HRG Meeting minutes 21.6.22
Present: Joy Richardson, Brian Williamson, Claire Cock-Starkey, Myfanwy Lloyd, Gaynor Hayde, Peter Hayde, Margaret Greeves, Linda Churchman, Rupert Pearce Gould, Hilary Roadley, Paru Naik, Jan Nanor, Christine Heath.
Apologies: Beki Korb, Peter Griffin
Traffic and Transport:
Combined Authority are running in-person local connectivity events to discuss the results of their consultation on improving transport links in Cambridgeshire. Dates/locations of nearby events:
Sat 25th June 14.00-19.00: Cambourne Church Centre, Jeavons Lane, Great Cambourne CB23 6AF
Wed 6th July 11.00 to 16.00: Grafton Centre, Cambridge
Thurs 14th July 14.00 to 19.00: Spicers Pavilion, Sawston
More info here: https://yourltcp.co.uk/planning-consultation/
EWR:
Running events in the area but no news just talking about what they have already discussed.
Nearby events:
Wed 29 June, 14.00 to 20.00: The Clayton Hotel, 27-29 Station Rd, Cambridge
Wed 19 July, 14.00 to 20.00: Haslingfield Village Hall
Wed 20th July, 14.00 to 20.00: The Cambridge Belfry, Back Lane, Camborne
More details: https://communityhub.eastwestrail.co.uk/community-events
Hauxton P & R hub has been passed by the council but the decision has to go through the minister of transport however it is thought likely to go ahead.
Melbourn Greenway: Not decided if it goes up the High Street or across to Haslingfield. Brian potentially having a meeting with Chris Harte, Project Manager for the Melbourn Greenway to find out more details of how this will effect Harston. Once this is organised Brian will contact other interested parties to join the meeting.
Peter Hayde says the current plans show it going through the green and says if so they should pay for it but Hilary says we should object to it going through the green at all. Hilary suggests we get the PC involved to have a joint meeting to make sure the route isn’t planned without our input. Suggestion that more local groups write and voice concerns.
Further details of the latest route is here under ‘current status’ in the GCP Executive board paper page 225: https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/transport/transport-projects/greenways/melbourn-greenway
Pathway to Newton: Hilary contacted PC for grass path between Harston and Newton. There is a possibility of funding from a scheme which encourages walking. New affordable housing scheme in Newton (8 houses, 6 for rental, 2 for shared ownership) will have a path built to it with 106 money and the Parish Councils could link up to cover the rest. Hilary thinks we should aim to try and secure funding for this. Paru thinks the Neighbourhood Plan team should take this on.
Bus fares: Stagecoach website have updated fair prices and fair charging zones but Harston is still in the outer zone. Jan spoke to Stagecoach and the person she spoke to who didn’t think it looked fair and she will get back to Jan.
Pilgrim emailed to ask what can be done about Royston end of village as worse speeding and traffic and the electronic speed signs don’t work. Paul Holding is the PC contact for speeding, Claire to let Pilgrim know.
Neighbourhood plan:
Paru updates: formal letter confirming the Harston designated area. Lots of the work the HRG does on traffic and transport and greener areas can be seen as part of the neighbourhood plan.
We need to provide evidence of why the green spaces in Harston need to be protected. But need advice on how to provide the technical details.
Doubling nature. South Cambs funding to encourage nature. Would be good to have people work on finding good places for improved local environment so we can apply for funding.
Pastures in Harston form important views into the countryside and it can be decided if these should be included in the local plan.
Ian Attenborough will help create a NP website that will link to HRG and PC websites.
Community Activities:
Jubilee Picnic: very successful event so lots of thanks to Charlotte. Joy thought about 300 people came. The Queen’s Close event happening at the same time was a bit disappointing that there hadn’t been communication between the two.
Litter pick: September 11 2022.
Lots of people picking up litter as they go walking around the village on their daily walks which is much appreciated.
Environment:
Village Signs – PC are going to get a quote for village signs, especially one over the River Rhee. RPG asks if anyone wants to be involved in helping to design the signs.
Greener Harston:
The war memorial was weeded and cleared in May and then replanted in early June.
June 25th will finish clearing bus stop area. Then next one will clear the northern end of the village. The southern end also needs dealing with. Thinking a bank of daffodils would be good. Bulb planting in September, the PC will fund it.
River Rhee group planning a talk maybe in September.
Planning:
Pem gone for appeal and decision expected soon. Current plans still have lorries unloading from the road and involves knocking down the Pem.
Vujon: Still looks like its waiting on detailed drainage plan.
Government project for development of 5G network for a tower and three control boxes outside current Aston Martin garage. It would be a 15m high tower.
Permission given for a house to be built in garden of 138 High St. Gaynor doesn’t think South Cambs read any of the documents as they didn’t seem to realise it had egress onto New Road. The applicant also provided fake letters of support. PC had objected to it. Joy says it sounds like a real failure of process.
Byways in Station Road. Gone to appeal but the man is still continually building. Gaynor asks where the enforcement officer is in all this? Numerous residents of Lawrence Lea have complained to the enforcement officer numerous times. Is there anything that the PC can do? It will be discussed at next PC meeting.
Gaynor suggests an EGM to talk about planning issues in the village with Anthony Browne etc.
RPG suggests as a first step we talk to the three new lib dem councillors.
Next meeting: Tuesday July 19 2022