Planning applications

There are two planning applications that might be of interest to residents of Arbury and Milton Road.

Just outside the ward in West Chesterton is 08/0865/FUL a first floor extension and loft conversion at 146 Milton Rd.

Similarly in Arbury is 08/0876/FUL a single storey extension to 229 Arbury Road.

For more information visit the City Council planning web site. You can submit comments on the application online, but need to accept some conditions to do so (so we can't give a direct link). More information is available from the website.

Moore Close Manhole Fixed

I meant to post this some time ago, but following a complaint from a resident of Moore Close I have got the County Highways department to fix damage around a BT manhole on the pavement in Moore Close. I think the county may even have got BT to pay for it.

Damaged path on Minerva Way

I reported damage to the road next to a manhole in Minerva Way and have been informed by the Highways Department at the County that a works order has been raised to repair the damage.

Please let us know of any damage to pavements near you. We will do what we can to get them repaired.

Focus on King's Hedges

Since the election in May we have tried splitting our blog into two parts.

This site, King's Hedges News, will look at detailed local issues.

Our first site (Focus on King's Hedges) concentrates on our campaigns.

The reason for this is that the format of a blog meant that the campaigns information could be hard to find and didn't get the priority they deserved. We'll see how it goes, and welcome any comments on the change!

Ramsden Sq Recreation Grounds

I received news today that following a rigorous evaluation of submitted bids, Cambridge City Council contracts have now been awarded for the development and improvement projects at both Ramsden Square and Thorpe Way Recreation Grounds.

You can download the plans for the play area and sports area at Ramsden Square, or view a poster that illustrates the upcoming changes to the recreation facilities at Thorpe Way.

If you have any ideas to improve your neighbourhood, you can submit them online, or contact us!

Cambridge Law Centre Outreach Advice

At last night's North Area Committee, we voted to approve a grant of £1500 towards Advice for Life, who's Cambridge Law Centre Outreach sessions help those who need advice on a range of issues, including benefits, housing and debt.

Both myself, the rest of the team here in King's Hedges and the Committee feel it's an important project that provides an immensely valuable service to the community.

Their outreach sessions are held twice monthly, the next ones being on the 2nd and 16th July, 10am - 12pm at Brown's Field Community Centre, and 1:30pm - 3:30pm at Meadow's Community Centre. To make an appointment, contact the Cambridge Law Centre on 01223 712 222. You can drop in without an appointment, but they can't guarantee you'll be seen, so it's best to drop them a line first.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Councillor Clare Blair for her work in ensuring that these outreach sessions are available and continue.

North Area Committee: 19 June

The North Area Committee meets this Thursday (19 June) at Manor School on Arbury Road.

The meeting has planning applications at 6.30pm, then from 7.30pm we have an agenda including...

• Arbury Park update from a South Cambs planning officer
• The Open Forum where you can raise issues with all the local councillors for the North of the city
• Decisions on the Community Development and Leisure grants. Several groups in King's Hedges have made applications for money from this pot.
• A discussion and update on the Environmental Improvements programme, including works on the Campkin Rd piazza.

If you have any concerns come along and see us.

There will also be an exhibition about the impact of climate change in the hall.

Planning application in Ramsden Square

An application has been made to erect a "two bed dwelling" in Ramsden Square.

The application reference number is 08/0795/FUL.

For more information visit the City Council planning web site. You can submit comments on the application online, but need to accept some conditions to do so (so we can't give a direct link). More information is available from

Scaffolding on Atkins Close

I recently had some calls about the scaffolding on Atkins Close.

The apparent delays in removing the scaffolding were partly caused by the fact the scaffolding is being used for more than one job. Hopefully this means we won't need scaffolding again for many years.

However, City Homes were also unhappy at the delays from the contractor involved. After my intervention the contractors have started to remove scaffolding from one of the blocks, but this is almost certainly a coincidence!

If you are concerned about the time scaffolding is up on your block, call or email us and we can chase it up.

Post office closures: news in July

Cambridge will hear in July which of our Post Offices will be under threat of closure from the Labour Government's closure scheme.

We will update you when we hear.

Milton Road trees: confusion from the county

East Chesterton Liberal Democrat Cllr Julian Huppert asked a question about the Milton Road trees at the recent full meeting of the County Council.

However the answer whilst giving grounds for optimism was confused.

We shall continue to work towards planting being resumed.