Multiplex Mereham revisions prompts public inquiry delay

The public inquiry into Multiplex’s plans for Mereham, a major new town in East Cambridgeshire, has taken a two-week break after the Australian developer presented last minute revisions to its proposals.   Multiplex’s initial proposals for the 1,687-acre site near Ely – comprising 5,000 homes, a 490,000 sq ft office park and an 80,000 sq ft shopping centre – were thrown out in January of 2006 by East Cambridgeshire council.   The council argues that the area is not allocated for new housing in the local structure plan.   In June of last year, Multiplex, which took control of the scheme following its takeover of Chelsfield in October 2004, lodged two appeals, claiming the development was vital if the government’s housebuilding targets were to be met.   The public inquiry, which opened in October, had been expected to close at the end of last week.   However, local residents will now have a two-week period to digest last minute revisions lodged by Multiplex.   Muliplex’s new proposals would see the A10 from Stretham to Denny End widened as well as providing additional traffic lanes to the north of the Milton interchange.   A spokesman for Multiplex said: “Multiplex has a long and successful history of developing new communities all over the world.”   Jim Paice MP, who represents South East Cambridgeshire, and is protesting against the scheme said: “The objections to this development are not nimbyism. They stem from the belief that local democracy matters.”   paul.norman@rbi.co.uk