south cambs magazine summer 2013

SouthCambsMagazine

Enjoy the great outdoors See page 6

www.scambs.gov.uk Summer 2013

Air Show TicketsPage 8

Free family eventsSee page 12

Future growthplansSee page 42

www.scambs.gov.uk 3

WelcomeSummer 2013

Welcome to the summer issue of South Cambs magazine.

Our beautiful district is at its best during the summer and we’re encouraging you to get out and about with ideas for days out on your doorstep. For walking and cycling inspiration see pages 6 and 7, and to find out what’s happening at this year’s free family Park Life event see page 12. We also have some important updates about future development - with a final opportunity for you to tell us your views on potential development sites. See page 42 and 43 for more information and details of local consultation events. Finally, head to pages 31 to 34 for some exciting news about affordable housing for local people and our work to provide improved short-term accommodation for residents who find themselves homeless.

Cllr Ray ManningLeader South Cambridgeshire District Council

ContentsHow to contact us ................. 4Community ........................... 6Competition .......................... 8Sustainability ........................ 11Sport ..................................... 12Business ............................... 15Conservation ........................ 17Community ........................... 19Recycling & waste ............... 24Housing ................................ 31About your Council .............. 37Young People ...................... 38Planning ............................... 41Environmental health .......... 45

If you phone us we will ► answer your call promptly -

usually within 20 seconds

► provide voicemail if the person you need is unavailable

► answer your phone message within one working day

If you write to us we will ► reply to your letter or email

within 10 working days

If we write to you we will ► write in plain language

► arrange for translation, large type, Braille or audio tapes upon request

If we visit you we will ► carry identification that you can

check with a phone call to our contact service on 03450 450 500

► arrive at the time we say we will, or give you as much notice as possible if we have to change the time

If we get it wrong we will ► apologise if we have made

a mistake or failed to meet our standards

► acknowledge your written complaint within three working days

► reply in full to your complaint within 10 working days

Putting service first

South Cambs MagazineLetters to the editor should be directed to:Editor: Gareth BellEditorial: Anna Efford and Kelly QuigleySouth Cambridgeshire District CouncilSouth Cambridgeshire HallCambourne Business Park, CambourneCambridge CB23 6EA

Email: [email protected]: 03450 450 500Design: South Cambridgeshire District Council

For all advertising enquiries please contact:Katrina Burrill KM Media & Marketing, County House, 9 Checkpoint Court, Sadler Road, Lincoln LN6 3PWEmail: [email protected] Telephone: 01522 513515 Fax: 01522 842000For all delivery enquiries please contact:PDC Telephone: 01904 606300Email: [email protected] opinions and views expressed in South Cambs Magazine are not necessarily those of South Cambridgeshire District Council or KM Media & Marketing. All data contained in advertisements, being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines, are accepted in good faith at the time of going to press.

Page 42 - Future growth plans

Page 8 - Win tickets to see the Duxfrod Air Show

Front cover image - Enjoy the great outdoors

Printed on wood fibre from sustainable forests

When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it.R

Summer 2013

4 www.scambs.gov.uk

Contact us South Cambs Magazine

How to contact us

Tell us how we’re doing

We’re proud of what we are trying to achieve and recognise we can always do better. To help improve our services, we need your feedback. Whether it’s a compliment, a general comment or a complaint, we want to hear from you. You can do this in a number of ways:

in person at our offices

by telephone on 03450 450 500

by email to [email protected]

by writing to our customer service team at our main office

Main officeSouth Cambridgeshire District CouncilSouth Cambridgeshire HallCambourne Business ParkCambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EAOffice open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pmf: (01954) 713149e: [email protected]

www.scambs.gov.uk

Customer Contact ServiceGeneral Enquiries 03450 450 500Benefits 03450 450 061Building Control 03450 450 062Development Control 03450 455 215Development Services 03450 455 216Elections 03450 455 214 Environmental Services 03450 450 063Fraud 08007 311 892Housing Services 03450 450 051Payments (automated) 03450 455 218Revenues 03450 450 064

For a large print copy please contact:

03450 450 500 email: [email protected] email online in person

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search ‘South Cambridgeshire’@southcambs

Scan this Quick Response code with your smart phone to go straight to our website

Need to make a payment?

There are several ways in which you can make a payment to us. We encourage payments by direct debit or by debit card. The debit card service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online: www.scambs.gov.uk By phone: 03450 455 218

You can also pay using a payment card at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet.To request a direct debit form or a Post Office payment card call 03450 450 064 Payments can also be made in person at Cambridge City Council’s Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Our Vision:

South Cambridgeshire will continue to be the best place to live, work and study in the country. Our district will demonstrate impressive and sustainable economic growth. Our residents will have a superb quality of life in an exceptionally beautiful, rural and green environment. The Council will be recognised as consistently innovative and a high performer with a track record of delivering value for money by focussing on the priorities, needs and aspirations of our residents, parishes and businesses.

Summer 2013

6 www.scambs.gov.uk

Community South Cambs Magazine

Enjoy the great outdoors

Summer 2013

With 350 square miles of beautiful, rural space to explore, our district offers plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. From cycling and walking to nature reserves and heritage sites, there’s something for everyone in our beautiful countryside and villages and some great pubs and tea rooms to enjoy along the way. We’ve gathered together just a few suggestions for making the most of days out on your doorstep. Walks and cycleways are free, some attractions charge for entry.

Walks

South West Cambridge Countryside Trail An eight mile meander from Madingley through Coton, Barton, Grantchester and Hauxton. Spot Ely Cathedral from Madingley Hill and admire views of Cambridge from Coton’s Red Meadow Hill. Download a walks leaflet from http://qtsq.org.uk/ Places of interest: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial - the only World War II American military cemetery in the United Kingdom www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ca.php Coton Countryside Reserve - meadows, an orchard, pathways and wildlife habitats www.cambridgeppf.org Grantchester - visit Byrons Pool Nature Reserve, watch punts on the Cam or relax on Grantchester Meadows.

Fen Rivers Way Running between Cambridge and Kings Lynn, the Way follows the River Cam through Milton and Clayhithe to Waterbeach, moving from the bustle of Bumps crews at Baits Bite Lock to tranquil stretches of river. Maps are available from www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Places of interest: Milton Country Park - footpaths, fishing lakes, picnic spots and play areas plus a café www.miltoncountrypark.org Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, Waterbeach - explore rural life through permanent exhibitions and regular events www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk ‘In Hear It and Say’ art trail - bringing Waterbeach history to life through fifteen permanent artworks - funded from money secured as part of planning permission for a local housing development. Trail packs on sale at the Farmland Museum.

