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 by All 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.

As previously stated, what the village will not have is another hall available for social activities or events, such as birthdays or wedding receptions. Every consideration for the surrounding neighbourhood and the village as a whole will remain at the heart of any decisions taken by the Parish Council.

Of course, a Community building would be funded in some part by the Parish Council, so ultimately it will be for the village to decide if such an Access Point is needed. Various funding ideas would be explored, as well as one or two ideas involving other organisations in the village.

If you have any views on the Police site or a possible Access Point then please let the Parish Council know. You can contact them in writing to the Parish Clerk at Melbourn Parish Council, Melbourn Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EF or email: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk or use the Contact Form on the Parish Council website at www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/council.

County Councillor Susan van de Ven

It has been a turbulent few months at the County Council with so many budget cuts, but it is always good to be in the villages where people seem to persevere in coming up with ideas and inspiration. One of the aspects of my role which has been so enjoyable is liaising between different villages and their parish councils, and it is obvious that there is much scope for teaming up together: Melbourn Youth Club: In contrast to earlier concern about the possible closure of the club due to County Council budget cuts, five parish councils have joined forces (Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Fowlmere and Foxton) to keep the club afloat. The club will continue to meet on Tuesday evenings and holiday-time activities will take place in each of the participating villages, and will be looking to run itself as independently as possible. The Practical Solutions Group would like to thank Elaine Stephenson, who is retiring as Warden at MVC, for her support to our endeavours to strengthen links between the village and college communities. We look forward to working with Simon Holmes, MVC Acting Warden, from September. Can you help a new basketball club? Two enterprising MVC students came to talk to the Practical Solutions Group about starting up an after-school basketball club – which they offered to coach. This is now getting off the ground and it is great to observe the older students coaching the younger ones. The club has been meeting Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 and the idea is to carry on next autumn.

Rules and regulations being what they are, the club is required to have a CRB checked adult on hand. The CRB check takes only ten minutes and can be done at MVC. There is no requirement whatsoever for any basketball skills. If you would be available to help out even just occasionally, please get in touch. Melbourn Library Access Point: The library has done very well to increase opening hours and maintain a healthy stock turnover. The challenge now will be finding new premises – the current portable cabin is nearing the end of its life span. We know that libraries in high street locations are the ones that have survived and thrived, and the parish council has again taken the initiative to get behind this project. Goodbye to the 139 bus: While local communities and parish councils can rally round some services affected by County Council cuts, they can’t magically save everything. The County Council is withdrawing financial support to all 57 subsidized buses county-wide, over the coming four years. Community Transport providers aren’t equipped to fill the gaps and there is concern for those people who have depended on the 139 shopping bus – withdrawn on April 17th – and the future of the 128 which is also set to lose county support. Like everything, it is difficult to appreciate the value of a service unless one is directly affected. I’ve been working with the relevant officers to try and find ways of mitigating the difficulties some people will now be facing. Rail campaign: Back in March, the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group held its AGM at Melbourn Village College. One of our main pieces of work for the coming months is fundraising for a disabled ramp on the Melbourn side of Meldreth Station. We have persuaded First Capital Connect to bid for Department for Transport funding under ‘Access for All’, though the requirement is match-funding – so we are approaching local businesses to try and put together the other 50%.

At the time of writing this article, there have been numerous concerns about impending cycle restrictions on trains at peak times. The Rail User Group has successfully negotiated with FCC so that there will be fewer restrictions than originally planned: there was to have been a cycle ban on two peak-time morning trains from Meldreth/Shepreth/ Foxton to Cambridge, and two outward bound trains from Cambridge to the villages. FCC have now agreed to impose restrictions on one train only, and this is the 8:10 from Meldreth to Cambridge. The reason for this is safe evacuation in the event of an emergency; FCC’s estimate is an average of 15 full sized cycles and 8 folding bikes on this train. (There will be no restrictions for folding bikes.) The Rail User Group is thinking about a second-hand folding bike e-marketplace, so if you have one to sell please let us know.

Station birthday July 9th: Please come along to Meldreth Station on July 9 at 13:15, where we’ll be celebrating the station’s 160th birthday. To mark the occasion, a gardening project is being initiated at the station, sponsored by local primary school children and GoCold (who will be providing free ice cream on the day!). You will soon see flowers and carrots growing on station ground. The festivities will be replicated at Foxton station at midday and Shepreth station at 14:15.Our grand plan is to ‘adopt’ the three stations, because this will help our cause when negotiating for big and small projects to protect and improve access to rail transport. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions, gripes or ideas. Susan van de Ven Tel 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk