Winter 2020/21

Green light for the next phase

First phase moves Alconbury Weald 2020: a year at Campus update: forward for Grange travel update: Alconbury Weald County Council HQ Farm North survey results reviewed nears completion Contents 03

04 Alconbury Weald update Hello and welcome to our Winter Housebuilding has continued, with 04 Key Phase 1 extension 2020/21 newsletter, which provides an all contractors adapting working 06 The Pavilion update on the latest developments practices to meet new health and at Alconbury Weald. safety guidelines. As well as providing 07 The Glade updates from the housebuilders, we 08 Garland Park Despite the challenges presented by have case studies from some of our Coronavirus and the Government 10 Alconbury Weald: Phase 2 residents who are enjoying life at the restrictions to help reduce the spread of Weald. 10 Site preparation works the virus, Alconbury Weald continues 12 Grange Farm North to flourish and our update includes Ermine Street Church Academy has 14 Southern Gateway information on: the new community done a fantastic job during the facilities coming forward as part of the Coronavirus pandemic and we caught 16 Transport first phase of development – The up with Ali Machin, Deputy Head, to 16 Ermine Street works Pavilion, The Glade and Garland Park; see how the children, parents and staff 18 Travel update Key Phase 1 extension, which will have risen to the challenge. We’ve also deliver the next 1,000 homes and the been finding out more about DEMAT’s 22 New homes Education Campus with a new plans for Alconbury Weald Church 26 Education secondary school and special school; Academy, the new secondary school In 2020, we launched a new 26 ESCA and the start of Phase 2, Grange Farm and Spring Common Academy Trust’s podcast series that explores 27 Education Campus North. plans for the new special school, Prestley Wood Academy. Alconbury Weald. 28 Secondary School Transport and infrastructure are 29 Special School important parts of any new Although many businesses have development and work is moving struggled due to the pandemic and 30 Community forward on the Southern Gateway to lockdown restrictions, we’ve had 2020: The Year in Review Alconbury Weald, which will connect positive news and seen businesses 34 Campus News the site directly to the A141 and move into and expand in the Incubator Huntingdon. We have also been buildings in the Campus and the new 39 Skills and Learning working with the Parish Council and County Council HQ is on schedule to 42 Urban&Civic news County Council on traffic calming open in late Summer 2021. improvements and speed reductions In the first episode, BBC’s Mike Dilger discovers 44 Contact along Ermine Street, and looking at the We have also been working with Target the fascinating ecology of Alconbury Weald. With results of the 2020 Travel Survey to help Apprenticeships and EDGE (the jobs 45% of land coming forward as green spaces improve sustainable choices for people brokerage service) to support local – both through the preservation and enhancement travelling to and from Alconbury Weald. people looking for jobs. EDGE will be of existing habitats and new ones being created hitting the road in 2021, so its services – Alconbury Weald has been designed to achieve Since the first residents moved in to are more accessible to people living in a net gain of biodiversity through each phase Alconbury Weald over four years ago, the district. and across the whole development. over 470 houses are now occupied, and our community continues to pull We hope you enjoy this edition of the Residents can enjoy close proximity to nature together and thrive despite the newsletter and welcome your thoughts with easy access to pocket parks, play areas and challenges presented by the for future articles. dipping ponds, with plenty of room to explore, pandemic. Our Year in Review provides play and relax. The podcast also introduces the With very best wishes some of our highlights from 2020, McDonald family, among the first residents at Becca including Summer Saturdays, Alconbury Weald, who take listeners with them Halloweald and our Christmas advent on a journey around Wild Weald. calendar. Our weekly food trucks also continue to prove incredibly popular. The second episode, presented by archaeologist and Channel 5 broadcaster Raksha Dave, explores the area’s fascinating heritage – from the Bronze Age to the Cold War. The heritage Rebecca Britton podcast offers interesting insights from: Communications, Communities and Partnerships Malcolm, an Alconbury Weald resident who was E: [email protected] stationed at RAF Alconbury in 1985; landscape T: +44 (0)1480 413 141 / M: +44 (0)7739 339 889 architect Joanne John who explains how the site’s heritage has informed the landscape alconbury-weald.co.uk | urbanandcivic.com design; and archaeologist Clemency Cooper, Follow us on Twitter: @AlconburyWHomes who draws the listeners’ attention to Alconbury @beccaU&C @AlconburyCampus Weald’s fascinating history during the Iron Age, early Roman period and medieval times. Follow us on Instagram: alconburyweald Download the episodes at: www.alconbury- weald.co.uk/podcast/ 04 Alconbury Weald update 05

