Ben Robson

Member since 3 August 2023

Passionate about pushing for improvements to the local area, which appears to have long been overlooked and neglected.

All input submitted by this participant

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Ben Robson3 years ago https://goo.gl/maps/hAXeGDBXYHKGarXX8From the images captured across 2011 - 2021 in Google Street View, across a variety of months, it appears that where there was once some form of green planting, this is long gone and not replaced.Suitable replacement planting would be a quick win for the community, greening the area in a space that was previously green. This is especially noticeable as there is the empty former Jenny Wren site adjacent, boarded up for a number of years, adding to the feel of neglect for the area. A small expenditure here could have a large impact on the feel of the area for the community.Clearly this space has not managed to spontaneously re-wild over a decade, it would be low-cost to replant this area with some low shrubs or similar.This is on a major bus route and will be seen and appreciated by a significant number of people.I believe that this proposed should be given reasonably high priority as there is evidence of a 'problem' dating back at least a full decade, and the low cost of providing planting will deliver good value for money.There should be minimal future maintenance cost if suitable plants are selected.Estimated cost: £200.I believe this meets a number of the EIP criteria as follows;* Has a direct, lasting, and noticeable improvement to the appearance of a street or area. * Would be publicly visible and accessible* Low future maintenance cost* Will benefit a large number of local people.* Easy and simple to implement* Meets key policy objective: Biodiversity*Is within an area of predominately council owned housing

Ben Robson3 years ago Installation of raised earth banks around the majority of the perimeter of Arbury Town Park. A raised bank increases surface area for wildlife and plants.A raised bank would also act as an impediment to unauthorised vehicular access onto Arbury Town park. An access point could be created with lockable bollards or similar to allow legitimate access for maintenance, Arbury Carnival, emergency services etc.The raised bank would have the effect of creating an 'amphitheatre' or bowl, meaning that ball games can be more safely played on the grassed area, with less likelihood of balls leaving the area and entering the road.By restricting access, time and effort could be saved in evicting unauthorised encampments.Furthermore, the addition of wildflowers would increase biodiversity, provide a pleasant visual addition to the neighbourhood. Being in close proximity to the community centre, nursery school, primary school and along a major bus route, this would be seen and enjoyed by a wide range of people on a regular basis and require little ongoing maintenance.Reduced maintenance cost of grass mowing for the area covered by raised wildflower earth banks would be a further benefit.

Ben Robson3 years ago According to the Stagecoach website, there is a single bus stop within a 10 minute radius of where I live (where I have tagged this comment).This bus stop is served by a single service (The 1), which doesn't really cater for my public transport needs at all. It essentially collects people from residential areas, takes them to the city centre and out again.If I want to take a bus to almost any other part of the city (or beyond), it requires a change - very unappealing in poor weather, and from experience Stagecoach do not offer a reliable service, so potentially leaving me stranded between home and my destination for an unknown time.A radial bus route, would allow people to utilise facilities in other areas of the city, visit supermarkets, avoid the need to change buses so frequently.I've attached a suggestion for a 'ring road' route, clearly more work would be needed to refine this. This particular route takes a path close to a number of major supermarkets, allowing residents access to cheaper food prices than if buying at smaller, local convenience stores.Cities with successful public transport networks often incorporate a circular route - look at maps of the London Underground, Moscow Metro etc for examples of this kind of interconnection.It would be good for the council to have put in place some form of contractual performance clause with Stagecoach that encourages a more regular and reliable service than they currently provide.

Ben Robson3 years ago Could the council consider a requirement for solar PV to be fitted on all new build properties?The development at Morello Place features a meagre 3 panels per house, insufficient to provide power to a modern household. There is plenty of space on these particular roofs for a greater number of panels, and the installation cost is not significant.If batteries were mandated as well, then households would be able to charge up on cheaper overnight/off peak tariffs, and reduce energy bills further.For council-owned properties, any excess solar returned to the grid could be sold with the proceeds returned to the council.

Ben Robson3 years ago

Ben Robson3 years ago As can be seen on the mapping of the current trees with preservation orders, the few that are located within the area covered by this consultation are generally in one or two clusters, with some large expanses having no trees subject to preservation orders.This obviously means that there are no consequences or protections in place for any of the many many large, mature trees within this area.A system that allows for easier nomination for protection would greatly enhance the area. In recent years I have enquired about protecting a few public trees but the application was rejected as they weren't under imminent threat. Should the system really rely on someone being aware of the possibility of a tree being lost before a preservation order can be granted? Surely a less reactive system has a greater chance of succeeding. By the time a chainsaw has been started it's too late to start the preservation process.https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/check-whether-a-tree-is-protected

Ben Robson3 years ago Could be useful, but has very poor public transport connections to the rest of the area. The only bus services with stops close by, serve a north-south route, eventually leaving Cambridge altogether, making public transport access from other areas of North Cambridge impractical with heavy food shopping bags.These are potentially more accessible to residents of the villages along the guided busway than they are to residents of adjacent wards.My mother in law used to take the C1 bus from Kings Hedges, get off at the Carlton Arms/Gilbert Road stop and then walk to Aldi. She is now less physically capable of such a long walking journey carrying shopping so this option is no longer viable for her.

