The Old Police Site…
High Street, Melbourn Many of you will already be aware that the Police Authority have sold the Old Police Station site (opposite the village car park) to a housing association for redevelopment for affordable housing. It should be noted that this sale was made without the knowledge of, or reference to, Melbourn Parish Council or indeed the current tenants of the site itself. The Parish Council have since made many efforts to investigate and to understand the background to this sale (including written communication with the local MP Andrew Lansley). During this process the PC has been able to glean much more information about the sale. This results, in part, from several meetings with the housing association and their developers, a meeting with planning and conservation officers of the District Council (the planning authority) and research at the land registry. Further, the PC understands that the Police Authority stipulated on the sale that building for any purposes other than affordable housing would need their consent, and that additional money would be payable to them for any other type of development. To date there has been no formal planning application submitted, but initial estimates suggested as many as 20 dwellings could be built on the site. Whilst the Parish Council would normally welcome these much needed properties they are concerned of the likely impact they will have on the village. Government and District Council policy has made it clear that this type of housing should be given every encouragement. Informal discussions have taken place between the Parish Council and the developers in an attempt to find out what their plans are for the site and hopefully lessen the visual and environmental impact on the High Street. As a result of these discussions, the developers have revised their original ideas and now propose some 14 dwellings, as well as affording the Parish Council a community building at the front of the site. Although this is a
step in the right direction, the Parish Council would prefer the housing density to be far less than has currently been suggested. However, they are mindful of the fact that design/layout of the site is dependent on the long term financial viability of the income from the dwellings for the Housing Association. As the site will come under the restrictions of the conservation area, a low community building will lesson the impact of the proposed houses on the site. The building would be set back almost to the line of the current Police building and as such, the visual impact on this important area will be far less than would be, if we had a large housing estate.
Questions you may have
Will there be another ‘Village Hall’? No! Melbourn already has a number of premises for functions such as parties, receptions etc., offered byAll Saints’ Community Hall, The Baptist Church and URC, space is also available at MVC. But there IS need in the centre of the village for a community building encompassing many activities, and this could be the only opportunity to have such a building in the centre. Do we need a Community building? The Village Plan has identified there is support for a new ‘Village Hub’ for community purposes encompassing many activities. “A shared community space, with access for everyone, is a very desirable idea”. A Village Access Point on this site could have many uses, and would have the additional benefit of being centrally located. Such a facility could be used for small group meetings, exhibitions and display of items arising from village activities. Examples are ‘Unpicked Meadows’ tapestry/ artwork, displays on planned changes to the village, information relating to community groups, volunteer opportunities and other matters relating to village life that require publicity. The current Library Access Point (LAP) located on the grounds at the Village College, is under continued threat and it is only a matter of time before it is subject to closure. It could however, be relocated within a new Access Point, making it much more accessible to many more residents. Such a centrally located facility could also serve a number of functions such as, an information centre for visitors and locals alike. A Community Access Point (CAP) would offer facilities such as computers, scanners and printers for local people to use. Also during consultations for the Village Plan, both youth and the elderly alike indicated the need and desire for a small ‘coffee stop’. This could be staffed by volunteers and therefore a small kitchen facility could be made available as part of the design. Disabled access and toilets would also be planned for.
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