St Neots Masterplan

Future High Streets Fund success

15 April 2021/in Articles /by Richard Slade

The Government confirmed today that following the bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Huntingdonshire District Council has secured over £3.7 million in funding from the Future High Streets Fund to invest in St Neots. The funding enables the district council to deliver its full £12 million scheme which comprises of six projects:

regeneration of the Old Falcon Inn
redevelopment of the Priory Centre/Priory Quarter
improvements to the Market Square
improvements to the High Street
improvements to the St Neots Road Bridge
a new waterfront route

The total funding breakdown is as follows:

£3,748,815 from the Future High Street Fund
£3.1m from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
£5.25 million from Huntingdonshire District Council

Nigel McCurdy, Corporate Director for Place at Huntingdonshire District Council said: “We are delighted to get the final funding confirmation from the Government which means that our focus can now move to get on with delivering these improvements. The next step will be for the council to undertake widescale consultation with residents, visitors, businesses and local groups in St Neots to get their thoughts and ideas as part of developing the detail of each element of the project.”

Free CambWifi goes live in St Neots and other market towns

19 October 2020/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Free public access Wifi is going live in market towns across Huntingdonshire to help residents keep connected and bolster local businesses through the dark days of Covid.

CambWifi has just gone live in St Neots and will be available in St Ives, Ramsey and Huntingdon town centres this autumn, bringing users safe internet access when they are out and about.

The secure public access Wifi network is being rolled out as part of the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme through the collaboration and investment of local authorities, recognising the importance of digital connectivity for everyone at this time.

CambWifi is provided by Cambridgeshire County Council with the support of Huntingdonshire District Council, and additional funding for market towns from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.

In St Neots, free CambWifi can now be accessed in the Market Square, along the High Street, on New Street (up to the Museum) and is also available at St Neots Library. It’s safe and simple to join in a few short steps* via CambWiFi_Public

Welcoming the launch of free CambWifi, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor James Palmer said:

“Public access Wifi has an important part to play in supporting struggling high streets and will help to bolster economic recovery from Covid-19 by encouraging people to shop locally and to support local businesses. The Combined Authority is investing in digital connectivity for our market towns now and for the future. We hope the free Wifi will bring a bit of good cheer during these dark days of Covid.”

Cambridgeshire County Council Chair of Highways & Transport, Cllr Ian Bates, said:

“CambWifi is already available in over 150 public sites across Cambridgeshire and we’re expanding the network so that more people can get online in village halls, public buildings, open spaces and town centres around the county. The Covid-19 pandemic has made us all more reliant on internet services to keep in touch. It’s vital that people can keep connected to get the support they need, particularly where mobile coverage is poor or people cannot afford internet subscriptions.”

Huntingdonshire District Council Leader, Cllr Ryan Fuller, said:

“This is a significant step for Huntingdonshire and a vital part of our digital strategy, working with Connecting Cambridgeshire, to help make our market towns fit for the future and to ensure their long-term prosperity. St Neots is the biggest market town in the County and it has a bright future. The launch of free CambWifi follows HDC’s £12 million St Neots transformation bid and the news that the town is the first in Huntingdonshire set to benefit from future-proof fibre to the premises broadband technology over the next two years as part of Openreach’s Fibre Cities programme.”

St Neots Mayor, Cllr Stephen Ferguson, said:

“I am delighted that the County Council and the Combined Authority have extended CambWifi to St Neots, which will allow residents and visitors to browse the internet for free while visiting our lovely town. As we strive towards a more connected society, this investment will make St Neots a more pleasant place to shop, work and play, and will mean that anyone with access to a mobile phone, tablet or computer can connect to the internet without incurring expensive data costs.”

Visit www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk/public-access-wifi to find a map and list of CambWifi sites across the county, plus frequently asked questions.

Call at the CambWifi stall at St Neots Farmer’s Market on Saturday 10 October, 9am to 1pm, to register for CambWifi and find out about help available to improve your digital skills.

Funding secured for St Neots high street

15 October 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

On 26^thAugust 2019, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced that St Neots has been selected as one of 50 towns that will benefit from share of the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund. The scheme was launched in December 2018 and is a key part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives economic growth and sustainably improves how people use them.

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) submitted an application to the fund, in collaboration with the local partners of the St Neots Masterplan Steering Group. The bid outlined the challenges facing St Neots’ High Street and Town Centre and seeks to set out the opportunities that could be explored and captured to drive future success of the Town in response to national trends on the changing role of High Streets. This has resulted in St Neots being shortlisted and selected as one of the 50 towns for the Future High Streets funding for reimagining town centre use and revitalisation.

Ryan Fuller, Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: “Investment in St Neots is a perfect fit with the Government’s priorities for this fund, and mirrors exactly how we want to develop our market towns in the District. As the largest town in Cambridgeshire, St Neots was the first town in the county to develop its own Masterplan for Growth and I am pleased that we have secured the chance to deliver continuous and sustained improvements and investment.

