On two developments along the Coleridge-Queen Edith’s boudary
The controversial Paddocks redevelopment remains outstanding
“Cambridge Re-Use asked the developers is they could make a provision for them somehow in the development – but they have said no we must leave, so we will be homeless. That means loads of people on low income including homeless people being given council homes will struggle to buy basic furniture to make a comfortable home … and the work we do saving decent furniture from landfill – equivalent of planting 900 trees a year – will cease. What can we do? Developers seeking huge profits, small charities can’t afford the rents. Can’t the council do something to encourage a community oriented aspect to such developments? …”
Cambridge Reuse to Coleridge Community Forum on FB – you can find out more about Cambridge Reuse here
The residents in Cherry Hinton have also spoken out on their local FB forum here. Can hardly blame the residents given that the applicant has commissioned consultants to be their public face, reflecting the structural barriers between international big finance’s search for high financial returns vs local communities – a situation that cannot be resolved while housing remains a financial commodity (instead of channeling such financial investments into productive capacity to deal with things like the climate emergency).
Former ward councillor and city council leader Lewis Herbert also stated:
“It’s a major intensification – incl dramatic increase in car parking to over 200 spaces. Finally for starters, the current site provides irreplaceable space for small businesses, and essential charities like Cambridge Reuse saving household items and furniture for people who really need their help. What community and diverse provision will be guaranteed for charities and leisure uses. It shouldn’t be a dead zone for half the week. Applicants should be asked to guarantee that the current 15 min no 3 bus to/from station becomes a 10 min service from 7 to 7 weekdays to reduce avoidable traffic. Including likely 100s of site daytime visitors, as well as employees. The long thin entrance access already clogs with about a quarter of potential traffic, so what are they doing to stop the queue blocking Cherry Hinton Road?”
Lewis Herbert to Coleridge Community Forum on FB.
Scaffolding now up at church near Cherry Hinton Hall
Some of you may have spotted the building work around St Philip Howard Church on the corner of Walpole Road. This was a planning application that I missed at the time, but one which will overhaul the very dated design and provide additional capacity to the church building.
Above – 23/02153/FUL – Remodelling, extensions (including raising the ridge height) and thermal upgrading of Saint Philip Howard Church with associated external works.
Architecturally I think it is an improvement – although that is starting from a very low base. It remains to be seen what the stained glass looks like, but it’s worth having a browse through the application to see the CGIs on how the architects anticipate the sun to shine through the glass.
Above – more elevations.
The Planning Portal needs to make it easier for the public to identify the major planning applications
The problem is that the current system (See here) makes it very difficult to identify which are the major planning applications. Furthermore, such is the disconnectedness of residents from local government and from politics generally that by the time many find out about controversial applications, it’s too late to oppose. Which is why simply tweaking the portal itself won’t solve the problems and challenges our city faces. Even more so given criticism Cllr Seb Kindersley, Chairman of the County Council levelled at all of the institutions making their plans for the future of our city.
One case study is the failure to bring together the applicants of large applications/developments to pool their resources and co-ordinate their plans for skills and employment given the chronic labour and skills shortages we have. This is something I’ve got both for a future blogpost and a public question, because as a city and county we really should be doing far better than this.
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Below – go and fly The Kite with Together Culture. Much more fun.
The Cambridge Town Owl 