Shailesh Vara MP, along with Cllr David Over, has met with residents in the village of Helpston, Peterborough, and joined them in opposing the proposed development of 20 houses which would be built close to the local John Clare Primary School.

An important requirement of Peterborough City Council’s Local Plan is that any development in the area should provide a comprehensive Master Plan for the whole site, which the application fails to do. Mr Joe Dobson, Chairman of Helpston Parish Council and other members of the local community argue that this criteria alone should ensure the failure of the scheme.

The proposed development is being put forward by C J Pettit Transport Ltd, and it would deprive residents of valued open space and also effectively block in the school, as the houses would be adjacent to the school’s playing field.

Moreover, the school is already at capacity and more houses would only increase pressure on pupil numbers. Ironically, by surrounding the playing field with houses, the development would prevent any future expansion of the school. There would also be increased traffic, adding to the pressure on roads.

Mr Vara said: 

“I am very concerned about this application. It should fail as it is contrary to the Council’s Local Plan, which requires a Master Plan for the whole site, and this has not been submitted.

“There is also serious concern that if houses are built on this site, now or in the future, it would prevent the school from being able to expand.

“Given that the school is already over subscribed, I very much hope that Peterborough City Council and its planning department will think very carefully before putting pupils and the school in such a difficult situation.”

Mr Dobson added:

“Helpston Parish Council has consistently sought to ensure that the policies in Peterborough's Local Plan are adhered to when applied to proposed developments within our village. Specific references to a master plan, dwelling numbers and the impact on John Clare Primary school have not been satisfactorily addressed by any developer coming forward. The Parish Council and a vast number of the community have written, objecting, to each iteration of the proposals and we are pleased to have the continued support of our MP, Shailesh Vara, who has taken a keen interest in this matter.”

Photo: Alastair Peat, Arthur Cross, Cllr David Over, Shailesh Vara MP, Joe Dobson and Syd Smith.

Shailesh Vara MP recently met with local residents who are opposing a retrospective planning application at the East of England Showground and also use of an entrance in Dunblane Drive for vehicular access.

The site is owned by the East of England Agricultural Society who are working with Asset Earning Power Group Ltd to develop the land for residential and leisure purposes.

In the meantime, while the site is being developed, it is intended that DHL Inside Track will operate a specialist automotive sales and marketing services business, having reached an agreement with East of England Arena and Events Centre to do so.

Residents oppose the retrospective planning application to allow the site to be temporarily used as a sales and marketing services business by DHL and also the use of the Dunblane Drive entrance by HGV car transporters and other vehicles.

Mr Vara met with local residents Andrew Sneden, Howard Dunn, Natalie Henry and Brian Williams who spoke on behalf of a significant number of other residents.

They spoke of large car transporters queuing at the entrance, stretching back to a nearby roundabout, causing traffic chaos and a danger to pedestrians.

Mr Vara shares their concerns and saw first-hand the hazardous entrance.

He has pledged to work with local residents, especially with a view to securing an urgent resolution to the dangerous entrance in Dunblane Drive.

Mr Vara has been in contact with Cllr Marco Cereste, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning, Housing and Transport, urging him to take swift action.

Following the meeting, Mr Vara said:

 “I am very grateful to local residents for making the time to meet with me. The current use of the site is in breach of planning rules and it is causing a very dangerous situation that needs to be dealt with promptly. It simply isn’t right that large car transporters are lining up all the way back to a roundabout, causing traffic chaos and a serious danger to pedestrians.

I am in contact with Cllr Marco Cereste, the Cabinet Member responsible for this issue, and have urged him take swift action to deal with this unacceptable situation. I very much hope that common sense will prevail and that those responsible start using the Showground’s main entrance.”

Mr Andrew Sneden commented:                                               

“I like many residents have submitted objections to the PCC planning department, in relation to the change of use of the Showground to car storage, maintenance and distribution operation, which is well underway despite the planning permission having not yet been granted. In particular, I strenuously object to the use of the Dunblane Drive entrance to the Showground. Accessing an industrial operation through what is essentially a residential area, with a significant flow of HGV car transporters and other vehicles, is now causing significant disruption to residents. There have already been a number of near misses involving vehicles accessing the residential area caused by vehicles queuing to access the DHL operation and I, along with many of the local residents have deep concerns over safety and believe the application should be rejected by PCC”. 

