The chairman of Barrington Parish Council has hit out at housing plans he feels will put the village’s “future in the balance”.

Building materials giant CEMEX is applying for outline planning permission to redevelop its factory at Barrington quarry into a housing development comprising of approximately 220 homes.

Barrington Parish Council chairman Tony Fletcher said: “It is the parish council’s firm view that CEMEX’s plans for a ‘North Barrington’ satellite are not sustainable and that its impact will be so significant and so detrimental that Barrington’s future is now in the balance.

“It will change the shape of the village from a contained village that has developed organically over the centuries, to one with a remote satellite modern estate.

“Our village is a fragile, historic environment that suffers from under-investment in public transport, health care, and pre-school and school provision.

“There is no demand in the village for additional housing. This is purely a commercial opportunity for CEMEX and is unsustainable.

CEMEX have not yet had their application validated by South Cambs District Council, but it is expected to be in the two weeks. The parish council will be required to respond to the application within a period of about eight weeks.

Mr Fletcher added: “As soon as we receive the application we will be working to assess its detail and the impact of that detail on the village.

“We will also draw up a list of measures that we think necessary to minimise the adverse effects of the development and to compensate the village for the damage it will incur should planning permission be granted.”

Once this list is complete, the parish council will negotiate with SCDC and CEMEX, before presenting their findings at open public meetings where residents can express their opinions on the plans.

Ian Southcott, CEMEX’s community affairs manager, said: “CEMEX and cement making have been part of the Barrington community for many years. With the demise of cement making as a result of the severe recession, it is quite obvious that something needs to be done with the now redundant brownfield site. The long-standing connection with the village has driven the evolution of a sensitive and responsive planning application. In short, we are promoting a planning application that is of Barrington and links to the village community but does not swamp or merge with it.

“We hope that the redevelopment of a brownfield and redundant site will be welcomed by South Cambridgeshire District Council as being the right proposal for the right site. Clearly, it will assist the council deliver its housing numbers and continued economic growth.”