Agenda item

Cabinet:

Noted the history of the self-build project and approved the below actions on a site-by-site basis:

a)    Blakeland Hill, Duxford: seek market valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;

b)    Coploe Road, Ickleton: offer on license to the neighbour as garden land;

c)    Falkner Road, Sawston: retain as garages and explore clustering development opportunity in future;

d)    Church Street, Harston: explore opportunities to support Doubling Nature Strategy;

e)    Horseshoes Lane, Weston Colville: seek market valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;

f)      Orchard Close, Cottenham: explore opportunity for “clustering” with other Council projects in the village. If viability cannot be established at tender, seek valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;

g)    Primrose Walk, Little Gransden: delegated authority be granted to the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing in consultation with the Head of Housing to conduct negotiations with the Parish Council and defer the recommendation to Cabinet in December 2022;

h)    Balsham Road, Linton: offer land on license to adjoining council tenant

Cabinet received the Future Use of Plots of HRA (Housing Revenue Account) Land. Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, invited Sylvia Sullivan, the Clerk for Little Gransden Parish Council, to make her statement:

“Little Gransden has no public open space area and no playground. Our residents have no space to meet up in an outdoor area to socialise, or to partake in group outdoor exercise. We wish to provide a carefully designed playground area with a variety of biodiverse stations that can be educational in the appreciation, care and preservation of native plants, trees and flowers.

We propose to consult residents and actively involve them in its design. Many members of our local community have professional expertise and skills in land management, wildlife conservation, biodiversity and horticulture. We shall make a pitch to recruit and coordinate a rota of volunteers in its up-keep and future developments.

The sub-group of Parish Councillors allocated to this project will also be conferring with organisations, including the local branch of the Wildlife Trust and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre (CPERC) to obtain the best advice on the type of plants to grow to attract t insects, birds and other wildlife to the area.

Our exciting vision for developing this green space for our community intends to explore and implement innovative ways so that our residents can enjoy a peaceful space as well as having the opportunity to plant commemorative trees and shrubs in celebration of important life events, such as birthdays and anniversaries. We hope also to make the space a focal point where visitors are reminded about the urgent need to address climate change and how they can contribute towards a Zero Carbon Community.

Our ambition is to secure and realise this acquisition in time to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.”

Councillor Bridget Smith moved an alternative recommendation for the plot of land at Primrose Walk in Little Gransden to defer the decision until the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday, 12 December 2022.

Councillor Heather Williams commented that while affordable housing was required, she request the Cabinet refer back to a previous planning application on Primrose Walk discussed at Planning Committee on Wednesday 17 January 2022, noting the refusal was not due to the Parish Council’s preference for a green space.

Councillor Bridget Smith summarised the discussion, and Cabinet:

Noted the history of the self-build project and approved:

Primrose Walk, Little Gransden: delegated authority be granted to the

Lead Cabinet Member for Housing in consultation with the Head of Housing to conduct negotiations with the Parish Council and defer the

recommendation to Cabinet in December 2022

Councillor John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report, commenting on the sites across the district, and referred to Councillor Heather Williams’ comment on the request of affordable properties for each of the relevant plots of HRA Land.

After a short discourse, Cabinet:

Noted the history of the self-build project and approved the below actions on a site-by-site basis:

a)    Blakeland Hill, Duxford: seek market valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;

b)    Coploe Road, Ickleton: offer on license to the neighbour as garden land;

c)    Falkner Road, Sawston: retain as garages and explore clustering development opportunity in future;

d)    Church Street, Harston: explore opportunities to support Doubling Nature Strategy;

f)     Orchard Close, Cottenham: explore opportunity for “clustering” with other Council projects in the village. If viability cannot be established at tender, seek valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;

h)    Balsham Road, Linton: offer land on license to adjoining council tenant

After previously declaring an interest regarding the plot of land at Horseshoes Lane, Weston Colville, Councillor John Batchelor left the Council Chamber for this item.

Councillor Bridget Smith moved the recommendation for this item and after a short conversation, Cabinet:

Noted the history of the self-build project and approved:

Horseshoes Lane, Weston Colville: seek market valuation and sell without self-build restrictions;