Photo: Natalie Henry, Shailesh Vara MP, Howard Dunn, Andrew Sneden and Brian Williams.

Following the announcement today of the closure of Great Gidding Church of England Primary School by Cambridgeshire County Council, Shailesh Vara MP has expressed his sadness at the decision. The announcement brings to an end a school which has been at the heart of the community for nearly 150 years.

The Council has said that falling pupil numbers have led to an increase in cost-per-pupil, making the school financially unviable. However, Mr Vara has stressed the important role that such schools play in communities, and that the Government's guidance is for rural primary schools to remain open.

Moreover, he has argued that schools should not be run on business principles, and that the decline in pupil numbers can be explained, in part, by the expected closure, which has led to parents taking their children to other schools.

Following the announcement, Mr Vara said: 

“Today is a sad day for education. Rural primary schools play a key role in the community, not least because they help to attract young families to the area. 

“Despite government guidance to keep rural primary schools open, the new administration at Cambridgeshire County Council has decided to close this much-valued school, which has been at the heart of the community for some 150 years. 

“The decision is based on financial reasons, and there has been little regard for the needs of the local community.

“I very much hope that other small primary schools in the county will not be treated in the same way.” 

Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, Shailesh Vara highlights the Government’s record on law and order.

Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)

Q11. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those who seek to criticise the Conservative record on law and order should look in the mirror and ask, “Who was Director of Public Prosecutions for some of those years?” (904440)

The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Our record is clear. We have halved crime since 2010; neighbourhood crime has fallen by 25% just in the last few years; criminals are spending longer in prison; and, crucially, we, unlike the Labour party, are giving the police the powers they need to tackle violent protests.

Hansard

Shailesh Vara MP is opposing an application by C J Pettitt Transport Ltd for the construction of 20 houses in Helpston. The proposed development, which would be located on land adjacent to John Clare Primary School, has faced criticism from local residents for a number of reasons, including the effect of further development on the village's character and infrastructure. 

This application follows a previous one made by Barratt David Wilson Homes in October 2022, which sought to erect 80 dwellings on the same land, which Mr Vara and the local community also opposed. Importantly, the two applications fail to produce a “master plan” for the entirety of the site – a requirement under Peterborough City Council’s Local Plan. 

There is also considerable concern about the impact on local services and the potential loss of green space. 

Mr Vara is working with Helpston Parish Council, who are worried about the inherent detrimental effects of such a development, and urged Peterborough City Council to listen to their concerns. 

Mr Vara said: 

“This development would be detrimental to the village of Helpston and the surrounding area. The applicants have failed to provide a comprehensive master plan demonstrating how it would not negatively impact on surrounding properties. 

“Moreover, local infrastructure is simply not equipped to cope with the additional demand that these new homes would place on it; the nearby primary school, for example, is already oversubscribed. There are further concerns about damage to the local environment, including the loss of valuable green space.” 

Cllr David Over commented: 

“This is an unacceptable application for further development in the village and it goes against the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan.” 

Joseph Dobson, the Chairman of Helpston Parish Council, added: 

“Any proposed application by Barratt David Wilson Homes or C J Pettitt Transport Ltd that does not address the central requirement of LP42, that of a comprehensive master plan for the whole site, should not be considered. There is no indication from either party that they have sought to cooperate in order to fulfil this requirement.

“Helpston Parish Council regards the support from the community through its Housing Action Group, Parish Councils in the Barnack Ward, the Rt Hon Shailesh Vara MP and others, as essential in bringing to Peterborough City Council Planning Department's attention the grave concerns we have about the development of the site as a whole and especially the lack of coordination between developers.” 

Shailesh Vara MP is opposing the proposed closure of Great Gidding Church of England Primary School. Among the reasons for his opposition are that the Government issued guidance in January of this year stating that there should be a presumption for rural primary schools to stay open, the importance of maintaining local educational options, and preserving a vital community asset. 

