We are writing to you, as councillors and campaigners for our interlinked cluster of villages, to keep you informed of local issues involving the District and County Councils. If you would prefer not to receive this email newsletter, please reply asking to be removed from the distribution list. If you know of someone not receiving this newsletter who would like to do so, please ask them to contact philippajhart@btinternet.com, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, or jose@josehales.me.uk.

MAY 4th ELECTION: NEW BOUNDARIES, WHO’S STANDING AND HOW TO VOTE BY POST

May 4 is Election Day for all Cambridgeshire County Council Divisions (but not South Cambridgeshire District Council) and the new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor. This ushers in new County Council division boundaries, effective straight away.

Foxton, Shepreth, Heydon and Great and Little Chishill join with Fowlmere, Thriplow, Whittlesford, Duxford, Pampisford, Ickleton and Hinxton to form the new ‘Duxford Division’. Peter McDonald is the Liberal Democrat candidate. He lives in Whittlesford, works in agriculture, and has been surveying and talking to residents since the autumn.

Meldreth, Melbourn, Whaddon and Bassingbourn join to form the new ‘Melbourn and Bassingbourn Division’. Susan is the Liberal Democrat candidate, lives in Meldreth, and has represented Meldreth and Melbourn for many years. She’s been getting to know Bassingbourn and Whaddon over the past several months.

A new mayor will also be elected. If you’d like to meet the Lib Dem candidate Rod Cantrill, let us know. He has worked on South Cambs transport issues and is keen to put new bus franchising powers into action for rural transport needs.

If you will be away or unable to vote at your polling station on May 4th, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote. The deadlines are April 18 and 25, respectively.

BUS INFORMATION EVENING APRIL 19 – EXPLORING A LINK SERVICE

Due to concerns about the future of village bus services, a public information meeting will take place on 19 April, 7:30-9PM, at the Elin Way Community Room Meldreth. All welcome.

Our subsidised buses depend entirely on County Council financial support and run where commercial operators don’t see a market. Other bus services are run by private companies like Stagecoach, and depend on profitable markets.

Because councils are in the process of losing all government revenue support, it was expected that subsidised buses would cease to operate from April 1st. But funding has been found to keep the 15, 31, 127 and 128 running for at least the coming year, with some minor tweaks to timetables.

Meanwhile Stagecoach have announced they will withdraw the 27 bus to Cambridge at the end of the summer term, due to very low ridership (averaging less than three passengers per day). Some parents of 16-18 year-olds have told us they drive their children to Meldreth Station, having given up on the 27 bus because of congestion around Cambridge. Stagecoach say that congestion is one of their major challenges in running reliable services.

Some type of link service to the 26 bus or rail services could fill a gap and negate the need for lifts, and also alleviate traffic and parking pressures. Susan has put the question to Royston and District Community Transport, who will attend the April 19 information meeting in order to understand potential demand and scope out options. She is also in contact with other bus operators who are interested in exploring new services in our area.

26 BUS

Stagecoach have announced that they will reinstate an hourly service for the 26, originating at Royston and terminating at Trumpington Park and Ride for off-peak journeys. This trial of a new route is entirely dependent on strong ridership. According to Stagecoach, the previous hourly 26 service would have needed an additional 300 passengers per day to make it commercially viable. The new route could prove more successful. The new timetable will commence at the end of July.

SIXTH FORM AND POST-16 TRANSPORT

We’ve been speaking to Cambridge sixth form colleges and Cambridge Regional College about post-16 student transport. The collapse of the County Council’s financial assistance for post-16 transport – something it is not legally required to provide, and for which government no longer provides sufficient financial assistance to enable – has brought about a post-16 transport crisis in many parts of Cambridgeshire, especially for families on lower incomes. Post-16 centres have seen dramatic cuts to their own budgets and no longer have the scope to consider running their own joint transport services from the villages.

NETWORK RAIL WANT TO CLOSE MELDRETH ‘C04’ LEVEL CROSSING

Network Rail have announced that they have applied to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order to close or modify 29 level crossings across Cambridgeshire. This includes the ‘C04’ crossing at Meldreth, south of the railway bridge that links up near Fieldgate Nurseries. (As reported previously, Network Rail has agreed not to close the Barrington Road level crossing pedestrian gate at Foxton crossing, due to safety concerns raised by the public.)

