Northstowe Community Forum

Please check our list of common Northstowe questions for a list of queries that have already been asked at recent Northstowe Community Forums. 

Aims

• To provide residents and stakeholders with regular updates regarding strategic development sites
• To provide an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to share their interests/concerns with relevant council officers, including those from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (‘Planning’) and Communications and Communities (‘Communities’) teams, Elected Members, developers and other key stakeholders such as Cambridgeshire County Council and Anglian Water

Scope and purpose

• The development covered by this forum is Northstowe
• To provide regular, accurate and timely information to residents regarding the above development
• To offer an opportunity for residents to raise issues of interest or concern for existing and new communities with a view to enhancing the quality of community life and the environment in Northstowe
• For council officers to share issues raised by residents with relevant parties and report back responses and/or that appropriate action has been taken
• To provide information and signposting on planning and growth matters
• To provide an opportunity for developer/s, residents, community groups, elected members and council officers to engage with each other
• From time to time, to provide opportunities for residents to be consulted and involved in the planning, co-design and management of associated facilities and services
• The forum does not have decision-making powers and cannot be held accountable for growth and related issues
• Minor developments may be covered by this forum from time to time, but the developments listed above will take priority

Structure, management and format

• The forum will be chaired by local ward member, Cllr Sarah Cheung Johnson
• There will be a maximum of 4 ‘open to all’ formal meetings a year, where appropriate, and other forms of engagement where necessary
• Venues, where appropriate, will be spread around the different catchment area/s for the new development(s) to ensure all residents have an opportunity to attend
• The frequency and format of individual meetings will be determined by senior Planning and Communities officers in consultation with the Chair based on the progress of each specific development and views expressed by stakeholders, including residents 
• Meeting dates will be set, wherever possible, on a rolling basis a year in advance
• A range of methods will be used to deliver the forum - the most appropriate format will be chosen for the meeting in consultation with attendees and in accordance with the circumstances and government guidance available at the time, that is to say in person forums (which will include drop-ins), virtual meetings or a hybrid of these, for virtual meetings Zoom Webinar will be used

Communication and publicity

• A range of measures will be used to communicate to residents about the forums, including local advertising via flyers, web page, existing parish publications, email and social media
• Where possible and practicable, Council officers will upload content within 10 days of a forum being held
• A rolling agenda will be posted online so residents are aware of proposed future topics for discussion
• Questions will be posted online so that attendees can see the issues that have been raised and addressed at past meetings
• Presentations, notes and recordings of the meetings will be published online. 
• A distribution list will be developed and maintained based on registered forum attendees and any others wishing to be kept informed. A registration form will be available on the relevant forum’s web page/s
• Surveys and feedback mechanisms will be employed from time to time to ensure forums are meeting residents’ needs and to facilitate continuous improvement
• Agendas will be published no later than 7 days prior to the meeting

Lead Officer

 Ellen Bridges – Development Officer  

Valuing diversity

All delegates attending Forum events must undertake to:

• Treat all people with respect and act in a way which does not discriminate against or exclude anyone
• Act in a fair and responsible way to all

Collective responsibility 

All people coming to Forum events agree by their presence that they will:

• Observe the authority of the Chair or facilitator at all times
• Listen quietly to and respect the views and experiences of other people contributing
• Agree to and follow the standard of behaviour expected at each event, according to what is happening at that event (e.g. no interrupting or shouting)
• Allow others to have equal opportunity and time to share their opinions
• Not use inflammatory language or behaviour of any kind

If the above values are not met during a meeting or event, the Chair, facilitator or nominated officer may take one or more of the following steps with the objective of restoring order.

Any person making offensive, insulting, threatening, provocative, slanderous or obscene remarks, or who becomes boisterous, or who threatens or harasses any person or property while at a Forum event, will cause the event to be suspended for the shortest period needed to allow order to be restored.

Any person or people causing an event to be interrupted by reason of behaviours identified above, who does so more than once, can be asked to leave the event by the Chair or staff at the event. This can be for a specific length of time to allow the person or people to cool off or for the rest of the meeting or event, depending on the judgement of the Chair or staff present.

Where the Chair believes that:

• The event has become unmanageable, unnecessarily interrupted, harassed or hindered more than once by the same person or people
• There has been behaviour which threatens the safety of him or herself or others present, the Chair may opt to suspend the meeting or event until order is restored or to end the meeting, or event, if they feel that it is appropriate
• Any person or persons causing through their behaviour, any other individual or individuals present at a Forum event to fear for their personal safety may be subject to immediate removal from the event and/or the event premises

Northstowe Interim and Permanent Facilities Update - Anne Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer (Senior Responsible Officer), South Cambridgeshire District Council

[PPTX, 0.7MB]Northstowe Interim and Permanent Facilities Update, SCDC - Presentation [PPTX, 1.5MB] [PPTX, 0.7MB]

Interim Community Facilities 

• A modular building will be located next to The Green, Pathfinder Way. 
• Will sit alongside the area earmarked for the permanent community centre. 
• Will include provision for a wide range of activities for all ages including Community Cafes, baby and toddler groups, children and youth activities and meeting spaces for activity groups. 
• Contractor procured December 2022. 
• Planning Application submitted 10 January.  

Since the forum the application is now live on the Planning Portal. Reference: 23/00113/FUL 

Permanent Community Building 

• Working towards a planning application being submitted for decision in the Autumn. 
• Have reflected on feedback from previous consultation exercises.  
• Aim to undertake further public consultation around March/April. 

 Sports Pavilion 

• Work on-going at the site. 
• Additional work associated with piling and challenges of winter working has led to a delay in completion. 
• Currently anticipate completion early August, but will try to recover some lost time.  

Civic Hub 

• Next step is to develop the specification for the building.  
• Conversations with partners on-going. 

