An eye on planning The role of CambridgePPF as an independent local planning watchdog is to influence the design of new buildings, green spaces and communities so that they are as attractive as possible and to protect the green and historic character of the Cambridge area. We campaign for quality: OK is not OK. Although central government has now relaxed its direction on how rapidly the region expands, and intends to leave it to local authorities to decide, it is likely that an ambitious building programme in the greater Cambridge area will continue. There is a serious shortage of homes over 10,000 names are on the waiting list for affordable housing in Cambridge and South Cambs and people want to move to where they can travel to work without using their car and avoid adverse impact on the local environment.
Cambridge Past, Present & Future recently wrote to Clare Blair, Cambridge City Council, Executive Councillor for Climate Change & Growth, asking that community Public Houses in Cambridge be offered the same planning protection as other Community Facilities in Cambridge. The full text of our letter and Councillor Blair s response can be found on our website www.cambridgeppf.org and highlights include: Cambridge Past, Present & Future has noted with concern the continuing spate of closures of community public houses in Cambridge and their proposed redevelopment as housing... The Cambridge Local Plan offers protection to Community Facilities stating that they are essential to the quality of life of residents and must be conveniently situated and states that to remove such facilities it must be demonstrated there is no longer a need within the local community for the facility ...the definition of Community Facilities in the Local Plan does not include Public Houses. There are many problems facing public houses in the UK and the rate of closures is still running at 39 a week. The community pub is especially under threat and requires protection if we are not to end up losing them in large sections of the city while drinking is concentrated is larger and more impersonal establishments in central areas. While we would not argue that a community pub which is demonstrably unviable and for which there was no longer a need within the local community must be
retained, they need some reasonable planning protection in order to survive where they are potentially viable businesses; particularly where they have important historic connections or are situated in Conservation Areas or on riversides.
CambridgePPF Chairman Robin Pellew OBE commented: "A good local pub is an asset to its area and community. We feel that this part of our culture and heritage is under threat and is worthy of protection. It is unfortunate that we are losing local community pubs where people meet and talk while at the same time seeing the creation of larger and more impersonal bars in central areas of our cities and towns." The Cambridge News has picked up this story and has run a number of articles in support including an editorial comment about this issue.
Conservation Areas under the microscope Conservation Areas have a key role to play in maintaining the special character of our towns and villages. But if they are to realise their full potential, they need wide public engagement and strong local authority backing to ensure that buildings, trees and open spaces within their footprint are properly protected and enhanced. At a free regional seminar in June organised by CambridgePPF in Cambridge Carolin Gรถhler, CEO emphasised that many aspects of Cambridge and the surrounding villages are changing for the worse with inappropriate infill buildings and poorly maintained streetscapes. We are working to counteract these trends by lobbying hard and broadening the debate. The event, organised with English Heritage, attracted around 50 people representing civic groups, professionals and local residents. Professor Peter Landshoff, Chair of East of England Civic Societies and CambridgePPFs Planning Committee, chaired the event. David Grech (Historic Areas
Some of the Heritage Working Group discuss pub closures
6 | CAMBRIDGE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE summer/autumn2010
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