Category: Cambridgeshire

The developer said it was no longer possible to deliver the promised nine affordable homes and £50,000 towards local servicesFenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire(Image: LDRS/CambridgeshireLive)Councillors have accused a developer of “making a mockery” of the planning committee after rolling back a pledge to put money towards services. Plans to build 36 homes in March were approved in 2023 on the condition that nine be affordable and a £50,000 contribution to local services.The money was to be put towards libraries, education, and healthcare. But Fenland District Council’s planning committee was presented with an application from developer Cannon Kirk to remove these conditions on Wednesday (May 13).The planning officer’s report said an independent viability review had shown that it was no longer possible for the scheme to deliver these conditions. They said that if “market conditions change” they could reassess this in the future.Officers said these changes would cause a “clear shortfall in affordable housing” but found the benefits still outweighed any harm and recommended they be approved.Another application from Fenland Future Ltd, the council’s social housing arm, had been approved earlier in the meeting for land east of The Elms in Chatteris.John Mason, the agent, told councillors the 54 homes would provide “much-needed local housing” and “additional revenue” for the council – but proposed affordable homes had been removed from the earlier application.Cllr Jan French called the change “disappointing”, adding that it “seems to be common practice with agents and developers at this time”. An off-site contribution of £67,000 was agreed for improvements to Wenny Recreation Ground and the plan was approved unanimously.Cannon Kirk, the developer behind the March proposal, was slammed by councillors for going back on their contributions. Cllr David Connor, chair of the committee, said: “36 houses, no infrastructure at all, no affordable houses – they’re taking not only the kitchen sink, they’re taking the rug away from us as well. My goodness me.“We can’t get any doctors, I know a friend of mine can’t and she’s been trying to get in the doctors now for two or three weeks – they’re all full. It’s only going to increase the pressure on local services and they can’t even give us £50,000 for doctors, schools or the library either. They’ve taken the whole lot away – this cannot be right.”Cllr Charlie Marks agreed, expressing frustration that the council was unable to do anything other than accept the plans. He said: “Things arrive here and it all glitters – it’s all gold, all sparkly and wonderful, and then they start coming back like this.“It’s not right, but unfortunately having spoken to legal there’s very little we can do about it. I think what speaks more volumes is the agent can’t even be bothered to turn up – to come to this planning committee to explain their reasoning why.”He hit back at their suggestion that if the market changes they may be able to contribute, and said, “we know we’re not going to see any more money from this site”.Cllr Marks said: “They’re just making a mockery of us as a planning committee, and the planners themselves. I think it’s very, very, unjust and I really think they ought to have a look at their conscience.”Cllr French said: “To say we’re disappointed is an understatement – I really do feel that our legs have been lifted this time.” She said removing the condition will “set a very dangerous precedent” and the developer could return to remove conditions from their other approved schemes.Cllr Connor said: “This is what we’re up against as a planning committee – people say, ‘we can’t get doctors, we can’t get this’. This is a typical application that we have had in the past many times and we’re going to see, certainly, a lot more times – just to sum it all up, we’re getting nothing.“If we, as a committee, turn this down – it would certainly go to appeal, and we would lose the appeal almost certainly. Then maybe there would be some costs awarded, which is obviously taxpayers’ money.”Councillors “very reluctantly” moved to approve the application and it passed unanimously.

