Tuesday 24 February 2009

EGM notification

Hello everyone

Just a reminder that the JGA emergency general meeting will take place at the Octagon Room in Wesley Methodist Church, King Street, Cambridge on March 17 (st patrick's day) at 8pm.

Among the issues under discussion will be:

- EDF's plans to build a temporary car park/storage compound on the green for 18 months
-the progress of the £4.4 million lottery bid to revamp the park
-outline plans to build a multi-use games area, an informal games area and refurbish the children's playground (using section 106 money)
-plans to install picnic facilities on Jesus Green, extend the skate park and improve tennis courts
-possible annual subscription to boost dwindling JGA funds

There will be the election of the new committee members - which was achieved at the AGM

Everyone is welcome to attend and we need as many people as possible there to ensure we are quorate.

"Temporary" car park on Jesus Green for 18 months

EDF Energy have submitted plans to install a storage compound/car park on Jesus Green while it replaces an electricity sub station in Thompson's Lane.

This will see the triangle of grass between the back of the grass tennis courts and the path running between Portugal Street and the footbridge covered with crushed harcore for 18 MONTHS.

The area will be surrounded with 8ft tall hoardings and will contain two two-storey portakabins, space for 10 vehicles. It will be lit by halogen lights.

Four to five trees on the avenue will be felled to make way for the area - apparently on the understanding that these trees are due to come down in the lottery plans (they are not). A new entrance area will be created by the removal of railings (which will create a temporary lay-by) while the green area will be built up to the level of Park Parade to allow access for heavy vehicles.

Needless to say, residents in Park Parade are not happy about this and are considering what can be done to prevent this. Residents meetings are ongoing.

Ward councillors have expressed some shock about the plans - discovered on a planning list by the JGA (no consultation from council officers or EDF, who haven't even displayed notices about this). Cllrs Bick, Rosentiel and Dixon have all said they were not aware of the plans til we notified them about them.
Cllr Julie Smith also says she did not know about the application, although was informed by council officers about 'issues' relating to EDF and the green before the walkabout with interested parties on February 10. As officers indicated the plans would not have met favour with planning officers, they and Cllr Smith did not feel the need to brief people onthe plans.

If people want to have their say on the issue, then contact the council

For more details, see the below link



http://www.rtaylor.co.uk/trees-to-be-felled-for-temporary-car-park-on-jesus-green.html

Thursday 5 February 2009

Colin Rosentiel's defence of Jesus Green

I would like to draw members' attention to the actions of Cllr Colin Rosentiel.

He will appear before a city council standards board panel on Wednesday, February 11, to face charges of not showing due respect to a paramedic during a confrontation on Jesus Green.

The allegations against him relate to an incident in which Cllr Rosentiel tried to stop a number of vehicles, including an ambulance, from accessing Jesus Green on the day of last year's Strawberry Fair.

While th JGA does not condone any incivility towards members of our emergency services, Cllr Rosentiel's actions to protect Jesus Green from damage by cars is, in essence, laudable.

The green has never been used as an overspill car park for any public events on Midsummer Common and he was attempting to maintain that principle. The area at the back of the lido has been badly damaged in recent years by large vehicles driving on it and this should not continue.

As he was also responding directly to a phone call from our former chairman John Cooper, it is also unfortunate that his public spirited intentions have led to his appearance before this disciplinary adjudication panel.

The incident also raises issues over access to the green for emergency vehicles, which needs to be made simpler. Strawberry Fair should also remain solely based on Midsummer Common and there should be provision for emergency vehicles there too.

For more details on this incident, go to http://www.rtaylor.co.uk/councillor-rosenstiel-accused-of-obstructing-ambulance.html