If you are concerned about the Meldreth crossing proposal and would like to make a representation, the deadline for doing so is April 25. Consultation information and Susan’s response to Network Rail are posted here

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE LOCAL PLAN AND FIVE-YEAR LAND SUPPLY

The collapse of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan – when the strategic housing growth plan was held up by an inspector on the basis that the district could not demonstrate a five-year land supply – has given way to a developers’ field day.

As we’ve reported, the housing requirement for South Cambridgeshire for the period 2011-2031 is 19,500 dwellings, which is a build out rate of 975 a year. The Council has not been able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply since June 2014, such that the current land supply is rated at 4.1 years. This is an improvement over the last time we reported to you when it stood at 3.7 years. One of the factors improving this figure is the council approving ‘five-year land supply applications’ – or ‘speculative applications’ as they are also known.

Other ways in which the housing trajectory is being sought to be bolstered is the use of planning conditions to require build out to take place more quickly.

A recent planning appeal case at Over suggests that there may be a whole scale revision of the rural settlement hierarchy, changing the factors which feed into the assessment methodology depending upon how access to services is rated. For example, Meldreth is currently a Group village as it has a primary school and Shepreth is an infill village as it does not. More information here.

WHY SPECULATIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS DON’T PROVIDE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE

By definition, ‘speculative planning applications’ are not aligned to strategic infrastructure planning and cannot properly react to cumulative population growth. Any single planning permission can only require a proportionate community contribution, and this cannot serve to mitigate pre-existing problems, or pressures created by other new developments. So, for a village or cluster of villages receiving dozens or hundreds of new homes on the basis of successful speculative planning applications, there is no mechanism to ensure appropriate funding for additional school provision, health care, highways improvements, etc, to meet collective or cumulative population growth.

Cambridgeshire County Council has the remit for public infrastructure, but little if any financial wriggle room to fill gaps in infrastructure provision arising from speculative development. Central government is turning off the revenue support tap to councils, resulting in Cambridgeshire losing about half its traditional revenue funding source. The council has very high borrowing levels already, and servicing its loans takes a big slice out of its annual budget.

Expanding public infrastructure in existing villages is challenging for other reasons too. The basic principle of the Local Plan, still un-adopted, is to concentrate housing growth mainly in new communities where suitable public infrastructure can be properly planned for.

150 HOMES AT WHADDON ROAD MELDRETH: MAY PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Marley Eternit Site speculative application, for which the number of affordable homes is well below the required 40% but as yet unclear, is expected to go to the May 3rd or June 7th South Cambridgeshire District Council Planning Committee. Please contact Philippa, who will be speaking at Planning Committee, with any questions or comments.

30 HOMES AT THE ROUSES, BASSINGBOURN (‘CLEAR FARM’): CONSULTATION DEADLINE

This site, considered exceptionally sensitive as a village amenity, is County Council-owned and the application is speculative. A public consultation event took place at The Limes on 5 April and responses can be made on line until 26 April (though due an error on the consultation leaflet responses received by 28 April will be considered). For more information please see here .

199 HOMES OFF NEW ROAD, MELBOURN

The developer, Hopkins Homes, will hold a public information event at the Melbourn Hub on Wednesday 10 May, 4-8PM. This speculative application was won at appeal and Reserve Matters are now being worked out. Please contact Jose with any questions.

150 HOMES, CAMBRIDGE ROAD, MELBOURN

Countryside Homes’ visit to Melbourn Parish Council last month is to be followed by a public consultation event at the Melbourn Hub on Saturday 22 April 2017, 10:00-15:00. The development site in question is agricultural land directly to the right of Melbourn Science Park, along the Cambridge Road. This speculative planning application has not yet been lodged.

COLLINS CLOSE EXTENSION SHEPRETH

Responding to residents’ concerns, the applicant has revised the layout of the site. The number and composition of the dwellings remains the same, as does the affordable:market ratio. Please refer to South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning website ref: S/3052/16/FL to see the revisions.

There has been further slippage and this application is now likely to come up at Planning Committee in June – please contact Philippa with any questions.

FLOOD PREVENTION AND DRAINAGE ACTION GROUPS

The County Council is very receptive to supporting community-based drainage action groups, which can make a difference in flood prevention work. Highways officers have asked to put a date in the diary for the Meldreth Flood Avoidance Committee’s 11th annual drainage walk. The Shepreth Drainage Group started up last year and is due for another annual tour. A report on the recent Melbourn Drainage Action Group meeting is at Appendix D, here. http://melbournparishcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Parish-Council-27th-March-2017-Minutes-Web.pdf

If you’d like to get involved in village flood prevention work, please get in touch.