“Recognising the different challenges that face each of our market towns, specifically their high streets and town centres, is a strong priority for Huntingdonshire District Council and we will continue to explore additional avenues of supporting their vitality and viability.”

New town centre bike parking facilities for the community

4 October 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

New dedicated bike parking facilities have been installed in St Neots town centre as part of a series of planned town centre improvements. St Neots Town Council have worked collaboratively as part of the St Neots Masterplan for Growth to commission two new dedicated cycle racks and raised planters providing convenient, town centre parking for cyclists, which hasn’t been available previously.

The racks have been positioned in front of the Market Square adjacent to St Neots Road. Each cycle rack provides parking for up to 8 bikes and the planters have been designed to contain bee friendly plants to encourage pollinators. The racks are already in regular use since being installed on Friday 27 September. Follows of the Town Council Facebook page have commented on the welcome addition to the town centre:

“brilliant, we used them today and they were filling up…”

“at last, somewhere to leave your bike in the centre of town. They look great.” “great addition to encourage more cycling”

“Excellent work! They look fantastic!”

Mayor of St Neots, Cllr Gordon Thorpe said:

“The cycle racks are a great addition to the town centre facilities and were instantly welcomed by our residents. Their installation is the first visible sign of the cooperative venture between the Town Council and the St Neots Masterplan project with many more to follow. Let St Neots Flourish.”

Cllr David Wells, Chair of the Masterplan Steering Committee said:

“I was in the town centre early last Friday morning and it was really great to see the cycle racks being installed and later to hear of the positive response to these. Building on Cllr Thorpe’s comments the cycle racks represent the first delivery in a multi-million pound investment aimed at further enhancing St Neots as an attractive place for all to live, work and enjoy life”

The St Neots Master Plan for Growth is a partnership of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor James Palmer, Cambridgeshire County, Huntingdonshire District and St Neots Town councils. The cycle racks are part of an early delivery of improvements to the market square which will also include new bus shelters and heritage benches. Longer term parts of the Master plan include improvements to skills, employment opportunities

and looking at options for a providing improved community, leisure and commercial opportunities on the riverfront and in the town centre. Improved transport and digital links are also targeted in the plan including works to improve and widen footpaths and cycle routes through Riverside Park which are planned to coincide with the development of the new foot and cycle bridge. Construction for the new bridge is likely to commence in late spring 2020, subject to final planning approval.

East West Rail consultation

26 February 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Plans for the new rail line between Bedford and Cambridge have come one step closer to fruition, as East West Rail reveal five route options and ask residents to have their say during a six-week consultation, running from 28 January to 11 February 2019.

East West Rail is holding eight public consultation events across the corridor between Bedford and Cambridge. Visit our consultation page to find out more.

A short film about Future Takeover

26 February 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

A short film about the three-day Future Takeover event that explored the long-term growth of St Neots and its creative sector through ambitious thinking.

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet

18 February 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

After careful consideration of more than 4,000 consultation responses and extensive technical design, Highways England a have selected a preferred route for the A428 from the Black Cat roundabout to Caxton Gibbet.

The scheme at a glance

A new 10-mile dual carriageway between the Black Cat and Caxton Gibbet junctions
A three-tier junction at the Black Cat roundabout will allow traffic to flow freely on the A1, A421 and the new road
New junctions at Cambridge Road and Caxton Gibbet will connect the new dual carriageway to the existing A428
The existing A428 will be retained for local traffic and public transport
Close alignment to the existing A428 will help reduce environmental impacts
New bridges will cross over the dual carriageway at Roxton Road, Barford Road, the B1046 and Toseland Road
New bridges over the River Great Ouse and East Coast Main Line railway
Improvements to A428/B1040 Eltisley junction
Improved routes for cyclists, walkers and horse riders
Safer and alternative access for some side roads

Work starts on early infrastructure for Wintringham development

31 January 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Early infrastructure work has started to reinforce the existing utility network and bring utilities into the new Wintringham development. The work is taking place hand in hand with creating a new landscape along the front of Cambridge Road, with earth bunds being put in place to create green space and a pedestrian and cycleway at the front of the development.

Local contractor, Breheny, has a traffic management system in place that is using traffic cones to help guide vehicles using the Dramsell Rise and Stone Hill entrances, to support ongoing work as part of reinforcing and upgrading the services running along Cambridge Road. Read the full article.

First house builder announced at Wintringham

10 January 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

A planning application has been submitted by CALA Homes for 222 new homes (including affordable housing), landscaping and amenity space on the first development parcel at Wintringham, which forms part of the Eastern Gateway to St Neots.

The proposal is for 184 houses (2, 3 and 4 bed) and 38 flats (1 and 2 bed) on land south of Cambridge Road, to the east of St Neots. The application is the first detailed plans for homes within Urban&Civic’s development and reflects the high-quality design and layout agreed in the development’s Design Code.