Other walks: Clopton Way - 11 miles from Gamlingay to Wimpole taking in:

Potton Wood - ancient woodland rich in flower species St John the Baptist Church , Cockayne Hatley - burial place of Invictus poet W.E Henley and

his daughter Margaret, the inspiration for Peter Pan’s Wendy Medieval village of Clopton - earthworks remain from this previously prosperous settlement Wimpole Hall - Cambridgeshire’s largest stately home with gardens designed by Capability

Brown. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate The Roman Road Walk - a circular 6.5 mile walk around Linton and Hildersham, taking in the River Granta, an ancient Roman trackway and historic buildings - a wonderful walk to spot wildlife and take in countryside views. Linton is home to Linton Zoo - 18 acres of gardens housing animals from wallabies to tigers - www.lintonzoo.com

Leaflets for these and many other walks can be downloaded from www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk and www.walkingincambridgeshire.co.uk or by calling Visit Cambridge and Beyond on 0871 226 8006.

Cambridge American Cemetery

Milton Country Park

Wimpole Hall

www.scambs.gov.uk 7

CommunitySouth Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

Respect other people Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available

Protect the natural environment Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home Keep dogs under effective controlEnjoy the outdoors Plan ahead and be prepared Follow advice and local signs

The Countryside CodeWe live in a beautiful district and it’s important to keep it that way. Remember to follow the Countryside Code to make the most of your days out, keeping you safe and our area green.

Cycling As well as a growing network of local cycleways, two national cycle routes run through our area. Route 11 - Harlow to Cambridge – and Route 51 – Harwich and Oxford. The routes intersect in Cambridge, opening up miles of signposted cycling paths and roads to explore. Visit www.sustrans.org.uk for route information

Route 11 Running through Ickleton, Duxford, Whittlesford, Sawston, Stapleford, Great Shelford and into Cambridge. A 2km section between Great Shelford and Addenbrooke’s Hospital marks the 10,000th mile of the National Cycle Network, featuring artworks and over 10,000 coloured lines representing the BRCA2 gene, decoded in 1994 at The Sanger Institute in Hinxton.Places of interest: Hinxton Wetlands Nature Reserve - plants and animals including otters. Open all year to pedestrians and cyclists www.hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk Hinxton Watermill - 17th century mill on the River Cam, watch flour being milled throughout the summer www.cambridgeppf.org Imperial War Museum Duxford - Europe’s premier aviation museum, see historic aircraft in seven acres of exhibition space www.duxfordiwm.org.uk Fowlmere Nature Reserve - reedbeds and pools fed by natural chalk springs, picnic area, cycle parking and toilets www.rspb.org.uk

Wandlebury Country Park - paths close to Route 11 run to the park. Regular events, Roman Road, Iron Age Hill Fort remains and superb views www.cambridgeppf.org

Route 51 Leaving Cambridge on the Huntingdon Road, this route travels through Girton, Oakington, Longstanton and Swavesey on its way to Huntingdon. Places of interest: Girton College - Visit the 'People's Portraits' exhibition - open 2pm to 4pm daily - or book a place on the termly garden tours www.girton.cam.ac.uk Swavesey - put your feet into two different hemispheres at the Greenwich Meridian and amble along the banks of the River Great Ouse Fen Drayton Lakes reserve - pathways, lakes and picnic areas www.rspb.org.uk

Route 11

Cycling in South Cambridgeshire

Explore moreFor more information about local walks, cycle trails and attractions log on to Visit Cambridge and Beyond at www.visitcambridge.org or visit the Tourist Information Centre in Peas Hill Cambridge. You can also request brochures and leaflets by calling 0871 226 8006 or emailing [email protected]

Competitions South Cambs Magazine

8 www.scambs.gov.uk

Winner’s spotlightThree lucky residents have scooped a pair of tickets each to see The Mousetrap when the London West End show visits the Cambridge Corn Exchange as part of a national tour.

Summer 2013

The Duxford Air Show forms the highlight of a year-long programme of flying events and showcases rare combinations of contemporary jet aircraft, historic warbirds, aerobatics and much more! Visitors to the show can explore the museum, enjoy the activities across the site, stroll along the flight line and soak up the atmosphere provided by the trade stands and history groups. We have two family tickets to giveaway for the show on either Saturday 7 or Sunday 8 September. A family ticket is for two adults and two children. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is visit www.scambs.gov.uk/news, fill in our online competition form and choose an answer to the simple question below:

How many square miles of beautiful, rural space does South Cambridgeshire have for residents to explore? (see page 6 for a clue)

A) 300 B) 350 C) 400

Closing date for entries is 30 June. Winners will be notified by 1 August and announced in the autumn edition of this magazine. Terms and conditions are available at www.scambs.gov.uk/t-c or can be requested by calling 03450 450 500. If you don’t have internet access, you can still enter. Send your name, address and telephone number, plus your answer to the question, to:Duxford Air Show Compeition,South Cambs Magazine,South Cambridgeshire District Council,Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne,Cambridgeshire,CB23 6EA

Win! Win! Win!We’re giving you the opportunity to win tickets to one of the country’s most spectacular aerial displays, which draws crowds from all over the world, courtesy of the IWM Duxford.

Competition

Trevor Kenchington with wife Sue who won one of the three pairs of tickets

In our spring edition we asked people to tell us what percentage of enquiries our new customer contact service is able to resolve immediately for you. The answer was 84%. Trevor Kenchington from Bar Hill said: “I entered the competition using the Council’s self-serve website which was really easy to do. I couldn’t believe it when I got a call to say I had won and am really looking forward to taking my wife to the performance.” Helen Robinson from Papworth Everard commented: "I'm new to the area and this is a lovely start to my life in South Cambs." And Julie Moodie from Rampton said when she heard the news: "Simply brilliant to be picked. I hope it's the start of some good luck."

Thank you to Cambridge Corn Exchange for sponsoring the competition. This edition we have the chance for

residents to win family tickets to the Duxford Air Show, see above for details.

SustainabilitySouth Cambs Magazine

A new fun and interactive display showing people how they can go green to save energy and money on their bills has landed. The display was developed after our Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership scooped a regional award from National Energy Action - a fuel poverty charity - and the Department for Energy and Climate Change. The partnership beat off competition from across East Anglia after it ran a series of village energy days to provide communities with the knowledge they need to take action on energy issues. The prize money has been invested in the interactive display to help demonstrate to people of all ages the different ways they can make their home cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in. This summer communities are being invited to test-drive the display, which requires an indoor space of three and a half metres squared. Since the partnership launched in 2009, 27 parishes have joined up and hundreds of people have got involved in activities and attended events organised by the partnership to raise awareness of ways to live more sustainably.

A model for green livingOur new interactive display will help people see how they can go green

To find out more about borrowing the display, visit www.spep.net or contact Siobhan Mellon, parish energy project officer, on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

12 www.scambs.gov.uk

Sport South Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

Get on your bike to this year’s Park Life on 4 August to enjoy a free selection of sport, music and entertainment for all the family.

Running from 10am to 4pm at Milton Country Park, we’re hoping to welcome record crowds for a second year

running. With a focus on cycling and green issues in the lead up to the Tour de France racing through our district next year, visitors who cycle to the event will be eligible for a free service from Dr Bike. Yellow jerseys optional. Other cycling activities will include You Can Bike Too, offering bikes adapted for people with disabilities including wheelchair users; smoothie bikes for adults and children that use pedal power to make fresh drinks and balance bikes for 3 to 5 year olds, giving children the chance to have fun and gain bike

confidence. Free sports to try will include canoeing, kayaking, golf, football, archery,

fencing, trampolining, an inflatable assault course and climbing walls. Toddlers can try a Tumble Tots activity session and wear themselves out on a bouncy castle.

