You may be aware that the Officers at South Cambridge District Council have recommended that the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site in Spring Lane Bassingbourn should drop out of consideration at this stage. This means that, if the recommendations are accepted by the New Communities Portfolio Holder at his meeting on 14th December 2010, land at Spring Lane would no longer be considered to be a suitable option.
Whilst this is very good news, it must be tempered by a recommendation, also to be considered at the meeting on 14th December, that new sites put forward in the consultation process in 2009 should be given further consideration. This includes a potential site, the market/car boot land on the A1198 which was suggested in representations, possibly by the land owner.
The current position with this is that the site has been subjected to initial testing by officers who recommend that it is worthy of further exploration to identify whether suitable deliverable options could be delivered. It is stated that this exploration will include discussions with the landowner(s), local Parish Council and other key stakeholders, and if it is found to be a possible new option, will be subject to sustainability appraisal and public consultation at the next stage of the plan making process.
It is unlikely that any action will be taken by the District Council until after the Government Localism Bill is passed into legislation because this will potentially set the direction for local planning decisions and establish additional powers for local communities in planning matters. However, this should not be taken as a signal to do nothing, should residents wish to oppose this site. If this is the case proper preparations must be made to lobby against the adoption of the “market site” on the A 1198 at every step of the process. The Parish Council would have a vital role to play in this from the outset.
With this in mind members of the Bassingbourn Action Group would be interested to know your reactions to this news.
The group will endeavour to give up to date information as it becomes available and co-ordinate meetings and actions.
Please make contact on any of the following:
- ssusie@live.co.uk
- johnsld@live.co.uk
- Write: Bassingbourn Action Group c/o 31 Brook Road, Bassingbourn SG8 5NR
