Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Declaration : I am currently on the Fenland District Council Planning Committee.
The below item will be determined.

I am not predetermined and will look at the application without any prejudice.
I am being lobbied – please be aware, only planning matters are valid.

F/YR24/0903/0
Land adjacent New Saxon Works, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey
Erect up to 65,000 sq m floor space consisting of E (b)(d)(f) (amenity buildings) and
E (G)(i)(ii)(iii) (office, laboratory and manufacturing) including renewable energy
infrastructure, parking, country park and other associated infrastructure (outline
application with matters committed in respect of access).

There is an article in depth – on CambsNews JE

GhosterCambsNews&FDCPlanning.

Somewhat contentious Tree Preservation Order on 15 Trees on Church Street Whittlesey.
For those who are not aware of the history of this house.
Quite unique in that it was orginally built for a Mr. Lines, who owned one of the brickworks in Whittlesey, later ‘Butcher Brown’ owned is for at least 40 years.
After he died, the property has been sold twice and a building at the rear garden has been built.
The Trees are large, and they and the property sits within the Whittlesey Conservation area.
By placing TPO’s on the trees – protects them to a certain extent.
Concerns about the ‘safety’ of the trees, a number run parallel to the pathway that children and parents use from/to Park Lane school.

The motion was approved to place TPO’s on ALL 15 Trees.

Ghosted@FDCPlanning.

Johnsons Aggregates fined nearly £90,000 for breaking its waste permit.

The Environment Agency (EA) has prosecuted Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling Ltd, the same company operating at Saxon Pit in Whittlesey, after large amounts of ash were found spread over neighbouring land at its Ilkeston site in Derbyshire.

The firm pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and was fined £40,000 with £49,886.75 in costs. The court heard that EA officers discovered waste ash covering about five acres outside the permitted boundary, following complaints about dust, odour and noise.

The Agency said the case shows it will not tolerate illegal waste activities and reminded the public to report any suspected waste crime.

For Whittlesey residents, this is a clear reminder of why strong oversight and independent monitoring at Saxon Pit are essential.

The case was confirmed in an EA press release on 11 November 2025. A spokesperson said:
“This case shows that operators in the waste sector should realise we will not tolerate illegal waste activities. We will take enforcement action to protect the environment, people and legitimate businesses.”

The same operator is now seeking to expand its operation here by:

• increasing IBA throughput from 250,000 to 460,000 tonnes per year (an 84% rise)
• doubling daily IBA processing capacity
• more than tripling C&D waste throughput (up 208%)
• expanding total on-site waste storage by 43%
• reducing freeboard (the buffer between the top of the waste piles and the wall) from 1.0 m to 0.5 m
• and introducing outdoor IBA crushing.

Saxongate has submitted detailed objections and expects the planning decision to go before committee in 2026.

Derbyshire firm to pay nearly £90,000 for breaking waste permit – GOV.UK

Ghost@SaxonGate.

With just over a month to go until Christmas, it is time to dust off your Santa hat and spread some festive cheer through our eighth annual Fenland Christmas gift appeal!

Every year, for various reasons, there are children across Cambridgeshire who will wake up on Christmas Day with no presents waiting for them under the tree.

While there are charities and teams who work tirelessly to provide these children with a gift to open, it isn’t always possible without the support of the public.

This year’s appeal will run from today (12 November), until Wednesday, 10 December, and donations will be accepted at:

🎁Tesco in Hostmoor Avenue, March (available from Saturday, 15 November)

🎁Wisbech Police Station, in Nene Parade, where the yellow phone outside can be used to contact staff.

💻Online by setting delivery to Sally Fairbrass at Cambridgeshire County Council,
Awdry House, 110 Ramnoth Road, Wisbech, PE13 2JD

Please ensure any donations dropped off at either location are sealed within a carrier bag or a bin bag, but not wrapped. Donations to the appeal can include toys, puzzles, dolls, sports equipment, Lego, books, craft sets, beauty sets.
Please note that only new gifts can be accepted, not second-hand items.

The age ranges for donations are:

• 0 to 2 years
• 3 to 5 years
• 6 to 10 years
• 11+ years

We appreciate that times are tough, but we urge anyone who can help to do so, your generosity does not go unnoticed.

You can find out more about how to get involved over on our website.
Ghoster@FenCops.

Whittlesey Community Movie Event

Queen St Church – Saturday 15th November

Doors open 18.30 for 19.00 start.

Inspired by an epic true story, MY PENGUIN FRIEND is an enchanting adventure about a little lost penguin who – after being rescued from an oil spill – transforms the life and soul of a heartbroken Brazilian fisherman (Jean Reno). The penguin and the fisherman become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them.

No admission charges are made for these regular winter events with refreshments served during an interval.

Donations are much appreciated to offset operating expenses.
Card transactions now available if preferred.

If you value “cinema” events in your Town and would like them to continue, please try to come along.

Your smiling faces when attending encourage us to continue!
We really value your support!
Ghoster@QSC

At tonights meeting, ‘4’ ‘Independent Councillors attended this important community meeting.

The future of the Manor Centre is one of the most expensive projects FDC have ever undertaken.

Maybe ? other Councillors have attended other meetings – but FOTM is a group with a good spread of Community Groups.

Again I am pleased that I was one of the instigators of forming this group.

At Tuesday nights Friends of The Manor meeting (agenda published below), the AGM re-elected en-block the current committee.
Chair          Robin Sutton.
Vice Chair Robert Windle.
Secretary   Julie Windle.
Treasurer  Eamonn Dorling.

The main part of the meeting was a relaxed Cllr Steve Count (Portfolio Holder for the Manor Project) give a presentation on the outcome of last Friday’s Cabinet Meeting @ FDC (again already reported in this web-blog).
A good spread of questions, to which SC answered well, and those he could not, wrote down and said he would find out and get back.

Some disappointment for many that there will be no ‘track/walkway’ around the perimeter of the Manor Field, that has as good as gone for the time being.
¥Ghoster#FOTM

Like to know more about Neighbourhood Watch – You’re invited to come along and join in the meeting.

The Date header is incorrect = Should read Thursday 20th November @ 7pm

Whittlesey NHW Nov 2025 AGM
GhosterNHWRS

FOTM AGM AGENDA 111125
GhostedFOTM

I am not on WTC Planning Committee and was not at the meeting, these are notes taken by a member of the committee. WTC act as consultees only, decisions made at the meeting at ratified by the next full council meeting.
These are purely notes and are NOT the official minutes of the meeting.

Ghosted BNW

FDCV Agenda frontsheet 19112025 1300 Planning Committee
Ghostrider@FDCPlanning

Coming a bit later today – the long awaited planning application for a ‘Science Park’
Ghostingthedayaway