Our successful Walk 4 Fun and Run 4 Fun groups will be on hand to talk about how you can get active in your local area, and people over 50 can also find out about community-based exercise classes from the Forever Active team.

Green activities will range from our award-winning Parish Energy Partnership’s interactive display which helps you see how you can reduce your energy use and bills (see page 11) to information on local community transport schemes and a seed and plant swap. Music will be provided by local talent on our Youth Council stage (see page 38) and there will be produce to buy from local food and drink producers in our craft tent. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from the Park café or food stalls. Cllr Pippa Corney, lead councillor for communities, said: “This is the fifth Park Life and we’re hoping to see more families than ever come along to have a free fun-filled day. Whatever your age or ability there’ll be something for you to enjoy - from activities and information about healthy and active lifestyles to encouraging greener living. We hope to see you there.”We’re grateful to our partner Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust for once again hosting Park Life.

Parklife 2013

www.scambs.gov.uk 13

SportSouth Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

Exercise referral scheme extends reachCambourne residents are the latest to benefit from our GP exercise referral scheme following a launch at the Everyone Active Sports and Fitness Centre in April. The Centre is the tenth venue in South Cambridgeshire to offer the Active and Healthy 4 Life scheme, which helps make physical activity a new way of life for people with health problems. The scheme typically benefits over 300 people every year, prescribing a 12-week programme of tailored activity at a local sports centre after referral from a health professional. Conditions that benefit from exercise and may lead to referral include high blood pressure or cholesterol, arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes or depression. Studies have also shown that patients undergoing cancer treatment benefit greatly from regular exercise. The scheme has links with cardiac rehabilitation and fall prevention too.

For more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/a&h4l or contact Lynne Potter on 01954 713130 or [email protected]

20 June: Forever Active free “try” event, Milton Country Park, 2pm - 8pmAimed at the over 50s, this event encourages people

of all abilities to try different activities, from paddleboarding, canoeing, archery and golf to cycling, walking and orienteering, not to mention dance and fitness sessions. Entertainment will continue into the evening so join the fun, meet new people and get Forever Active.

22 June: CamBikeFest, Milton Country Park, 12 noon - 7pm A family day encouraging people to have fun

outdoors together. Participants will be decorating bikes, spin painting on bikes, generating their own pedal powered music and pedalling their way to a smoothie. Visitors will see some of the wackiest bikes in existence and be able to browse the stalls selling local goods. Proceeds will go to the You Can Bike Too project.

30 June: 2012+One, Histon Recreation Ground, 1pm - 5pmA one-year-on celebration of Olympic and Paralympic

sport for all with 20 free inclusive sports to try, including archery, blind football, wheelchair tennis, croquet and sitting volleyball as well as a host of sports demonstrations.

26 July: Disability Golf for young people Bourn Golf Club, 10am - 12noonHave a swing on the driving range with expert

instruction from the Club’s onsite professional before putting your skills into practice on the 9-hole course. £6 per person.

29 & 30 July: Netball Camps, Impington Village College, 10am - 3pm Develop your netball skills in a fun and friendly

setting, with the opportunity to put them into practice in game play. Taught by England Netball qualified coaches. From £18.

31 July & 1 August: Athletics Camps Wilberforce Road Athletics Track 10am - 3pm

Jump, sprint, throw and run your way round a full size athletics track while England Athletics qualified coaches help you work on your technique before taking part in some fun competitions. From £18.

For more information contact our sports development team on 03450 450 500

Summer fun

BusinessSouth Cambs Magazine

TWI building at Granta Park has green light to grow

Planning advice to save businesses time and moneyA £40 million expansion of a business at Granta Park in Abington has shown how firms of all sizes could save time and money by talking to planners early about their plans for growth.

TWI, one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, have thanked planners after proposals for 25,000 square metres of new laboratory space were recently given the thumbs up. Christoph Wiesner, TWI’s Chief Executive, said: “Our global achievements have increased the demand for our services at our Granta Park headquarters and we are very grateful for the support of the local councils and planning teams who have helped bring these plans forward quickly.” Planners offer free initial advice to all firms through a duty officer who is at the end of the phone. Extra advice to help a company every step of the way is also available for a fee. Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “Our experience has shown early discussions often result in better quality applications which have an improved chance of a successful outcome so please get in touch.”

For more information on planning advice visit www.scambs.gov.uk/content/pre-application-advice or contact our duty planning officer on 0345 045 5215.

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Tel: 01223 233 600www.westridgeconsultants.co.uk


ConservationSouth Cambs Magazine

The path to a better countryside

South Cambridgeshire’s rural character and natural environment are highly valued by local people and contribute to making it a great place to live, work and visit.To champion the value of our natural environment, and the social and economic benefits it brings, the Greater Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership has been formed. The Partnership brings together representatives from a range of environmental groups, local authorities and the private sector to promote projects that improve, add to and join up landscapes, wildlife habitats, heritage, public paths and open spaces across

the county. The aim is to enhance our villages and countryside and increase people’s enjoyment of them. The Partnership encourages the creation or improvement of woods, orchards and wildlife areas, paths and bridleways, green spaces and historic monuments, which make a difference to local communities. A landscape, wildlife and habitat enhancement project is currently underway at Fen Drayton Lakes and has seen the removal of willows to open up views, scrub management, and the creation of reed beds, new ditches and pools. The site has also benefitted from new signposts, footpaths and car parking.

Enhancing our natural environment

Summer 2013

The Parish Paths Partnership sees local volunteers and parish councils coming together to help improve and promote local paths and bridleways to get people out into the countryside and to encourage walking, riding and cycling, which in turn supports village shops and pubs. We allocate grants from our Community Chest to help fund Parish Path Partnership schemes. Projects vary from way marking and resurfacing through to replacing stiles with gates and installing bridges. A badly waterlogged and eroded kissing gate in Bourn was discouraging people from taking a popular walk along the brook. Local resident and Parish Path Partnership representative, Angela Marcham, said: “We secured funding to drain the path surface and top it with road planings. Since the work was undertaken the path has remained firm and walkers have voiced their appreciation.”

For more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/communitygrants

Volunteers across the district are improving their local network of paths thanks to an initiative that encourages community involvement and enjoyment of our public rights of way.

Angela Marcham and Scamp at the new kissing gate at Bourn

For more information contact our conservation team on 03450 450 500

Fen Drayton Lakes will become part of a larger complex of wetland nature reserves stretching along the River Great Ouse that will help people get closer to nature.

