Category: Cambridgeshire

Village residents say the application ‘dominates conversation’ as a ‘constant source of worry’De Freville Farm, High Street, Aldreth(Image: Google Maps)Plans to turn a former farm into an “industrial factory” in one of Cambridgeshire ’s smallest hamlets have been refused by the council. Taste Flavourings Ltd were looking to move from their current site in Chittering to De Freville Farm in Aldreth, a non-designated heritage asset.East Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning officers called the plan “an exemplar” of “reusing traditional agricultural buildings for alternative uses”. They said the new use would support around 30 full-time jobs, retaining the “historic arrangement” of farm buildings and improving them “where there are currently clear signs of dilapidation and neglect”.But officers recommended refusing the plans due to their impact on traffic and harm to the “relatively tranquil character of the village”.Mike Wells, speaking on behalf of Aldreth residents, said: “I find it hard to believe that consideration is being given to moving a factory to the heart of probably the smallest hamlet in East Cambridgeshire. It just seems crazy – a hamlet of less than one hundred houses that residents cherish for its peace and tranquillity.”He told the planning committee the factory “would change Aldreth dramatically” as when it was still a farm machinery was used only “intermittently” during harvest. Mike said that parents from the hamlet and nearby Haddenham take their children to the community centre for a “heavily subscribed” playgroup in the community centre.He said: “The prospect of 10 HGV tankers a day thundering in and out of the hamlet with young children walking the footpaths is concerning. For the past 15 months, this application has been a constant source of worry for my wife, for me, and many of our neighbours – it dominates local conversation.“A lot of residents chose Aldreth as a tranquil place to live and to retire to – to enjoy nature and peace – not to be an annex to a factory.”Aalbert Remijn, the owner of Taste Flavourings Ltd, said: “We’re a family business with the next generation already involved and we would like to move from rented premises into premises which we own.”He said their food and drinks laboratories provide “high-quality employment” for 26 to 27 families “more than half of whom live within a 10 mile radius of Aldreth”.He said: “Over the last year we have addressed all the requirements raised by planning officers and relevant agencies and we have received no objections from any of the statutory consultees.“I understand that people are concerned about change and the unknown – however, traffic generation would be much more modest than some residents fear, a point that has been accepted by highways. We want to be part of the community as good neighbours and I hope your decision will help us all move forward in a positive and constructive way.”Gareth Wilson, ward councillor for Haddenham, said: “The problem we’ve got is this, I think well-meaning person, is basically putting his factory in the wrong place.”He said Aldreth is “not suitable for an industrial factory” and raised concerns that approving the plans would set a precedent for the site to “permanently” become industrial.Cllr Lucius Vellacott said: “It’s a testament to the people of Aldreth how seriously they have taken this. I’m massively in favour of employment in East Cambridgeshire – I wish the applicant nothing but the best for their business and I want us as an authority to support them but what I want us to support first is the use of land in our most rural areas and there is no rural need. Unfortunately, this proposal is unacceptable for the location it’s in.”Cllr Bill Hunt, chair of the planning committee, said as a county councillor for the area for 20 years, he “probably knows Aldreth better than most”.He said: “It’s fair to say there’s no shop, there’s only one bus a week – there was a garage there but I think that’s now closed as the owner has retired. Despite those disadvantages people go to Aldreth, live in Aldreth and they love Aldreth – why?“The peace and quiet and the neighbourliness and the decency – and the fact they know when there’s a brewers lorry come down the village by mistake, they know. It’s a special community and I think it should be retained and this would change the character of the area totally.”Cllr Christine Ambrose Smith said: “I think when people in a community are confronted with something that they don’t immediately recognise – a touch of hysteria, dare I say, comes into play.“You get used to lots of things – this is a brilliant new business – I think that after a while it will find its place and it will be accepted. I would really like to see this approved because I think it’s an excellent scheme – it’s making the most out of what’s a derelict area at the moment and at the end of the day what else is going to fill that space?“Something will need to and presumably if the applicant is unable to build here there’s a possibility it may be sold and that might end up with a worse situation.”The application was rejected with eight votes for refusal, one for approval and one abstention.

