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Local ponds survey Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Biological Records Centre (CPBRC) is trying to find out where all of the ponds in Cambridgeshire are and what is living in them. NB: The ‘date’ section on the form is the date you fill in the form. The survey is running throughout this (2008) summer. National Air Traffic Services (NATS) proposal to change the stacking areas of aeroplanes landing at Luton and Stansted airports National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has put forward a proposal to change the stacking areas of aeroplanes landing at Luton and Stansted airports. The proposed areas which would affect us most are those for stacking aeroplanes approaching Luton airport (Eastern and Western areas) which are above Hatley. The consultation period for this proposal ended on19 June 2008. Hatley Parish Council submitted a response. Follow news on the proposal on ruralpeace.org.uk and AirportWatch.org.uk Petition on 10 Downing Street website (open until 25 March 2009) South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Biodiversity Strategy A vision for the conservation of South Cambridgeshire’s biodiversity, 2006 to 2009 Biodiversity is a term used to describe the richness of the living environment around us. South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Biodiversity Strategy, written by Rob Mungovan, its Ecology Officer, outlines how the Council will promote biodiversity, conservation and enhancement throughout its daily functions, both regulatory and advisory, in order to produce an ecologically diverse and sustainable local environment for the district. The Strategy identifies the biodiversity resource considered as typical of our district and specific actions are proposed within the Strategy’s action plan. It was approved by the Council on 28 September 2006 and is now Council Policy in support of the current Local Plan. The intention is that the Biodiversity Strategy will eventually be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document in support of the new Local Development Framework. Among the priority species are the water vole, great crested newt, house sparrow and barn owl, which are known to be within the parish of Hatley. Other priority species in South Cambridgeshire are the otter, white-clawed crayfish and native black poplar tree. Priority habitats are: rivers and streams; woodland; scrub; old orchards; hedgerows; farmland (arable); ponds; churchyards and cemeteries; parks, shelter beds and open spaces; lowland calcareous grassland; roadside verges; and meadows and pastures. The parish of Hatley is in the ‘Natural area’ of the West Anglian Plain. St Denis’ Church, East Hatley is one of the sites proposed for consideration as a ‘Local site’, an area within a village that provides local biodiversity and also people’s enjoyment of local biodiversity. A PDF of the Biodiversity Strategy document can be downloaded in full (4.3 MB) or in sections. It can also be seen at local libraries or purchased from South Cambridgeshire District Council at a cost of £13.00 for a paper copy or £5.88 for a copy on CD-ROM. Please make cheques payable to South Cambridgeshire District Council. Local Development Framework for South Cambridgeshire – draft The Local Development Framework (LDF) will replace the existing Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC), which was adopted in February 2004. It is being prepared under new government legislation for development plans. The LDF will set out policies and proposals for the development and use of land in the District for the period to 2016. The Local Development Scheme sets out the documents that SCDC intends to prepare and the timetable leading to their adoption. You can follow progress of the consultations on the LDF website. Public consultation on the The gypsy and traveller development plan document (GTDPD) which forms part of the LDF, closed on 24 November 2006. Hatley Parish Council submitted comments. Independent examinations are being made by inspectors appointed by the Planning Inspectorate to consider the ‘soundness’ of the submission draft plans, including the objection sites, and will produce reports which may include changes to the plans to meet objections and other matters. These changes will be binding on SCDC – it can then proceed to statutory adoption, in 2007, of the six development plan documents:
Hatley Parish Council has a set of these reports and supporting information. Please contact Sebastian Kindersley, Clerk to Hatley Parish Council, (tel 01767 651 982 or e-mail skindersley@hotmail.com or cllr.kindersley@scambs.gov.uk if you would like to see them. Copies can also be seen at Gamlingay Resource Centre, other Cambridgeshire libraries and South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council offices. Hatley is too small to feature significantly in the reports (population of 205 in the 2001 census). It has been selected as an ‘Infill-only village’. The result of the audit of outdoor sport and children's play space provision is that 'Hatley has a cricket field in excellent condition; there is no evidence for further need.' Gamlingay has been selected as a ‘Minor rural centre’. The reports mention a 1.3 ha housing allocation in Gamlingay, a 1 ha site for an additional graveyard west of St Mary's Church and the need for additional sports pitches in Gamlingay (tennis, senior football, mini soccer and a multi-use games area). A 4.05 ha site in Station Road is mentioned for 'employment commitment' rather than housing. Page updated 23 July 2008 |
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