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CommunitySouth Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

Volunteers put community transport on the road

Community transport can be used by anyone who is unable to use public transport or a car, or where public transport is not available. It ranges from mini buses that you book journeys for in advance to volunteer drivers who can provide a door-to-door service to fit in with medical appointments, local shopping trips or visits to see friends and family. We’ve seen the number of community transport schemes running in the district grow over recent years and are keen to make sure people know what’s available on their doorstep. Alongside this edition of South Cambs Magazine we have delivered an orange coloured transport directory giving you details about lots of the alternatives to using a car for travelling in and around the district. For journey planning there are useful phone numbers and websites and, if you have the technology, free apps to download to your phone which allow instant access to travel information on the go. Hamish Cameron, 17, has recently begun to use a mobile phone app to plan his bus journeys. He said: “It’s great. I get timetables, information about where my nearest stop is and even live updates about when the next bus will turn up within seconds. I never knew using the buses could be so easy.” Many community transport schemes can be used by anyone, no matter what their mobility, and the directory lists providers with fully wheel chair accessible vehicles. A handy guide in the directory also gives details about the community transport schemes that are there to help with medical appointments in particular, and journeys can be funded by NHS Cambridgeshire if you qualify for this support.

Calling all volunteersVolunteers are the lifeblood of community transport schemes and because of their huge success more drivers across the district are always in high demand. David Cutter who drives for the Royston and District Community Car Scheme is encouraging other people to volunteer and said: “I enjoy driving for the scheme as I meet a lot of people and feel that I can really help those who can’t get out and about easily.”

In our rural district we know that many people rely on a car to get them out and about – but did you know there are also scores of public and community transport schemes that could be just the ticket for you.

Travel information can be found by visiting Transport Direct – www.transportdirect.info or Travel line – www.travelline.info

For more information about local schemes, or to volunteer as a community transport driver, contact Clare Gibbons on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

Mobiles can help find up to date travel information on the go

Volunteer driver David Cutter says he gets a buzz from helping people



Grants bowl over local groups

Summer 2013

Dawn Stokes rolls for victory

Community groups are being invited to bid for funds after £52,000 was pumped into a popular community chest grant scheme for 2013/14.Roger Goodden, Chairman of Oakington & Westwick Short Mat Bowls Club is encouraging people to bid for funds and said: “A generous grant from the Council helped us obtain the machine that assists us to roll out the 45 foot bowls mats with minimal effort. It’s a great long-term asset for the club.” Grants of up to £1,000 are available to voluntary and community sector groups, charities, parish councils and public sector bodies wishing to further improve the quality of life for people in the district. To be eligible projects must be a one-off capital or revenue expense and demonstrate a locally identified need. Last year a wide variety of projects were funded, including equipment for sports clubs, community groups and youth clubs, improvements to village halls and signs for allotments and youth clubs. This year community chest applications can also include funding for tree-planting and improvements to local Rights of Way.

Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/communitygrants to apply for a grant or check the criteria. You can also contact Joseph Minutolo on [email protected] or 03450 450 500 for more information

or for support finding other sources of funding

All aboard Cambridgeshire Future TransportWe’ve been working with the County Council for the last year to see how money they spend on subsidising less popular rural bus services can be used more effectively. A programme of consultation has seen residents and parish council representatives help both councils to look into new affordable ways of meeting local travel needs. One option being considered for the area between St Neots and Cambridge, south of the A428, is a Demand Responsive

Transport service. Here a scheduled service might continue to operate during peak times, with a demand responsive service taking over during the quieter periods when passengers would use a booking line to reserve the journeys they want to make. The service would be flexible and join passengers up with existing public transport routes, such as Park and Rides, and could even provide a door to door service between groups of villages in a selected area. A more flexible scheduled service (the 7A service) connecting with the Citi7 at Sawston, Whittlesford Rail Station and Babraham Road Park and Ride began earlier this year following a similar consultation.

No bus services will be withdrawn until alternatives are in place and the latest information can be found by visiting

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/cft. There is still time to get involved by speaking to your parish council or contacting

Clare Gibbons on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

70 years on - free advice goes from horsebox to kioskThe Citizen’s Advice Bureau has been providing free, impartial and confidential advice for over 70 years – but the service is vastly different today than when it was provided from the back of a horsebox.

22 www.scambs.gov.uk Summer 2013


Citizens Advice was founded to deal with the ‘social disorganisation’ caused by the outbreak of World War II and even then, as they are now, all Bureaux were individual charities. Back then housing was a hot topic but now employment, relationships and debt are among the issues that people need help with. Citizen’s Advice services for the district are provided by bureaux from Cambridge, Haverhill, Royston and Saffron Walden but outreach services are also available at John Huntingdon’s Charity in Sawston and a self-help touchscreen kiosk is at Sawston Medical Centre. Sessions are also held at our Cambourne offices on Tuesdays to support people with debt and money advice after national welfare reform changes and on Thursdays we host sessions for people who have been referred by our housing team for similar support to help prevent homelessness. We always urge people to seek advice early.

Visit www.citizensadvice.co.uk to find your nearest Bureau or contact us on 03450 450 500

21st Century kiosks provide advice in villages

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Doing the ‘Right’ thingWe’re helping communities have a chance to keep buildings and land they use in the hands of local people.Since new government legislation was introduced to help keep valued buildings and land used by communities - such as recreation grounds, local pubs, shop or libraries in community use - three local pubs have been put forward. By nominating an asset onto our Community Right to Bid register local groups are informed if it is put up for sale. Community groups then have six weeks to state an intention to bid and then have up to six months to put together a business plan and financing to compete as a buyer on the open market. Further national legislation called Right to Challenge is also being introduced in the district shortly which will give local people the chance to take control of services if they think they can run them differently and better. If a challenge is accepted it will trigger a tendering process during which all interested suppliers will be invited to tender. The challenge will not automatically be accepted as the best supplier for that service and they will have to compete on the open market.

For more information on Right to Bid visit www.scambs.gov.uk/content/community-right-bid and Right to Challenge visit www.mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-challenge

You can also contact Clare Gibbons on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

The Three Tuns in Guilden Morden was nominated for the Right to Bid register by the parish council

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Day late collection Green & blue bins Black bin

Waste & Recycling South Cambs Magazine

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Carlton, Coton, Gt Wilbraham, Histon, Horningsea, Impington, Lt Wilbraham, Madingley, Orchard Park, Six Mile Bottom, Teversham/Cherry Hinton*, West Wickham, West Wratting, Weston Colville

Fen Ditton, Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton*, Girton, Milton, Oakington, Stow-cum-Quy, Westwick

Tuesday

* Cherry Hinton north of the railway as Teversham

* Cherry Hinton south of the railway as Teversham

Wed

Wed

Bar Hill, Childerley, Chittering, Dry Drayton, Knapwell, Landbeach, Longstanton, Swavesey, Waterbeach

Boxworth, Caxton, Conington, Cottenham, Elsworth, Fen Drayton, Lolworth, Over, Rampton, Willingham

Wednesday

Thur

Thur

Cambourne, Comberton, Croxton, Eltisley, Graveley, Hardwick, Papworth Everard, Papworth St Agnes, Toft

Abington Pigotts, Arrington, Bassingbourn, Bourn, Croydon, Gamlingay, Guilden Morden, Hatley, Litlington, Longstowe, Lt Gransden, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Steeple Morden, Tadlow

