Update Oct 11th 2018
Dear All,
Update October 11, 2018
Comberton Greenway
At the West Area Committee draft plans were presented for the Comberton Greenway, to go out for final consultation Oct 29. Councillors asked about the business case for this cycleway, but no evidence was given. The route follows the consultant’s original proposal for a cycleway through Coton, to come down Adams Road, Sidgwick Avenue across Queens’ Green and along Senate House Passage. This will take commuter cyclists through green spaces and fragile historic pinchpoints, delivering them to a listed, crowded, central conservation area but not to Cambridge’s main employment sites.
The same concerns were raised at the Greenways Seminar and in the responses to the Barton and Haslingfield Greenways Consultation ( link below), which delivers commuters to the green spaces of Lammas Land and Sheeps Green. There was no mention of city centre plans in the Greenways report submitted to the June Assembly and Board. See link below for FeCRA question.
There has been no consultation with local residents, councillors or colleges.The project manager told the West Area Committee meeting that the plans have been drawn up with members of the GCP’s online ‘Sounding Group’. A reminder that membership of this online group is by invitation only. Discussion is facilitated by the corporate communications agency Cofinitive, under Chatham House rules. Some group members are listed on GCP’s website but this list is not complete.
Concerns are being raised about governance and transparency, and Councillor Scutt put a question to the Assembly regarding the Milton Road consultation concerning this. See link to the film of Dr Scutt’s question below. Starts 4 mins in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8INtWDR_XiU&t=891s
http://fecra.org.uk/docs/FeCRA%20Greenway%20Response%20v2-1-1.pdf
Cambridge Local Plan, Council Meeting, 18 October
Now that the Local Plan has been approved by the Inspector it is almost certain to be adopted at the Council Meeting, October 18. See link to Inspector’s report:
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/local-plan-review-about-the-examination
Councillor John Hipkin of Castle ward has provided a summary of the emerging Cambridge Local Plan for residents which is very helpful, and has kindly agreed that we can circulate it (see attached).
Likewise his review of the recent Cambridge and Peterborough Economic Commission Report. His comment: “In a nutshell, the regional economy seems to be driven by the short-sighted self-interestedness of companies that have prospered on the back of the Cambridge Phenomenon but have not accepted their responsibility to ensure that the growth is sustainable and widely beneficial” along with his conclusion : “I have strong misgivings that weak governance and commercial self-interest at all levels will fail to rise to the challenge” may resonate. It reflects concerns we are hearing from many residents.
FeCRA’s response to CPIER’s call for evidence, based on the suggestions and comments you have sent to us over the last two years, is on our website.
http://www.fecra.org.uk/docs/2018%2006%2009%20FeCRA%20Response%20to%20CPIER.pdf
Tuesday, 6th Nov, 2018 – Invitation to attend Leader of Cambridge City Council Community Briefing
5.30 – 7pm Venue: Council Chamber, Guildhall, CB2 3QJ
The event will be an informal session in the Council Chamber, with refreshments available on the landing outside the Chamber on the 1st Floor of the Guildhall from 5.00pm and will include a presentation from Lewis Herbert together with an open Q & A discussion. The session will be filmed. All welcome to attend but please RSVP by Friday 26 October by emailing kathy.brown@cambridge.gov.uk.
Cambridge City Council Boundary Review – closes 10 Dec, 2018
Local Government Boundary Commission Consultation on new ward boundaries for Cambridge City Council open. Proposal:
– 42 councillors – no change
– 14 three-councillor wards – changes to every current ward
Go to: consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/12865
Cambridge City Council East Area Committee tonight, Thursday, 11th October, 7.00 pm
Venue: Abbey Meadows Community Primary School, Galfrid Road, Cambridge, CB5 8ND
https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=147&MId=3511&Ver=4
Tonight’s planned Mill Road Bridge presentation has been cancelled
A dedicated Cambridge Capacity upgrade meeting with key East Area committee councillors and a community focus group is to be set up.
There is also an open forum where there is an opportunity to raise other issues with councillors. This is relevant given the concerns about the Station Road area and the developer Hill’s appeal regarding the Great Northern Road flats (see below)
Great Northern Road RA (GNRA) – Station Road Area Noise issues
Hill Group UK, the City Council’s chosen housing provider, Mill Road Depot developer and co developer with Cambridge University of the Eddington site had their application to have (sensible and healthy) noise restrictions removed for GNRA flats turned down by the Planning Committee.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cb1-cambridge-station-traffic-noise-14380499
Hill have now appealed to the Secretary of State to overturn the Council’s decision. NRA, residents of the Great Northern Road flats, tell us they are contesting Hill’s appeal through letters and the gathering of signatures and are in discussions with their local councillors.
Montreal Square RA Campaign
Montreal Square RA are campaigning to stop CHS (Cambridge Housing Society) from demolishing and developing Montreal Square. Any contribution towards their legal costs would be greatly appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/stop-demolition-of-montreal-square
Saturday, Oct 27 – They have organised a march from the City Centre to Montreal Square. Details to follow.
Tuesday Oct 30, 7 – 9 pm Presentation by ASH Architects of Social Housing
The Cost of Estate Regeneration. Venue: The Edge Café, 351 Mill Rd, Cambridge CB1 3DF
101 Cavendish Rd. Appeal rejected – result for APP/QO 505/W/18
Some of you may find the strands in this appeal result for Cavendish Road, Romsey very helpful especially regarding parking issues. (attached).
The Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve
There was a great turn out at Newnham Croft Social Club for the inaugural meeting of the Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve. Guy Belcher, Cambridge City Council’s Biodiversity Officer gave a fascinating presentation on the Nature Reserve and an update on biodiversity plans. There was a lot of discussion about what people could do to support wildlife and nature in the city.
If you would like to join the Friends please email: pamelagatrell@gmail.com. All are welcome.
The next event will be a talk on hedgehogs on November 28th 6.30 at the Newnham Croft Sports and Social Club, Hardwick Street.
https://www.change.org/p/help-save-britain-s-hedgehogs-with-hedgehog-highways
FeCRA Facebook page
A reminder that FeCRA now have a Facebook page. Could people who are on Facebook please spread the word and post and share any relevant things.
https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeRAs/)
Best wishes,
Wendy
Wendy Blythe
Chair, FeCRA
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