Health Services for Northstowe - David Parke, Associate Director for Primary Care

Health Services for Northstowe - Presentation [PPTX, 0.7MB]

• Northstowe residents can register with Willingham and Longstanton Medical Practice. This sits within the Cambridge Northern Villages Primary Care Network alongside 8 other Practices. They share a workforce including community pharmacists and social prescribers.  
• Currently 2,504 patients are register from Northstowe and Willingham and Longstanton Medical Practice have the capacity to take a further 5,500 patients. Workforce and operational hours to increase as necessary.  
• Through the Cambridgeshire GP Network there is an extra 44 hours of appointments per week during evenings and weekends delivered across the Cambridge Northern Villages PCN. If patients cannot access an on the day emergency appointment residents are encouraged to enquire about the Enhanced Access scheme.  
• Within the Temporary Community Centre there an NHS room is planned, which will enable health visitors/social prescribers and other services to support residents.  
• Civic Hub will contain 1740 sqm for health provision. The Civic Hub needs to be flexible to accommodate both traditional healthcare and services that address the wider determinants of health including housing, social care, social prescribing, health initiatives, social groups, leisure and active pursuits.  
• There is also more integration to deliver services through mobile services such as diagnostics.  

Questions asked after the presentation: 

Could the mobile services come to Northstowe before the permanent facility?  

There are 3 diagnostic hubs. When we build a new facility, we ask for a plug and play service as the diagnostic hubs require access to water and other services, so this may not be possible currently. 

Can we manage communications re. Willingham/Longstanton Medical Practice taking on new Northstowe patients as Longstanton/Willingham residents think Northstowe patients are impacting their service? 

Happy to speak with the Medical Practice and provide some communication for the surrounding villages to emphasise that Northstowe patients are not adversely impacting on the service and that they have capacity to take further patients.  

The branch at Willingham is currently only open during certain times so these hours will be increasing as patient numbers increase further.  

Vision sounds great but how will you ensure the vision becomes a reality?  

For some of the space uses will be restricted (due to infection control requirements) but other spaces such as the therapy rooms can be shared with other services.  

How are you going to attract GPs/other services? 

The biggest problem is attracting the right workforce. Things we are doing include: 

• GP Fellowship to undertake portfolio roles.
• For GPs close to retiring, providing incentives for them to stay.  
• More flexible working patterns.  
• Subsiding housing for professionals to locate here, given the high house prices in Cambridgeshire.  

Northstowe Education Campus Phase 2 Expansion - Alan Fitz, 0-19 Area Education Officer, People Services, Cambridgeshire County Council and Mark Rowney, Pre-construction Manager, Kier Construction

Northstowe Education Campus Phase 2 Expansion - Presentation [PPTX, 54.5MB]

• Northstowe Secondary College is currently open for 600 pupils. This will be extended to 1,200 places from September 2024 and finally to 1800 pupils. 
• As well as the Secondary College being expanded a new primary school will open which eventually will have 630 places. Initially it will open with one class in Reception to help minimise the impact on surrounding schools. There will also be 78 Early Years places. The Council is considering whether it should be full day care or another pre-school. 
• In addition, a Sixth Form centre with 400 places will be delivered. 
• Plans within the presentation illustrate the design of the buildings.  
• Planning Consultation will be open February/March.  
• Planning application determined April 2023.  
• Phased Site Commencement: July 2023.
• First School Occupations: August 2024.
• Full Completion: December 2024.

Questions asked after the presentation: 

Given the expansion of the campus how will parking be dealt with given the school car park is already full at times. 

Additional parking for the Primary School will be provided which will be a planning requirement.  

There isn’t sufficient childcare provision currently and no more planned until September 2024. Do the County have any have plans to deal with this? 

CCC acknowledged that there is a lack of childcare provision and are liaising with stakeholders on this.  

Added further since the forum: The absence of child-minding places in Northstowe, which accounts for part of the demand, results from the restrictive covenants on the properties that prohibit any form of trading from the premises. Homes England has been advised of this issue. 

Northstowe Kickstart Fund - Scott Liddle, Joint Place Coordinator, Cambridgeshire County Council and Lawrence Zeegen, Northstowe Resident

Northstowe Kickstart Fund - Presentation [PPTX, 55Kb]

• The Kickstart Fund aims to remove financial barriers to setting up community groups and events and to help with start-up costs for example, buying equipment or renting space. 
• Community Groups can apply for up to £1000.
• Please see poster for more information about projects which can be funded. 
• Deadline for applications for the first panel meeting is Monday 13 February. 
• For more information or to discuss a potential project email northstowe.community@scambs.gov.uk  

Northstowe Community Development Officers, Michele Eidevik-Skinner and Mihaela Stan, South Cambridgeshire District Council

Community Development Officers - Report [PDF, 97Kb]

• Please do get in touch if you have ideas regarding future community projects or events in Northstowe.  
• Community Development Officers are available in person in Northstowe on a Wednesday and are also holding monthly drop-in evening events. 
• The defibrillator which was previously located at the David Wilson show home has now been relocated to Pathfinder Primary School in Northstowe. 
• We are supporting the Northstowe Horticultural Association to identify volunteers who would like to take over some of the raised beds they are building. Volunteers will also be needed for the Community Day at the orchard and allotment land on 4 February.  
• Supporting the Town Council with the Warm Hubs on a Wednesday 9.30am to 12.30pm and Thursday 6pm to 8pm, Northstowe Secondary School. The Children’s Centre is also hosting a Family Warm Space, on Thursday mornings at Pathfinder Primary School. 
• Contact details for Mihaela Stan and Michele Eidevik-Skinner northstowe.community@scambs.gov.uk  

Greater Cambridge Local Plan - Jonathan Dixon, Planning Policy Manager, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

Greater Cambridge Local Plan presentation [PPTX, 0.8MB]

• First proposals consultation was held November to December 2021.
• Representations received to the first proposals were published June 2022.
• Updated Greater Cambridge Local Development Scheme published August 2022.
• What it means for Northstowe: Northstowe is growing at a faster rate.
• One small new development site proposed – 20 homes, Mansel Farm, Oakington.
• Next steps: Series of Joint Local Planning Advisory Group meetings October 2022 to March 2023. Formal Committee Meetings in Jan 2023.Full draft Local Plan to be considered by Members in summer 2023 and then be subject to public consultation in Autumn 2023.