Thursday

Fri

Fri

Barton, Foxton, Grantchester, Gt Eversden, Harlton, Haslingfield, Kingston, Lt Eversden, Newton, Orwell, Shepreth, Thriplow & Heathfield, Whittlesford, Whaddon, Wimpole

Barrington, Caldecote, Duxford, Fowlmere, Gt Chishill, Heydon, Lt Chishill, Melbourn, Meldreth

Friday

Sat

Sat

Summer 2013

3Jun

10Jun

17Jun

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5Aug

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3Jul

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2Oct

5Jun

12Jun

19Jun

26Jun

3Jul

10Jul

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31Jul

7Aug

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4Sep

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2Oct

6Jun

13Jun

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4Jul

11Jul

18Jul

25Jul

1Aug

8Aug

15Aug

22Aug

30Aug

5Sep

12Sep

19Sep

26Sep

3Oct

6Jun

13Jun

20Jun

27Jun

4Jul

11Jul

18Jul

25Jul

1Aug

8Aug

15Aug

22Aug

30Aug

5Sep

12Sep

19Sep

26Sep

3Oct

7Jun

14Jun

21Jun

28Jun

5Jul

12Jul

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2Aug

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31Aug

6Sep

13Sep

20Sep

27Sep

4Oct

7Jun

14Jun

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27Sep

4Oct


What goes where? Bins must be out by 7am on your collection day Close lids firmly

Blue bin

Green bin

Black Bin

Caddy

Battery Bag

PaperNewspapers &

magazines

Jiffy bags, wrapping paper, greeting cards,

tissue, cardboard & kitchen paper

Plastic bags

PolystyrenePyrex, flat glass,non packaging

plastice.g toys, bowls

Batteries inc. AA & AAA cells,button batteries, size C & D and

any laptop & mobile batteryLead acid batteries

e.g. vehicle batteries

* Put shredded paper in an old envelope before placing in the paper only caddy

Put the caddy inside your blue bin Excess blue bin material will be collected if placed alongside the blue bin in a returnable container Put items loosely in the blue bin and not in carrier bags Rinse items to remove any food contamination

Cooked/uncooked food waste

(meat, fish & dairy)

Excess green bin material cannot be collected. Please compost it or take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centre

Please use your black bin for material that cannot be put in green or blue bins Excess black bin material cannot be collected. Please take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres Nappies should be put in the black bin Empty and full paint tins cannot be collected. Please take them to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres

Non-recyclable / non-compostable material

TEAR MEOUT & STICKME TO YOURFRIDGEFor more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling or call 03450 450 063

Any type of cat litter, Cartons (e.g. Tetrapak) - put in blue bin.Turf and soil - due

to its weight. Any type of plastic inc bags/sacks

Biodegradable bags (cornstarch, potato starch)

Corrugated cardboard - put in the blue bin

Cardboard - put in the blue binGarden waste

Envelopes (with or without windows)

Junk mail

Plastic bottlesPlastic packaging (pots, trays & tubs)

Plastic film & clean food wrapping

AerosolsFood & drinks cans Tinfoil & foil trays Cardboard

Glass jars & bottles

Cartons (e.g Tetrapack)

Shredded paper

Plastic bottle tops & triggers

Kitchen paperand tissues

Waste & RecyclingSouth Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

For a more detailed list of what goes in the bin visit www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling


Waste & RecyclingSouth Cambs Magazine

Spring 2013

Annual recycling open dayEver wondered what happens to your waste after it’s been collected from your home? This year’s annual recycling open day at AmeyCespa's Waterbeach site will take you on a journey, following the path of your waste and recycling from bin collection to processing and beyond. The free, fun and interactive event aimed at all the family will take place on Saturday 13 July from 10am to 4pm. There will be games and activities on recycling and reuse, as well as guided coach tours of the site, vehicle displays and walking tours of the materials recycling facility which opened earlier this year. This new facility processes your blue bin waste before it is taken away and made into new products. You can also find out how to recycle and reuse even more of your waste and get the answers to your rubbish-related questions from experts in the field such as council staff, recycling companies and charities.

More details will be made available nearer the time so keep checking www.ameycespa.com/east or call 01223 861010 to

find out more.

Food for thoughtThanks to the commitment of residents, we have one of the best recycling rates in the country. Compostable food waste, however, accounts for 20% of our black bin contents. To make it easier for you to recycle food waste and divert it from landfill we’re offering paper liners at cost price. Paper liners are a good sustainable solution for collecting food waste in the kitchen, in a container or as a stand-alone paper liner, until it’s transferred to the green bin. Food waste doesn’t need to be put into a liner to go in the green bin, but some residents have requested them for ease and cleanliness.

Packs of 20 liners can be collected from our Cambourne offices for £1.65 or packs of 45 can be delivered to your home from £6.53 by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/foodwaste

Vehicles and equipment visitors will be able to get up and close with at the open day

Waste & Recycling South Cambs Magazine


Cash prizes for paper poundsSix lucky residents have each scooped a £100 cash prize in our paper recycling competition. In our winter edition we asked residents to get into the paper recycling habit and put their paper caddy out for every blue bin collection throughout December, January and February. Winners who recycled paper at each collection were drawn at random after placing a completed entry form into their paper caddy. Winners included Dianne Gunton of Bar Hill, Sarah Wroot of Litlington, Maragaret Scarle of Willingham, Roger Alderton of Barrington, Gill Kitchener of Gamlingay and John Tanburn of Great Wilbraham. The winners, along with 12 runners-up, were also offered the opportunity to take a trip to Aylesford Newsprint’s Paper Mill in Kent where the material we collect is recycled into newspaper. Regular recycler Sarah Wroot was surprised to find out she’d won. She said: “It took me aback when I received the phone call as I wasn’t doing anything unusual, I recycle as much as I can because it saves money and benefits the environment.” “The day out at the paper mill was excellent; I really enjoyed seeing the process that turns waste paper back into use and to learn that most paper can make the round trip seven times!” Runners-up included Susan Hemsley of Bar Hill, Catherine Byers of Fowlmere, Janet Diplock of Histon, Anne Laver of Pampisford, Anthony Wiser of Fen Ditton, Phil Russell of Great Shelford, Paul Mutimer of Milton, Gwen Fletcher of Great Wilbraham, Ronald George Macdonald of Sawston, Terry Joyce of Bassingbourn, Carole Gordon of Gamlingay and Mary Duff of Thriplow. Together with competition sponsors, AmeyCespa and Aylesford Newsprint, we’d like to thank everyone who entered the competition and hope that residents continue to use their paper caddies to increase the amount of paper sent for recycling.

What’s happening to waste?Since a recent fire at AmeyCespa’s Waterbeach plant that handles black bin waste, we’ve been asked if materials collected from blue and green bins at the kerbside are still being recycled. We’re pleased to say the answer is yes. Recycling from your blue and green bins goes to separate plants in Waterbeach and this is all being recycled as normal, so please carry on recycling as much as possible.