Ben Robson3 years ago The housing at Dykes Bower Court next to the new Meadows Community centre presents a rather severe and high face very close to the edge of the site facing Arbury Road, especially when viewed from a pedestrian perspective. By requiring a reasonable step-back on new multi-story buildings, their impact can be lessened and feel less oppressive.This is particularly noticeable on developments close to road/pathways.At the 'gateway' to Orchard Park opposite, the highest stories have been stepped back, to minimise the effect.https://goo.gl/maps/mCbU4xo5k6TsueAUA

Ben Robson3 years ago This is the only health facility in the north of Cambridge, covering an increasing population.The local pharmacy at Arbury Court has now closed.With a rise in population, a greater number of local facilities should follow. Healthcare problems are likely to be more prevalent in less prosperous neighborhoods, and you only have to look at a map showing the Indices of Deprivation for Cambridge to see that the north of Cambridge is significantly more deprived than many other area of the city.Facilities could be co-located with community centres.An out of hours GP service serving the north of the city would be significantly more convenient than having to trek down to Addenbrookes to use the service there. There was formerly such a service in Chesterton, but this closed some years ago.Even just a local pharmacy would be beneficial, perhaps the Jenny Wren redevelopment could provide a space for such a business if it proves not possible to find a replacement pub tenant for the unit.

Ben Robson3 years ago Antisocial driving/parking can leave scars on the landscape that take months or years to 'heal' - when cars have driven onto green spaces and churned up the surface, this often leaves a muddy eyesore behind and contributes to local feelings of decline. I would propose that the design code discourages such behaviour, placing hedges, banks, trees, planters or other deterrents where necessary.https://goo.gl/maps/xgCU1GN4bdUdHo5c9

Ben Robson3 years ago These are more prevalent in the areas with older housing from the 1960s and 70s. Some of the area developments from the last ~30 years, where the building density is much higher do not have as many equivalent areas to provide a small break from buildings. Where they do, they are rarely as open or green - see for example the paved open space on George Nuttall Close https://goo.gl/maps/xxu1KqX828hNXJFs5I would like to see as many of these preserved, perhaps designated as Protected Open Spaces to ensure that they cannot be in-filled in future and preserve the character of neighbourhoods that have them.

Ben Robson3 years ago The open space around ~38 Campkin Road is currently not working for anyone. There are islands of green space, alternating with squares of tarmac, that are too small to be of any use for any real kind of leisure activity. A row of bollards ensure that no off-street parking is possible, and there are frequently cars parked on the double yellow lines along this stretch. A 'No Ball Games' sign is the icing on the cake, marbles is about the only ball game compact enough to be played in this area.https://goo.gl/maps/a4jPnymMKUPDBh6s8Honestly, it might be more beneficial for the community to turn the tarmacked areas into a car park than leave it as it currently is - given that there is almost always one or more vehicle parked on the double yellow lines here, there is clearly an excess demand for parking in this small area.https://goo.gl/maps/DuhVxJdVGoXB4WFg8 Alternatively, remove the tarmac, commit a larger area to grass or other planting and give the area another green lung.

Ben Robson3 years ago

Ben Robson3 years ago From my understanding of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, new large developments within the city must have 40% affordable housing. I perceive that there are too often and easily exceptions made to this rule, allowing developers to provide money towards building affordable housing on a different site within the city.https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/affordable-housing-spdI think most residents with any knowledge of recent Cambridge housing prices would be cynical to any argument from developers that providing a mixture of affordable and 'regular' housing on a site renders it unprofitable to develop at all.If this is enforced fully and regularly, then I have no doubt that market forces will allow other developers to put forward alternative plans that fully meet all requirements relating to providing a mix of housing types.It is my understanding that some areas of the Eddington development did not have this requirement fully enforced, allowing the developers to offset the requirement by providing affordable housing elsewhere within the city. The cynic in me suggests this is to help preserve their ability to market new-build properties for over £1,000,000.

Ben Robson3 years ago Future design should ensure clear sight lines. Downham's Lane cut through is one of many examples in the area of a double right angle on a path, meaning that you can't see the 'exit' area before you start to 'enter'.This can lead to feelings of uneasiness and insecurity, as you have no way of knowing what or who will be encountered once you've committed to the pathway. In a location such as Downham's Lane, which is secluded, poorly lit, away from any overlooking properties or CCTV, this creates an environment for antisocial behaviour. I have frequently observed littering, vandalised/burnt out litter bins etc around here. If there was greater visibility, then the temptation to behave badly is naturally minimised - and all users can feel more secure in using the route with less fear of encountering any issues.