Homes England - Emma Brown, Planning and Enabling Manager

Homes England presentation [PPTX, 1.5MB]

• Central One developer has been selected. Homes England hope to announce the development partner in January 2023. The Development Partner hopes to submit Reserved Matters planning application early 2023 and start construction late 2023.
• Question asked regarding opening of the Southern Road Access Road: some remedial work has been required and there is currently no date for when the road will be open.
• Question asked about delivery of the remainder of Phase 2a: Homes England confirmed that they are finishing the House by Urban Splash peninsula and will then be going out for tender for the remainder of the parcel. The chosen developer may want to implement the approved plan. However, if the developer wishes to depart from the approved plan, another planning application will be required. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to be certain as to what extent the delivery plan will be impacted. 

Keepmoat - Joe Harrison & Ashley Wray

Keepmoat presentation [PPTX, 6MB]

• 300 homes, mixture of 1 & 2 bed apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bed houses.
• Plan to start on site in November, with materials being brought on site early next year.
• Houses likely to go on sale Q1 2023. First homes to be completed by Q3 2023.
• Question asked about the tenure spilt. 121 open market homes, 119 discount to market sale (80% market value) and 60 affordable rent.

Heritage Annex - Quinton Carroll, Cambridgeshire County Council, Head of Service: Natural and Historic Environment

Heritage Annex presentation [PPTX, 5.5MB]

• The Heritage Annex will provide a building to showcase the finds and artefacts from the excavations carried out prior to Northstowe and the upgrades to the A14 being built.
• It will also feature the history of Longstanton and RAF Oakington.
• To be built next to Northstowe House (Homes England) and made from repurposed shipping containers.
• It will provide space for hanging exhibitions and displays and be a great resource for Northstowe, bringing in visitors from across the district and beyond.
• Timetable -Foundations begun October 2022. Module fit is underway. Module delivery end of January 2023. Assembly and fit out February 2023. Exhibition installation March 2023. Open Easter 2023.

Planning Update - Luke Mills, Principal Planner, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

Planning update presentation [PPTX, 2MB]

• Phase 3A (20/02171/OUT): Outline permission has been granted. Judicial review in progress.
• Digital Park (S/3854/19/OL): Resolution to grant, finalising s106.
• Northstowe Education Campus Extension at Prep-app stage and initial consultation is open until 22 November https://northstowe.education/consultation/. Cambridgeshire County Council hope to submit a formal planning application in December.

Greenbelt - Nick Upton, Customer Liaison Officer

Greenbelt presentation [PDF, 0.4MB]

• Greenbelt updated residents that they will be receiving their bill for the new year in the coming days. 
• Due to Greenbelt now taking on the Northern Greenway which will include more street lighting, waste bins and general management there will be an increase in bills. The new bill will be £118.53 (including VAT).
• If anyone has any questions please do get in touch with Greenbelt

Stagecoach - David Boden, Business Development Director

Stagecoach presentation [PPTX, 0.6MB]

• Citi 5 has started to go through Northstowe. The bus will go in via Pathfinder Way, onto Links Lane then onto Stirling Road, before joining Station Road. The route will then be reversed coming back into Cambridge City. The route will be extended to the Town Centre once the development is further developed.
• Questions asking why buses cannot start at Longstanton Park and Ride were put, and concerning the reliability of busway services: Stagecoach agreed the quality of service is falling short, but attributes this in part to an acute shortage of drivers. To combat this, they are offering the best pay deal possible and adjusting shifts to try and improve work-life balance to recruit more drivers. It takes time to recruit and train new drivers, particularly to operate Busway services.
• Question asked about the cost of bus fares: Stagecoach offer a range of fares, the Flexi 10 ticket which is £2.40 a day was mentioned, amongst other products, but Stagecoach acknowledged that improved promotion of these fares may be needed.

Council Delivery Update - Anne Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer (Senior Responsible Officer) South Cambridgeshire District Council

Council Delivery Update presentation [PPT, 0.6MB]

Sports Pavilion.

• Work has begun on site and is due to be completed mid-June 2023.
• Piling due to start mid-November. Newsletters have been sent to neighbouring properties.
• A question was asked about the piling. Pentaco, (the contractors) have confirmed the piling will be CFA Piling which, unlike alternative methods such as displacement piling or drive piling, is quick to install and the excavation and filling techniques cause minimal noise or vibration. Piling will start 14 November with an anticipated installation period of 6 working days.

Interim Community Facility

• Now looking at a modular temporary building.
• Expressions of interest will be going out this week.
• Lots of technical work taking place, including Procurement.
• Have a Pre-Planning Agreement.
• Aiming for spring 2023, but still a lot of work to do.
• Phase 1 Community Centre (Permanent).
• Designers appointed to design Phase 1 Community Centre and wider Local Centre.
• Appointed designers to support delivery.
• PPA in place to ensure efficient route to planning consent.
• Expect Planning Application to be submitted spring 2023.
• Consultation in the New Year.

Civic Hub

• Working with partners and stakeholders to establish a vision for the building.
• Next step is to work with partner organisations to translate vision into detailed spatial requirements.
• Key dependency on the delivery of Central One, so working with Homes England.
• Timescales: Focused on getting the detailed specification as soon as possible. This will be used to procure design and build team to take project through to delivery in 2025.

Enterprise Zone

• Received £117k of Proptech funding from DLUHC to kickstart business engagement for the Employment Zone.
• The survey is aimed at businesses from a wide range of sectors who can help inform the design. They will share their experience of what will make the Employment Zone a great place to work in.
• Survey opened 12 September and closes 14 November.
• Survey results so far -
• 99 respondents, of which 34 have registered to receive further updates.
• Majority from SME’s with 1-49 employees.
• 6 companies with 250+ employees.
• Sectors include: IT, R&D, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction & Retail.
• Link to survey PlaceBuilder | Index

Question asked about the gym and café area. There is a gym and cafe planned as part of the Education Campus, in spaces already built within the secondary school. There is money for them in the s106 developer agreement, but unfortunately this is set back until later in the development. However, officers at SCDC are working closely with the Meridian Trust to find a way to bring this forward, as both the school and the community are keen to see them made available as soon as possible.