Only the plant that handles black bin waste is currently not working, AmeyCespa estimate that it will be back in action by the end of this year.

Please remember to recycle as much as possible - see page 25 to check

what goes where

Competition winners receive their £100 cheques sponsored by AmeyCespa and Aylesford Newsprint

Competition winners at the paper mill

HousingSouth Cambs Magazine

www.scambs.gov.uk 31Summer 2013

Cementing plans for bringing empty homes back into useWe’ve hit the property market and begun investing £1 million to bring homes that have been empty for at least six months back into use. The investment could buy up to six one and two bedroom homes which we will use to provide short term temporary accommodation while permanent homes are found for vulnerable families and people who find themselves homeless. We recently completed the purchase of our first property, a two-bed flat in Sawston, and are in the process of adding more to our books. By adding more properties for temporary accommodation we are aiming to limit the number of families who we need to house in bed and breakfasts for short periods. Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are fortunate to live in an area with high employment but over the last 12 months or so we have seen an increase in the number of people coming to us for support. Purchasing empty homes is great news for the people who we will be able to give good quality short-term housing to, and the people who have had empty neglected properties in their street for some time. Bed and breakfast accommodation is never ideal, even as a short term solution. As well as increasing the number and quality of the short-term accommodation we have also put extra staff in place to give advice before people find themselves without a place to live. If you fall on difficult times please contact us early as this is when there are often more options for us to try and help.” Another move to improve the quality of short-term accommodation will see a dated hostel in Waterbeach knocked down this summer before Sanctuary Housing Association begin building 30 new purpose built units with better facilities. Plans were approved at the end of last year and the work will take around a year to complete. There is also help on hand for anyone in the district who owns an empty home that might need some work to bring it up to scratch. Our scheme supported by King Street Housing allows homeowners to secure up to £10,000 to bring their property up to a good standard in exchange for it being used as affordable rented accommodation for a period of six years.

If you would like to discuss any of the issues in this article, or seek further advice on options available to you, please contact Emma George on [email protected] or 03450 450 051

Artists’ impression of the new Waterbeach hostel

Cllr Mark Howell at the newly purchased flat in Sawston

Empty properties like this can be brought back into use


Housing

To register, bid for properties and see a full list of the local connection criteria visit www.home-link.org.uk and click on the ‘Get Registered’ button on the left-hand side. You can also call us on 03450 450 051

Summer 2013

South Cambs Magazine

Short-term help with housing costsWe have been granted £150,000 to provide short-term financial support for households who need help paying their rent. The Discretionary Housing Payments can be used for rent shortfalls, deposits, rents in advance and other lump sum housing costs. To claim you must be entitled to Housing Benefit, be in financial hardship and there needs to be a shortfall between your benefit entitlement and the amount of rent you pay. Although this funding pot has doubled since last year it is still limited so awards are restricted to short periods of time and cannot be guaranteed. We consider income as well as expenditure before making a decision and extra consideration will be given to claimants with health concerns, disabilities and those affected by Welfare Reform changes such as under-occupancy. The fund is not a long-term solution, but we can set up an appointment for free independent money and debt support from the Citizens Advice Bureau. Extra housing advice is also available.

For more information, or to apply, please visit www.scambs.gov.uk/dhp Our benefits team can also be contacted on 03450 450 061

For more information about the Citizens Advice Bureau see page 22

Local connection rules for housing in placeChanges are now in place meaning most people will need to demonstrate a ‘local connection’ to access our housing register.

The seven councils that make up the Home-Link area – a choice based lettings scheme for council and housing association properties across Cambridgeshire districts and nearby areas – have all reviewed the lettings policy after new national rules were put in place. The changes came into effect on 1 April meaning applicants will need to show a local connection from a list of criteria. These include living or working in the district or having family members living here. Current and former armed forces personnel will be allowed onto the housing register even if they don’t have a local connection. This national rule is in place as people who have undertaken military service were at a disadvantage. Some further changes have been made to help households in social housing who under-occupy their homes. This is to ensure best use of housing stock by landlords and to help people move into housing that is the right size for them.

Housing South Cambs Magazine


Exceptional at exceptionsWe’re forecasting a bumper year with over 200 new affordable homes for local people being completed before the end of 2013. The projected 100% increase in the number of affordable homes completed this year follows our success topping the performance tables in the Eastern region in 2011/12 by completing 90 homes on exception sites. These are homes built on plots of land that are only given planning permission as they are to be rented or sold for shared ownership to people with a local connection to the village. Of the 200 new homes being completed this year we expect around 50 to be on rural exception sites, along with a further 150 we have secured on private developments as part of their planning permissions. Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member for housing, said: “We have an excellent track record of working with affordable housing providers to deliver new housing schemes in the district and are really pleased with the spread across the district this year.” Affordable housing that will be completed this year range from new properties in Willingham, to the north of the district, Balsham and Linton to the east, Melbourn and Shepreth to the south and Bourn and Papworth Everard in the west. The four new one-bed houses in Linton are the first new council-owned homes being built as part of our biggest building programme for two generations. Over the next 30 years we plan to build hundreds of new properties across the district to add to our current stock of over 5,000 homes.

Katie Rule, who has lived in Barrington all her life, was one of the local residents who moved into a new affordable housing development in her village last year. She said: “I moved in during March and my baby was born in April. We are thrilled with the space and design of the house and are very happy here. The school is close by and the shop and post office are very convenient.” The 39 new homes at Challis Green were built in partnership with 100 Houses, Hill Partnerships, Logic Homes, Barrington Parish Council and The Green Charity, and were offered to local people who had a strong connection to the village. The scheme provided a mixture of rented and shared ownership accommodation and is the third exception site to be completed in Barrington in the last ten years. The other two are located at the other end of the village at Primes Close.

One of the biggest new affordable home schemes was Challis Green in Barrington last year

Katie Rule was delighted to move into a home in the village where she grew up

Housing provider bpha will be completing 12 affordable homes in Shepreth this year in partnership with Hill LLP

About your CouncilSouth Cambs Magazine


Your council, your priorities

Three new councillors have been elected to South Cambridgeshire District Council following resignations from Pauline Jarvis, Ted Ridgway-Watt and Surinder Soond. They are:

For the full details of these and all other district councillors visit www.scambs.gov.ukThe three district elections took place on Thursday 2 May in addition to the Cambridgeshire County Council elections. For the results of the County Council elections visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/democracy/elections/

Introducing your new district councillors

Cllr Susan van de VenLiberal Democrat(01763) 261833

Cllr Aidan Van de WeyerLiberal Democrat(01223) 870869

Cllr Andrew FraserConservative(01223) 893646

For Balsham For Orwell and Barrington For Meldreth

Each year residents help develop a set of challenging priorities to ensure South Cambridgeshire continues to be one of the best places to live, work and study in the country. Councillors recently agreed the actions for this year to build on notable achievements from the last 12 months. At the heart of the plan is boosting the economy by taking a business friendly approach to help firms grow and create new jobs. Housing remains a priority and we will complete a further 200 affordable homes for local people this year as well as the first new council-owned homes in our biggest building programme for two decades. And we will still be there for vulnerable people following national changes to benefits. Leader of the Council, Cllr Ray Manning, said: “We know that many of our residents are feeling the pinch at the same time as our funding is being squeezed, but we pledge not to forget the basics such as providing excellent bin collection and recycling services while also meeting the future needs and aspirations of our residents.”

