Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

New Planning Applications and Important Updates.

A new planning application has gone in as part of the proposed development for a Science Park at Victory Pit, which is land to the west, above and adjacent to Saxon Pit.
The deadline for responses looks to be 05/12/2024. Saxongate have sent a report to the planning team (join our mailing list for details). You can view the application here: –

F/YR24/0903/O | 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 and layout) | Land Adjacent New Saxon Works Peterborough Road Whittlesey Cambridgeshire

Another new planning application has gone in for a BESS battery energy storage Facility at Kings Dyke. Saxongate has some concerns and have sent a report to the planning team (again join the mailing list for details).

You can view the application here:-
https://www.publicaccess.fenland.gov.uk/publicaccess/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

 The BBC have covered stories in the past expressing some concerns for this type of instillation: –
Wakefield residents fear BESS plan poses fire risk – BBC News

The above planning applications are due to be discussed tonight (02/12/24). 18:30 at Peel House, Whittlesey Town Council planning meeting, which is open to the public. 

The other various planning applications for Saxon Pit are still pending. Cambridgeshire County Council have requested further information to support the application to significantly increase production by Johnsons Aggregates Recycling Ltd. This includes a request to provide real-world dust monitoring data, which we see as a very positive and common-sense step. They have also requested further information regarding the traffic and highways, among other points.

Regarding Churchfield Farm, the Environment Agency have informed Saxongate that the Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate (IBAA) used there (not in accordance with the regulation RPS247) has been removed. We have asked for evidence that this has taken place. It is positive that the issue has been recognised and acted upon.

Saxongate understand that investigations into the reported odour issues mentioned in our previous update are ongoing by Cambridgeshire County Council. 

Saxongate have also been informed by Cambridgeshire County Council that they will follow the Environments Agency’s lead in terms of how they define IBAA, which means they will treat it as a waste product. We also understand that, despite an earlier outlying scoping approval, IBAA is no longer going to be used in the Saxon Pit Southern Buttress remediation works (planning approval pending).

We are monitoring the Ralph Butcher Causeway bridge situation as any closure may impact the no right turn rule for IBA/IBAA HGV carrying vehicles from Johnsons Aggregates Recycling Ltd, currently preventing travel via Whittlesey town.

People can contact us on via Facebook or email [email protected]  if they wish to join.

Saxongate Residents Group.

This is your final opportunity this year to come and discuss any concerns with us!

📅When? Between 10am and 12pm, Monday (2nd December)

📍Where? Whittlesey council chambers in Peel House in Queen Street, Whittlesey

We hope to see you there!

If you are unable to make it this time, keep an eye out on here or eCops to hear about opportunities to meet us next year.

Alternatively, you can raise any issues via our community survey.

Dear Roy,

We need your help to find a woman who has gone missing from her home in Fenland.

Lorraine Hiam, 68, was last seen getting into a taxi from her home in Church Road, Christchurch, at about 3.30pm on Wednesday (27 November).

She is described as white, 5’ tall, medium build and wears a short blonde wig. She was last seen wearing a long blue coat and carrying a bag with a Christmas design on it which had a tent and sleeping bag in it.

We have been carrying out numerous enquiries however we now have limited information which we can follow up, therefore we are asking for the public’s help to report any possible sightings of Lorraine.

At the moment we have been unable to trace where she got a taxi to, however we believe she may have gone to a bus station and travelled to the Norfolk area, possibly Lowestoft.

Anyone who has seen Lorraine since Wednesday or who has information concerning her whereabouts should call 101 quoting incident 235 of 28 November or use our online webchat service