Community Development Officer's Report - Mihaela Stan & Michele Eidevik-Skinner

CDOs Report [PDF, 83Kb]

• Latest Occupation Counts: Phase 1: 1131, Phase 2: 24, Northstowe Newbuilt Total: 1155, Northstowe Overall Total (including Rampton Drift): 1254
• Michele introduced herself as the new Phase 2 Community Development Officer.
• A new Neighbourhood Watch group is being set up by residents, please get in touch if you’d like to get involved.
• A reminder that the Food Larder food is now available on the Olio app. 
• Second year of the Winter Festival is taking place from November 2022 to February 2023. It is being led by Northstowe Arts and includes: Lantern workshops during November, a lantern parade on 3 December, followed by the Christmas Tree Lights switch on, a Christmas jumper swap, a craft fair, Festive Carols, Wellness Walks and Running Challenges.
• Details of the Winter Festival events are on the Northstowe Winter Festival website.
• E-bikes which can be rented, they are by Pathfinder Primary School and are provided by Cambridge Electric Transport.
• Also an electric car in Northstowe which can be booked through the Enterprise Car Club, their website gives details of membership fees and hiring prices.

L&Q Update (Master Phase One Developer)– Stephen Sage, Project Director

L&Q Presentation [PPTX, 25.5MB]

• 13 housebuilder plots. 
• 5 complete, 7 in progress and 1 (H5) not yet started. Will start on site in September. 
• Anticipated all parcels except H13 and H5 to be complete by Q4 2023. H13 and H5 anticipated to be complete by Q2 2023, subject to market conditions. 
• LEAP 2 – Grass now established and since the forum the LEAP has now opened.
• LEAP 3 – Planning now approved.  
• Footpaths will be topped out when the building works are complete along Wellington Road.  

Homes England Update – Dean Harris, Senior Planning and Enabling Manager, Emma Brown, Planning and Enabling Manager

Homes England Presentation [PPTX, 41MB] 

• Homes England has let the strategic works contract which is on track to complete in 2022. 
• Unable to provide a specific date for the opening of the access road. Although works are nearly complete, there are some technical processes that need to be followed to ensure the road can open permanently and safely. Hope to be able to open the road towards the end of the summer (2022). 
• Urban Splash – the group fell into administration and this affects ‘Inholm’ on Phase 2a Northstowe. Homes England is in discussion with the administrators and is hoping to agree a position that will clarify uncertainty for all residents.  
• Phase 2b – Keepmoat (300 homes) – hoping to get on site later this year.
• Central One - First part of the Town Council which will include the market hall, convenience store, mixed use space, town gardens and play area. Hope to select a development partner September 2022. Reserved Matters Planning Application submission – early 2023, construction start late 2023 and complete early 2027. 
• Heritage Annex – Planning Permission was approved in May 2022. It will be a modular build. At the time of the forum it was hoped that it will open winter 2022. 
• Lakes – hope to open Lake 2 by the end of the year. A lake naming competition was organised and the 3 names are - Lake 1: Bug Hunter Waters, Lake 2: Unity Lake, and Lake 3: Halcyon Mere.  

South Cambridgeshire District Council Planning Update – Mike Huntingdon, Principal Planner

Planning Presentation [PPTX, 6.5MB]

• Phase 3A (4000 homes)– Permission granted. Judicial Review in progress. 
• Phase 3b (1000 homes) – Permission granted. 
• Endurance Estates – Permission granted.  
• Digital Park – Resolution to grant, finalising s106. 
• Heritage Centre – Permission granted. 
• Important to report breaches on planning control.

Health Update – Sharon Unwin and Lisa Smith – Practice Manager and Deputy Manager, Willingham Medical Practice

Health Presentation [PPTX, 0.6MB]

• Overall patient population – 10,841. 
• Patients registered from Northstowe – 2257 (20.7%). 
• Willingham is not unique. The Primary Care Network, Clinical Commissioning Group and the whole of Primary Care are facing challenges following the pandemic. Northstowe is not impacting Willingham surgery. 
• Experiencing a very busy winter after previous lockdown.  
• Continuing to focus on reducing waiting times.  
• Now holding more face-to-face consultations.
• Introduction of 48hr appointments. 

South Cambridgeshire District Council Delivery Update - Anne Ainsworth - Chief Operating Officer, Senior Responsible Officer 

• Anne Ainsworth, SCDC’s Chief Operating Officer introduced herself as the new Senior Responsible Officer who is now overseeing delivery of the Council’s projects at the town.
• Anne said her focus is on getting things up and running; and spades in the ground. 
• The buildings she is focused on are: Phase one Community Centre; Phase two Civic Hub and both Sports Pavilions. 
• Anne explained that with all building projects, there will be phases when it feels like it may have gone quiet – even though lots of work is going on. We are committed to keeping you informed and being open and transparent.  
• Councillors have just agreed nearly £15m to ensure we can get cracking. There were funding shortfalls. 
• A new Delivery Group, which Anne will report to, is being set up. Their remit is focused on the buildings, but partnership working is crucial. The group involves District Councillors and Cabinet Lead; Town Council and County Council representative - and we will engage with partners who may attend meetings as appropriate. 
• Officers updated on the current timelines for key buildings:
• Phase one Sports Pavilion – Contract being awarded. Work start on site October 2022, expected to be completed by end of May 2023. 
• Phase one Community Building – Our aim is to submit a planning application and procure a main contractor by end of 2022. 
• Phase two Civic Hub – Detailed blueprint required. This is work being progressed. 
• Phase two Sports Pavilion - Work has not yet commenced, owing to delivery of this facility coming in a later stage of Northstowe's development.