Next 1,000 homes and secondary school move into delivery

The extension to the first key phase of This work continues in conjunction with the development at Alconbury Weald was approved mobilisation of the design and build teams that by Huntingdonshire District Council in November are working up plans for the secondary and 2020. It will include an Education Campus with a special schools, which will be run by the Diocese secondary school and special school, the next of Ely Multi Academy Trust and Spring Common 1,000 homes, shops and employment space as Academy Trust respectively. Planning applications well as parks and open spaces. for these are expected in the Summer (see page 27 for more information). The extension will sit east of the existing phase of homes and cover land up to the central part We have also been working with housebuilders of the historic Cold War runway, which will in time to progress planning applications for the 1,000 become a large strategic park running through homes around the Education Campus, with the centre of the development and connecting planning applications expected to be submitted

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E R M I N E S T R E E T 06 Alconbury Weald update We feel the facilities in The Glade will complement 07 those we already have and become an important part of the community going forward. Rachel Arnold Communications, Communities & Partnerships, Urban&Civic The Pavilion The Glade Work is progressing well on the new cricket After a series of discussions with residents and operators, pavilion and community centre at the heart of the first phase of Alconbury Weald. designs are now coming to fruition for the new community area, The Glade, which will create a new centre within the Due to be completed in Spring 2021, The Pavilion has an anchor use as a cricket pavilion, with first phase of Alconbury Weald. social space for functions and events overlooking the pitch. The building draws on traditional approaches in the local area but has a modern design and light and airy feel in keeping with Alconbury Weald’s public buildings.

The single storey building was designed with extensive input from Cricket East and has a players’ lobby, club room, changing rooms and physiotherapy rooms, which can also be used for health support for the new community. The Pavilion will also provide a flexible community hall, kitchens and toilets, and include an office for the development’s Communities Team.

Cricket East has already supported a number of training and community sessions – including the Big Summer Bash in July 2019, which saw Sir John Major ‘christen’ the ground with an inaugural match for local residents.

We will continue to work with Cricket East to plan more events when the Covid-19 restrictions lift, so everyone can enjoy this fantastic new community facility.

The Pavilion is being constructed by long established, Cambridge-based company, Coulson Building Group, which recruits and trains people from the local area.

Tom Gillard, Senior Manager at Coulson Building Group, said: “We’re pleased that Urban&Civic has chosen our company to help deliver this ambitious project, which will bring benefits not only to those living at Alconbury Weald, but the local community as a whole.” CGI of The Pavilion Early CGI of potential layout for The Glade Community spaces Our company has worked in the area for Give your view

We want to know what type of events and 136 years and the team is proud to be a part Help shape the designs for a brand-new activities residents want to see at Alconbury of something that will create long-term value community area at Alconbury Weald: Weald. If you have ideas or want to get www.givemyview.com/thegladeaw/polls involved, please email Natalie Leigh-Brown: for thousands of individuals and families Please respond by 8 March. [email protected] living at the development or nearby. Tom Gillard Senior Manager at Coulson Building Group 08 Alconbury Weald update

Garland Park

Garland Park will provide landscaped green space along the route of one of the airfield’s former taxiways, connecting Ermine Street Church Academy to the top of the Glade local centre. It will include a variety of multi-functional green spaces, with areas for recreation and play along this safe pedestrian and cyclist priority route.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Opened Spring/Summer 2020 Completion Spring 2022 Completion Autumn/Winter 2025

The first section of Garland Park goes The second section will run through the The final section, which lies to the from Ermine Street Church Academy the middle of the Morris Homes’ housing east of Parcel 7 and Hopkins’ second to the northern boundary of Hopkins parcel and provide landscaped spaces housing parcel, will complete the Homes’ first housing parcel. It includes: for relaxing and play within a connection up to the local centre. It community orchard, which will have will include a community orchard, new ● Tree planting: 35 new trees, 24 apple trees, including a number of play area, tree planting, hedgerows, including a large London Plane tree the local Huntingdon Codlins. ornamental and shrub planting, wild- ● Hedgerows: 130m of new hornbeam flowers, seating and amenity space. hedgerow It will include timber log seating areas and picnic tables for community use; ● Games area: two freestanding an informal play trail and green space concrete table tennis tables for for play opportunities; black stained community use timber pergola to support climbing ● Play park: with wooden play plants; and an open grass area with a equipment, slide, seating and picnic large feature tree, which is likely to be benches a Cappadocian Maple – a specimen with red foliage that will act as a focal ● Green area with play space and point and landmark along Garland features such as jumping blocks, Park. net climbing, swings, slide and play boulders as well as picnic benches and seating. Get involved