In keeping with the vision for the development, the landscaping will create an attractive setting both for new residents and surrounding neighbours: ensuring green corridors to connect people to two new parks and play areas, with significant new tree planting, hedges and shrub beds as well as wildflower planting. The landscape will link to the larger green spaces being delivered as part of the overall development by Urban&Civic including the significant works along Cambridge Road and the refurbishment of the brooks that cross the site to deliver both benefits for nature and people. Read the full article.

Future Takeover for St Neots

10 January 2019/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Residents of St Neots are being invited to think about how creativity, data and emerging technology can support the growth of the town.

A ‘Future Takeover’ event, happening from 24-26 January, will explore the vision for the expansion of St Neots and its creative sector, considering the town’s long-term future and how citizens can help to drive this change. Read the full articles here.

Start on site for new homes in Wintringham

14 December 2018/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Construction is currently underway to build almost 3,000 new homes in Cambridgeshire, which is the result of collaborative working between Homes England, Urban&Civic and Nuffield Trusts at Oxford University.

Phase one of the site will include over 1,000 new homes including affordable housing, delivery of the first primary school, community and retail facilities and health care provision.

Homes England has supported the development through a 10 year £26m Home Building Fund infrastructure loan in the joint venture between Urban&Civic and Nuffield Trusts. The project will deliver the legacy gifted by Lord Nuffield to maximise economic, environmental and social benefits, which will improve neighbourhoods and grow communities. Read the full article.

New 2,800-home development near St Neots gets green light

28 November 2018/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Plans for a huge new 2,800-home development near St Neots have been given the go-ahead. The Wintringham development will bring two new primary schools, health facilities and 63,000 sqm of business space to the area.

Developer Urban&Civic were given planning permission in principle in March to build the new community of 2,800 homes. But the company needed to sign a agreement to give money to the local area, known as a section 106 agreement, and a legal framework to get the green light. After being approved this month (November 5), the first works for the homes have already begun. The company aims to have the first residents living on site by the end of 2019.

Residents help to find ‘smart’ solutions for St Neots

19 November 2018/in Articles /by Richard Slade

St Neots residents have welcomed the opportunity to share their views to help find ‘smart’ solutions to tackle some of the town’s challenges.

More than 50 people dropped into the first Smart St Neots Meetup held at the new Art & Soul café to discuss key issues facing the town over a cuppa and cake.

The event prompted a lively exchange of opinions and suggestions on a wide range of themes including transport, environment, information and connectivity – in person and online. Read the full article here.

St Neots: Smart Places Initiative

4 November 2018/in Articles /by Richard Slade

By gathering your input and ideas, the Smart Places Initiative hopes to discover how data and emerging technology can support the continuing growth of your thriving market town. Some of the key issues for discussion might include Air Quality, Transport and Digital Connectivity.

This programme has the potential to deliver real benefits to your town, and we would like to thank you for your input. We have been delighted with the enthusiastic engagement, feedback and great ideas from the St Neots community. We are now using this feedback to inform the project proposals that we will put forward to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The Smart Places Initiative for St Neots forms part of the St Neots MasterPlan work and is being led by the Connecting Cambridgeshire Programme in collaboration with local councils and community groups.

We want to hear your thoughts and you can use this map to tell us about the important challenges that you see in St Neots and to give us your ideas and suggestions on how data and technology (known as smart solutions) could be used to help address them. Smart Places have identified various themes for discussion including Transport, Environment, Connectivity and Information.

Each topic has a different coloured pin that you can drop onto the map to leave a comment. For example, a green ‘Environment’ pin could be placed by the river with your thoughts on sensors for detecting flooding.

St Neots residents invited to choose the look of their new northern bridge

2 July 2018/in Articles /by Richard Slade

A public consultation has been launched today (Monday 2 July) to gather residents’ views on designs for the new St Neots Northern Foot and Cycle Bridge.

Cambridgeshire County Council is asking the people of St Neots to have their say on how they would like the new bridge to look. The consultation contains three design options for the bridge, which will span the River Great Ouse.

During the summer of 2017 a consultation was held for four possible locations of the bridge. The chosen location is just north of the existing Town Bridge, and will provide a connection from Regatta Meadow in the west to Priory Lane in the east, making a direct link from Crosshall Road to the Priory Centre, Waitrose and the main shopping area in the town. This was approved at the County Council’s Economy and Environment committee in December 2017.

Read the full article here.

Wintringham St Neots

28 April 2017/in Articles /by Richard Slade

Urban&Civic has acquired a one third partnership stake at Wintringham St Neots. The total land area is allocated but not yet consented for the development of up to 2,800 residential units, 63,500 sqm of employment space, a district centre with ancillary uses and two primary schools.

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The scheme at a glance

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