Community Development Update - Mihaela Stan and Kathryn Beck (SCDC)

• 1,121 occupations (1101 Phase 1, 20 Phase 2). 
• Have resumed delivering welcome packs. If you would like to get involved and meet your neighbours, do get in touch.
• Northstowe Day marked 5 years since the first resident moved into Northstowe. Local community groups and partner agencies came together to showcase their work and to offer a day of family fun activities. It was wonderful to see such energy and enthusiasm, and we are hopeful that the tradition will continue each year. 
• Heritage Annex: Lots of partnerships working to deliver the Heritage facilities: Cambs County Council, Longstanton District Heritage Society, Homes England and Northstowe Town Council. Our role is to consider how to integrate facilities within community. We are working with Northstowe Arts and Homes England to deliver community activities. And, with Homes England office to create mosaics, sculpture etc. from broken Roman pottery excavated from Northstowe and surrounding area, to be used at the heritage facility.  
• Youth Hive: Volunteer led group to ensure that young people in Northstowe have a voice and help shape their community. Funding was sought and granted for the “Connections Bus” to come along every Thursday (until 1 September). In addition, Living Sport have provided additional funding for free sports activities to coincide. Looking for more volunteers to help. 
• The railings outside Pathfinder school are no longer available as a community noticeboard. All not for profit and up-to-date posters have been transferred to the official Noticeboard located on The Green (near the post box). In addition, a new poster has been put up with list of open Facebook pages, websites and CDO contact information. Along with the Town Council, we are happy to keep this up-to-date with not for profit posters etc. 
• A couple of events to look forward to: Running Festival, 3 to 4 September with live music and fun for the whole family. Sustainable Northstowe will celebrate The Great Big Green Week (24 September to 2 October) presenting upcycling workshops and fun activities around the themes of sustainability and action on climate change.  
• Continue to welcome contact from the community with any ideas, and suggestions of how to get involved. From September, weekly drop-in sessions at the NSC from 9.30am to 3.30pm will commence. We are available virtually via email and we continue to update the Northstowe Community Facebook page. 

For those with accessibility needs, YouTube has a "captions" feature that can be enabled when the embedded videos are watched on their platform.

Chair's Welcome - Cllr Bill Handley - Over and Willingham

• Apologies from Cllr Sarah Cheung Johnson
• Attendees were invited to pose questions via Q&A function

Homes England- Phase 2 and 3 Update - Dean Harris - Senior Planning and Enabling Manager

• Phase 3a: 4000 homes, 2 primary schools and local centre
• Phase 3b 1000 homes and 1 primary school - both phases include 40% affordable homes

Heritage Annex:

• To be situated next to Northstowe House, Rampton Road
• New modular design based on reused shipping containers, planning response expected soon
• Aiming to start on site this spring, open end of this year (subject to planning permission)

Central One

• To be located next to the secondary college
• Seek a developer partner this year, apply for planning permission and aiming to start on site end of 2023
• Market Hall – Independent retail, food and beverage
• Convenience store - 500 sq meters
• Aiming for first facilities in Central One be available between 2024-2027
• South Cambridgeshire District Council are to deliver the civic hub to include provision of library, health and community space
• Southern Access Road West, targeting end of April for opening

Planning update from Greater Cambridge Planning - Luke Mills, Senior Planner

• Both Phase 3a and 3b s106 agreements are being finalised
• Phase 3a 20/02171/OUT
• Phase 3b 20/02142/OUT
• Endurance Estates 20/03598/OUT: Separate but connected to Phase 3b – 107 homes and employment use finalising s106 agreement
• Digital Park – 80 homes S/3854/19/Ol: Separated but connected, pending consideration

Heritage Annex 22/00742/FUL

• Pending consideration (submitted Feb 2022)
• Temporary use will expire after 5 years
• Consultation deadline 1 April 2022
• Decision to be made 11 April 2022

• Concerns raised by Residents about cycle paths being blocked by parked cars, causing obstruction and visibility issues
• Request from Cambridgeshire County Council Highways Officer for all Residents to park in their designated car parking spaces
• Roadways due to be completed and adopted by Cambridgeshire County Council 2024/2025

Education Campus update - Andrew Daly, Executive Principal, Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust

• Secondary College – looking at Phase 2 which will include post 16 due to open 2024
• Working with partners to bring the gym and café forward which will be available for the community
• Booking system is now live on the website and opening up current facilities at the weekend. Lots of activities including clubs
• Different rates offered through the booking system – local community groups and clubs gets a reduced rate

Town Council Election, Market update and Jubilee celebration - Mark Nokkert - Town Clerk / Cllr Carla Bros Sabria

• Elections – 5 May – 15 seats – all seats up for election for a 4 year term
• Nomination form can be found online [PDF]
• Has to be handed in on person between 28 March – 5 April (by 4pm)
• Town Clerk in be in the wing – Thursday 31 March 2022 6.30pm to 7.30pm and Friday 1 April 2022 10am to 11am, to collect nomination forms to deliver on their behalf
• Reminder to register to vote – have until Thursday 14 April to register to vote

Market:

• Looking at establishing a regular market in Northstowe
• A community wide survey was launched to gather residents views on general interest in a market such as frequency, type of stalls, location. Deadline for surveys 27 March 2022
• Next steps – prepare proposal and business plan
• Further preparatory work – further research, liaising with local stakeholders, purchase of equipment etc
• Aim of having first pilot market Summer 2022

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Sunday 5 June 2022

• From noon – in partnership with community groups
• Bring your own picnic event outside The Community Wing
• Further updates on Town Council website and facebook page

Council Delivery Update - Adele Gritten - Head of Economic Delivery and Investment / Kate Swann - Project Delivery Officer / Clare Gibbons - Growth Manager

Enterprise Zone- Adele Gritten

• Informal and formal consultation ongoing as development plans evolve
• Ensuring community, commercial space and local amenities are developed soonest remains our priority
• Delivering on a placemaking brief that champions exemplar, green and healthy new town credentials is key

Civic Hub - Kate Swan

• Will provide health, library and community facilities

• We’ve commissioned an impressive and thorough piece of work from Civic and we are currently waiting for the final draft of this. The report details extensive consultation that has taken place with health care, library and community organisations with a view to using this as the basis of the next design phase

• SCDC have appointed project managers to deliver the next phase and will continue to engage all stakeholders in the process

Sports Pavilion - Kate Swan

• Tender is currently active. Subject to a successful procurement building work could start summer/autumn 2022 and is expected to take 12 months to construct

