Clearer district boundaries could be on the cards as South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and Cambridge City Council consider proposals to realign their boundaries.
Over the last 20 years, growth has led to development on the fringe of Cambridge, both within the administrative area of South Cambridgeshire and within the city boundary. Some communities naturally look to the city to provide amenities whilst others look to South Cambridgeshire. This is not currently reflected by the administrative boundaries where a number of new communities are split between the two.
Future growth is set to add to the boundary anomalies. For instance, substantial development is planned for Trumpington. Much of this will be in the city, but a significant number of homes planned for Trumpington Meadows will be within South Cambridgeshire. Within current arrangements, this would mean that one part of Trumpington would be represented by city councillors and the other part by South Cambridgeshire councillors; different county councillors will represent the two parts; and one part will have a parish council whilst the other will not.
The proposals look to protect the setting and identity of villages located close to, but outside of, the edge of the city. They also aim to incorporate into South Cambridgeshire district undeveloped land with a rural character which is currently within the city boundary in order to strengthen the integrity of the Green Belt around Cambridge.
Following a recommendation by SCDC in October 2007 and the City Council’s civic affairs committee in November 2007, the chief executives from each authority have been discussing potential amendments to the boundaries. This is with a view to submitting a request to the Secretary of State and the Boundary Committee for a formal review.
The proposals include (moving clockwise around Cambridge):
Arbury Park and Kings Meadows (on the northern fringe) becoming part of the city part of the northern fringe east and the
whole of Marshall’s airport (designated for growth) and the existing urban areas around Cherry Hinton becoming part of the
city a parcel of land in Milton parish where the railway line crosses the A14 becoming part of South Cambridgeshire (unifying
Milton parish) the fields around Lime Kiln Hill and to the south and east of the Babraham Road park and ride site becoming
part of South Cambridgeshire (the park and ride site itself would be part of the city) fields north of the M11/A10 junction
becoming part of South Cambridgeshire
Trumpington Meadows and Glebe Farm becoming part of the city fields at Coton to the west of the M11 becoming part of South
Cambridgeshire
Greg Harlock, chief executive of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said, "We're conscious that our current boundaries don’t make sense for some of our new communities. Those on the city fringe naturally look towards Cambridge for their services. At the same time, the more rural villages have an affinity with South Cambridgeshire district. In drawing up proposals for realigning the boundaries, we have taken this into account and tried to take a common sense approach, looking at where the natural and manmade boundaries occur."
Rob Hammond, chief executive of Cambridge City Council, said, "We have worked together to draw up proposals that we think will make more sense to residents in the city fringe areas.
"We have been particularly concerned to bring within the city boundary the major housing growth sites on the city fringes. This will help build a sense of community identity.
Current boundaries could leave next-door neighbours represented by different authorities and some services provided by different councils."
The proposals will be considered by SCDC’s electoral arrangements committee and the city council’s civic affairs committee on Wednesday 16 April. Should the recommendations be agreed, they will then go to each council for consideration. The next step would be a request to the Secretary of State and the Boundary Commission for a formal review of the boundary between Cambridge city and South Cambridgeshire district. Any such review would include consultation with each council, other interested councils including parish councils, and other interested parties. Draft recommendations would then be published with a further period of consultation. The third stage is the submission of final recommendations to the Secretary of State who will have the final decision.
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