Planning permission has been granted for a controversial development of 57 homes, which will see Stevenage Sea Cadets evicted from the building that has been their home for more than 50 years.

A petition against the proposal for Shephall View in Stevenage amassed 855 signatures, but the plans developed by Stevenage Borough Council have now been approved by the council's Planning and Development Committee.

Stevenage resident Carys Ashby, who started the petition, said it was "with a heavy heart" that she informed campaigners against the development that "we have lost our fight".

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She said approval of the development "means the loss of mature trees, bat roost distruption, loss of green space, additional pollution, additional congestion, demolition of community buildings, and a lack of privacy in the aqua park - all for a private development that will not ease the council waiting list."

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, has 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.

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

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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.

Councillor Jeannette Thomas, deputy leader of the council, and housing development portfolio holder, said: "It’s never easy balancing the need for more housing and managing the impact of the developments within the local area.

"We have worked collaboratively with the organisations needing to relocate, taking account of their requirements to assist them in finding suitable alternative venues too.

"It has been challenging, and we are still in discussions with a couple of the organisations, but I am confident this will come to fruition, and we will be able to come to an understanding with all those affected, helping them to settle into suitable venues soon."

The Shephall View development will subsidise the construction of 96 independent living apartments at the garage site located between Brent Court and the Town Centre Gardens - a development which was approved at the same committee meeting last week.