As each phase progresses, we will continue to ask for thoughts and input to help shape the design, and to ensure the outdoor space and facilities deliver what people want and need. 10 Alconbury Weald update We are really grateful for everyone’s patience 11 while the work goes on and we are through the worst of it now. The final works should be completed by the end of February 2021. Scott Edwards Project Manager, Urban&Civic

Existing buildings demolished Key Phase 1 extension: Existing walls demolished 704 Existing roads/hard standings site preparation works broken out Existing fencing demolished

CP1 To get the ground ready for the next phase of homes and the 47.323 Phase 2 boundary new Education Campus, the team has been busy carrying out Phase 1 boundary demolition and site preparation works. 88 523 83 R U N W A Y

B1 48.275 The works, which started in August 2020, included which would have full days of hammering noise, the demolition and removal of around 20 buildings and helped minimise any impact on the homes of varying sizes – from hangars and storage and businesses around. We are really grateful Y 528

540 buildings to small substations that needed to be for everyone’s patience while the work goes on B2 48.425 taken down. and we are through the worst of it now. The final

works should be completed by the end of 519

518 105 Hardstanding also needed to be lifted from small February 2021.” LL 520 48.057

AL103 48.859 internal roads and the taxiway for the runway. 521

All the material taken up from this hardstanding The team will then start putting in the 517 KK

105A 114 47.984 will be kept on site, recycled and used in future infrastructure for the next phase and carrying 113 works, which will save approximately 3–4,000 out the earthworks to prepare the ground for the

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522 HGV trips from having to go onto the local road education campus. They will also be putting in 525 726 AL103A 48.053 148 514 449 550 network and thousands of tonnes going into the ditches and ponds required for the 579 149 448

E 539 541 waste. This approach is part of Urban&Civic’s sustainable drainage system. 513 751 547 commitment to recycling 98% of materials from 534 512 POL If you have any queries about these works, 524 552 546 the brownfield site, as part of its sustainability 526 strategy. please email [email protected] or call 01480 413141. 553 Scott Edwards, Project Manager at Urban&Civic who oversaw the works, said: “The range of work varies from quite careful and detailed removal of fixtures and fittings, to some hefty machinery helping to lift the hardstanding. The work can be Care and conservation quite noisy, so we used a modern Arrow Breaker Alconbury Weald has a commitment to Jeff Hawley, from the Airfield Research expertise in recording, and helping us – a remote controlled machine with a 7 tonne ensuring the history of the site is fully Group, said: “Some of the most conserve important features such as guillotine at the front – to break up the concrete recorded, and important aspects incidental items and artwork left this wall art. Not only do they capture hardstanding. This was a much quicker and preserved and brought into the future behind can provide a rich sense of the an interesting part of the history, but quieter process than the traditional method, development as part of its heritage activity and pride of those based here. they create a powerful connection with strategy. Photographs were taken of We continue to work with Urban&Civic the individual crews who served here.” all the buildings in the Key Phase 1 to preserve items such as this to extension and these are catalogued ensure we can tell the history of the with any old plans or details about site in the future.” historic uses of the buildings and area. The detailed work was carried out by One of the walls in Building 520 – an Conservation experts Cliveden, who AREA OF WORKS old aircraft hangar where helicopters had to carefully cut the blockwork were maintained – depicted wall art wall around the artwork whilst both left behind by the 21st Special protecting the artwork from damage Operation Squadron, who were based and supporting the wall structure. at RAF Alconbury in the 1990s with Cliveden built a bespoke frame on site their distinctive Pave Low helicopters to lift out and transport the wall in – captured in the artwork. one piece so that it could be stored You can see a video of the work for future use as part of Alconbury undertaken on the Alconbury Weald The work on this is supported by the Weald’s heritage areas. website: www.alconbury-weald/news Airfield Research Group, the on-site charity which supports Urban&Civic Rebecca Britton added: “We’re grateful with historical research, recording and to the Airfield Research Group and analysis. Cliveden Conservation for their 12 Alconbury Weald: Phase 2 The Country Park is a key part of the vision 13 for creating an attractive, healthy and sustainable Alconbury Weald. Joe Dawson Senior Development Manager, Urban&Civic

View of the Primary School Grange Farm North In June 2019, Urban&Civic submitted plans to take forward the planned Country Park together with the delivery of up to 1,500 homes on the Grange Farm area of Alconbury Weald.

