CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL

To: Members of North Area Committee: Councillors Adey, Bailey, Bell, Boyce, Downham, Harrison, Hughes, James, Liddle, Nimmo-Smith, Todd-Jones and Ward.

All other members for information

Applicants/Agent[s] and Lead Petitioner[s] (enc DCF Guidelines)

Published & despatched: 30 January 2004

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL FORUM

Date: 11 February 2004

Time: 11.30am

Place: Committee Room 1, The Guildhall

Contact: Liz Whitcher Ext: 7015

AGENDA

11.30am: DEVELOPMENT CONTROL FORUM: 11 February 2004

PLANNING APPLICATION NOS: C/03/1359/FP

SITE ADDRESS: 34 Victoria Road

DESCRIPTION: Change of use from dwelling house to residential hostel

Applicant: Cambridge City Council

Applicant’s AGENT: Cambridge City Architects

LEAD PETITIONER: Margaret Wright

CASE OFFICER: Janine Barker

The petition is in the following terms in relation to the above planning application.

Dear Ms Barker,

On behalf of the Residents’ and Traders’ Association please find enclosed a petition from local residents calling on the council to organize a Development Control Forum so that the major issues surrounding this planning application can be fully explored. Please note that we have only attempted to collect the number of signatures required to request a DCF and this does not represent the full strength of feeling in the area.

Local residents have many concerns about the proposal including:

· The high density of other supported housing projects in the area and therefore the overall balance for the total community

· The impact of the hostel on its immediate neighbours at Victoria Homes

· The impact of another hostel on the wider community

· The concerns expressed by the police of introducing more vulnerable people into an area in which their statistics show a significant level of crime perpetrated on vulnerable people

· The location of the hostel which will be used for continuing drinkers on such a busy road

· The proximity of so many public houses to the project

· The physical alterations required to the building now that the project is not going to use the rear fire escape, which would leave residents trapped in the back garden

Yours sincerely

Sara Garnham

Treasurer Mitcham’s Corner Residents’ and Traders’ Association

22 Victoria Road, Cambridge, CB4 3DU (518851).

Information for Petitioners’ and Applicants’ Representatives

The aims of the Forum are to allow early discussion of the planning issues and to explore the scope for agreement and compromise between all sides.

Up to three representatives of the petitioners and up to three representatives of the applicants may attend and speak for a total period not exceeding 20 minutes.

The applicants’ presentation is heard first and applicants are asked to start their presentation with a brief description of the application proposals.

For further information on the conduct of the Forum or the petition process, please see the Development Control Guidelines, a copy of this is available on the Council’s website or contact the Council’s Committee Section (01223) 457015.

Please let the Committee Manager know if you would like a briefing on the procedures at the Forum, if you have any other queries, or if you require any special facilities (for example an overhead projector).

Information for the Public

You are welcome to attend this meeting as an observer. Please note that only the three representatives nominated by the applicant (or the applicant’s agent) and the lead petitioner may speak at the meeting.

In the event of the fire alarm sounding (which is a continuous ringing sound), you should pick up your possessions and leave the building by the route you came in. Once clear of the building, you should assemble on the pavement opposite the main entrance to the Guildhall and await further instructions. If your escape route or the assembly area is unsafe, you will be directed to safe areas by a member of Cambridge City Council staff.

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Members of North Area Committee: Councillors Adey, Bailey, Bell, Boyce, Downham, Harrison, Hughes, James, Liddle, Nimmo-Smith, Todd-Jones and Ward.

Chair Councillor Bailey (LD)

Vice Chair Councillor Ward (LD)

Labour Spokesperson Councillor Todd-Jones (L)