Ben Robson3 years ago During the Milton Road works, this has been blocked for a significant period in favour of using the space as a work site for cabins and a spoil heap, leaving traffic to use Downham's Lane as the only entry/exit point to this area. Entering/exiting at Downham's Lane has far worse visibility for traffic (pedestrian, cycle and vehicle) than Woodhead Drive, so residents are made to suffer this bottleneck.A cynic might say that Kings Hedges gets a raw deal where other parts of the city would be up in arms - can you imagine the likes of Newnham or the De Freville area accepting such inconvenience for an extended time.Decisions like this do not exactly make residents feel valued, listened to or respected.

Ben Robson3 years ago

Ben Robson3 years ago A minimum provision for outdoor private space should be outlined, some recent developments such as those at Peter Cowell Close feature extremely meagre private space provision - estimated around 28m2 split roughly 50/50 between hard paving and grass.Given the slow loss of public green space in the locality, it must be considered more important now than ever to provide households with a dignified, decent outdoor space to allow residents to fully enjoy their properties and make the area desirable to new residents .From experience, having access to such a small area of lawn is impractical. It relies on the household having funds to purchase and space to store a lawnmower etc - if there were to be a council scheme to access such household tools, it could allow households to book and borrow these rather than devote more of their limited outdoor space to storage for items which are not used regularly throughout the year.Site plan link below provided my estimation of the total outdoor space. https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/s25658/140936FUL-%20Proposed%20site%20plan.pdf

Ben Robson3 years ago When scheduling the collaborative workshop in September, it would be prudent to factor in that not everyone can make a limited time slot during working hours. Holding a number of workshops stretching across a decent amount of time across weekdays and weekends, inside and outside of working hours would make this as accessible to a wide range of the community as possible.Even the location should be considered carefully - why not hold some sessions in the other community centres within the area, that perhaps have better public transport connections?

Ben Robson1 year ago The state of the footpaths in North Cambridge is disgraceful. I walk my children to school and will not consider letting them use a bike or scooter due to the appalling state of the pavements, crumbling, uneven surfaces abound on almost any possible route. A prime example being the cut through near to 140 Campkin Road. Narrow, overgrown, pothole ridden, litter filled - this is a relatively major route and should not be such a hazard.

Ben Robson1 year ago Morello Place has been built with allocated residents parking - a significant proportion of which is not used at all. This has however led to a knock on impact on the nearby roads as a) residents who previously used to park in the unallocated spaces where Morello Place has now been built are now using nearby side streets, and b) residents of Morello Place with multiple vehicles are not able to use the spaces provided, so are also using nearby side streets to park.I can say with absolute certainty that there was not a problem previously, but the increased number of vehicles on the side streets has led to 'slaloms' of bad parking, restricting traffic flow, increasing local pollution as internal combustion engine vehicles wait for a clear space to pass parked cars, then accelerate to manoeuvre past these cars.A simple solution would be a short period of monitoring the usage of the parking spaces, followed by the removal of restrictions.Few other properties, be they private or council owned have similar allocations, so it is difficult to understand why they have been provided here

Ben Robson3 years ago A substantial amount of low (almost entirely intact), serviceable wooden fencing along Hawkins Road, Larkin Close etc has recently been replaced with concrete bollards and metal poles at waist height.The wooden fencing had been in place for around 9 years and was almost uniformly in good condition. A few small sections had been damaged and replaced over the years, but overall a very small percentage.I cannot help but think that the wholesale replacement of the entire row of fencing is a poor use of council funds. It may reduce maintenance costs in the future, but I should think that the payback period of the would be an extremely long time, if the replacement costs were compared to the cost of repair/replacement of wooden fencing.Furthermore, concrete is well known to be extremely carbon-intensive, so to replace the sustainable wooden fencing that was there beforehand seems particularly egregious in the context of the current climate crisis. This appears to be completely at odds with the Council's own Climate Change Strategy.Throw away culture must not prevail when simple cost effective repairs can take place. If some sections required replacement, then replace those along rather than sending the lot to landfill.A final point to add is that the new concrete and bare metal fencing is subjectively much less visually appealing than natural wood.

Ben Robson

All input submitted by this participant

Replace previous planting in Kings Hedges

Raised wildflower banks surrounding Arbury Town park

Ring road bus route

Solar PV on new builds

Kirkwood Road DIY businesses - Screwfix, Toolstation, Travis Perkins

Potential cut through from Maio Road to Elder Close

Increase Tree Preservation Orders across the area

Histon Road supermarkets

Mandate use of 'step backs' in the design of high rise buildings

GP surgery

Design to prevent antisocial driving/parking on green spaces

Small open green spaces

Under-used open space

Copper roofs

Enforcement of Affordable Housing building rules

Sight lines

Site cabins and spoil heap blocking Woodhead Drive

Bee bricks, bat boxes etc to be mandated

New standard for minimum outdoor space

Phase 1 - Collaborative Workshop

Basic footpath maintenance to encourage active transport

Why residents parking?

Unnecessary fencing replacement