The planning applications form the second phase of Alconbury Weald, but have been delayed by ongoing studies being undertaken by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority assessing the potential realigned A141 to provide a new northern ring road to Huntingdon.

Urban&Civic has been working with partners to ensure a joined-up approach to transport planning, both around the realigned A141, the Cambridge Autonomous Metro (CAM) and the rail station which will create a significant sustainable transport hub to the eastern side of the development. This will support the main The updated approach includes: public transport spine through the development, ● 750 homes connecting the CAM to local bus services, cycle ● a new Primary School incorporating early connections and walking routes around years provision Alconbury Weald. ● just under 7 acres (3 hectares) of sports While the timings and technical details are pitches (within the Country Park) being worked up by the Combined Authority, ● up to 2,000 sqm of retail/cafe and community Urban&Civic is progressing a revised phased space approach to the Grange Farm and Country Park ● around 30% green space within the residential applications. This would enable work to start on area. the first phase of 750 homes planned for the area of Grange Farm unaffected by the potential The early delivery of the Country Park will focus new A141 road. It would crucially still enable on enhancing Prestley Wood, significant early early delivery of the first phases of the Country tree planting and beginning the transformation Park, as well as deliver the Southern Gateway of the northern area of Grange Farm – from that will connect Alconbury Weald directly to intensively farmed land to nature-focussed the existing A141 and Huntingdon. grassland and woodland.

Joe Dawson, Senior Development Manager for Between them, the development programmes This phase will deliver extensive Urban&Civic, said: “This approach does not will also enable the start of a significant cycle and walking routes between change the overall plans but enables us to the new homes, the Country Park investment in leisure routes for walking, cycling and the first phase of Alconbury continue momentum on the development while and horseriding, which has been developed Weald. the details are refined for the realigned A141. through workshops with the County and District Once we know the exact route and the detailed Council and input from local riding groups. designs, we can see if we need to do any updating design work on the southern section of Joe added: “The Country Park will not be Grange Farm. Crucially it means we can begin delivered overnight, but by getting started early The updated application will be re-submitted work to connect the development directly to we hope it can start to rewild and grow alongside in the next few weeks and the full details will be Huntingdon and start early delivery of the 150 the development. Working with and enhancing available at Huntingdonshire District Council’s acre (60 hectare) Country Park, which will benefit the existing Rights of Way, and protecting and planning portal: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ not just Alconbury Weald residents but the wider enhancing Prestley Wood, is a really important planning/ area. The past few months have clearly shown part of the vision local partners share to create we all need more accessible green space on our an important green lung for the north of A printed copy will be available at The Club, doorsteps!” Huntingdon.” Alconbury Weald (by appointment). 14 Alconbury Weald: Phase 2 15

Southern Gateway landscape plan

Species-rich grss nd mixes form  comptib e nd comp ementr hbitt ner to the Gret Stuke e W ri w cutting Southern Gateway Species-rich grssnd secures approval Mown route through swiths of species-rich wi d ower nd grss nd to provide visu interest The Southern Gateway to Alconbury Weald has been an nd bio-diversit important part of the vision from the start.

