Two controversial sites that were being considered for a pump track in the village have now been ruled out, it has been confirmed. The HI Pump Charity – which is leading the project – says it has “decided to not pursue” Manor Park Meadow and Homefield Park after taking “on board the strong public feeling” about them.
In a statement, the Charity said: “We are enthusiastic about exploring new sites that balance biodiversity concerns with convenience and accessibility for a safe space for children and teenagers to spend time outdoors. We would love to hear ideas and suggestions for suitable locations for this exciting addition to our village.”
Of the 22 sites put forward as possible locations for the pump track in the Charity’s 2023 consultation with the community, residents favoured the Recreation Ground above all others.
The Barrel Field at the end of Home Close and the field next to Park Primary school were also more popular than Manor Park Meadow and Homefield Park. But the Rec has been dismissed as an option due to demands on the land by other sports and the Barrel Field is in private hands. The Park Primary site would only be available if County Council Farms, which owns it, would release it for this purpose and address the flooding issues there.
In last week’s update, the Charity also explained a South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) survey shows the village has a shortfall in formal and informal play and sports space. It argues “a pump track would be massively beneficial towards addressing” this issue.
Justifying the exclusion of the Rec from future plans, the statement added: “This also means building it on a new site, rather than replacing an existing recreation space, remains a key consideration for the Trustees.”
Concerns remain
Histon and Impington Locals for the Environment (HILFE) says it “welcomes” the Charity’s decision to no longer consider the two specific sites for the pump track – but remains “deeply concerned” about how the project is being handled. It has also shared concerns that other green spaces in the village may now be put forward.
HILFE’s statement said: “This [HI Pump Track Charity update] reflects strong local opposition to building on valued green spaces, while supporting consideration of a pump track on the Recreation Ground or adjacent monoculture site. There are plenty of residents who are keen to help the Charity Trustees deliver this ambition and the offer from HILFE participants to work together remains open.
“However, despite the genuinely appreciated time, resources and hard work of the Parish Council, we remain deeply concerned. These legally protected sites should have been ruled out from the start, and the fact they were withdrawn by the Charity rather than excluded by the Council raises doubts about the strength of their legal protections.
That statement added: “Other green spaces, such as the copse at the Keepers Hut, may still be at risk without clear, water-tight safeguards that cannot be treated as optional.”
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Next steps ‘unclear’
HILFE also argues the project’s “next steps remain unclear”, that questions it has put to the Parish Council “remain unanswered” and the Pump Track Working Group “has not yet published minutes”.
It said: “Regardless, we hope the Council will work to find a good location for the pump track, while remaining committed to the neighbourhood plan and working to strengthen the protection of our green spaces. HILFE will continue to press for firm environmental and heritage protections, and for an open debate about balancing team sport with wider recreational use of the Rec for the whole community.”
Yvonne Murray, Chair of H&I Parish Council, said she hopes “the information needed to answer the points raised by HILFE” are addressed in the minutes of February’s Full Council meeting held last week.
These are yet to be published, but an extract of the current draft shared with HI HUB mentions the Pump Track Working Group would not be considering Manor Park Meadow and Homefield Park. It was also noted data would be required to support a motion brought forward to exclude specific locations.
Meanwhile, work has not yet started on a survey to assess the suitability of the Rec for the pump track, commissioned in November last year. A paper will be presented to the next full council meeting in March.
The HI Pump Track Charity is seeking volunteers to help with its vision of delivering the pump track for the village. It is particularly seeking board members with finance, communications, graphic design, planning and environmental skills. Enquire about volunteering or suggest potential locations at info@hipumptrack.uk.
READ MORE: Rec to be assessed as a pump track site, Parish Council working party requests more funds for Rec masterplan
I am convenor of the Parish Council’s Pump Track Working Group and on an individual basis (speaking for myself not for the Parish Council as a whole) I would like to offer some comments on this article and the criticism from HLIFE. Firstly, the Working Group has not published any minutes of its meetings, not because it is hiding anything, but simply because it has not met. The priority action currently for the Working Group is to progress the agreed survey of the recreation ground for suitability for a pump track, and it has been entirely possible to do this by email. It is not the case that there has been “no progress” on this and I did report progress verbally at the last Parish Council meeting. Quotes from contractors for this survey have been sought, and we hope to appoint early next week with a view to the survey being completed as soon as possible. We will report to the March Parish Council meeting and the survey will be made publicly available and shared with interested villages groups as per the Terms of Reference of the Pump Track Working Group. I would also like to publicly respond to criticism levelled at me personally by other Parish Councillors in the February meeting and implied in this article. I have no shame in saying I would have liked to have got this work done earlier in the New Year, but also in saying that I am a working Mum, fully committed to my work/business during the working week and who gives up what time I can to Parish Council work in evenings and at weekends. It is never enough time and things do get delayed but I do what I can. And in a horrific year for me personally where I had 3 close family bereavements in as many months I still showed up to Parish Council meetings and made my contribution. There will be Parish Council elections in May (should there be sufficient nominees for there need to be an election- which I hope there will be) and the community will get to decide what sort of Parish Council it wants. I feel personally that the Parish Council should be a diverse group of people- with a gender balance, balance of backgrounds and balance of ages (I would love to see more younger people joining in particular)- but diversity will also come with the fact that some councillors will work full time jobs, run their own businesses, have young families, having caring responsibilities and often, actually, be coping with all the tough life challenges that are thrown at so many of us. This is the Parish Council, personally, that I want and I hope others will too. Please do look out for the opportunity to put yourself forward and be part of any changes to the Parish Council and the way it works that you want to see.
The February Minutes are now on the Parish Council website,
https://hisimp-pc.gov.uk/document-category/minutes/
Agenda Item 25/100.1 includes discussion on the points people have been asking about:
– Working Group’s position on Manor Park Meadow and Homefield Park,
– need for data if any exclusion motion is brought,
– status of the Rec survey,
– the declaration of interest about an upcoming press release from the HI Pump Track Charity.
I felt that we were able to answer the questions HI Hub raised by referring to those minutes when asked for a comment by HI Hub. This I felt was really good news as the meeting is discussing items that matter to our community.
A paper is coming to the March Full Council meeting, where the next steps will be considered in public.
Best wishes Yvonne
Note: Comments as an individual.