The Wing - Clare Gibbons

• The Community Wing at Pathfinder Primary school, which has served as a temporary community facility, will be reclaimed for classrooms towards the end of the summer term, to be fitted out in readiness for the Autumn term, September 2022
• To provide continuity for services and community groups, South Cambridgeshire District Council is working behind the scenes in conjunction with the County Council and Northstowe Secondary College
• Looking at a collective solution to meet the needs of users, including storage requirements
• The District Council have on 23 March 2022 approved acquisition of additional space to supplement that available at the secondary college. South Cambridgeshire District Council will be contacting all users shortly in relation to this
• As soon as the acquisition process is completed, more information can be shared in the public domain via the Town council and social media

Community Update - Mihaela Stan - Northstowe Community Development Officer / Kathryn Beck - Northstowe Community Development Officer

• As of 25 February 2022, 1105 homes occupied
• Northstowe Community celebrating fifth anniversary of first new build occupant- celebratory event scheduled for Saturday 7 May 2022. Invitation to residents to get involved
• Lots of community groups working well on different inclusive projects
• SMART Journeys have launched travel survey
• Community groups all seeking volunteers, various opportunities available such as digital website, admin, walking, cafe and young people. Training, guidance along with associated volunteering wellbeing benefits guaranteed
• Any queries for any community matters please email us

Question and Answers Session - Panelists

• Questions raised responded to during the forum
• Chair's Summary

Prior to forum a question was asked if a bin could be installed by the outdoor gym on Pioneer Park as there is increased littering at the north side of the park as the gym attracts a lot of kids after school that play with the equipment. There are no bins located at the north of the park and the rubbish usually ends up in the ditch. Greenbelt are now liaising with South Cambridgeshire District Council on this. 

For those with accessibility needs, YouTube has a "captions" feature that can be enabled when the embedded videos are watched on their platform.

Chair's Welcome - Cllr. Sarah Cheung Johnson, SCDC

Cllr. Sarah Cheung Johnson introducing the panelists

Northstowe Town Council: Our work so far, plans going forward and elections - Richard Owen, Mayor, Northstowe Town Council / Mark Nokkert, Town Clerk, Northstowe Town Council

• First tier of local government 
• Fifteen independent councillors 
• Five committees: Planning, Personnel, Assets and Asset transfer. Finance and Governance, Events and Markets
• Next election: 5 May 2022 (for a 4 year period) 
• Nominations need to be received before the 5 April 2022, the clerk can be contacted for more details of the process by anyone interested in standing for election to the Town Council
• The Town Council hopes to hold some taster sessions ahead of nominations to help residents decide if they would like to nominate themselves

Greening the Green: Public Spaces and Greening Strategy - Riccardo Bobisse, Urbanist, AR - Urbanism

• Keen to build on the Healthy New Town priorities, encouraging walking and cycling, by separating pedestrians from vehicles for example
• It is important the employment zone and the Local Centre are integrated together
• Maximise the green spaces and reuse water as much as possible 
• Create biodiversity and by integrating green technologies and ecology in the buildings and public realm, by having green façades, insect and bird boxes etc
• Currently testing different layouts for the buildings

Question: Who will pay for management of these new public spaces? 

• Management arrangements for the public realm are to be determined, but the businesses occupying the area would likely contribute to costs, as opposed to  being covered entirely by residents

Phase 1 Update - Stephen Sage, Project Director, L&Q Estates / Tam Parry, Principal Transport Officer, CCC

• L&Q is still responsible for the maintenance of LEAP (Local equipped area for play) 1 and 2 and the waterpark
• LEAP 2 remains closed as some amenity grass needs to be reseeded 
• The majority of the Western Park, local centre and Pioneer Park has been handed over to Greenbelt
• As part of the handover of Western Park to Greenbelt, L&Q was required to carry out a condition survey of the trees, which highlighted a number of trees which are required to be removed due to being unsafe or dead - these will be replaced
• LEAP 3 Reserved Matters Application has now been submitted and the Southern Greenway also still needs to be approved
• Roads, cycle ways and footways should all be complete by the end of 2024

Phase 2 Update - Dean Harris, Senior Specialist, Homes England / Tom Hustler, Community Engagement Manager, Homes England 

• First residents have moved into the Inholm development (Urban Splash)
• Housebuilder, Keepmoat to start the next parcel, Fenways in spring 2022
• Homes England are seeking a development partner for the Central One parcel, to include part of the town centre plus a housing parcel adjacent to the Education Campus
• B1050 works to last 3 months
• New access road to open April 2022
• Phase 2 Waterpark to open April 2022
• Cricket pitch will be part of the Phase 2 sport offer. Should be open and operational 2026
• A new Community Engagement Team are now in post, who are keen to work with residents and officers to continue to build the community at Northstowe

Northstowe Community Buildings - Peter Campbell, Head of Housing, SCDC

• Sports Pavilion - Planning permission was granted in November. SCDC are currently out to tender and once have appointed a builder will negotiate a start date
• Local Centre – AR Urbanism’s work will result in a masterplan. Hope to seek planning permission in Q2 of the next financial year
• Civic Hub – The Civic Hub will provide health, library and community space. Progress has been hampered as key partners have dealt with the pandemic. However, consultants have helped draw together a blueprint of requirements for the building and a report is expected shortly. Once approved by elected members further progress can be made

Greenbelt Update - Nick Upton, Greenbelt / Robin Waddell, Greenbelt

• Site wide Greenbelt currently manage the local centre, Pioneer Park and Western Park (except 3G)
• Greenbelt also have contracts with 4 house builders, with a further 2 to exchange mid-January and the others will then come later on
• Some residents may have paid a contribution to their house builder, once Greenbelt has secured a contract with the relevant house builder any monies the house builder has collected will be passed to Greenbelt but this takes time, once Greenbelt have received the money Greenbelt will provide a credit to residents
• This year the billing period will be 1 November to 31 October

Northstowe ICAN Study - Kate Ellis, Research Associate, University of Cambridge / Emma Lawlor, Research Associate, University of Cambridge

• STEP – School Travel Environments Project. The aim of this project was to find out how families make decisions about school travel and experience the environment on their way to and from school 
• 10 families participated with at least 1 child (8-12) – 13 children in total
• The children took photos of the obstacles they tackle, the surfaces of the road as well as positive changes to their school route

