Note: This service for readers of this email and blog brings you news of planning applications in Queen Edith’s, along with details on how to provide your opinions on the applications to the council planning committee. All feedback on this service is welcome.
Where is the planning application for?
Opposite 200 and 202 Queen Edith’s Way, which are next door to Netherhall School
What do they want to do?
An odd one, this. Cambridge Live, the charity set up to run local events such as the Cambridge Folk Festival, wants to build new gates on to the field opposite Netherhall School. The field is used as parking during the Folk Festival, so Cambridge Live’s interest is only for one weekend each year. They say: “The current entrance to the lower playing field is quite narrow and is also directly opposite the entrance to the upper car park causing some traffic congestion. This proposal is to install a chain link gate into the existing chain link fence of the lower playing field on the boundary of Queen Edith’s Way to stagger the two car park entrances and provide a double gate for better access/ egress of vehicles to the lower field car park.”
What do the site and the proposed development look like?
These photos have been provided by local residents objecting to the proposal:
The objectors above say that one weekend’s use does not really justify a second permanent entrance to the playing field, that the design proposed (see top) is ugly, and would – despite the claims in the application – be certain to require the removal of hedging, grass verge and possibly trees. The odd nature of the application, they suggest, is why the Folk Festival organisers would want to pay so much money for work on land owned by someone else (Netherhall School) just to make entrance to the site easier once a year.
When is the last date for local people to comment?
Unknown (currently being extended from the original date of 15 May)
Where is there more information available?
• Click here to read all the documents on the application.
• Click here to read any public comments already made.
How do I make a comment to the council planning committee?
• Click here to add your own comment online.
Note: you will need to log in or register first.
or
• Click here to email your comments to the case officer, Sav Patel. You must quote reference 17/0655/FUL.
As well as commenting to the council, you may also wish to comment below, for other local residents to read.
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Another weird thing about this application is that the existing entrance lends itself easily to enlargement. There is already a dropped kerb, and this entrance is right by a pedestrian crossing, handy for festival goers crossing the road to get on the shuttle buses which (currently!) park in the main school entrance. Much cheaper! Now, the school playing fields in question are not actually used very much. Would a second, permanent, entrance make this site more useful as a more frequently used carpark? Just asking…..