Better Beehive Cambridge

30/07/2026

27/07/2026

Applications are staring to arrive for the Retail Park including a familiar face.. McDonalds.

If you've lived in the area for many years, you may remember the petrol station and that when it closed, the McDonalds drive thru was going to be built there and Silverwood Close residents saw them off. We're very community-minded and care about our place.

Well, they're back and applied to take up residence in Unit 11a which is the Frankie and Benny's site.

The best way to check on the site plans for the Retail Park is to search on the planning portal.
https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications/

The application reference for Unit 11a is below but others will appear.
26/01952/FUL

The case officer might pop you onto the neighbourhood list if you supply your email address so check who that is in the planning application.

As with the Beehive, all the applications have a public comments section, and this site is still being decided, so it’s open to comments if anyone wishes to object. It has to be planning related:

Noise: Late-night or early-morning noise from customers, slamming car doors, intercoms, and delivery trucks.
Odours and Cooking Smells: Inadequate extraction or ventilation systems affecting nearby homes.
Litter and Waste: Accumulation of fast-food packaging discarded in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Anti-social Behaviour: Crowding, engine revving, and late-night disturbances associated with 24-hour or late operating hours
Congestion: Increased vehicle movements, queues from drive-thrus, and blockages on local roads.
Safety: Risks to pedestrians and cyclists from high turnover and delivery vehicles.
Parking: Insufficient on-site parking leading to dangerous illegal parking on nearby streets (Railpen need to resolve the parking on Coldhams Lane... well someone has to)
Character of the Area: Incompatibility with the local streetscape, conservation areas, or loss of valued retail/industrial balance

The applications will be many, so it maybe wise to 'pick your battles'. This page is about the Beehive so it is unlikely that we'd report on every single one as it's just too much for a small ('and vocal' as endorsed by Railpen) to advise on. But feel free to talk about it here if you wish. Also check with your local residents group and councillors to see what they're up to.

On the 27th to 29th November Public Access will be unavailable due to an upgrade as part of a Planning service wide project

17/07/2026

🔥 Temporary fire & BBQ ban

Due to the current hot, dry conditions, we've introduced a temporary ban on fires and barbecues across our sites until 31 August, when the situation will be be reviewed.

This includes Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Reserve and Grantchester Meadows.

Even a small spark can cause significant damage to wildlife, habitats and nearby communities.

Thank you for helping us protect these special places.

We've published some more information here:
https://cambridgeppf.org/temporary-fire-bbq-ban-across-our-green-spaces/

09/07/2026

08/07/2026

Save the date! Come along to the Bradfield Centre on Monday 13 July to view the updated plans for The Fenway (210–240 Cambridge Science Park) and Plot 280 Cambridge Science Park.

Visit between 11.30am - 2pm or 4pm - 6pm to view the proposals, find out more and speak with the project team.

03/07/2026

Helping us build a clearer picture of life in Cambridgeshire starts with listening.

Our Quality of Life Survey is open now.

🔗 Find out more- https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/quality-of-life-survey

28/06/2026

Come along to our first drop-sessions next week about what works well and what could be improved along Mill Road. Whether you live, work, study or shop on Mill Road, everyone is welcome
• Tuesday 30 June, 12pm to 3pm at St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Rd, Cambridge, CB1 3AN.
• Saturday 4 July, 10.30am to 5pm at The Old School Hall (St Barnabas Centre), St Barnabas Church, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD. Entrance separate from the Church.
• Thursday 16 July, 4.30pm to 7.30pm at St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Rd, Cambridge, CB1 3AN.
• Wednesday 22 July, 4.30pm to 7.30pm at Mill Road Community Centre, 6 Hazell Street, Cambridge, CB1 2GN.

07/06/2026

We’ve been trying to improve verge planting - it really should not be five years of emails and still waiting, when residents are already invested. This was the sort of thing that inspired us - maybe one day. This is just the type of planting that brings happiness to people and wildlife.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1480090894158788&id=100064736734499

04/06/2026

Got a question for Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow?

Just ask him!

Put your questions ahead of Mayor's Question Time in Cambridge on Thursday, June 25.

Submit them in advance by June 22 and as many as possible will be asked.

You can also turn up on the night, ask your question, or just watch.

Ask your question here 👇

https://orlo.uk/NT3Er

Raise local issues and hear directly from Mayor Paul Bristow about his plans and priorities including transport, jobs, housing and economic growth.

📅 25 June, 5.30–7.30pm (doors 5pm)
📍 Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Market Hill, Cambridge
🎙️ Hosted by Paul Brackley, editor of the Cambridge Independent

Paul Bristow Cambridge City Council

03/06/2026

Plans for 10k homes and East West rail on Marshall's site.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2pm6g0g0yo?at_link_id=64C703AA-5F47-11F1-8E2B-D530BF79D739&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_origin=BBC_Cambridgeshire&at_medium=social&at_link_type=web_link&at_format=link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign_type=owned&fbclid=IwY2xjawSNR7ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBUV1pXUGhONTRmWnhZRmVKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuQkJE06TCBjTbw0yVoZI4IbfK2CDQuxKtvCQfzd8VlcSRwRltwT_5YVWDnH_aem_xrzhT9_LRe_7UEvVJCFJ5w

Cambridge East scheme will be "one of the UK's largest urban extension projects", Homes England says.