Everything you need to know about Cambridge East redevelopment after huge announcement | Cambridgeshire LiveNeed to knowCambridge East is set to deliver one of the UK’s largest urban extension projects by transforming a 700-acre site into a new city district, according to the governmentThe Hills Group and Homes England plan to build more than 10,000 homes(Image: The Hill Group)Everything you need to know about the Cambridge East redevelopment:It was announced on Wednesday, June 3, that Cambridge City Airport and its adjacent land, previously owned by Marshall Group, had been sold to Homes England and The Hill Group to create a new neighbourhood called Cambridge East.The site is expected to provide more than 10,000 homes and at least three million square feet of commercial space to support around 9,000 jobs.The developers will also consider creating a regional training hub, which they say will develop local skills and promote long-term careers in construction and related industries.Marshall Group aims to relocate its operations by the middle of 2029. An initial phase of up to 500 homes is expected to begin in the same year.The plans also include supporting infrastructure, community facilities like schools and healthcare provision, and public green spaces.A new regeneration body will oversee the delivery of the new homes, jobs, and transport links in Greater Cambridge. The government says the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will ensure transport and services are built alongside new homes and “not as an afterthought”.The corporation aims to bring land together for development, invest in key sites, and unlock stalled and derelict land, according to government officials.The announcement follows a consultation over the plans earlier this year. It builds on the up to £800 million already committed to kickstarting development around Cambridge and Oxford.The development will benefit from the proposed Cambridge East station, which could improve connectivity to central Cambridge and London. Subject to planning consent and funding, the line could also extend towards Bedford and Oxford.Follow cambridgenews:‌‌At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.Accept

Peter Nicholl

On May 27 the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee kept its Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent.
The committee has six members, three from the Reserve Bank, including governor Anna Breman, and three external members.
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Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman with The News columnist Peter Nicholl, a former deputy governor. Photo: Kelly Hodel, Waikato Times.

Objectors have said that a proposed development would cause ‘absolute havoc’ for residentsThe homes are proposed to be built on land west of Hemingford Road (Image: Google Maps)Locals say that plans for new homes in Cambridgeshire would result in “irreversible loss” to greenfield land and cause “absolute havoc” for residents. Plans were submitted in April 2026 to Huntingdonshire District Council to build 20 new homes with parking, access and associated infrastructure on land west of Hemingford Road near the village of Hemingford Grey and the town of St Ives.The proposed design consists of six two-bed homes, eight three-bed homes and six four-bed houses. These homes include a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.The site was initially considered to be of an appropriate size for up to 26 houses but the proposed layout has since been reduced to 20. If approved, this will be combined with a targeted car parking provision of 34 spaces across the site.The applicant, Gurjit Thiara, said that in developing the site, it would “bring more revenue into the district and assist in providing housing in an area currently not meeting its targets”.A planning statement said: “The site is considered to be in St Ives where the average property price is £304,163 in comparison with the national average of £268,144. This scheme could deliver a small development of 20 dwellings with a mix of tenure including 8 affordable housing units.”The full planning application has seen local backlash, with more than 25 objections lodged so far. One objector said that the development would result in “irreversible loss of greenfield land” which they believe “plays an important role in maintaining local biodiversity, natural drainage and landscape character”.They added: “Developing this site undermines long standing planning principles that prioritise brownfield land before greenfield expansion. I believe that the principles of a conservation area are to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the landscape. Introducing a housing development of this scale would fundamentally alter visual and ecological integrity of the area.”The same local also raised concern over the “increase in traffic”. They said that the roundabout leading out of the village and towards St Ives and Cambridge is “already congested” and, once the site has residents, they believe it will become a “major bottleneck”.The objection continued: “The addition of cars from a further twenty properties is of serious concern. I believe that this is an ill-conceived development of twenty modern, box like, black clad properties, totally out of keeping with this ancient village and urge that this application be turned down.”Another objector said that the build would cause “absolute havoc” for all residents in the area. They also said that construction would cause “unacceptable” noise and traffic pollution.Meanwhile another resident said that they were concerned about potential “flooding, safety, the loss of greenfield land and the possible reliance on pumping infrastructure” . They described the local road as “busy and narrow” which is used by cyclists and children on their way to and from school. Due to these risks, the resident feels as though vehicular access to the road would “cause chaos”.