Cambridge Leisure Park is currently up for sale and could be redeveloped by new ownersAr Julius and Kenette Zuluete at Cambridge Leisure Park(Image: CambridgeshireLive)People are divided over plans to potentially redevelop the Cambridge Leisure Park. Some have said that it would cause “chaos” for local businesses while others say it would “inevitably attract people”.Cambridge Leisure Park is up for sale and could be redeveloped with new offices, labs, retail, and leisure opportunities. It currently hosts a hotel, car park, restaurants, cinema, and bowling alley.According to a sales brochure by real estate company JLL, it is the city’s “only multiplex and drive-to leisure destination”. A proposed masterplan shows how the 8.4-acre site could be redeveloped.The brochure explained: “The proposed master plan would comprise of massing ranges from 2 stories to 10 storeys. These buildings would comprise a mixed-use estate for Office, Lab, Retail, F&B, the Junction, Creative Workspace, Leisure, Car Parking and Energy centre.”This includes a “new sustainable home” for the Cambridge Junction, which hosts a variety of events. The repurposing opportunities also suggest that a “big box retail warehouse space” could be explored to draw in shops like M&S, TK Maxx, Next, and Superdrug.CambridgeshireLive went to the leisure park to speak with locals about their thoughts on the potential plans. Ishwar Bankar, 28, who works at Pizza 1889, said: “We have offices here but adding more offices, I think it will affect the hospitality.”Pizza 1889 in Cambridge(Image: CambridgeshireLive)Ishwar said business is regularly brought in to Pizza 1889 from Cambridge Junction and he believes that if the Junction moves, even within the site, the “visibility of small businesses would be less”. He is concerned about the impact this could have on businesses.The site currently has a 611 space multi-storey car park but the proposed plan has 145 spaces. Cambridge City Council is the freehold owner of the site and Land Securities is the leaseholder.Ishwar believes that one of the main aspects of coming out is spending time with family. The “main concern” is that if parking is reduced, he “would lose on lots of customers because they would then go to other places like the city centre where there are more spaces, so that would affect us as well”.Anish Bakrania, 21, is a student from Cambridge. He said that it “sounds like a good idea” and that “if there’s space” it could work well.He believes that there is “definitely better ways to use the space” but if it will “attract more investment and more businesses coming here”, change could have a positive impact. He added: “I think having offices and labs will inevitably attract people and will bring more business here.”Abi Thk, 39, said that more offices and labs would not be a good idea. The 39-year-old added: “The reason is that if you look at this place [Cambridge Leisure] it is a very open place. People hang around here. It’s not only about coming to these restaurants or for bowling, but it gives a lot of space, and especially in the summer this place becomes energetic.”So, if offices get built here, there will be change. It will be more of a corporate vibe which I would not say is a good thing. So, my suggestion would be not to have offices here. We have offices already, just opposite the [railway] station and I think that would be the perfect place but not somewhere where people come to enjoy.”When describing the potential parking space changes, Abi said that Cambridge has a range of companies and businesses nearby who would most likely park their car on site, so to “reduce the number of car parking, again, it would be chaos”.Cambridge Junction would get a “new sustainable” home under the potential redevelopment plans(Image: CambridgeshireLive)Ar Julius, 33, lives in Cambridge. He said that at the moment he does not have any problem with parking, and said “it is really good” but “that could all change” if anything happens at the leisure park.The 33-year-old continued: “If they put offices here, people might need even more parking spaces, and if they lessen the spaces, that could be a problem.”Kenette Zuluete, 35, believes “there is pros and cons” to the possible plans and that “if they bring more work here, the cost of living will rise”. However, Kenette said it could also be an “opportunity” for many people to find work.

The applicant said the hotel will provide ‘modern guest accommodation’ for the areaArtist’s impression shows how the new restaurant could look(Image: Agellus (Ely) Ltd / Gary Johns)Plans to add guest rooms to a riverside restaurant have been given the go ahead, despite concerns about parking. Quay House in Quayside, Ely, is set to undergo a transformation, with plans first approved in January for the first floor to be turned into a restaurant.Then in April, plans were submitted for phase two to turn the second floor into three hotel rooms with en-suites. The proposals also included adding additional dining to this floor, a reading room and lounge ancillary for the restaurant.The applicant said the hotel rooms would put the building into “long-term use” and it would introduce “modern guest accommodation” to the area. They also said it would “strengthen the building’s economic sustainability” and contribute to the “vitality of the Ely riverside area”.These plans have now been approved by East Cambridgeshire District Council. There had been some objections to the plans prior to approval, with concerns raised over parking and traffic in the area, as well as the impact on nearby residents.One person, who lives in Quayside, said there were “barely enough parking spaces” in the area already. They added: “There is precious little space for large/delivery etc vehicles to turn or manoeuvre in/around our homes not accounting for what will be a new multi-use premises.“The scheme now viewed in the round is not a welcoming change to the peace of the Georgian riverside area.” The objector also said the “mainly peaceful” riverside area would be “unduly compromised/prejudiced” with the new plans.Another person in Cardinals Way raised concerns about the potential noise and impact on “residential character”. They said: “I feel the additional plans for a function room on the first floor will generate additional, inappropriate levels of noise.“The room will face the residential properties behind Quay House and with open windows in the summer, and likely music etc, noise will carry across the Bishops Walk development and Back Lane, late into the evening.“Noise levels are already increasingly high, especially in the summer months from the Maltings and RBK. I have conditional support for the proposal for the restaurant, but I believe this new proposal seeks to turn the project into something that will change the character of the area, contrary to the public plans for it.”The applicant said that Cambridgeshire County Council’s adopted parking standards generated a theoretical requirement of 11 customer spaces and six staff spaces. The applicant said due to the site’s “sustainable location” and proximity to public car parks, this could be provided without dedicated spaces onsite.

