Castle Liberal Democrats

12/0594/FUL     100 Huntingdon Road CB3 0HH

Removal of existing velux roof windows and construction of pitched roof window dormers to front and rear elevation; strip existing roof areas and replace with cambrian slates (including upgrading roof insulation) and application of insulated external render to some elevations. Click here for details

12/0610/LBC   West Court Churchill College  Storeys Way

Internal and external alterations to Grade II Listed Building. Click here for details

works on east road

Utility companies could be charged a daily fee for road closures while they carry out work across Cambridgeshire.

The idea has been put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Sarah Whitebread and would apply to companies laying new gas or water mains or carrying out similar work in the county.

Cllr Whitebread, who represents Cambridge’s Market Ward on Cambridgeshire County Council, claims the move could prevent lengthy closures such as the one which brought the city’s East Road to a virtual halt for weeks while new gas mains were laid.

She made her suggestion during Question Time at the county council meeting today (Tuesday, May 15) and it was agreed to look into such a scheme.

A similar idea, approved by the Department of Transport, will allow Transport for London to charge companies in the capital up to £2,500 a day for closing major roads. Companies will face lower charges if they carry out work outside of peak times.

“The county system at the moment has no incentive for speedy work, or to encourage work outside peak times” said Cllr Whitebread. “Given the frequency with which utilities companies need to carry out road works in Cambridge, I think a charging scheme of this type needs serious consideration.

“I also pushed the council to look at ways to encourage utility companies, when carrying out works, to keep roads open for cyclists. Often there is road space around the works that could be made available, but instead cyclists told to wait with cars or dismount and walk. In a city where so many people travel to school and work by bike, this clearly needs addressing.”

The county council’s Cabinet Member for Community Infrastructure, Tony Orgee, agreed to look into such a scheme.

Two tags of unsightly graffiti have been seen and reported on Storey’s way.

Cllr Brooks-Gordon said:

“The graffiti is unsightly and the sort of thing can marr a pleasant, special place like Castle”

Strawberry Fair is to launch a poetry slam competition for young people age 13 – 25 from across Cambridgeshire. The competition will be free to enter and prizes include a prime performance slot at the Fair and opportunities to be mentored by critically acclaimed poets.

If you write poetry, love poetry and want to share your poetry, then they would love to hear from you. You can use beatbox, rap, mc-ing, polyvocal or acapella, as well as poetry and spoken word.

All you need to do to enter is:

1. Go to www.strawberry-slam.org.uk
2. Follow the instructions to post a clip of yourself reading or reciting your poem.
3. Wait to hear whether you have been selected as one of 12 finalists to go through to compete in the Strawberry Slam final on Saturday 2 June.

Deadline for entries: Saturday 26 May 2012

The entries will be judged by five professional poets from London’s Point Blank Poets Collective and the 12 finalists will be announced on Tuesday 29 May. The final will be held in the brand new Strawberry Slam stage at the Fair on Saturday 2 June, 7 – 10pm. The Slam will be hosted by the formidable Hollie McNish (a former UK Slam Poetry Champion) and emcee Inja, with guest performances from renowned spoken word artists Bridget Minamore, Sabrina Mahfouz, Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger.

To find out more visit www.strawberry-slam.org.uk or get in touch with amy@strawberry-fair.org.uk

The safety railings on the traffic island by Trinity Hall playing fields on Huntindon Road have been badly damaged.

The Local Activist Alan Levy has reported the damage to ensure that it is repaired.

One application has been received for land in Castle.

For further information click on the links below.

12/151/TTCA 12 Storeys Way

• Willow (W1): Fell due to rot by infestation of fungus.

Developers have come forward with new proposals for Lion Yard which retain a redesigned walkway to Fisher Square.

The plans will be discussed in depth at a meeting of the Lion Yard Toilets Working Party in May. In the meantime, work will start on reconfiguring some of the shops in Lion Yard, while allowing walkway and the toilets to remain unaffected.

The new proposals have been welcomed by Cambridge City Council Leader, Sian Reid who said: “The city council’s working party and I have expressed real concern about closing the walkway and I am very encouraged that developers are responding to this.

“The working party will be discussing these new plans in depth and will discuss how best to consult again with residents.

“I am very pleased that the developers, who planned to close the walkway, have listened to residents’ views and the concerns of Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council and proposed to retain it.

“I believe that it is vitally important to connect the central market area and Fisher Square with other parts of the city; and retaining the walkway makes it easier and quicker for people can get from the Lion Yard to the toilets

“The county council has given informal advice reflecting this too.”

Cambridge City Council refused permission in 2011 for the developers to move the toilets to the first floor; their future on the ground floor is assured.

Getting Storey's Way Graffiti Sorted Out

Local Lib Dems are sorting out the ugly graffiti on Storey’s Way.

Cllr Belinda Brooks-Gordon said:

“This is just the sort of thing that annoys residents”

“We have reported it to the Council and look forward to it being cleared up”