Campis, who is 27 and from Brazil, has been in the city for five months. He was riding home on the narrow path which runs between the Mill Road area and Cherry Hinton.”The first moment I thought it might be an e-bike, so I reduced my speed and kept going, then I saw them going full speed and I managed to stop but they hit me,” he said.”It blew up my tyre and broke my front wheel.”He said he fell, injuring his arm and both of his hips, and was left “in shock”.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) says the works on Station Road near Shepreth railway station will provide safer crossings and improved routes for walking, wheeling and cyclingDavid Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers18:00, 02 Jun 2026Shepreth railway station(Image: Google)CambridgeshireLive readers have been responding to news that a road adjacent to Shepreth railway station will be closed to motor vehicles for approximately three weeks from Monday, 1 June, while enhancement works are carried out.The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) confirmed that Station Road will be shut at the Shepreth level crossing. Motorists will be unable to use the crossing to travel to and from Barrington Road during this period.Access to the station, local businesses and Docwra’s Close will remain available, controlled by temporary traffic lights. Pedestrian routes, including across the level crossing, will remain open. A diversion route will be established for vehicles.The works form part of the Melbourn Greenway scheme, which seeks to make walking, wheeling and cycling between Melbourn and Cambridge more straightforward and safer. The GCP states that Shepreth will benefit from new, more accessible crossing points, including one outside Shepreth Village Hall.Additionally, new double yellow lines on Station Road will be introduced to reduce congestion and enhance safety near the level crossing. A new 20mph zone will extend from the Barrons Green / Fowlmere Road junction to Shepreth railway station.The project also includes raised tables at key junctions on Fowlmere Road to reduce traffic speed and facilitate safer crossings. Further traffic-calming measures on Fowlmere Road will include speed humps, a reduced speed limit, and improved street lighting.The plans and road closures have prompted strong reactions from readers. One commenter, Danieal wrote: “Another waste of money.”Rhodabike adds: “Yet another village falling victim to the GCP’s anti-car, congestion-generating arrogance.”Dagough states: “It is time someone got the GCP under control. They are pursuing a minority anti-car agenda in our villages. They are unelected zealots”Trumplad says: “If you think this is a problem, wait until they close Long Road for 6 to 13 weeks!”Freddly quotes: “‘Works also include raised tables…’ – it’s important that these are tall and steep enough to damage a 2026 SUV if taken at speed. The design of modern SUVs makes low, gentle ones ineffective. Making them steep will save lives.”Nocyclinganywhere replies: “Have you thought about police and ambulance and fire appliances going over them , I don’t think that will will save lives when they have to slow down for them or find alternative routes.”Whynot2 answers: “And what of the small city cars and small family cars are you personally going to pay for the damage that the cars may obtain from going over one of your tall speed bumps?”Do you believe that the completed roadworks will benefit everyone in the surrounding areas? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

The industrial estate could be made up of 13 units with over 50 parking spacesThe land along The Shade in Soham (stock)(Image: Google)An industrial estate could be built next to a Cambridgeshire primary school. Xelor Properties Ltd has proposed to build 13 industrial units on land northwest of The Shade Primary School in Soham.The overall site, if approved, will be set over 1.57 acres. It will be split into two buildings, with five units in building A and eight units in building B.The applicant said the units will present a “high-quality” development and also be a “modern development” within the area. They added: “Colours are generally shades of grey and black, resulting in a cohesive appearance to the courtyard whilst retaining variety and interest in the colours and textures of the materials.“The colours are in keeping with both the Shade School and the petrol filling station.” The plans also propose 53 parking spaces across the whole site.There will be individual parking for each unit. The applicant added: “The layout is designed to provide individual parking and service court yards in front of the three frontages, meaning that each unit will have designated parking for both cars and commercial vehicles in front of the high-level vehicle access doors.“Each unit will be provided with one accessible parking space and facilities for the provision of electric vehicle charging points.” To access the site, it will use the roadway that serves the car park for the primary school.A new junction is proposed in the plans. The applicant concluded: “The proposed development will provide a high-quality industrial estate development, providing much need purpose-designed space for SME businesses, in an area already allocated for such development.“The application therefore represents sustainable development that supports economic growth and activity.”Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .

Bird told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Dotty McLeod: “I was thinking that the last week to 10 days would be the hardest, but it was actually the first week to 10 days.”I think that was just my body trying to fight what I was doing.”But as she adapted to the routine, the running became easier, despite running in one of the hottest Mays on record.”We can’t be halfway through a marathon at 30C, 32C, so we would start very early in the morning, start at 06:30 in the mornings when it was so hot,” said Bird.On cooler days, she would set off at 09:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 09:30.

