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Northstowe community centre to open six years after first residents …

A temporary community centre is set to open in Cambridgeshire’s new town, Northstowe. The centre will open on Monday (July 17) at 4pm.

A modular building was moved into position next to the Green on Pathfinder Way at the end of April. South Cambridgeshire[1] District Council (SCDC) installed the interim facility after initial plans to buy and convert show homes and a sales office for community use fell through[2] in September 2022.

The centre can be booked by residents for groups or events through SCDC[3]. The opening of the community centre comes a week after the BBC spoke to residents of the new town[4], which still does not have a shop, café, or GP surgery, with one resident saying ‘There’s no heart to Northstowe’.

District councillor for Northstowe, Cllr Tom Bygott, commented: “It’s great to see the new temporary community centre for Northstowe so close to being up and running. I hope it will be well-used by the community. It is a dedicated space for local people, and I would urge the many excellent community groups in and around Northstowe to make full use of the new building.”

The building includes a lobby, kitchenette, and toilets, with spaces for three offices and an NHS[6] room. There are two large community rooms.

Residents can book the community centre for groups and events
Residents can book the community centre for groups and events

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s lead cabinet member for communities, Cllr Bill Handley, said: “In the past year, we’ve confirmed our plans to invest nearly £ 15 million to help fund – and bring forwards – community facilities in Northstowe. It’s fantastic to see the first of these opening now, with the sports pavilion to follow soon too.”

SCDC has permission for the temporary centre to be in place for three years. It is responsible for building the permanent community centre, which is expected to be completed in winter 2025/26.

References

  1. ^ Cambridgeshire (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  2. ^ initial plans to buy and convert show homes and a sales office for community use fell through (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  3. ^ SCDC (www.scambs.gov.uk)
  4. ^ BBC spoke to residents of the new town (www.bbc.co.uk)
  5. ^ What Cambridge’s Beehive Centre could look like under Railpen proposals (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
  6. ^ NHS (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)

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