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Plans for more than 300 homes on the Cambridgeshire border have been approved. Vistry Group submitted a hybrid planning application in 2024 to build up to 325 homes on land south of Newmarket Road in Royston.

The plans were proposed in two phases, with the first phase consisting of 106 homes with a public open space and access from Newmarket Road. The second phase proposed up to 219 new homes, with access from Burloes Hall Drive.

These plans have now been approved by North Hertfordshire Council. Before approval, the applicants said the vision for the site was for it to become a “highly desirable place to live, play and socialise”.

They added: “Furthermore, it will be to highlight the unique qualities of the scheme and its setting whilst providing a high quality new development with its own sense of place. It will link with the natural green spaces and be carefully integrated with sustainable urban drainage, enhanced biodiversity and high levels of visual amenity.”

Vistry also set out to create a new community that has its “own sense of identity” but has “strong links” with Royston. Homes in the first phase will be a “good mix” of accommodation, the plans said.

They will be: two one-bedroom maisonettes, two two-bedroom maisonettes, four two-bedroom bungalows, 12 two-bedroom houses, 47 three-bedroom homes, 33 four-bedroom homes and six five-bedroom homes.

The applicants said those in the homes for phase one will be provided with “good pedestrian connections” in and out of the development, as well as the surrounding area. The open space is planned to be “joyful to use, with opportunities for sitting, meeting and play on the way”.

The development will also have a woodland edge, acting as a “green frame”, providing viewpoints, parkland pockets, and exercise spaces.

Despite being approved, the plans received 48 objections. One objector, who lives in Saffron Street, Royston, said the number of homes seemed “excessive”. They added: “This will exacerbate traffic on Newmarket Road and Melbourn Street which is already very busy. In addition the infrastructure available in the surrounding area will struggle to cope.”

Another person in Aintree Road that the local infrastructure was “already struggling” and Newmarket Road was “continually congested”. They said: “We have lived in our house in Royston for over forty years and have always valued the peace and quiet and use this field and woods to walk daily as a form of escapism. The impact additional housing will have with noise and light pollution alone will make a great difference to our happiness.”

One person in Bury Plantation said they feel their home would be “overlooked” if the homes were built. They added: “The noise and disruption for endless months of building will definitely have an impact on my wellbeing.

“The wildlife will be vastly disrupted and it's hard enough now to get a doctor's appointment without more houses being built. There are already 2 very large developments being built in Royston, the town can certainly not take on any more with the overcrowding.”