News from SCDC

Round up of recent news from South Cambridgeshire District CouncilRound up of recent news from South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Northstowe
A three week public consultation has launched today (Wednesday 8 June) on a detailed planning application for the first 92 homes at the new town of Northstowe.

The SCDC consultation, based on the planning application by Bloor Homes, asks local people to have their say on the proposed look and feel of the new homes, spacing, layout, trees, landscaping and areas for children to play.

The application includes a range of house types and sizes of up to five bedrooms – as well as the layout and location of roads, paths and cycleways.

Cllr Tim Wotherspoon, SCDC’s cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “It is excellent news we have the first detailed planning application for homes at Northstowe.

"It is important local people now take the opportunity to have their say – our aim has always been to deliver a new town of the highest quality and this consultation is part of the process to make sure we get the best proposals possible to meet the needs of local people and communities.”

To have your say, go to this link on the SCDC website.  (NB  The application reference number is S/1416/16/RM.)  The consultation closes on Wednesday, 29 June.

The new town has it's own website: www.northstowe.com.

Over £21,000 windfall for community groups
From an indoor climbing and caving system for Scouts, to specialist equipment for a  hydrotherapy pool for the disabled and church refurbishments, communities across South Cambridgeshire will benefit from over £21,000 of grant funding – and there’s still more on offer.

Since the beginning of April, 16 projects have been awarded amounts ranging from £550 to £1,500 from SCDC’s Community Chest fund.

Thanks to a further top up of £24,000, a total of £58,000 is still available this financial year for voluntary and community groups, charities and parish councils working towards improving the quality of village life for local people. Grants of up to £1,500 are available for:

  • Improvements to community facilities.
  • Repairs to historic buildings/monuments/memorials.
  • Tree and hedge planting schemes.
  • Equipment and materials



The latest round of grants to be awarded include:

  • £1,500 towards re-vamping the outdoor play area at Whitsers pre-school and play group in Whittlesford.
  • £1,500 for Granchester Village Charity to buy trees to line the new tennis club site.
  • £1,126 to buy replacement goalposts for Papworth Blasters Football Club.
  • £900 for Little Shelford Parish Council for structural repairs to a pedestrian bridge within a recreation ground.
  • £1,500 to buy and install bespoke indoor caving system and climbing in 1st Whittlesford & Duxford Scout Group hut.
  • £500 for outdoor equipment for children to use over summer months (balls, ropes, hockey, golf etc) at Barney's After School & Holiday Club, Great Gransden.
  • £1,500 to preserve ancient hedgerow on Grantchester Meadows by fencing off on both sides and making stockproof to help improve grassland in long term.
  • £1,500 to buy a storage container on Oakington recreation ground for the storage of football equipment.
  • £1,500 for the replacement of two rotting wooden doors at Arrington Assembly Rooms and Institute.



Cllr Simon Edwards, portfolio holder with responsibility for community grants at SCDC, said: “We  appreciate that it can be tough for the community and voluntary sector and these grants will be a welcome boost to local groups who work extremely hard and do an excellent job delivering services to our residents.

“I would encourage any other groups in the district who would benefit from financial help to get in touch with us and see if we can help.”

Grant applications are accepted at any time and can completely or partially cover the costs of a project, equipment or work.  For application forms and full details about the fund, plus guidance on eligibility, use this link for the SCDC website. 

Harlton pub sale triggers community opportunity to bid
The owners of the Hare and Hounds in Harlton have notified SCDC of their intention to sell the pub – which sets the clock ticking on a six week period in which community groups have to register an interest to bid.

Recognising it as an important village, the pub was nominated for listing as an Asset of Community Value by Harlton Parish Council under the Government’s rights and powers for communities as part of the Localism Act.

This gives community groups time to put forward a bid if a listed asset is put up for sale – the deadline for registering an interest is 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 19 July.

If an eligible group with a local connection steps forward with intent to bid within six weeks of it being put up for sale, the sale is paused for six months.

This gives local groups time to prepare a business plan and raise finances to make a bid – but they must compete on the open market and the owner doesn’t have to accept this bid.

If no bids are received, the pub will enter a protected period during which time the asset can be sold to anyone, on the open market, without further delay.

Details of how to apply and other facts are available on SCDC’s website – it includes details of assets listed on the register in South Cambridgeshire.

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South Cambridgeshire District Council

          T  03450 450 500
          F  01954 713 149
          E  scdc@scambs.gov.uk
          T  @SouthCambs
          W www.scambs.gov.uk

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