ICAN  

• Surveyed 99 residents (out of 450 houses who hadn’t taken up the financial incentives)
• Aim: To explore whether financial incentives have the potential to influence travel behaviour in Northstowe
• 1 group had to email for incentives (as is the normal process), 1 group received incentives directly and 1 group received greater incentives directly
• Incentives included decathlon vouchers, stagecoach vouchers, cycle service, e-bike credit, payment of a contribution to the Greenbelt management charge
• 15 participants have taken part in zoom/telephone interviews 
• Researchers will be following up at 3/6 months to see if issuing these incentives has influenced the travel behaviour of participants in the study

Community Update & New Faces - Jon London, Northstowe Community Development Officer, SCDC / Mihaela Stan, Northstowe Community Development Officer Phase 1, SCDC / Kathryn Beck, Northstowe Community Development Officer Phase 2, SCDC / Cllr. Sarah Cheung Johnson, SCDC

• Jon London, Phase 1 Community Development Officer, thanked the community and gave a summary of the things achieved in Northstowe since he joined in January 2018. Jon is leaving SCDC but Mihaela Stan joins SCDC as the Phase 1 Community Development Officer and Kathryn Beck joins the team as the Phase 2 Community Development Officer
• From 56 houses in January 2018 there are now 1084 houses occupied (NB: this figure does include Rampton Drift)

For those with accessibility needs, YouTube has a "captions" feature that can be enabled when the embedded videos are watched on their platform.

Chair's welcome - Gareth Bell - Communications and Sustainable Communities Service Manager, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC)

Gareth Bell chaired the forum as Cllr. Sarah Cheung Johnson was unfortunately unavailable. This evening is the last event to be streamed on Facebook.

The issue of missing post was raised, and the requirements for a new defibrillator and post-box. Please contact northstowe.community@scambs.gov.uk if you are affected.

Northstowe Travel Plan Steering Group: Smarter Journeys - Prajina Baisyet, Travel Plan Plus Project Manager, Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC)

Smarter Journeys have been awarded the Travel Plan coordinator role for Northstowe Phase 2. An E-Car Club will be going live shortly, with a bookable e-vehicle at Longstanton Park & Ride. A bicycle repair station will be installed on The Green by the end of November, with tools available to repair most common issues. Travel benefits are currently paused due to the ICAN Study (See below.)  Dates for bicycle repair sessions will be promoted via Facebook. Following 3 e-bike thefts a request has been made that the bikes be returned, and the hub codes not shared.

Northstowe Travel Plan Steering Group: Northstowe ICAN Study - Kate Ellis, Research Associate, University of Cambridge / Emma Lawlor, Research Associate, University of Cambridge

Northstowe Travel Plan Steering Group: Voi's potential expansion plans update - Mehmet Ahmet, Transport Programme Manager, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Northstowe Travel Plan Steering Group: Stagecoach update - Darren Roe, Interim Managing Director, Stagecoach East

Shaping the Green: engagement update - Riccardo Bobisse, AR-Urbanism

Piling on Parcel H9 - Alex Szarawarski, Technical Director, David Wilson Homes / Asa Chittock, Development Director, David Wilson Homes

Phase 1 update - Stephen Sage, Project Director, L&Q Estates

Town centre update - Tim Watts, Senior Design and Development Manager, Homes England

Planning update - Andrew Thompson, Principal Planner, Strategic Sites, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning (GCSP) / Will Holloway, Principal Planning Enforcement Officer, GCSP

Local Plan - Hana Loftus, Engagement and Communications Lead, Strategic Sites, GCSP

For those with accessibility needs, YouTube has a "captions" feature that can be enabled when the embedded videos are watched on their platform.

The July 14 2021 Northstowe Community Forum was chaired by Councillor Sarah Cheung Johnson and was viewed by approximately 60 people across Zoom & Facebook.

Chair’s welcome: Cllr. Sarah Cheung Johnson, Chair, South Cambridgeshire District Council

Cllr Sarah Cheung Johnson, Chair, welcomed everyone and introduced the panellists.

Introducing your new County Councillor & Town Council

• Cllr. Firouz Thompson, Member for Longstanton, Northstowe and Over, Cambridgeshire County Council
• Cllr. Richard Owen, Mayor, Northstowe Town Council

Cllr. Thompson highlights Environment, Sustainability, Biodiversity and The Climate Emergency as top priorities moving forward. Net-zero target being brought forward to 2030.

Cllr. Thompson targets:

• Between Phase 1 and Phase 2 all cycle paths to be connected, safe cycle paths to be introduced
• Implement zero single-use plastics in schools and catering
• Families eligible for free school meals to be given supermarket vouchers during school holidays (Cllr. Thompson highlights 240 families latest figure for 7 councils, but set to rise)

Cllr. Thompson addresses backlog in road maintenance. Contracts being implemented to resolve this as well as flooding issues.

Cllr. Richard Owen, elected Town Mayor of Northstowe as of May, who gives background on Northstowe Town and Council:

• Northstowe Town Council created in April 2021 following Community Governance Review
• Represents Northstowe and Rampton Drift as first tier of local government
• Elections in May – 15 Independent Councillors elected from 20 candidates
• Representative of community in age, gender, diversity and location – councillors across Northstowe and Rampton Drift
• One full-time employee – Town Clerk (Mark Nokkert)

 Cllr. Richard Owen highlights Northstowe Town Council Responsibilities:

• Our first responsibility is to represent your interests!
• Key Consultee on planning applications (particularly important as plans for town centre and local commercial areas incoming)
• Set up local events and markets and support community groups
• Option to take over and manage community assets and buildings
• Lead sustainability initiatives to protect and enhance open space and biodiversity in Northstowe
• Town Council works with other councils and organisations to ensure your views are heard (SCDC, CCC, L&Q Homes England, Police, Transport).

