Question 57 - What community facilities are particularly needed in the
North East Cambridge area?

I fully support the NECAAP as a thriving new place for living, working, playing and learning. I particularly support the vision for a social and economic inclusion.

I am keen that 'fit for purpose' community facilities accessible to all. The reality is that in a number of previous new developments this has been poorly planned and failed to provide what it could.

Also, in view of the scope of the vision this should be of significant size and range of possibilities and opportunities to end users.

In particular, as an active member of a faith group, I would support the building of a place that could also be used for the significant faith communities and that can effectively serve the diversity which new development will seek to nurture. Local churches are and will be core providers of a wide range of public services and have a gold standard in supporting all ages, stages and people from differing backgrounds (families, youth, debt help, supporting the deprived, bringing together the most diverse groups of people).

On a personal note. As a clergy person of the Church of England in the diocese of Ely I have been deployed to serve the more deprived communities of East Chesterton bringing the value of social inclusion and the bringing of diverse groups together. We have no regular building of our own in East Chesterton and looking ahead it would be valuable to bring this into the discussion of planning now. As key stake-holders in the social, mental, relational and spiritual capital of the
area and are keen to be involved in the process in any way as things develop.