House-building has ground almost to a standstill and the economy is sliding into recession, but the government’s mania for targets remains undimmed. Read the rest of this entry »

Now that the CB1 Masterplan has got its first stage outline planning approval, Nichola will be working hard to see that the many terms and conditions of the planning consent are followed through with a fine tooth comb. Read the rest of this entry »

You’ll have heard the momentous news that Ashwell’s outline planning application for the station area redevelopment was approved earlier this week.

Nichola spoke to the planning committee at the start of the day to explain the range of concerns expressed by Petersfield residents, and to ask the committee to consider very carefully whether these concerns could be resolved at the next stage of the process.  Read the rest of this entry »

A four day planning inquiry has taken place to hear Tesco’s appeals against refusal of planning permission to extend the old Wilco store in Mill Road, Romsey and the result is expected in November. Many objectors attended the inquiry and site visit, and some made statements. Representatives of the No Mill Road Tesco Campaign and the Cambridge Cycling Campaign gave detailed evidence about the dangers and inconvenience that would result from Tesco’s proposed options for making deliveries to the store. Nichola made a statement to the inquiry which you can read here. Read the rest of this entry »

With Ashwell’s planning application for the station area development due to go to the City’s planning committee on 15 October (9.30am at New Hall), Nichola is making a last push to secure funding from developers Ashwell for traffic management measures in the Tenison Road area.

In a letter to residents she has asked for their written support to be produced at the planning committee meeting. You can read the letter here.

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Nichola and her Lib Dem colleagues from Romsey ward are promoting the idea of Mill Road as an “Independent Business Zone”. Nichola will be speaking on behalf of residents opposing Tesco at the planning inquiry which starts tomorrow.

Explaining the idea to the Cambridge News, Nichola said: “The government gives precious little backing to communities who are trying to protect the special character of local shopping streets. Mill Road is very special and we are looking for practical ways to protect and improve it. Read the rest of this entry »

The owners of this site have submitted two more planning applications, one for 43 student bedrooms (involving the demolition of Hanley House) and one for 6 new houses plus the conversion of Hanley House as 2 houses).

Nichola has written to the occupiers of neighbouring homes to make sure that residents are aware of the proposals and know how to write to the City Council if they want to. She has also written to the Council setting out objections to both applications. You can read Nichola’s letters to the Council here: Read the rest of this entry »

Nichola has written to the Planning Inspectorate asking to speak at the Public Inquiry into Tesco’s proposals for the old Wilco store on Mill Road. The Inquiry will hear Tesco’s appeal against the refusal of planning permission to extend the building and install equipment. It will start on 30 September at the Guildhall.

At the March meeting of East Area Committee where the application was refused, Nichola argued that the substantial scale of the extension (an extra 36% of floorspace building) would give rise to unacceptable traffic and servicing impacts.

In July, councillors refused another application from Tesco for air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, because of the noise nuisance for neighbours.

Nichola has challenged County Council transport officers to be more ambitious over the money collected from CB1 station area developer, Ashwell, to fund traffic calming measures in the Tenison Rd/Devonshire Rd/Glisson Rd area.

Nichola says: “The sum included in the draft S106 agreement is ridiculously low. I have told the Council that I will lodge an objection to the CB1 planning application unless the figure is much, much higher.”

The City Council has said that it hopes the CB1 planning application will be decided at the 15th October planning committee meeting. Before that, County Councillors will be given a briefing by Ashwell and County transport officials and Nichola plans to raise this issue at the meeting.

Following an earlier refusal of planning permission to extend the building, Tesco has now been refused permission for air conditioning and refridgeration units at the old Wilco building in Mill Road, Romsey. As with the previous application, local residents and the No Mill Road Tesco Campaign led a strong and influential campaign against the proposals. Read the rest of this entry »

The planning application by Ashwell PLC (www.cb1forcambridge.co.uk) to redevelop the railway station area with a new transport interchange, offices, 331 homes, 1,250 student rooms, a hotel and GP surgery, shops, bars and restaurants and multi-storey car park) is ploughing its way through the planning system and may be decided in the autumn. The City Council will determine the application, but the County Council has a key role to play in getting the transport aspects of the scheme right. The design of the new station forecourt, which must provide a safe and effective transport interchange as well as a vibrant and enjoyable new city square, is crucial and Nichola has attended an event in London looking at how such a space might be designed and managed. Read the rest of this entry »