Cambridge parents and grandparents have been left "shocked" and "disappointed" as plans for 70 new homes along Histon Road would provide new residents with access to a popular children’s play area. The application by Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), a partnership between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnership, was lodged on April 10.
The plans would see a former car sales and garage site at 137 and 143 Histon Road turned into 25 apartments and 45 houses. To the south, this area borders the large play area – Histon Road Recreation Ground. Parents fear that the additional entrance into the park may pose a safety risk to children.
The planning statement on behalf of CIP explains that the area forms the main section of open space in the development plans: “The proposed development includes a green link to the recreation ground measuring 244 sqm of usable informal public open space.
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“This will be landscaped to a high quality and will provide a space for sitting out and social interaction. A second link to the recreation ground is also provided to the east.
“There is also an additional 923 sqm of incidental open space throughout the scheme, although this will have limited to no recreational value, only visual and ecological value as structural planting.”
Katyuli Lloyd, a parent of young children who lives about two minutes away from the proposed development, said: “At present, the children’s play area is a safe, protected and contained space, where children can play.
“If there is access into it from the dwellings, this will be entirely lost. It will become a thoroughfare, with people passing through the play area.
“One would never consider having a right of access through a school playground, and this, as established public land allocated for the use and enjoyment of children, should be no different.
“Developers should make and contribute their own green spaces – as well as children’s play areas – and not use ours. At present, none of the existing properties surrounding Histon Road recreation ground have private access onto the green space.”
Katyuli also mentioned a meeting about the plans that was held by developers early in April, which was invitation-only and took place in the middle of a weekday. She – and other local people – have described this as ‘secretive’ and questioned whether developers actually want to involve local people in the plans.
Chris Mulvey, a grandparent who lives on Huntingdon Road, said: “I am shocked to hear that the council is considering making changes to suit the needs of property developers while clearly not putting the needs of local families at the forefront.
“It is only through diligent neighbours that we know about this. It seems the council is keeping as quiet as it can.”
A spokesperson for CIP said: “There are no proposals to build on or take away any of the existing recreation land.
“The Histon Road Recreation Ground is being preserved in its entirety, and our proposals only include enhancements such as the extension of planted areas with shrubs and providing mulch surfaces to improve woodland trails.
“The play area will remain fenced off and dogs will not be allowed into this area. The proposed new access points will be securely gated in the same way as the existing gates to ensure young children are safely enclosed within the play area.
“It is standard planning policy to seek improved connectivity through public open spaces. We invite, encourage and welcome views from the public on this and all aspects of the planning application.
“As part of the current consultation process, discussions are taking place with residents and key stakeholders regarding the details of the proposed connections and enhancements to the recreation ground.
“We welcome any comments on the proposed plans and value feedback from residents who use the recreation ground. Throughout the pre-planning process, we have held several consultation events for the local community to attend, including a drop-in public event and an online consultation event.
“A meeting was also held with residents who had already submitted comments and concerns to help answer any questions they had.”
The development will be made up of 15 one-bed apartments, 24 three-bed houses, 14 four-bed houses, nine two-bed apartments, seven two-bed houses, and one three-bed apartment.
The proportion of affordable homes will be 40 percent, equating to 28 properties, and the remaining 42 will be market houses.
The CIP spokesperson also said that the development aims to "improve accommodation standards for people living in existing council homes, build additional council homes to meet local needs, and to address wider housing supply issues – including much-needed larger family homes".
Jackie Flack, who grew up on Richmond Road and whose mother still lives there, said: “I read with massive disappointment of the plans for Histon Road rec as part of the building scheme for Histon Road.
“It would ruin the secure feel of the rec. Since this area was originally an orchard, it has always been a part of the neighbourhood.
“I played there as a child with my friends. My son played there when we visited and my great nephew now does the same.”
Rod Mulvey, who lives on Huntingdon Road, said: “The play facilities should not be compromised, reduced or made unsafe just because the developer has not made plans for green space within their Histon Road development plan. New residents can walk to the Recreation Ground via the streets just like the rest of us do.”
Jianxiang, a mother of three children, described how the play area provides a fun space for them after school and how the sound of the birds help her to relax. She continued: “Please, please, please save the playground.”
Rebecca, who lives on Canterbury Street and who did not want her surname to be published, believes parents would "never be able to relax" if the plans go ahead, as they would have to remain "vigilant".
However, one local parent is supportive of having an access point from the development. This woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It seems fair and right that there should be access from the new Histon Road development into the recreation ground in the safety interest of children who come to live in the new development, so that they don't have to do a circuitous route along the busy Histon Road.
“I would question the need for two access points from the new development. I would wish to see a single access point inserted as discreetly as possible, with minimal destruction of the hedging/tree boundary, so that the important biodiversity/wildlife corridor is preserved.”
This person did say she supported concerns over preserving the safety of the area, particularly as her child spent many hours playing here.
The planning portal website used by Cambridge City Council has 14 objections by members of the public, as of April 25. The deadline for determination by the council is July 10, 2024.
Further information about the plans can be found here, and comments can be viewed or lodged by clicking the ‘comments’ tab.