Our partnership work with the Connecting Cambridgeshire campaign will see the majority of homes and businesses benefiting from superfast broadband by 2015, with better connectivity for all.

You can see the full corporate plan on our website at www.scambs.gov.uk/content/council-aims-and-objectives

Quarterly round up yCllr for sustainability and the environment, Helena Keys, attended a celebration event at Gamlingay in February after the Council beat off stiff competition from across the region to scoop the Community Footprint Award in recognition of its successful Sustainable Energy Partnership. The Partnership helps residents improve their homes by making them warmer and cheaper to run.

yCllr for culture and sport, Lauren Murphy, has been attending Gt Shelford and Stapleford parish council meetings and is actively involved in the parish youth group.

yCllr for planning and housing, Callum Hatch, together with yCllr Lauren Murphy (above), attended a recent

Council housing meeting to find out about new housing schemes.

Coming soon… yCllr for Northstowe, Dale Hargrove, and yCllr Callum Hatch (above) will both be taking up work experience placements at the Council to learn more about their respective areas. They look forward to sharing their experiences with you. A number of Youth Councillors will also be attending a business forum this summer to network with local businesses, hear how they’re benefiting from the Council’s support service and find out what other support they feel they need.

Young people South Cambs Magazine


Youth Council News

Park Life extravaganzaI/we would like to be involved in Park Life on Sunday 4 August. My/our details are:

Name: .................................................................................................... Talent: ……………………..…....................….…………….

Address: ……………………………………….…………………….…......................................................................…………………...

Telephone: ………………………….........................………… Email: .…….......................................…………....…………………….Please return to Tracy Mann at: Youth Council Park Life, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EA

Calling young talent This year we’re taking part in the Council’s increasingly popular Park Life event when we hope to top last year’s record number of 4,000 visitors. It will be taking place from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 4 August at Milton Country Park and we’ll be hosting the entertainment area. We’d really like to hear from young people, aged 18 and under, in South Cambridgeshire who have a talent they’d like to showcase on the Park Life stage. Whether you’re a musician, singer, poet, rapper, dancer, comedian or magician, we’d love to hear from you. Simply get in touch via our Facebook page, email us or complete and return the slip below.

A lesson in school development We’ve been working with young people across the district to generate ideas to feed in to the development of the new secondary school at Northstowe. We’ve been visiting local schools to observe lessons and quiz students on what they like and what they would change about their own school. We’ve also been looking at the activities available for young people and adults out of school hours. Our findings and recommendations will go in to a report for consideration and will help make Northstowe’s new school as good as it possibly can be. If there’s something particularly good at your school that you’d like to share with us please get in touch.

www.facebook.com/SCYouthCouncil or [email protected] in touch

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PlanningSouth Cambs Magazine


Get involved in NorthstoweLocal people are being given another chance to get involved in the future of Northstowe after an agreement was put in place that will see £30 million of developer funding invested in community facilities and infrastructure during the first phase of the new town. The principles of the agreement were approved by councillors in March after outline planning permission was granted for the first 1,500 homes including a primary school, millions of pounds invested in sports and recreation facilities and an £8 million contribution toward a secondary school that will open before all the homes are built in the first phase. A series of detailed planning applications are expected to be submitted this summer by the developers, Gallaghers, and events have been scheduled in the nearby villages to talk about issues including transport, design, retail and drainage.

Date Venue Times

Sat 20 July Oakington and Westwick Sports Pavilion 10am - 12noon Queensway

Sat 14 Sept Ploughman Hall 10am - 12noon West Fen Road, Willingham

Sat 16 Nov Longstanton Village Institute 10am - 12noon 24 High Street

Sat 18 Jan Oakington and Westwick Sports Pavilion 10am - 12noon Queensway

Sat 8 Mar The Ploughman Hall 10am - 12noon West Fen Road, Willingham

A monthly newsletter sent by email has also been developed to keep people up to date with the latest news. To add your contact details to the mailing list email [email protected]

Northstowe would include a network of paths and cycle links to the guided busway

Work is underway on what a new Cambridge University development on the edge of Cambridge will look like after an agreement was signed to secure millions of pounds for community facilities everyone can enjoy.

The site between Huntingdon and Madingley roads and the M11 to the north west of the city will include 1,500 key worker houses, 1,500 market houses and 2,000 student accommodation spaces as well as a new primary school, sports facilities and £5.75 million funding toward a new secondary school nearby. Everyone interested in the development is being encouraged to attend the community forum that we have set up with Cambridge City Council to provide an opportunity for people to meet with planners, developers and housing providers to find out what’s happening and to help shape the plans. The next three will be held on Tuesday 25 June, Tuesday 24 September and Tuesday 14 January. Forum meetings are held at the Methodist Church Hall, Castle Street, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The Forum includes all the development areas on Cambridge’s north west fringe, including three sites between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road known as Darwin Green 1, 2 and 3. Collectively these three sites will include up to 3,000 new homes, a community café, doctors surgery, library, secondary school - that serves the university site as well as Darwin 1, 2 and 3 - open spaces and play spaces.

For more information please see www.cambridge.gov.uk/north-west-cambridge-community-forum or contact Tracy Mann on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

North West Cambridge

Councillors from the District and City councils meet on site with Cambridge University to hand over the outline planning permission

We’ve already allocated land for around 14,000 homes in our existing plan, in places such as Northstowe and sites on the edge of Cambridge, as well as areas for employment. But to make sure people growing up in the district have good access to jobs and a place to live well into the future, we now need to make decisions on what comes next as a further 5,000 homes are required by 2031. Over the last year more than 31,000 comments have been made during consultations on suggested planning policies to guide development and possible sites for new employment and housing. The views of residents, businesses and parish councils have helped us strike a balance between providing for new jobs and homes and protection and enhancement of our villages and rural environment, which is part of what makes South Cambridgeshire such a special place to live, work and study. In mid-May we published a report on the larger sites suggested for the draft Local Plan alongside plans for development on the edge of Cambridge, which we worked on closely with Cambridge City Council, as shown on the map. We will be publishing a further report on 3 June giving details of the village sites we are earmarking for development. We consulted on over 60 sites but only a small number will be taken forward into our plans for around 900 village homes. Cllr Pippa Corney, cabinet member for planning policy and localism, said: “Our economy means thousands of jobs are being created and high quality homes are much needed. However, we have listened to what our residents have said as the majority of people have told us they favour development being focussed around Cambridge or in a new village or new town rather than spreading lots of new homes at existing villages. We recognise that transport is one of the top concerns when development is being planned and we have been working closely with the County Council to make sure a thorough transport strategy is in place at the same time.” Along with Cambridge City Council we gathered views on nine locations for a possible community stadium. Both councils have now said that none of the options considered are acceptable and many would harm the green belt and setting of Cambridge. Our view was shared by hundreds of residents who objected to the options considered.


