions in the region of £1.25million could be made to improve community facilities.

And chairman of the parish council Chris Tomsett assured villagers that any comments would be given serious consideration at the council's next meeting.

A planning application could be made within the next fortnight.

For the full story see the Friday, October 3 edition of the Biggleswade Chronicle.