Planning permission for a controversial development of 57 homes in Stevenage has been granted for a second time.

Developer Keepmoat Homes intends to buy land off Shephall View from Stevenage Borough Council and demolish former cadets, day nursery and scouts buildings to make way for the new development.

The proposal has meant the eviction of Stevenage Sea Cadets from the building that had been their home for more than 50 years.

Several homes in Bedwell Crescent will also need to be demolished to accommodate the new development.

A petition against the plans amassed 855 signatures, with concerns including the demolition of community buildings, increased pollution and congestion, and a loss of green space and mature trees.

Former Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland has also openly criticised the plans, saying it "causes massive harm as it evicts both the sea cadets and 5th Scouts Group from their community buildings".

He also highlighted increased congestion as a result of the development.

The council's Planning and Development Committee first approved the plans in July 2023, subject to a s106 legal agreement, which requires a developer to contribute financially towards infrastructure and services such as community facilities, public open space and affordable housing.

Planning permission was never granted due to failure to get approval for the drainage strategy or complete the s106 agreement.

An amended scheme has now been granted planning permission, subject to the developer entering into a s106 agreement which includes contributions of £1,898,523.90 towards 14 off-site affordable homes, and £15,000 towards delivering green space improvements in Fairlands Valley Park.

The council says the scheme has been consulted on and adapted "many times" over a two-year period following feedback from the community, and the "overwhelming majority" of people who gave their views supported the development.

Access to the site will be from Bedwell Crescent, through a new road that will also provide access to the existing public car park at the end, which will be reconfigured as part of the plans.

This development will subsidise the construction of 96 independent living apartments at the garage site located between Brent Court and the Town Centre Gardens.