Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

I am of course referring to Dr Cleo Valentine’s presentation in Seoul, South Korea back in September 2025 I’ve also been wondering what the processes might be for retrofitting badly-designed facades that not only are visually intrusive on the outside, but malfunction on the inside too. Given that we have a huge amount of retrofittingContinue reading “If Cambridge is to grow, can we get the development plan to insist on visually healthier buildings?”

In a written statement to Parliament, the Housing Secretary made an announcement that will have huge implications for rural stations east of Cambridge You can read the Secretary of State’s statement here, and the joint press release with The Chancellor here. Want to talk about this in person? Sign up to my next Future ofContinue reading “Housing Secretary confirms easing restrictions on housing developments by railway stations”

I can’t find a copy of the strategy itself (although it was launched earlier today) but there are a few pitfalls to avoid – and one big elephant in the room that those with the greater wealth and influence could address TL/DR? Bring back Activate Cambridge – get in touch with Hilary Cox Condron whoContinue reading “Cambridge 2030’s strategy for Arbury and King’s Hedges”

The Combined Authority have published an update notice, but it may not be until the new year before we find out what new sights the consultants recommend See item 11 of the meeting papers here. “Specialist consultants, WSP, have been commissioned to identify site-specific transport solutions needed to unlock and sustain future growth.A comprehensive longContinue reading “Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy update looming”

With so many empty shop units on high streets, you’d have thought that these spaces would be ripe for vibrant and colourful social movements to find homes in Pictured: the old Brighton Peace and Environment Centre on Gardner Street by Stephen Drenan here. This piece bounces of an article in New Internationalist by Rosie HamptonContinue reading “Rebuilding radical community spaces”

The book Dark Academia by Peter Fleming (Pluto Press) highlights not only how broken the neoliberal higher education model is, but also shines a light on how the impacts go beyond campus boundaries TL/DR? Read this summary It’s not often that an article or book review thumps me in the stomach (metaphorically) because it’s somethingContinue reading “Broken academia’s knock-on impact on the cities they call home”

“I didn’t know we had a Police and Crime Commissioner!” “The home secretary called the system a “failed experiment” – and less than 20% of voters can name their PCC, the Home Office said.” Above – BBC News 13 Nov 2013 The written statement to Parliament was uncannily short – which was inversely proportional toContinue reading “Minister for Policing announces abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners”

Transport professionals and their supporters have used the acronym HQPT for years. They should be banned from doing so! …on the grounds that it irrationally fills me with rage!!! (And I quite like the artwork from where I got the image for this blogpost!) One of the many things that come with being neurodiverse /Continue reading “Confusing acronyms blur the proposals on Cambridge’s future transport”

The emerging Local Plan that goes out to consultation in December has a number of sections on things that our city and county lack – things that should have been provided for in previous rounds of expansion but were not. A quick reminder for the two free public workshops in Cambridge that I’m running whichContinue reading “Leisure facilities and amenities in growing Greater Cambridge”

A current application due for determination next week generated very few responses. Yet with Cambridge’s huge inequalities, a new unitary council could take control of the consultation processes and ensure schools have the administrative resources to respond, and that developers organise their timetables that synchronise with the academic year. To be fair to South CambridgeshireContinue reading “What happens when hardly anyone responds to a developer’s consultation?”