Planning South Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

Draft plans for new jobsWe’ve announced our draft plans for how the area will be developed over the next 20 years to support a forecasted increase in 22,000 new jobs up to 2031.

Cambourne - 1,500 homes to be built by 2031 on land to the west around the new secondary school. Bourn Airfield

- 3,500 home new village with 1,500 of the homes built by 2031.

Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey © SCDC Licence 100022500

Land between Huntingdon and Histon Roads - minor addition of land but no increase in the number of homes at existing site (SCDC’s area).

PlanningSouth Cambs Magazine


and homes revealedYour next opportunity to have your sayAt a meeting on 27 June our Cabinet will consider the draft Local Plan and if this is agreed there will be a final opportunity for you to tell us your views. We will be holding a major consultation from 19 July until 30 September which will help us decide if the plan can go forward to independent public examination as written or whether any more changes will be needed to it. Your comments will help us with these decisions.

During the consultation we are going to be holding exhibitions across the district. These will include a chance to look at the County Council’s draft transport strategy. All events will be held from 2.30pm to 7.30pm. Those marked with * are joint events with Cambridge City Council.

Monday 22 July - Linton Village College, Cambridge Road

Monday 22 July - Trumpington Pavilion, Paget Road*

Wednesday 24 July - Comberton Village Hall, Green End

Thursday 25 July - Waterbeach Primary School, High StreetFriday 26 July – Great Shelford Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane

Monday 29 July - Bar Hill Village Hall, The Spinney

Tuesday 30 July - The Hub, High Street, Cambourne

Wednesday 31 July - Meadows Community Centre, St Catharine’s Road, Cambridge*

Monday 2 September - Sawston Spicers Pavilion, Cambridge Road

Tuesday 3 September - Caldecote Village Hall, Furlong Way

Wednesday 4 September - Gamlingay Village College, Station Road Thursday 5 September - Histon & Impington Recreation Ground, New Road, Impington

Monday 9 September - Melbourn All Saints Community Hall, Station Road

Tuesday 10 September - Swavesey Village College, Gibraltar Lane

You can also have your say online during the consultation -www.scambs.gov.uk/ldf/localplan and we’ll bring you more

news in the next edition of this magazine.

Waterbeach - 8,000 home new town. Only 1,400 of the homes being built by 2031.

Employment-led redevelopment near proposed Cambridge Science Park Station - following joint area action plan being prepared (SCDC and Cambridge City Council).

Fulbourn Road - three small areas for employment as extensions to Peterhouse Technology Park (SCDC and Cambridge City Council)

Worts’ Causeway 430 homes over two sites (Cambridge City Council’s area)

More music, less licensingA slashing of red tape means that local pubs and clubs will find it easier than ever to stage live music in our communities.Talented local performers will have more opportunities to cut their musical teeth, and businesses to increase the range of entertainment on offer, as the new Live Music Act 2012 means that venues no longer need a licence to stage a live music performance, if: it takes place between 8am and 11pm it is at a licensed premises or workplace the audience numbers fewer than 200 people. Venues will still need a licence if a performance takes place when the premises are not being used for the supply or consumption of alcohol. Noise regulations still apply to live music to protect communities from nuisance, with fines of up to £20,000 and up to six months imprisonment the potential punishment for repeatedly contravening reasonable noise levels. This isn’t usually a problem in South Cambridgeshire - less than five per cent of noise complaints we dealt with over the last year were related to live music - but is something we will continue to monitor.

Environmental HealthSouth Cambs Magazine


Scrapping metal theftFrom telephone cables ripped out of the ground to catalytic convertors stolen from cars and vans, metal theft is an expensive crime that inconveniences individuals and communities. From October, new laws will make it harder for thieves and rogue scrap metal dealers to profit from this crime. The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and related legislation will:

restrict the purchase of scrap metal with cash allow councils to refuse and revoke scrap dealing licences give courts the power to close unlicensed dealers require dealers to verify their identity create a publically available national scrap dealers register define car salvage yards as scrap metal dealers.

The new law will be backed up by work from the National Metal Theft Taskforce to improve the tracking of stolen metal and on prevention work in partnership with police forces and other agencies.

Cambridgeshire Police are working with Crimestoppers to warn people about a local increase in thefts of catalytic converters. Twenty-two were stolen in South Cambridgeshire between January and April, mainly from 4x4 vehicles and vans. Please report the registrations of any suspicious vehicles by calling the 101 non-emergency number and inform your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

For advice on licensing or noise nuisance issues please call us on 03450 450 063 or visit www.scambs.gov.uk

Licensing changes are good news for local musicians

Metal thieves are stealing catalytic convertors for the precious metals they contain

Ageing Well - Community NavigatorsA new local network is looking for more volunteers to help older people find useful and enjoyable activities and services, helping them to remain active and independent. The Community Navigator project is run by Care Network Cambridgeshire, a Hardwick-based older people’s charity and member of the South Cambridgeshire Ageing Well Partnership. Local coordinator, Rob Wallace, said: “Our volunteers help people in a variety of situations. One 92 year old lady felt isolated after having an operation and staying indoors over the winter. She was put in touch with the local Deaf Association who organised visits from a befriender, helping her regain confidence and get out and about. “In another case, we helped an active and independent 78 year old who could no longer carry out all of the maintenance in her beautiful garden. At a village drop in session, her local navigator looked up a list of nearby gardeners on the Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ website and she now has regular, trustworthy help.”

Community Navigators are already steering people towards activities and services in:

Bar Hill Cambourne Comberton Great Shelford Linton Melbourn

WhittlesfordIf you or someone you know lives in these villages and would like a Community Navigator’s help, get in touch with Rob Wallace on 01954 212100 or [email protected]

Can you help? Do you have a few hours to spare each month, and would like to help older people make the most of the services available to them? Care Network is looking to expand the Community Navigator network to cover the whole of South Cambridgeshire, helping as many people as possible. Full training and support are provided to give volunteers the skills and confidence to carry out the role. To find out more, contact Rob Wallace on 01954 212100 or [email protected] for an informal chat.

Melbourn Locality Project Working along similar lines to the Community Navigator scheme, another Ageing Well Partnership collaboration - the Melbourn Locality Project - is linking together services, community groups, resources and charity services for the benefit of older people living in Melbourn and Meldreth. Qualified social worker, Jennifer Halsall, runs the project which is scheduled to continue until November 2013. Jennifer says: “The project aims to increase older people’s access to information and services in a bid to reduce isolation, cut fall numbers, promote better mental health, general health and wellbeing, reduce the need for residential and hospital care, improve safety and encourage older people to become involved in their community.” Jennifer can arrange to visit older people in Melbourn or Meldreth at home, and also runs drop in sessions at different times and venues in the villages.

If you, or a friend or relative, could benefit from Jennifer’s help, please contact her on 07436 813712 or [email protected] for more details


Environmental Health South Cambs Magazine

Summer 2013

south cambs magazine summer 2013

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