Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Although the meeting was in May, the minutes have only just been released.

I am writing to provide you with an update on Anglian Water and Cambridge Water’s proposed new reservoir in the Fens.

We’re pleased to announce that our third phase of consultation is now open and will run from 15 October to 10 December.

The consultation is another opportunity for local communities to get involved and help shape how the project is developed.

The new reservoir is a major investment that will secure water supplies for future generations. And we’re committed to developing it in a way that delivers lasting benefits for the region – a new destination for Fenland where water, people and nature can come together and thrive.

Our latest proposals include an updated design for the reservoir, showing potential opportunities for recreation, nature and connections to local communities – all things we know are important to local people.

Over the next eight weeks, our consultation will focus on the following areas:

– Updated proposals for the reservoir design including how it could feature in the landscape and connect to nearby communities, and the features it could include for people and nature.

– Updated proposals for the raw water and treated water infrastructure we would need to transfer water from sources to the reservoir, treat it, and supply it to Anglian Water and Cambridge Water customers.

– Information on how we could deliver the project including our early thinking on construction and transport options.

– Information on our approach to the environment including how we’re assessing the project’s potential impacts, what we’ve learned to date, and how we propose to reduce and manage any impacts during both construction and operation.

– Early plans on providing power for the reservoir including our current proposals for powering the site using renewable technology. 

A range of new consultation materials have now been published on our website, alongside an interactive map, brochures, and clear instructions on how you can provide feedback.

Information about the locations and dates of our community events can also be found on our website here. And for the first time, we will have a 3D model of the reservoir on display at our events.

Feedback from local communities and other stakeholders plays an important role in shaping our proposals. This is an opportunity to create a place that everyone values, and that’s why you have an important role to play.

You can submit your feedback online, in writing at Freepost Fens Reservoir, or by email (info@fensreservoir.co.uk). Printed feedback forms will also be available at events or upon request.

We look forward to seeing you at our consultation events in November.

If you would like to speak with us about the consultation process, or the project more broadly, please contact us at info@fensreservoir.co.uk or get in touch by freephone: 0800 915 2492.

Kind regards

Sarah Alexander
Stakeholder Lead – Fens Reservoir Project

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are proposing a new reservoir in the Fens that will secure water supply to our customers for future generations.   
To contact the Fens reservoir team, please email us at info@fensreservoir.co.uk or call our hotline on 0800 915 2492 and leave a message.    

For any other enquiries about Anglian Water, please visit
www.anglianwater.co.uk/contact-us/.
Ghoster02.

Water that passes through Whittlesey will help feed this reservoir.
(click bottom left corner to advance pages).
Press release only allowed today 15th October.

From Cllr Steve Count (Cabinet Holder Leisure) to Cllr Dee Laws.

Thank you for this. It is a shame that “Purdah” was picked up so late in the day and our apologies once again for not trying to let everyone know, as quickly as possible.

I will copy this email to Phil Hughes to see what can be done along the lines suggested, (bearing in mind we are still in Purdah) to promote this consultation as well as Cllr Steve Tierney for the communications element.
It is important we get as many views from residents and stakeholders as possible, especially as we now have a tight turnaround for cabinet, to keep this project on track.

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A further update Cllr Peter Bibb…..

After last night’s planning meeting the following is proposed.
A recommendation from the planning committee was postponed until after the postponed consultation on the redevelopment of the Manor facilities as a whole.

I had declared an interest and spoke as a member of the public in favour, but also cited your comments (as you are resident in my ward) and concerns.

There was much discussion and other councillors took on board your concerns about aesthetics.

It was decided to defer a decision, but for councillors and members of the public to attend the next consultation (after the 23rd October by election) and propose a smaller enclosed area and a more aesthetically pleasing building to act as a storage facility, but also to move towards a social/club area to enhance the facility and the possible uses by clubs and the community.

I was very happy with this outcome and hope that you are, too.
Kind regards.
Peter.
Ghosts @ WTC/FDC.

Received from Cllr Chris Boden.
This is the response I had from an FDC Officer:

“The container & fencing mentioned in the planning application are for the tennis / netball courts (storage), so need to be located in that area.

The fencing is an extension of the fencing that already surrounds the tennis courts so that the container is ‘within’ the tennis court space meaning it is protected and accessible to users.”
CB.
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At last night’s WTC Planning Committee meeting.
There was also a lengthy discissions on planning over FDC’s application for storage at the Manor.

All very much in favour of there being a decent storage, but concern over unsightly containers and much more concern over why they have asked for a ‘Storage Compound’ measuring 120′ x 20′ to enclose the container.
What else are they planning to store there?

In the end decision deferred and Alex Miscandlon/Dee Laws to talk with Phil Hughes to find out more and get it added to the public consultation about the Manor
improvements.
Ghoster@BW.
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Click Here To FDC Planning Portal

Cllr Peter Bibb has responded to a constituent who is questioning the planning application. I have made further enquiries….but Peters explanation seems more than adequate.

I can enlighten on this subject.
This application is to extend the enclosed area and to place a container within this protected area to serve as storage for the clubs (Tennis and Netball) which currently operate at the courts.

It is further envisaged that, with future funding a social base for the clubs could also be housed here (ideas around a summer house or large shed style building have been mooted) to even further enhance the experience of the increasing number of residents who are now able to access the facilities.

Sadly, it will obviously be necessary to enclose these structures to protect against vandalism and misuse.

I personally will benefit from this development, as I will not have to lug different sets of coaching equipment from my garage (thus also easing my wife’s stress!) for the various coaching opportunities provided by Whittlesey Tennis Club. It should in time also facilitate more social events such as the Pimms evening and the strawberries and cream event, which I staged to welcome new members to the club (these were on a fold up table and with camping chairs, but still enjoyed by all)

Lastly, if, as seems likely, Whittlesey emergency food bank becomes homeless in the redevelopment of the Manor, the Tennis Club intends to make any storage space available for them to continue their good works.

For all the above reasons I think that the proposal from FDC is an excellent one.

If you wish to make any comment, you can email FDC Planning or your own councillor.
Bibby@Ghostbusting2.

I ran several articles last week, ref Saxon Industrial concerns/planning and media coverage (BBC News).

One of the main articles received a record number of visits/hits.
3398 individual hits, 4573 Pageviews (some people come back more than once)

Ghoster.