It will connect the development directly to the Perhaps most importantly of all, this connection Wood nd p nting  ong GREAT STUKELEY WAY A141 and the town of Huntingdon and enable and the work coming forward in Grange Farm southern ccess to soften RAILWAY CUTTING the wider area to access the planned rail station. will open up important cycle connections for views, mitigte the oss The connection is also part of protecting the Alconbury Weald and in time support the CAM of n vegettion, nd enhnce the existing Stukeleys and providing Alconbury Weald coming through as a central public transport hedgerow residents with purpose-built cycle and walking spine for Alconbury Weald.” routes and quicker bus connections into town, and in time the route for the Cambridge Routes from the Southern Gateway have also Autonomous Metro (CAM). been designed to support the delivery of a rail station at Alconbury Weald and the Combined While the initial designs submitted back in 2018 Authority, local councils and Urban&Civic Sections of existing were to bring forward an innovative ‘through- continue to work with Network Rail, Department hedgerow removed to fci itte construction about’ design that prioritised bus movements for Transport and Homes England to progress of the southern ccess. Species-rich through a roundabout, our transport engineers the additional station on the East Coast Mainline. P nting propos s wi hedgerow p nting have been working with the County Council to be inc uded to mitigte oss of vegettion s ensure the designs co-ordinate with the ongoing prt of  wider, ho istic design work on the future A141 and investment ndscpe strteg Minimum ‡0m-wide in the CAM. The new design has now passed ndscpe bu‰er zone through its full review by the County Council team and we will be appointing contractors to implement the new arrangement. Proposed footw/ cc ew to tie in with existing pub ic Joe Dawson, Senior Development Manager for right of w Urban&Civic, said: “We are so pleased that after so many months of reworking the designs we have an agreed design we can now implement. PART C This is an important connection, not just for the new residents at Alconbury Weald but for the Existing highw vegettion to be Stukeleys too, as it will take pressure away from retined wherever Ermine Street. With the A1307 and new A14 as possib e well, it is great to see some of the core bits of infrastructure coming forward as we move into the final section of the first phase and start to PART B take forward the second phase of the development.

PART A The connections will be phased in delivery: with the route from the A141 put in first, a temporary connection established using Route B initially, and then the permanent Route C coming forward in the next phase of development.

Southern Gateway Detail opposite

Existing p nting to be cut bck to enb e construction of the new crrigew  ignment 16 Transport 17

Welcome to the village of LITTLE STUKELEY

Traffic calming Following the installation of the full scheme of environmental enhancements and traffic calming along Ermine Street in 2018, there have been a number of issues and concerns raised to the Parish Council, County Council and Urban&Civic. These have coincided with the formal post-implementation safety review that the County Council carry out, which recommended additional signage to be added along the scheme. For a full technical drawing of the plans, please visit the website at www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/news

Existing speed cushions to be ret ined LITTLE STUKELEY

ERMINE STREET Existing speed cushions to be removed nd rep ced with t be-top ro d humps with uncontroed pedestri n crossing

MILL ROAD OWL END GREAT STUKELEY Existing speed cushions to be Existing speed ret ined cushions to be ERMINE STREET ret ined

Existing speed cushions to be removed nd rep ced with t be-top ro d humps CHURCH ROAD with uncontroed pedestri n crossing NORTH

ERMINE STREET Proposed t b e-top ro d hump

Existing speed cushions to be removed nd rep ced with t b e-top ro d humps

CHURCH ROAD SOUTH 18 Travel and transport 19

The primary modes of transport used by Travel Survey 2020 people living at Alconbury Weald to get to Alconbury Weald is aiming to become a truly sustainable their workplace. community: that’s partly about putting in place the right Last year, due to Coronavirus, many normal travel behaviours and choices were different. infrastructure and services for people to lead low carbon lives as While we carried out the Travel Survey as usual, the development rolls out, and creating a culture where people all results have been analysed with that in mind. choose low carbon travel options. The development’s Sustainable For example we weren’t surprised to see more 4% people based at Alconbury Enterprise Campus 4% Travel Plan aims to minimise the use of cars, increase the use of working from home or driving alone. The 8% residential survey was slightly more surprising public transport and cycling, and reduce any associated as only 8% of respondents were working from 8% environmental impacts on the local and wider area. home, but we believe this is due to the high 67% number of our residents who are key workers.