New NHS data has revealed that waiting lists across Cambridgeshire are improving and the national waiting list target has been metDavid Dubas-Fisher and Hunni Haynes Trainee multimedia reporter05:12, 01 Jun 2026NHS waiting lists are improving across Cambridgeshire, new data has revealed(Image: Getty)NHS waiting lists are improving at a Cambridge hospital, with patients getting the treatment they need quicker than they were two years ago. New NHS figures have revealed the NHS has met its national waiting list target of having at least 65 percent of patients on the waiting list for no longer than 18 weeks by March 2026.It has met that target with new data revealing that the actual proportion was 65.3 percent. Back in November 2024 – the baseline month set for comparisons – only 59.1 percent of patients on the waiting list had been waiting for less than 18 weeks. In July 2024, when Labour came to power, only 58.8 percent of the waiting list had been waiting for less than 18 weeks.Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has also seen big improvements. Some 62.9 percent of those on waiting lists at the trust have been on them for 18 weeks or less, just behind the national average. However, that’s up from 59.1 percent in November 2024 and 58.9 percent in July 2024. The number of people waiting over a year for treatment has also seen a sharp decline.A total of 3,026 had been on the waiting list for over a year in June 2024. That has since fallen to just 941 as of March of this year. Meanwhile, the overall waiting list at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has fallen from 64,117 to 58,435 over the same time period.Using our gadget, you can see how things have improved at your local trust. Simply enter your postcode in the search box below and select a trust from the dropdown:Elsewhere in Cambridgeshire, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust had 37.2 percent of patients on waiting lists for less than 18 weeks as of May 2026. This marks a small improvement from November 2024 when 34.1 percent of patients were on waiting lists for less than 18 weeks.The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has 61.3 percent of patients on the waiting list for less than 18 weeks, marking a significant improvement from November 2024 when the figure was 52.3 percent. The Royal Papworth NHS Foundation Trust has the best figures of all NHS trusts in Cambridgeshire, with 78.8 percent of patients being on the waiting list for less than 18 weeks. The figure in November 2024 was 64.5 percent.Nick Kirby, interim Chief Operating Officer at CUH, said: “Teams across our hospitals are working hard to ensure more patients are seen sooner and we are pleased to see this reflected in these latest figures. Reducing long waits is key to delivering excellent care for our patients.”The overall size of the national NHS waiting list fell by over 110,000 in the last month to a total of 7.1 million. That’s also down from 7.4 million in March 2025 and 7.5 million in March 2024.NHS Chief Executive Officer, Sir Jim Mackey said: “This is a huge moment for the NHS. Hitting our targets for the first time in years hasn’t happened by accident – it’s been down to an absolutely enormous effort from NHS staff up and down the country.“Today’s achievement goes beyond a set of remarkable statistics – it shows that we’re making real inroads on the things that matter to our patients and communities.”

Heavy rainstorms are forecast to sweep across the UK on Monday (June 1)16:03, 31 May 2026Updated 16:11, 31 May 2026Heavy rain is forecast for Cambridgeshire on Monday (June 1)(Image: Met Office)Cambridgeshire’s heatwave is due to come to an abrupt end, with heavy rain forecast for Monday (June 1). Heavy rain is due to sweep across the UK, with rainstorms forecast throughout the week, bringing an unsettled start to the summer.Met Office weather maps indicate heavy downpours are predicted across most of the UK over a 30-hour period, initially striking Wales and parts of the north-west of England before spreading across the country, where 34 counties are in for a thorough drenching.While the maps display a wave of blue across the UK indicating light showers, yellow markers highlight areas bracing for heavy downpours of 4 to 8mm per hour, while orange denotes even heavier rainfall of 8 to 16mm.From Monday (June 1) at 1pm, rainfall is set to sweep across England, stretching well into Tuesday night at around 7pm, before clearing, affecting the vast majority of the country.The warning comes just days after the UK recorded its hottest-ever May day, with temperatures reaching a scorching 35.1C at Kew Gardens, London, on Tuesday, reports the Mirror.The Met Office’s long-range forecast up until Wednesday (June 3) paints a markedly different picture, with meteorological summer beginning on an unsettled note. Spells of rain on Monday could well be followed by further heavy and thundery showers on Tuesday.”The widespread heatwave will gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days,” with a transition to more unsettled and cooler weather for many, the Met Office said. Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “We’re now starting to see this spell of very hot weather break down.”While parts of the southeast could still reach highs of 32C on Thursday, many areas will begin to feel fresher conditions moving in through Friday and into the weekend as a weak cold front moves southeast and becomes more established across most of the UK by Saturday. As the heat starts to ease, the weather will also turn more changeable, with some showers and thunderstorms possible.”By the weekend, temperatures should be much closer to average for the time of year with accompanying rainfall for many through the weekend and into the start of next week.”The Met Office has indicated that from Monday onwards, further periods of rain or showers are likely to sweep across the UK, albeit potentially interspersed with brighter spells. Temperatures are expected to be closer to average than they have been in recent days,” it adds.