Mr Vara has written to Cllr Briony Goodliffe, who has been Chair of the Children and Young People’s Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council since a change of administration at the last local elections. He said that the closure of the school, founded in 1845, would have far-reaching consequences. This would include depriving the local area of a much-valued school, unnecessary disruption to existing pupils’ education, increased transportation costs for parents needing to send their children to other schools, as well as the wider impact on the community. 

One of the main reasons put forward by the Council for the closure is a financial concern regarding the cost-per-pupil as attendance numbers have declined. However, Mr Vara has said that one of the reasons for the decline in numbers is the “expectancy effect” of parents taking pupils out of the school because of fear of its closure, and that schools should not be run on business principles, but on local need. Moreover, the Council has failed to take account of the consequence that future housing developments will have on pupil intake. 

At a public meeting in Great Gidding Village Hall last month, Mr Vara joined with others in expressing strong local opposition. The closure has also been opposed by County and Huntingdonshire Councillors Simon Bywater, Ian Gardener, Marge Beuttell and Tim Alban. 

The proposed closure is currently under review by the County Council, and a decision is expected soon. 

Mr Vara said: 

“The Government has made clear that the presumption for rural primary schools is that they should stay open. I am not persuaded by the County Council’s argument for closure, which follows a change of administration after the last local elections. 

“This school is at the heart of the village and surrounding area. It has provided education to children since the mid-19th century, and its closure will have a massive impact for both children and the wider community. Even at this late stage, I would urge the Council to keep the school open.” 

Cllr Simon Bywater commented: 

“It is hugely disappointing that this administration is taking the decision to close Great Gidding Primary School, which has been a key part of the wider community for over 100 years. The Council’s consultation process has created a huge amount of local uncertainty, concern and anxiety for the children and their families who feel their voices at best have been ignored. 

“This decision, however it is pitched, is based purely on financial forecasts and will have a major impact on a small community like Great Gidding. I really fear for the future of other small schools in Cambridgeshire.” 

Cllr Marge Beuttell said: 

“It is a great loss for both the village and importantly the children who attend this Primary School. The education that has been provided over the years has given many children the best start in life.” 

Cllr Ian Gardener added: 

“I strongly oppose the closure of Great Gidding school, as rural schools are such an integral part of our rural community. The Council’s arguments for closure are very weak, and do not in any way justify closing this long-established school.” 

Cllr Tim Alban said: 

“I am concerned that closing Great Gidding school goes against government guidance that there should be a presumption for primary schools in rural areas to stay open. 

“Most of all, though, I am concerned about the implications for the pupils, their parents and the members of staff.” 

Following two fatal shootings in Cambridgeshire last night, one of which occurred in Bluntisham, in Shailesh Vara MP’s constituency of North West Cambridgeshire, Mr Vara said: 

“This is tragic news from what are normally quiet areas of Cambridgeshire, and it has really shocked the local community. My thoughts and sympathies are with those affected by last night’s events. 

“I am in contact with the local police, who have acted very quickly and made several arrests. It is good that they have given assurances that they do not believe there is any wider risk to the general public. 

“I would urge anyone with any information about these incidents, however trivial it may seem, to contact the police.

“In the meantime, I hope that people will carry on as normal.” 

Shailesh Vara MP recently attended a Parliamentary reception hosted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), where he learned about the lifesaving skill of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

The charitable organisation was promoting RevivR, an online tool which teaches CPR in 15 minutes. The free, interactive course also provides information on how to use a defibrillator, and can be accessed from any phone or tablet.    

 At the event, Mr Vara spoke with experts, volunteers, and survivors of heart failure to learn more about the difference knowledge of CPR can make in people’s lives. He also had a chance to practice CPR and receive live feedback from the RevivR tool. 

Following the visit, Mr Vara said:  

“In the UK, over 7 million people have a heart or circulatory condition. With our population growing and ageing, the BHF estimate that this number will rise further still, so it is more important than ever to raise awareness among the public about CPR and defibrillator use. 

“It is excellent news that the BHF are working hard to make that training so accessible. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, so it is crucial that people feel confident stepping in to save lives if the worst should happen.” 

Photo: Shailesh Vara MP with Henry Tyrrell, Senior Public Affairs Officer at the British Heart Foundation.