We will be monitoring the situation as a Covid-19 9% We asked Polly Williams, Smart Journeys This knowledge puts us in a strong position to vaccine is rolled out and considering what the Project Manager, who is helping implement encourage people moving to Alconbury Weald future may look like post-pandemic and how to the Travel Plan for Alconbury Weald, to to consider switching travel methods as they prepare for this change. The feedback received explain what is involved. adjust to life in their new homes and establish from the Travel Survey will enable us to develop new travel routines. a new action plan that recognises what change The Travel Plan for Alconbury Weald is a may look like and help us to improve sustainable dynamic living document that outlines a We recognise that not every journey can be made choices for residents travelling to and from package of appropriate measures aimed to sustainably, and our role isn’t to penalise car Alconbury Weald. encourage more sustainable travel, with an drivers. Our aim is to understand what prevents emphasis on reducing single occupancy car use. individuals from using sustainable transport, The primary mode of transport for people then use that information to deliver initiatives working at Alconbury Weald. The main objectives are to: that encourage positive behaviour change. ● improve the health of residents and visitors through increased walking and cycling. We will be working with residents, workplaces % % and the school to offer support and provide the 4% ● reduce congestion by implementing strategies tools needed to ensure that sustainable modes that encourage alternative forms of transport of travel are maximised. We will also be rather than car usage. monitoring progress through our annual Travel ● decrease pollutants from vehicles and create Survey to ensure we are working towards a cleaner environment. achieving our targets and goals. ● ensure all activities promote social engagement and involve, inform and empower Why do you think this is important? all residents to make the right choices for them. 46% of all car trips in the UK are less than two miles, yet we live in a society where we are 45% 49% How are you involved? What is your role? dependent on the car! At Alconbury Weald, we We know that the most effective times to change want to develop a community where we all play a behaviour is when an individual is going through our part in making small positive changes to a big change in their life – whether that’s a promote healthy lifestyles and reduce congestion, relationship, change of job or moving to a new energy consumption and pollution in places house. where we live, work and play. 20 Travel and transport 21

On your bike Driving forward the Last year, Smart Journeys rolled out a series of initiatives to encourage cycling in and around Alconbury Weald, and help break down some Cambridgeshire of the barriers people feel about cycling more. The team will be working with Urban&Civic as the development continues to roll out more cycle Autonomous Metro connections. A step forward for the Cambridgeshire Autonomous This includes: ● Bike servicing sessions to fix punctures and Metro (CAM) has been taken with the setting up of ensure residents’ bikes are in tip-top condition a dedicated company tasked with its delivery. to explore local and wider cycleways safely. ● 30 day free bike hire to give residents the The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Other routes extend to St Neots, Mayor James Palmer said: “Our region opportunity to try before you buy. This includes Combined Authority, led by Mayor Mildenhall and Haverhill, linking has a reputation for attracting the electric, Brompton, cargo and tandem bikes. James Palmer, has established One settlements and employment sites very brightest and best people, and ● 1-2-1 cycle training lesson to help residents CAM Limited to give the scheme the across the region. It is anticipated that we expect nothing less of the make safe and enjoyable journeys and teach special focus and resource now needed these regional routes will be connected appointments we make to this delivery key skills such as good road positioning, to drive it forward. Such delivery via tunnels under Cambridge city company. Bringing in the right people signaling and visibility. Even the most companies are common with other centre. will help us build confidence and experienced cyclist is guaranteed to learn major transport schemes, including support in Government and across something new. East West Rail and Crossrail. The first appointment to the delivery the region that we need to take the company was the Board chair, Lord ● Bike maintenance course to give beginners delivery of CAM to the next level.” The CAM is one of the UK’s biggest Robert Mair CBE, who is based in basic knowledge so they can deal with a infrastructure schemes and aims to Cambridge and is one of the world’s The Combined Authority has also roadside puncture and keep their bike in good support the future growth of the region most renowned tunnel engineers. Lord launched Conceptual Design Challenge, condition. by building world class, future-proofed Mair, a member of the House of Lords, asking engineers, designers, has been closely involved with the Polly Williams added: “It is encouraging that 31% public transport. As well as providing academics and other experts to come design and construction of the Jubilee of residents are cycling more since Covid-19 and fast, convenient, zero-emission up with conceptual designs for the Line Extension, HS1 and Crossrail. we hope to be able to provide support and School safety journeys, the CAM will also help CAM, including what vehicles could be encouragement, so this positive trend continues.” sustainably support much needed used. Three winning designs, which will new housing and jobs, while also Since then, five other Board members inform and could transform the delivery We know the new bollards outside Ermine Street have been recruited as Non-Executive Smart Journeys will be outside the Watch Office helping to protect the environment. of the CAM, will be revealed in March. Church Academy have been causing some Directors, bringing with them a wealth from 9.30am to 4.30pm every third Sunday to comment among local residents. They are a of leadership experience across public help residents get back on their bikes. Sessions The CAM will serve Alconbury Weald For more information about the CAM, new initiative that Smart Journeys has been and private sector, including in major need to be booked in advance by emailing with a route which will also connect visit the website: developing with the school. They are designed Huntingdon and St Ives with Cambridge. infrastructure projects. www.cam-metro.co.uk [email protected] to encourage people to slow down as they drive past the school and to use the Park&Stride for dropping off/collecting, rather than parking along Swynford Road. The move comes ahead of planned yellow lines, which if approved by the County Council, will be installed in Spring 2021.

