MORE detailed plans for the creation of a vibrant new centre in the East Barnwell area of Abbey ward in Cambridge are set to be presented to the public for the first time by Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.
The latest proposals provide further details of plans for a new community centre and library, pre-school facilities, accessible public open spaces, new commercial premises, plus new high quality sustainable and affordable housing.
The public will have the opportunity to view and provide more feedback on the new updated proposals for redeveloping the area at a drop-in event at Christ the Redeemer Church, Newmarket Road on Monday 16 January from 3pm-7pm.
There will also be a free webinar, open to all, on Monday 23 January from 6pm-7pm. More details about the proposals and how to sign up for the webinar are now available online at www.thefutureofeastbarnwell.co.uk
Changes to the proposals since a previous public engagement exercise last August include locating the community centre and library together in one building instead of two, making improvements to the open space and altering some buildings to create a better relationship with existing homes.
The new facilities and homes will be located on three sites in the centre of East Barnwell near the Newmarket Road and Barnwell Road roundabout, subject to planning permission being granted.
Options will also be presented for the re-location of the current bowls green, tennis court and multi-use games area to the nearby Abbey Leisure Complex or other local open spaces.
The city and county councils are continuing to work towards an agreement to deliver the first phases of the project to create a more liveable, accessible and sustainable neighbourhood for local people and visitors, where motorised traffic and space for car parking are not so dominant.
It is hoped that the three council-owned sites will be developed by Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP). If plans are approved these initial sites will be the focus for the comprehensive regeneration of the East Barnwell local centre, to provide new community, library, pre-school and commercial facilities alongside new homes.
The timescale for delivery of the proposals is for a planning application to be submitted later in 2023, which, if approved, would see construction then starting on site in 2024.
Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council, said: “We have listened closely to local residents and organisations and worked with them to develop proposals for East Barnwell. I’d now encourage everyone to take a look at these revised proposals and let us know what they think of them, either online or at the drop-in event on 16 January. These proposals are a chance to significantly improve the quality of life for people in East Barnwell, and we are excited to hear what people think.”
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Supporting the development of this new centre is a key part of how the County Council is working with its partners to create a greener, fairer and more caring Cambridgeshire by helping to create more liveable, accessible and sustainable spaces which really work for communities, I would encourage people to go along to the drop in and find out more.”
