6 / 24
6
Buckden Roundabout
May 2017
Village Notices
Maytime Magic
During May, the Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust are pleased to be able to offer two very different
walks.
On Sunday 7
th
May, we will make our last visit of the Spring to see the bluebells at Brampton Wood. Here we hope
to experience the delightful colour and scent of these beautiful wild flowers in this ancient woodland setting. Other
spring flowers should also be abundant and on a sunny day we should also see plenty of butterflies. Please meet at
2.30pm at Brampton Wood Car Park, Grafham Road, Brampton, GR TL 184698.
We are also offering an evening walk in May at Cambourne, where we will take a look at the variety of habitat on
offer from ponds to grassland and woodland and the wildlife that this attracts. Please meet at Oaks Car Park, School
Lane, Cambourne CB23 5DQ at 7.00pm on Wednesday 24
th
May.
Everyone is most welcome to attend. There is no charge, but donations are welcome. For more information please
contact George on 01480 450809.
Part of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Registered Charity No: 1000412
UPDATE FROM PROTECT BUCKDEN’S FUTURE GROUP REGARDING THE PROPOSED LUCKS LANE DEVELOPMENT
Fundraising
: Thank you to everyone who has supported us by donating to our ‘fighting fund’. Buckden’s generous
and concerned residents have raised around £10,000, which is being used to pay for expert advice and help ensure
that PBF does the best job possible to fight against the proposed development alongside HDC and BPC.
Latest highway proposals
: In early April, Gladman distributed a leaflet to some addresses in Buckden with new pro-
posals for Stirtloe Lane and Lucks Lane. These are: to establish 3 passing places on Stirtloe Lane (towards the A1),
realignment/widening of the Stirtloe /Lucks Lane junction, further widening of Lucks Lane south of the site access
and a new footway on the western side of the hedge beside Lucks Lane. PBF believes that the new proposals are an
acknowledgment that the new development would significantly increase traffic flows through Stirtloe to the A1 and
to Leadens Lane and that these changes will only make the route more attractive for vehicles to use, making the
Stirtloe/A1 junction even more dangerous.
The proposals are vague, ill-timed, and show complete disregard for the character of Stirtloe and Buckden. They
have only been introduced to offset the concerns of the Highway Authorities rather than in any way in the interests
of villagers. It is a reminder that those proposing the development will go to great lengths to get the development
approved for their own very significant financial gain. For example, we are still not aware of any commitment to
build low-cost housing for starter homes. If their interests were aligned with the village then they would have lis-
tened to the Parish Council, PBF and the District Council when they opposed the proposal and not wasted all of this
public money that is going into defending that decision.
Our principal concerns (that we will argue at the Inquiry)
:
Increased vehicle volume and speeds through Stirtloe and
on Lucks Lane; Pedestrian risk due to location of footway
;
Increased traffic on eastern side of Stirtloe (to and from
Leadens Lane), creating passing problems and pedestrian risk in that area; Further erosion of the historic gap be-
tween Stirtloe and Buckden; Significant destruction of hedgerows and a historic wall.
THE PUBLIC INQUIRY STARTS AT 10.00AM ON TUESDAY, 16
TH
MAY 2017 IN BUCKDEN VILLAGE HALL FOR ABOUT 2
WEEKS – PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN, ESPECIALLY ON DAY ONE WHEN THE PUBLIC MAY ASK TO HAVE THEIR SAY.
THE PRESIDING INSPECTOR WILL TAKE NOTE OF THE STRENGTH OF LOCAL OPPOSITION.
PBF will be there
(alongside HDC and BPC) to represent the views of those Buckden residents opposed to the development, particu-
larly in relation to traffic and safety concerns.