The Story So Far

28 May 2010 - Huntingdonshire District Council published a document entitled : Strategic Housing Land Availability assessment Update Part C: Site Assessment for Gypsy and Traveller Sites. Within this document two locations in Upwood had been identified as "potentially suitable" for development as permanent gypsy and traveller sites with capacity for up to 10 pitches on each site.

The two sites are (UPW1) Storage Depot which is on land owned by Cambridgeshire County Council, opposite the Gliding Club, and (UPW2) Longholme Road which is a field owned by a local resident.
Click here to see photos and plans of the suggested sites.

7 June 2010 - The matter was discussed at the monthly meeting of Upwood and the Raveleys Parish Council at the village hall to which a significant number of parishioners attended. Such was the level of concern that it was decided to hold an open meeting for the village as soon as possible.

9 June 2010 - Keith Sisman and David Oldale, 2 Upwood & the Raveleys parish councillors, attended a meeting held at Pathfinder House where they were able to put forward the parish's views against the proposals.

10 June 2010 - An Open Meeting took place in the village hall and was attended by over 100 interested village residents. At the start of the meeting the nature and membership of the Action Group Committee was agreed, with no abstentions. The committee was given a mandate to prepare a strategy to oppose these proposals and prepare advice for parishioners in how to object to the appropriate authorities.
Click here to read the minutes of this meeting.

15 June 2010 - The Action Group Committee met to discuss the strategy for objecting to the proposals. A lawyer from Taylor Vinters attended to provide advice.

17 June 2010 - Overwhelming numbers of parishioners attend the HDC Exhibition at Ramsey Community Hall to express their objections to the proposals. Nearly 700 people sign their support to the Action Group.

18 June 2010 - Shailesh Vara MP visits the two proposed Upwood sites and meets with concerned residents. He pledges his full support to the Action Group's objections to the scheme. Click here to view photos.

19 June 2010 - The Action Group gains more support from visitors to the Annual Village Fete held in the Cross Keys Paddock.

22 June 2010 - Short item on BBC Look East Breakfast programme.

24 June 2010 - Action Group Planning Meeting

30 June 2010 - Open Meeting took place in the village hall attended by over 200 people. Action Group committee members reported on campaign progress so far as well as giving advice on legitimate grounds for objecting to the two proposed sites. Click here to read the minutes of this meeting.

9 July 2010 - Action Group Committee Members meet with Steve Ingram, Head of Planning HDC, at Pathfinder House

10 July 2010 - Over 500 newsletters distributed to all houses in the parish as well as other localities.

22 July 2010 - "Drop-In" Session held in Upwood Village Hall for parishioners who required help in formulating their objections.

30 July 2010 - Deadline for responses to be received by HDC.