Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

For general information – From The Saxongate Residents Group.

Link to the Cambridgeshire County Council video:-

https://www.youtube.com/live/dJwhZcjq_3g?si=DU-1tpuT_qasGmiQ

The presenting officer spoke for 23 minutes at around 13:00 (minutes into the meeting)
The Agent for the applicant spoke from 37:00 (minutes into the meeting)

Saxongate made their representations from 48:00 (minutes into the meeting)

Six minutes each (normally five) was allowed for the site agent and public representations.

The committee discussed the proposal for around 45 minutes from 54:00 and there were a number of detailed questions.

Sadly, key points raised in an objection letter from Steve Barclay MP, as well as a consultee letter from Public Health England, were not considered to be applicable planning considerations (see the photo below).

The committee did push for the operator and agencies to involve the public more and asked that conditions relating to community relations and the need for a liaison group were strengthened. The committee also asked for conditions and more clarity around data sharing, in particular related to site-based air quality monitoring results for both agencies and the public.

There are a number of improvement works, reports and actions which need to be completed before processing can commence. Also, there will be validation to ensure that promised noise and dust levels have been reached. 

The video link will give the details behind these statements. Saxongate will follow progress closely. 

The committee said officers had given them significantly more confidence in the application and the iterative conditions for noise and dust levels.

The committee then passed the planning application unanimously by a show of hands. (see the photo below).

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Court action, community funds and events, consultations and lots more – February 2025 in Fenland

This month’s The Fenlander is packed with updates that demonstrate the breadth of work covered by Fenland District Council, encompassing everything from court action to community events.

In this edition you’ll find updates on:

• Persistent beggar given jail sentence 
• Conviction for woman whose rubbish was dumped in the countryside
• Council adds pressure to complete work on private property in Wisbech Market Place
• Businesses, get ready for new food waste rules! Coming, March 31.
• Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland
• Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade
• Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects
• Come and see us if you have concerns about community safety
• New home for Wisbech funfair confirmed following consultation
• Funfairs coming to Fenland – Spring 2025
• Team Cambridgeshire and Peterborough champions UK economic growth at the House of Commons
• New scheme supports employers to retain staff and reduce sickness absence
• Get a reusable period product at a discounted rate
• Consultation launched on Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report

Several job opportunities with Fenland District Council.

Persistent beggar given jail sentence after breaching anti-social behaviour injunction

Fenland District Council has thanked the community for its support in tackling anti-social behaviour, after securing a prison sentence against a Wisbech man who repeatedly harassed and caused distress to others.

The council had previously secured an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction against Michael Bloy as a result of multiple complaints about his aggressive behaviour.

Click Here For Full Story

Conviction for woman whose rubbish was dumped in the countryside

A householder who employed someone to get rid of rubbish for her which was later found dumped in rural Fenland has been given a court conviction and ordered to pay costs.

And Fenland District Council has warned other residents and business owners not to make the same mistake.

Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for refuse and cleansing, said: “People must be aware that they can’t just hand rubbish to anyone to get rid of without questioning what they’re going to do with it.

“Your waste is your responsibility, and you must make basic checks on the legitimacy of waste operators because if your rubbish is illegally dumped and we trace it back to you, you’ll be liable for a penalty too.”

Click Here For Full Story

Council adds pressure to complete work on private property in Wisbech Market Place

Members of the public and local councillors have expressed frustration with the slow pace of work on privately owned historic buildings in Wisbech Market Place.

The council is working closely with property owners to drive improvements to buildings that have legal protection due to their special architectural or historic interest.

While the Council has very limited power to intervene, where private property is concerned, all avenues are being considered.

Click Here For Full Story

Businesses, get ready for new food waste rules! Coming, March 31.

New workplace recycling legislation comes into effect from March 31 this year changing how businesses manage their recycling and food waste.

Under the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, businesses with 10 or more employees will need to separate their dry recycling and food waste from their general waste – and ensure it’s collected by an approved waste contractor. The goal? To reduce the environmental impact of the commercial sector and promote more sustainable waste management.

Click Here For Full Story

Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees have a little longer to get ready and have until March 31, 2027, to comply with this legislation.

If you run a business, now is a great time to check your current waste disposal and ensure you’ll be compliant.

Fenland District Council can offer, at competitive rates, the separate collection of dry recycling, food waste and general waste.

To find out more, get it touch on contact us or visit our trade waste web page. 

For more information on the legislation, visit the government website:
Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England 

Waste charity WRAP also offer advice

Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Volunteers are being sought to help lead a new free sports reminiscence-based group for older people – the latest addition to a programme of free and low-cost social and fitness classes for all in Fenland.

A specialist exercise group for people with diabetes has also been added to Fenland District Council’s Active Fenland programme, which includes everything from kickboxing to dementia-friendly seated exercise.

Active Fenland secures grant funding to provide opportunities for people to live more active lives, especially where they might face additional barriers to do so.

Activities are offered at venues across the district.

See the full programme and find out more: Volunteers wanted to support programme of free and low-cost social and fitness sessions for all in Fenland

Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade

Fenland District Council has invested £114,300 in energy efficiency improvements at three Fenland leisure centres, as part of an ongoing programme of upgrades.

Outdated and inefficient boilers at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March, Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey and the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech have been replaced with powerful, low NOx boilers.

See more: Fenland leisure centres welcome energy upgrade

Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects

Community groups are invited to apply for funds to support environmental projects.

Deadlines are approaching for the latest round of invited bids to Ransonmoor Community Fund and Glassmoor Local Environment Fund.

Ransonmoor Community Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to groups for projects with environmental benefits in Benwick, Doddington and Wimblington.

Glassmoor Local Environment Fund funds projects in Whittlesey, Coates, Eastrea, Pondersbridge and Ramsey Mereside and the surrounding area typically to a maximum of around £10,000.

See more: Community groups invited to apply for funds for environmental projects

Another very important day for Whittlesey residents – especially those who live nearby the Saxon Works.

The application has been in the pipeline for some considerable time, and is a ‘minerals and waste’ application and therefor dealt with by County Council.
I have placed the documents below – they are a good 30 minute read if you want to view all the details.

The Officers @ CCC are recommending to CCC Planning committee that the application be approved (with conditions attached).

A total of 31 individual objections were received and another 6 from The Saxongate Residents Group + 1 from Whittlesey Town Council (a duplicate of one of Saxongates)

I understand that 2 representatives from Saxongate will be attending the meeting.
Unfortunately I am unable to attend by plan to view on the livestream. Click Here To View

CCC-24-048-FUL Metal Recycling Facility at Saxon Works, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey PE7 1PJ

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