Fear New Homes will threaten City Residents’ Parking

Worried Cambridge residents fear visitors’ parking permits for 99 homes on the old fire station site will add to parking problems in the city centre.

Cllr Sarah Whitebread called a public meeting last night (Monday, December 10) to give residents the chance to discuss the whole issue of residents parking in the Kite area.

More than 70 residents attended the meeting in the Unitarian Church Hall off Emmanuel Road to discuss whether changes need to be made to current parking policy and to look at specific proposals put forward by local councillors to change yellow lines in the area to provide more parking for residents.

The meeting was dominated by the parking issue at the Parkside Place development where all the new homes will be entitled to visitors’ parking permits.

Cllr Whitebread, who represents Market ward on Cambridgeshire County Council said: “The Kite is already the most oversubscribed area of residents’ parking in the city, by far. This new development will do nothing but exacerbate the problems.

“Residents sent the county council a clear message that they want action taken to remedy this situation, and fast. The new residents will move in to Parkside Place in March, so there is very little time to sort out this problem.”

County Council Cabinet member with responsibility for parking, Tony Orgee, attended the meeting and promised to take action.

Jesus Green Play Area to be Improved

Cambridge City Council has announced that the Jesus Green playground will be refurbished during spring 2013 using developer funded contributions.

The Council are inviting comments on designs which can be viewed via the City Council website at www.cambridge.gov.uk/consultations.

Comments can be made from 7th December until 3rd January, after which the designs will be finalised ready for installation during late February and into March.

Cllr Andrea Reiner said, “Thanks to residents, and in particular the Jesus Green Association, for keeping this on the front burner. I know a lot of people are looking forward to the improved play area.”

For more general information about parks and play areas in Cambridge please visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/parks

East Road Alcohol Licence Refused

Earlier this week, a three-member panel from Cambridge City Council’s licensing commitee rejected an application by Adana Mini Market in East Road to sell liquor until 11 pm after councillors and the police raised objections.

Cllr Tim Bick submitted a written representation objecting to the granting of the application. He raised concerns about the proximity of St Matthew’s Primary School and Jimmy’s Night Shelter across the street. Cllr Sarah Brown, representing Petersfield, spoke against the application at the hearing. The police also objected to the application, and Insp Steve Poppitt, the city’s police chief, also spoke at the hearing.