Northstowe Town Council is also a member of several cross-community working groups set up to represent our interests:

• Phase 1 Open Spaces Steering group (SCDC, L&Q, Greenbelt)
• Northstowe Support Partnership (with CCC, SCDC)
• Northstowe Youth Partnership
• Northstowe Faith Strategy Group
• Northstowe Arts Pavilion Project
• Heritage Building Steering Group

Contact Town Clerk: townclerk@northstowetowncouncil.gov.uk  

Town Mayor: cllr.owen@northstowetowncouncil.gov.uk

Shaping The Green: Local Centre and Employment Zone: Riccardo Bobisse, Urbanist, AR-urbanism

AR Urbanism were appointed at the end of May by SCDC to provide advice to the Council in the preparation of the planning proposals for the local centre/employment zone.

AR Urbanism’s Main tasks:

• Agree the vision and develop a strategic brief and masterplan
• Develop on the design principles and explore high level options for the Enterprise Zone and Local Centre
• Understand the evidence that has resulted in the recent design principles proposed and to challenge and provide alternative solutions where appropriate that work from a placemaking perspective
• Review similar case studies and identify lessons learned from previous projects
• Consult with key stakeholders, residents and consultees to identify significant project issues, mitigations and master programme (currently taking place and more will take place during September)
• Prepare the outline business case
• Identify and develop the most appropriate delivery strategy

Greenbelt update: Nick Upton, Customer Liaison Officer, Greenbelt

Greenbelt are currently managing the Bloor Homes and Barratt Homes parcels. Nick Upton showed a map detailing which exact areas they are maintaining. This has already been shared with residents. Greenbelt will take on the other parcels in due course.

Inholm Phase 2B (Age Restricted Housing): Andrew Thompson, Principal Planner, Strategic Sites, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service

Originally approved in February 2020 and part of the Urban Splash parcel

• Sixty apartments with a mix of 45 no.1 beds and 15 no.2 beds
• Each apartment will have a porch where they can sit
• Designed to meet the National Technical Housing Standards and Lifetime Homes design standard
• Communal space on the ground floor includes a meeting space and a small kitchen
• Community courtyard (flipped by 90 degrees)
• Terrace which will overlook the lakes
• Walled garden (new addition)
• Thirty car parking spaces (change of location, was previously under the building but now at surface level)
• Charging posts for 4 electric vehicles
• Space for 50 bikes or 38 bikes and 6 mobility scooters (change of location)
• Solar panels on the roofs
• Bat and bird boxes provision

Will go to planning committee as we are the delivery partner and part of the affordable housing offer.

Why do some flats get gardens and others do not?

Most flats will have private amenity space, but it is just dependent on the design aspect. Upper flats will have different amounts to the ground floor. The quality of the space has been part of the discussion.

In part of the submission there are revised statements for ecological and foul water?

Just need to make sure we have the latest supporting documents. Bat and bird boxes will still be installed so making sure the ecology benefits are continued. There have also been new tree planting and the green wall so these will have been factored into the ecology.

Any scope to extend in the future?

It is purpose built so not aware of there being any scope to extend in the future.

Primary Road & Cycle Path Adoption: Stephen Sage, Project Director, L & Q Estates and Tam Parry, Principal Transport Officer, Cambridgeshire County Council

Waterpark: L&Q have been finishing the planting and seeding works. May was extremely wet which delayed this but seeding works have now been completed. Seed has started to germinate. L&Q will open them up as soon as the grass established.

LEAP 1 and LEAP 2 – These will be open as soon as the grass establishes.

Highways – During the last quarter we have completed about 200m of footway on Eagle Way and next quarter (3^rd Quarter of this year) we look to complete another 200m.

Grass roundabout on Pathfinder Way: L&Q confirmed this is still under their maintenance. Admitted it currently looks neglected, but they have appointed a new contractor to re-seed the areas which had planting previously.  

Completions on local centre and employment zone are key to being able to complete the main infrastructure works, footways, cycle ways and carriageways along Pathfinder Way, Sterling Road, Wellington Road, Links Lane and Eagle Way.

All 4 housebuilders anticipate completing building works end of 2023, 2 years ahead of the previous predictions made 18 months ago. This is dependent on the current buoyant housing market but commitment from the housebuilders to achieve this target. Based on this L&Q aim to achieve potential completion at the end of 2024 and then adoption of the roads end of 2025 (following a 12 months maintenance period).

Tam gave an updated on the existing cycling paths which are now open and provided a map as well as mentioned the routes which will be open later in the year and in the future. (map provided in the video).

Cambridgeshire County Council are focused on connecting the path link between Longstanton Park and Ride to the Phase 1 Waterpark and the bus only road (north-south link). The key issue is funding and trying to resolve this.

Planning update and questions from the community: Andrew Thompson, Principal Planner, Strategic Sites, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service / Dean Harris, Senior Specialist, Homes England / Stephen Sage from L & Q included the phase 1 planning update in his discussion on cycle paths and primary roads.

Occupations: 850 occupations and house market is very buoyant.

A sub-group of the Northstowe Support Partnership has been created to look at building a better sense of place through arts-based projects, identifying local champions and linking with arts organisations such as the Arts Council and Festival Bridge. The first project is to look at how best to utilise the 4 art pavilions recently located at Northstowe Secondary College. Very keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.

Outdoor Gym is now open at Pioneer Park. A hand sanitiser pump has also been installed.

Table Tennis Tables: The new preferred location, along the Northern Green, is being considered and neighbouring residents will be informed.

Northstowe Community Wing: Community Wing now open for bookings but guidelines such as wearing masks will still be recommended. Jon London is also working from the Community Wing most Wednesdays and Thursdays and residents are most welcome to pop in for a chat.

Pioneer Café: Friends of Wing has now established Pioneer Café every Wednesday 10am to 12.30pm.

Foodbank: The Trussell Trust has opened a foodbank at the wing every Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Allotments: Working with our preferred supply we now have a technical specification for the drainage solution. We are now going through the pre-application process to ensure it accords with the Phase 1 drainage strategy. 

Community Networkers: Every 2^nd Wednesday of the month (excluding forum months) Community Networks meet where different community groups can meet and discuss problems and solutions.

Community update: Jon London, Northstowe Community Development Officer, South Cambridgeshire District Council