Getting their glam on at the donations table

An enthusiastic group of Cambridge ‘mad hatters’ will hand over $5410 to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ this week to go towards its Pink Ribbon appeal.
The money was raised at a Mad Hatters Tea Party held by Cambridge Oaks Lifestyle Village residents at their recreation lodge earlier this month.  The whimsical theme, complete with men and women decked out in crazy hats and outfits, mostly in shades of pink, saw around 100 attendees sip their tea from deliberately mismatched vintage teacups.
Guest speaker Anna Campbell with the niftily dressed emcee for the event, Gary Edgar. Photo: Viv Posselt
Cambridge Oaks’ owners, Freedom Lifestyle Villages, also contributed towards the total raised.
The event was organised by resident Cheryl Newman, with guest speaker Anna Campbell talking on her life and ‘Fashion in the Fields’, and a fashion parade by Gabriels of Cambridge in which the clothes were modelled by villages residents.
Campbell, who lives outside Cambridge, made a name for herself a couple of years ago when she was selected to represent New Zealand at the Melbourne Cup’s Fashion on The Field event in 2023.
Newman told The News she was delighted by the turnout and the result.
“We try to do something for Pink Ribbon every couple of years,” she said. “When I saw something on television about a Mad Hatters Tea Party, I thought it was a great idea for us this time.”
She said many Cambridge businesses and organisations donated over 30 items for raffling during the event.
“It is an excellent result … we will pass on the $5410 to the Breast Cancer Foundation this week.”
Mad Hatters Tea Party organiser Cheryl Newman, left, with guest speaker Anna Campbell, turned on the pink for the fundraiser.
Getting their glam on at the donations table before the event are Cheryl and Ernie Newman, seated, and emcee Gary Edgar, Carol de Joux and Lynne Scarlett. Photo: Viv Posselt

The event was cancelled in 2025 due to ‘rapidly rising costs’The Strawberry Fair returns on June 6(Image: Cambridge News)A Cambridge festival that’s coming back after a year off is set to have an Area 51 space theme. The Strawberry Fair has been running in Cambridge for 50 years, providing audiences with free musical entertainment.In 2025 it was cancelled due to “rapidly rising costs”. However, the fair will return to Midsummer Common on June 6 after great fundraising efforts from organisers were able to bring it back.“We are coming back bigger and stronger,” said Mark Evans, chair of the Strawberry Fair committee. With this year’s fair being the 51st, its theme is based on Area 51. On the alien-inspired theme, Mark said: “Last time it ran it was for 50 years. The next is for 51 so it’s a play on words for Area 51.”Mark added that people should “expect a lot of aliens and space themes across the site”. He said: “It gives people an excuse to dress up as their favourite sci-fi character.”While last year was cancelled due to financial struggles, Mark said organisers have been raising money to keep the event going. He said: “There has been lots of fundraising going on with various events. We are looking at how we can sustain it for years to come.”In the lead up to June 6, Mark added that it has been a “manic” time for volunteers. He said: “I can report that everyone is working flat out. We are working a lot smarter than we have before, and having a year off has given us time to refocus.”Mark described the Strawberry Fair as a “unique” event. He added: “It’s free to access and it’s for the people of Cambridge. It’s what the people of Cambridge deserve. There’s nothing quite like it. Cambridge should be proud of it and people should enjoy themselves.”The Strawberry Fair is a volunteer-run festival and is free to attend. Anyone who would like to volunteer or find out more information about the event can visit the fair website.

He was sentenced in 2012 for sex offences including rape and sexual assaultHMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire(Image: Cambridge News)A man convicted of historic sex offences has died in a Cambridgeshire prison. Barry Ford died aged 77 in August 2025 while serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey in Perry, according to a recently published report.Ford was sentenced to 18 years in prison in December 2012 after being found guilty of sex offences. Ford was jailed for six counts of rape and 10 of sexual assault, as reported by the BBC. Some offences were committed with his son, Craig McKellar, who was also convicted.A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that Ford was born on January 31, 1948 and died on August 29, 2025 at the prison.A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman stated Ford died of a brain condition caused by frailty in old age. The report says that HM Littlhey prison confirmed that Ford had no identified next of kin.A clinical reviewer said the care Ford received at the prison was “equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community”. The reviewer also found that the end of life care was of a “high-standard” and no recommendations were made.An inquest into his death was held on October 8, 2025 where the coroner concluded that Mr Ford died of natural causes.

