YOUR LAND — YOUR SAY
A proposal that affects land belonging to the whole of Harston
Harston Parish Council (PC) is in talks with Meldreth Croquet Club about installing their permanent croquet lawn in the Wildlife Meadow area next to the Recreation Ground. A decision has not yet been made, but one is coming – and residents deserve to be fully informed before it does.
WHAT HAS THE PARISH COUNCIL TOLD US?
A questionnaire would be sent to residents in the Oct/Nov Village Magazine but the Council declined to say what questions it would ask, or what information would be provided to help residents make an informed decision. No questionnaire has been included and no information on which to base your views. Residents deserve this information – hence this leaflet to make you aware.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
· The August 2026 Parish Council Agenda named the Wildlife Meadow area explicitly as the proposed location, calling part of it “surplus land”. They are not proposing to put it on the Recreation Ground.
· The lawn would require a dedicated, 40m x 30m fenced-off area maintained with selective weedkillers, fertilisers, and mowing twice a week.
· Harston’s Wildlife Meadow (along with the Community Orchard) was bought by the Parish Council in 1986 specifically to protect it as a natural green space for villagers and to conserve its rich mix of wildflowers and wildlife. It is designated as a County Wildlife Site in the Greater Cambridge Local Plan 2026.
POSSIBLE BENEFITS
· Could bring an additional recreational activity to Harston.
· All construction and maintenance costs should be covered by the Croquet Club, at no direct cost to the PC.
CONCERNS RAISED BY HARSTON RESIDENTS
· Weedkillers, fertilisers, intensive mowing, and permanent fencing are incompatible with protected, unimproved grassland (County Wildlife site). Any damage to wildlife & habitats could be irreversible.
· The area would be fenced off permanently, so inaccessible to Harston residents when the Croquet Club is not using it — permanently reducing the open space available to the whole community.
· The area would be reserved exclusively for a fee-paying private club from another village and not open to the general public without payment. Then it would be unused for 6 months of the year.
· How many Harston residents would be allowed to join this club, membership currently £80 pa?
· Parking pressure at the Recreation Ground would increase during match times due to additional vehicles, as would extra traffic through The Limes.
· Pressure on the Pavilion would increase as they share this community facility – a resource used by the whole village. They currently have a large shed where they store equipment. Are they going to want this in Harston?
· Water use would increase greatly, particularly in a summer drought when a private sports lawn could receive water priority over our gardens and allotments.
· How would the extra cost of using the pavilion and the amount of extra water they used be assessed & paid for?
WHAT YOU CAN DO
· Your opinion counts. Read and respond to the article in the Village Magazine.
· Attend PC meetings – they are open to all residents – see harstonparishcouncil.gov.uk for dates & agendas
· Check the Harston Village website – https://harstonvillage.uk/our-newsletter/ for more information‘
