Latest news with #NaomiBennett
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concern over labs plan for Beehive Centre in Cambridge
Plans to turn a retail park in Cambridge into laboratories could push people out of the city, a councillor which owns the Beehive Centre, wants to redevelop it to create labs, offices, smaller shops and cafes. Cambridge City Council was due to refuse the application because of the impact on homes but the government intervened and the decision rests with Party leader Naomi Bennett said shops were vital facilities in the area.A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Cambridge can have a vital role in kickstarting economic growth, but it is being held back by unaffordable housing and poor transport connections." "The government will accelerate economic growth across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, to the benefits of local communities and national prosperity," the spokesperson a pension investment company, said it wanted to work with the local community and the scheme would include Beehive Centre is a retail park on the eastern edge of Cambridge. It is home to major brands like M&S Food, Next Home, B&M and Asda, and it is one of few places in the city where it is free to park. In January, the chancellor announced that boosting the science sector in Cambridge is key to her plans for economic growth. Naomi Bennett, leader of the Green Party on Cambridge City Council, said the plans to use the area for scientific laboratories and offices meant local people "were being pushed out of Cambridge"."A lot of people in the area have low incomes and more than 40% of households have no access to cars so to have local shops on your door step are really important," she said."I don't think the government understands that people need to shop and go shopping. I don't think the government understands." Cambridge is surrounded by science and innovation parks including the Cambridge Biomedical Campus which, as the largest health research campus in Europe, employs more than 20,000 head of property, Matt Howard, said: "We don't believe that putting scientists and innovators in a field in the middle of nowhere is the right way to release creativity."They need amenities and activities so that's what we're trying to create here, but we're trying to do it with the local community as well." "We're committed to the Cambridge Retail Park" said Mr Howard. "Our aim is to create an ecosystem where the retail park serves workers at the new Beehive Centre and those workers sustain the retail park."A report by the Greater Cambridge Partnership found that lab space around the city would meet demand until 2030, but warned of "a shortfall of critical smaller space for start-up businesses" which take academic research forward into the first stages of product Labour MP for Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner, said he hoped the government would now ensure that "all voices are heard".He added: "It's an important site for redevelopment. Cambridge must be allowed to grow, but that must also mean better transport, affordable homes, and investment in healthcare." BBC Politics East was broadcast on Sunday, 30 March and can be seen on BBC Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour-run council plans £41m revamp of ‘soon to be obsolete' town hall
A Labour-run council is pressing on with plans to blow £41m on refurbishing a 'soon to be obsolete' town hall. Cambridge City Council has already committed £4m of taxpayers' money to a consultation for a revamp of the Guildhall. Yet under Labour's plans to merge two-tier councils into a single unitary authority, Cambridge City may cease to exist from 2028. Naomi Bennett, Green party councillor, told The Telegraph: 'The project was completely disproportionate even before we knew about the reorganisation plan. 'It's a speculative passion project on a building which may soon be obsolete.' In December Angela Rayner revealed plans to scrap district councils and create so-called 'super councils'. These unitary authorities would be responsible for all services, rather than duties being split between two town halls. Cambridgeshire is one of the areas that faces being turned into a super council, meaning Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils would no longer exist, for example. 'The Labour council believes that the office is the natural centre of the new super council. It might be true, but it also might not be. They are gambling with our money, not their own. I don't think that's right,' said Ms Bennett. The devolution plans have been met with some scepticism, and a recent survey of senior council figures by the Local Government Information Unit found that only one in 10 feel they have been properly consulted on the process of reorganisation. Less than a quarter, 23pc, believed it will solve the local government funding crisis. Ms Bennett, who worked as an accountant for 30 years before becoming a councillor, said: 'Millions are being spent on the consultation alone. This is not how council tax should be spent. Public money should be a sacred trust but I don't think it is to these councillors.' Unitary authorities have attracted headlines in recent times as they face serious budget shortfalls. Notable examples include Nottingham City Council, which declared effective bankruptcy in 2023, and Somerset Council, which has been allowed an above-inflation tax raid of 7.49pc. Cambridge City has agreed upon a 2.99pc rise in tax, the maximum amount a district council is permitted to increase bills. The council has previously funded services such as public toilets and street cleaning, but are having to cut back: 'Things like this really matter to residents. It's depressing if your town seems dirty and people won't be happy.' The £41m revamp is part of a larger £83m proposal to renovate the city's civic quarter at a time when councils across the country are slashing public services and increasing tax bills. One in 10 households faces a £3,000 charge for the first time ever. 'It's like a lot of Labour plans. They look good on paper but when you look at the details they don't add up,' added Ms Bennett. Bridget Smith, the Liberal Democrat leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council and vice chairman of the District Councils' Network, previously told Sky News: 'Unitary and county councils are struggling financially, and in many cases going under, because of the ever-increasing demands of social care. 'It will be no different for these proposed 'super councils'.' She also said that simply reorganising local government is 'simplistic and naive'. Mike Davey, leader of Cambridge City Council, said: 'We are a city of regional and national importance, and the Labour administration will be promoting the Guildhall as the centre of any new authority.' 'What's more, the Council has not yet taken a decision to commit funding, which opposition members are well aware of. We have, however, agreed to progress the Civic Quarter proposals to planning over the next year – alongside work to the Guildhall.' Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Local Government Secretary said: 'Clearly, this is not a good use of taxpayers' cash. Councils should be focused on delivering services for residents, not spending lavishly on an office they will barely use.' A Housing Ministry spokesman said: 'While councils are responsible for managing their own finances, we have been clear that they should use taxpayers' money wisely and carefully consider the impact of their decisions.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour-run council plans £41m revamp of ‘soon to be obsolete' town hall
