Planning applications: Arbury Road

This week there is one planning application in the ward to report. It is from the City Council and concerns "installation of of 9.88kwp solar photovoltaic panels to approximately 67m2 of the south-west facing roof slope" of the City Homes North office on Arbury Road. The reference number is 11/1227/FUL and you can see the detailed documents online too.

As normal you can get more information from the City Council website, and in case of difficulty contact the team.

In case you wonder why we didn't have a planning post last week: there weren't any applications in King's Hedges.

Lighting walk about

On Tuesday Neil and I were invited for a ward walk about with PCSO Eke, one of King's Hedges PCSOs. It was a useful walk, and we discussed various issues but one key thing was lighting.


With the nights drawing in PCSO Eke suggested it would be useful to do a ward walkabout to look for broken lights. To this end I have started to organise one. We are awaiting confirmation from some partners, but it looks like we will be setting off from City Homes North (on Arbury Road) at 5pm on Tuesday 10th November. We will post confirmation of this to the blog.

Two things: if you know of a broken light let us know before then so we make sure it is included, and secondly if you would like to join us please do so.

Hawkins Road improvements

City Homes are about to start consultation on works to improve the Hawkins Road area, including Wilson, Atkins and Larkin.

If you live in the Hawks area then please use the consulation to let City Homes know your view on the proposed works.

The results of consultations are very important: proposed changes to recycling in Nuns Way were changed recently following a big response to consultation and the work of your local LibDem City Councillors.

The improvements are part of the Cambridge Standard Improvement Programme of the City Council which aims to raise the standard of the City's Council House stock. Whilst we're on the topic I must mention (again!) the superb inspection result. I have been told that the report is the best given to a council who retain their stock!

Possible social housing behind Beale Way?

As part of the strategic plan to identify possible new sites to provide more social housing in an attempt to being down the Council's waiting list for homes two sites have been identified in King's Hedges.

One is on the open ground behind Beale Way. Investigation will begin in January as to whether this site is suitable.

As local councillors we will ensure the views of local residents are taken into account, and we are concerned about the possible loss of a play area. However unless and until more details come forward we will need to keep an open mind.

It should be stressed that no decisions have been made! We are at the start of a city wide process.

We are keen to hear from people about this issue. I've already had meetings with some residents in the area.

The other site in King's Hedges in Roman Courts. These need modernising and investigation of the best way to proceed will take place next year. During the time this takes there is a plan to use the properties to house key workers in other sheltered housing schemes. Please get in touch with any concerns.

Recycling centres

Good news from City Homes. In an attempt to increase the recycling rates the Housing Officers are making a big effort to find suitable sites for recycling depots for flats in the ward.

The first consultations have taken place and others have recently started.

If you get a letter asking your opinion do let us know. I am sure most people would welcome more recycling, and if you would respond to say so.

At the moment I have letters for Albemarle and Nicholson Ways, and have seen various sites in Minerva Way.