COMMUNITY CHEST GRANTS

South Cambridgeshire District Council has started this year’s round of Community Chest small grants. There is only £52,000 available, so it will go quickly. The money is for community groups, so do get your applications in fast. It is easy to do on-line, and if you need any help please contact Philippa and Jose. If you are involved in a community project give it a go – you may be pleasantly surprised! More information, including application forms, here. https://www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest

MAY 7: ANNUAL A10 AWARENESS CYCLE RIDE

The annual A10 Awareness Ride takes place Sunday 7 May, setting off from Trumpington Park and Ride at 10AM and heading down to Phillimore Garden Centre for refreshments. As always, this will be a family friendly ride, promoting use of the amazing new paths that are now starting to connect up the A10 villages. We will cycle over the farm bridge at Trumpington Meadows, then through Harston where work on a transformational new walk/cycle path is due to start later this year. At Shepreth the ride heads off down Dunsbridge Turnpike and onto the new path.

After refreshments, anyone who’d like is invited to head down to the Royston Road/A10 junction for a close-up view of where it is hoped a new path, linking to a foot/cycle bridge over the A505, will be provided in the not too distant future – finally linking up the whole of the Cambridge-Royston routes (funding is now being sought). The ride will be marshalled at junctions and crossings, and will keep to the path throughout. Any questions, or if you would like to help out, please get in touch.

GREENWAYS ROUTES

The County Council has set an early-stage vision for a network of high quality ‘Greenways’ routes between villages and to Cambridge, specifically for Non-Motorised Users (walkers, cyclists, etc). For more details please see here.
http://www4.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20020/cycling/666/greenways

A10 CORRIDOR CYCLING CAMPAIGN: 18 APRIL MEETING

The next meeting of the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign is on 18 April, 7PM for 7:30-9PM, at Sartorius Stedim, opposite Royal Mail on the Royston Industrial Site. Greenways and off-road connecting tracks like the Ashwell Stret will be discussed. The agenda is posted here.

MELDRETH, SHEPRETH AND FOXTON STATION GARDENS: HELP TURN THE TUBS ROUND!

Each station has a team of local volunteers, supported by our Community Rail Partnership, helping to keep the flower tubs in good condition. Anyone who appreciates the rail service on our doorstep, or who might like to be involved in light sociable gardening, is very welcome to join in. Please contact Philippa or Susan.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD OPPORTUNITIES

Please get in touch if you or someone you know needs a Duke of Edinburgh volunteering slot and might like to help out with watering plants at any of Meldreth, Shepreth or Foxton Stations. This takes place every year and can always be done at a time to suit.

EXCUSE ME SIR, WHAT’S IN THOSE CRATES?

Thanks to a local resident for outlining the significance of the European Customs Union for his small South Cambridgeshire business.

MIDSUMMER SING FOR 24 HOURS: CANCER SUPPORT

Starting at 2pm on Friday 23 June local musicians of all ages from villages surrounding Cambridge and Royston will be performing music for 24 hours to raise money for the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre, which supports patients and their carers and families in many ways, including counselling, alternative therapies, support groups for specific cancers, and above all, love and friendship with others who understand.

Music in many styles will include choirs, jazz, bands, chamber music, church bells and much more from performers including the Ad Hoc Singers, Hot Numbers jazz ensemble, Eversden Brass Band, Graham Walker, cello and the Orwell Singers. Drop in at any time to support the musicians. Everyone is invited to join in The Big Sing at noon on Saturday 24 June in All Saints Church, Barrington, followed by the Grand Finale at the Royal Oak.

More details of the programme and venues will be found here.

DROP-IN ADVICE SURGERY

Our next drop-in advice surgery takes place at the Melbourn Hub Café on 2 May, 2:30-3:30. No need to book ahead – just come along.

ANY ITEMS WE CAN HELP TO RAISE?

We would be delighted to address any concerns you may have, or help raise awareness of issues affecting our community via this newsletter.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. Learn more about or join the Liberal Democrats at http://www.libdems.org.uk

Sincerely yours,

Susan, Philippa and Jose

Susan van de Ven, County Councillor for Foxton, Heydon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and the Chishills
susanvandeven5@gmail.com, www.susanvandeven.com, Tel 07905325574, @susanvandeven

Philippa Hart, District Councillor for Meldreth and Shepreth
philippajhart@btinternet.com, Tel 01763 261255

Jose Hales, District Councillor for Melbourn, Heydon and the Chishills
jose@josehales.me.uk, Tel 01763 221058

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