From May 12, 2026, learner drivers must book their own driving tests as the DVSA confirms instructors will no longer be permitted to make bookings on their behalfNew driving rules will impact road users from Tuesday, May 12(Image: Joe Morris via Getty Images)Certain motorists will be affected by new driving rule changes coming into force on Britain’s roads from today (May 12). Learner drivers will notice significant updates from today in the second phase of a major overhaul of driving tests.The DVSA has already introduced amendments to the number of changes learners can make to their test booking. Under the previous regulations, learners were permitted to alter details relating to their test up to six times, but this has now been reduced to just twice.From May 12, further changes will be made regarding who can book and manage driving tests, with instructors set to lose this ability. Previously, either the learner driver or the instructor were entitled to book tests. However, under the new rules, only the candidate will be permitted to make a booking.The DVSA previously stated: “From 12 May 2026, you will need to book your car driving test yourself on GOV.UK. Your driving instructor will not be allowed to book it for you. From 12 May 2026, it will be against the law to book a driving test for someone else.”Prior to booking a test, drivers should consult their instructor to confirm they are ready to sit the test, reports the Express. It is also essential to obtain a driving instructor reference number, which is vital to ensure their instructor is available on the chosen date.Beverley Warmington, DVSA’s chief executive, previously said: “We have listened to learners, driving instructors and voices from across the driver training industry on how to make the booking rules fairer. Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties and put them in control of booking their driving test.”Nevertheless, the DVSA emphasised that learner drivers ought to only reserve their test at a centre they actually plan to attend. Ian Edwards, young driver expert at Veygo by Admiral, previously outlined how the May changes would impact road users.Ian said: “From May, learners will be the only ones allowed to book their driving test. If your instructor has handled this for you in the past, you’ll now need to do it yourself through the official DVSA booking service at GOV.UK.”Make sure you’re registered and have your driving licence number to hand before you try to book. Avoid third-party websites charging inflated fees – the standard test fee is £62, and that’s all you should ever pay.”

The wife was unable to sleep for the rest of the night after a stranger entered their roomCambridge Orchard Park Travelodge(Image: Google)A grieving couple was left shocked when an “intruder” entered their hotel room late at night. Gary and Alison Yates, both from North Yorkshire, travelled to Milton on Bank Holiday Monday (May 4), for Alison’s father’s funeral.The couple got stuck in seven-hour traffic after a crash, meaning they missed the funeral. As the pair needed to clear out Alison’s father’s house in Milton, they stayed at a Travelodge in Orchard Park, Cambridge.After a long and “emotional” day of cleaning out Alison’s father’s house on May 5, the pair “crashed out” in their hotel room, Gary said. While both were asleep in bed, the pair were woken up at 11.30pm.“We were in a deep sleep and at 11.30pm, a man walked into our room,” said Gary. He added: “We sat up in bed and I shouted, as you would. The man said ‘I’m really sorry‘ and said ‘they’ve given me the wrong door key‘.”Alison was unable to sleep for the rest of the night. Gary went down to reception the following morning and told a staff member. He said he was told that staff were “aware of the incident”, and the manager who was due to be in at 12pm would be in contact with him. The couple left on May 6 and made their way home. They did not hear from the hotel manager until May 8.“The manager sent his apologies, but we feel like we’ve been fobbed off,“ Gary said. “I’m not expecting them to roll out the red carpet for us, but we just want some closure. Alison is still upset about what happened. She didn’t get to see her dad off, then there was clearing the house and with everything else that happened, this was the icing on the cake.”A Travelodge spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for this customer’s experience. Any case of an unauthorised person entering a guest’s room is a significant cause for concern and we want to be clear that this should not have happened – our room access security policy was not correctly followed, which is not acceptable. We would like to apologise again to the customer for their experience with us.“The Yates’ experience follows recent media reporting about a 2022 incident in Maidenhead which saw a man pretend to be a woman’s girlfriend to get a key card for her room. Kyran Smith, 29, raped the woman and was later sentenced to more than seven years in prison for the offence.Travelodge says the company has commissioned an independent review to examine its policies and procedures led by Paul Greaney KC. A spokesperson said that Travelodge is also working on an internal review to ensure guests’ safety.Gary believes security needs to be improved at the hotels. He added: “People need to be aware of what’s going on. What I don’t understand is they don’t have chains on the doors. The little lock [on the doors] is just a waste of time. I feel sorry for the poor bloke [who entered the room], he was an innocent party in this.”The Travelodge spokesperson added that the hotel chain has made recent changes to strengthen room access security policies, including retraining customer-facing colleagues on upgraded policies. They said staff at the Cambridge Orchard Park hotel will receive additional training on room access security and check-in procedures.