A Labour-run council is pressing on with plans to blow £41m on refurbishing a 'soon to be obsolete' town hall. Cambridge City Council has already committed £4m of taxpayers' money to a consultation for a revamp of the Guildhall. Yet under Labour's plans to merge two-tier councils into a single unitary authority, Cambridge City may cease to exist from 2028. Naomi Bennett, Green party councillor, told The Telegraph: 'The project was completely disproportionate even before we knew about the reorganisation plan. 'It's a speculative passion project on a building which may soon be obsolete.' In December Angela Rayner revealed plans to scrap district councils and create so-called 'super councils'. These unitary authorities would be responsible for all services, rather than duties being split between two town halls. Cambridgeshire is one of the areas that faces being turned into a super council, meaning Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils would no longer exist, for example. 'The Labour council believes that the office is the natural centre of the new super council. It might be true, but it also might not be. They are gambling with our money, not their own. I don't think that's right,' said Ms Bennett. The devolution plans have been met with some scepticism, and a recent survey of senior council figures by the Local Government Information Unit found that only one in 10 feel they have been properly consulted on the process of reorganisation. Less than a quarter, 23pc, believed it will solve the local government funding crisis. Ms Bennett, who worked as an accountant for 30 years before becoming a councillor, said: 'Millions are being spent on the consultation alone. This is not how council tax should be spent. Public money should be a sacred trust but I don't think it is to these councillors.' Unitary authorities have attracted headlines in recent times as they face serious budget shortfalls. Notable examples include Nottingham City Council, which declared effective bankruptcy in 2023, and Somerset Council, which has been allowed an above-inflation tax raid of 7.49pc. Cambridge City has agreed upon a 2.99pc rise in tax, the maximum amount a district council is permitted to increase bills. The council has previously funded services such as public toilets and street cleaning, but are having to cut back: 'Things like this really matter to residents. It's depressing if your town seems dirty and people won't be happy.' The £41m revamp is part of a larger £83m proposal to renovate the city's civic quarter at a time when councils across the country are slashing public services and increasing tax bills. One in 10 households faces a £3,000 charge for the first time ever. 'It's like a lot of Labour plans. They look good on paper but when you look at the details they don't add up,' added Ms Bennett. Bridget Smith, the Liberal Democrat leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council and vice chairman of the District Councils' Network, previously told Sky News: 'Unitary and county councils are struggling financially, and in many cases going under, because of the ever-increasing demands of social care. 'It will be no different for these proposed 'super councils'.' She also said that simply reorganising local government is 'simplistic and naive'. Mike Davey, leader of Cambridge City Council, said: 'We are a city of regional and national importance, and the Labour administration will be promoting the Guildhall as the centre of any new authority.' 'What's more, the Council has not yet taken a decision to commit funding, which opposition members are well aware of. We have, however, agreed to progress the Civic Quarter proposals to planning over the next year – alongside work to the Guildhall.' Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Local Government Secretary said: 'Clearly, this is not a good use of taxpayers' cash. Councils should be focused on delivering services for residents, not spending lavishly on an office they will barely use.' A Housing Ministry spokesman said: 'While councils are responsible for managing their own finances, we have been clear that they should use taxpayers' money wisely and carefully consider the impact of their decisions.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks and Pizza Hut to be demolished for offices
Councillors have agreed on plans to knock down a Pizza Hut and Starbucks and replace them with new offices. Developer and pensions manager Railpen said it planned to create a "bold striking development" to replace "three low quality buildings" on Cambridge Retail Park. The office block would be part of a wider project to redevelop the retail park. Cambridge City Council approved the plans, but concern was raised the new building could dominate Newmarket Road because of its height, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. At a planning meeting on Thursday, Railpen also outlined plans for a new retail food and beverage unit, which have not yet been submitted. The developer said it wanted to offer a "diverse mix of facilities" and provide compelling reasons for visitors to return. It also hopes to redevelop the Beehive Centre, near Coldham's Lane, although that scheme was recommended for refusal. A spokesperson said: "It [Cambridge Retail Park] will feature retail frontage to the park, offices facing Newmarket Road, and extensive landscaping to align with the council's vision for this key city gateway." One ward councillor for the area, Naomi Bennett, said she "welcomed" redevelopment of the current "eyesore" site. But she added people living nearby were "extremely anxious about the construction process" and asked the developer to keep people informed throughout the work. Dave Baigent, another councillor, said another interpretation of the description of the office block as a "strong building" could be that it "dominated Newmarket Road". Officers explained plans for the building were to make it a "focal point in Newmarket Road" and it was "not much higher" than an existing Premier Inn. Matthew Howard, head of property at Railpen, said: "230 Newmarket Road is the latest of Railpen's investments in Cambridge. "Part of its strategy of supporting the UK's economic and social growth through the clustering of assets in key sectors and locations, it joins Mill Yard, its 180,000-sq-ft (16,700-sq-m) mixed-use campus adjacent to Cambridge rail station, and the nearby Botanic Place, Railpen's 500,000-sq-ft (46,450-sq-m) headquarters office development. "Railpen also has a number of other significant proposed developments in the city, including its 1m-sq-ft (92,900-sq-m) Beehive scheme, which has been called in by the Secretary of State." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Shopping centre plans recommended for refusal Government intervenes in Beehive Centre plans Cambridge City Council Railpen