She has been struck off The Nursing and Midwifery Council registerFile image of a nurse conducting a test on a patient(Image: Getty Images)A nurse who was found to have administered medication “incorrectly” to a patient has been ordered to be struck off the nursing register. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said Natalie Smith’s fitness to practise as a nurse was impaired by reason of “lack of competence”.An NMC panel upheld several charges against the nurse who worked at North West Anglia NHS Trust at a hearing on May 1. The panel heard that in December 2018, Miss Smith administered inhaler medication “incorrectly” in that she “did not count at least 8 seconds per puff.” On February 8, 2019, it was determined that Ms Smith did not administer medication as prescribed to a patient.The panel also found Ms Smith inserted a nasal bridle and cannulated a patient without the required training to safely do so in two separate incidents.It was also determined that Ms Smith “failed to demonstrate the standards of knowledge, skill and judgment in patient care required to practise without supervision as a registered nurse” by not completing vital signs for a patient when it “would have been clinically appropriate to do so” on January 4, 2019.She also failed to sign a drug chart for a patient, didn’t sign a patient’s prescription chart to confirm IV medication had been administered and signed to indicate she had administered ibuprofen to a patient when she had not done so between December 2018 and November 2019.The report said: “The panel considered that Miss Smith’s actions in relation to the charges found proved, namely not monitoring a patient post-procedure who had been sedated, not replacing tracheostomy tube packs, and poor record keeping related to medications administration, put patients at real risk of harm. The panel therefore decided that a finding of continuing impairment is necessary on the ground of public protection.”The report added: “The panel also considered that Miss Smith has not practised for a considerable period of time, which is likely to have had a detrimental impact on her clinical skills.”There is no evidence before the panel of any efforts to maintain or develop her competence during this period. The continued lack of engagement and absence of material demonstrating insight or remediation indicate that no progress has been made towards safe practice.”The striking off order is due to come into effect upon the expiry of the current suspension order, at the end of June 28, 2026.A spokesperson for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust said Ms Smith had been suspended from work pending the decision from the NMC Fitness to Practice Committee.

Residents feel young people need more to do in the Cambridgeshire villageCottenham in Cambridgeshire(Image: Cambridgeshire Live)Residents have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour amongst young people in a “quiet” Cambridgeshire village. People who live in Cottenham, near Cambridge, hardly have a bad word to say about the village, with some describing it as a “peaceful” place to live.However, some people feel there is a problem with anti-social behaviour. Resident Maggie, who wished for her surname to not be included, thinks this is an issue.She said: “We have some trouble with youths, however I think they need more to do.” Other residents who feel there is a problem with ASB agree that younger people need more to do.Patricia, who didn’t wish for her surname to be included, said: “There is a lot of ASB with younger people, especially up the allotments.“Sheds are broken into, but nothing is taken. It’s more vandalism. But, I don’t think there is a lot for younger people to do. There needs to be things to keep them off the streets.”Paul Whitcombe agreed that there “wasn’t much going on for kids”. He added: “If they are not into a team sport like football, then you have to think about, what is there actually to do for kids?”One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, is a mother to teenagers and wants the village to have more on offer for younger people. She said: “Sometimes you do just see young people hanging about on the street looking bored.“Then they go and cause trouble. But, what are they supposed to do around here? As someone with teenagers, I want them to have more to do in Cottenham. It feels like they are forgotten about.”ASB is a priority for Cambridgeshire Police. A police spokesperson said: “Anti-social behaviour is a priority for many of our neighbourhood policing teams across Cambridgeshire, and we know it’s something residents want us to focus on.”While we don’t believe Cottenham has higher levels of anti-social behaviour than similar villages, we are aware of a small number of recent reports involving damage to local facilities, including the cricket club, play equipment and a shed. We’re in contact with the parish clerk about these incidents and have increased patrols in the area.”If you experience anti-social behaviour where you live, please report it to us – either by calling 101 or reporting online. This helps us build an accurate picture of what’s happening locally and take appropriate action. More information about anti-social behaviour, including how to report it, is available online.”