Polly from Smart Journeys said: “We’ve been doing a survey to make sure there are enough spaces in the Park&Stride and will continue to work with the school and residents to encourage more families to walk, cycle and scoot to school. For those who have to drive, we want to make sure they park considerately so everyone can stay safe. We need to keep working together to find the things that work best for Alconbury Weald, so please do keep the feedback coming.”

If you want to find out more about the services Alconbury Weald’s Sustainable Travel Plan offers for residents, then please contact Polly by emailing [email protected] or calling 01223 703280. 22 New homes 23

Campbell Buchanan George

Campbell Buchanan George is the latest housebuilder to come to Alconbury Weald. The Huntingdonshire-based company is preparing a planning application to bring forward 61 new homes between Civic Living and Morris Homes. It is hoped the team will start building during the Spring, with first residents settled in by next Christmas. Toby Markham, CEO of Campbell Buchanan Since the first residents moved in to Alconbury Weald over four George, said: “We have been watching the years ago, over 470 homes are now occupied, and our community development at Alconbury Weald evolve and have been impressed by the delivery of exemplar continues to pull together and thrive despite the challenges architectural design and the quality and maturity of the infrastructure and public realm delivered presented by the pandemic. by Urban&Civic in its master developer role. Housebuilding has continued, with all contractors adapting “At Campbell Buchanan George the passion for what we do is evidenced in the detail at every working practices to meet new health and safety guidelines. level throughout the entire process. No stone is We develop quality homes in prime locations All housebuilders on site have also implemented measures at left unturned to create the best homes for our customers, and to ensure their complete and are delighted to be delivering our marketing suites and show homes to protect staff and customers satisfaction through our after-sales service. It’s homes at Alconbury Weald. in line with Government guidance on Covid-19 but would our relentless drive to achieve and maintain the highest possible standards that define the CBG Toby Markham CEO, Campbell Buchanan George recommend calling before you visit. team, our homes and the communities we create and serve.” Keep an eye out for details of the planning Civic Living application and updates on the Alconbury Weald website: www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/news Urban&Civic, the master developer for For more information about CBG, visit Alconbury Weald, created a range of homes to www.campbellbuchanan.com offer something a bit different to other property styles available across the development. Civic Living properties, which offer flexible free- Hopkins Homes Walking commute gives flowing layouts in a range of 2 and 3 bedroom perfect work/life balance houses and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, have Having delivered the gateway development proved popular with first time buyers, professional for Alconbury Weald, Hopkins Homes’ second couple and downsizers – with nearly half of the phase of homes is now well underway. Its Sarah Fever transformed her lifestyle since properties now occupied. Alconbury Weald also has a special place in Malcolm’s heart. Having retired at 65, he spent brand new, fully furnished show home and moving to Alconbury Weald, by getting a Malcolm and Ann Rigby, are one such retired 49 years in the RAF serving as aircrew, operating marketing suite launched at the end of 2020 new job at MM Flowers (based at Alconbury couple, who downsized to a two bedroom out of RAF Wyton in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. and new homes in the second phase are now Enterprise Campus) and dramatically reducing apartment with a balcony to lose the headache During that time, he was temporarily transferred open for reservation. her daily commute. of maintaining their four-bedroom family home in to RAF Alconbury, where he spent six months The properties available include spacious one Sarah used to work in London and commuted St Ives and free up time and money to enjoy their whilst the runway at RAF Wyton was repaired. and two bedroom contemporary apartments as daily from Cambridgeshire. She explained: “The retirement. well as two, three and four bedroom family Malcolm said: “I knew Alconbury as an American old commute started to become really draining homes in an array of different designs and as I was leaving at six in the morning and getting airbase when I was based at RAF Wyton and styles. landed my plane on the runway here many times, home at eight every evening. You don’t have as well as being based here for six months. It is Monika Hanlon, Sales and Marketing Director enough time for yourself! Now, it takes me 15 funny how things happen. I have a passion for at Hopkins Homes, said: “We have seen a lot minutes to walk to work and I’m back at home flying and so does my wife, so it’s nice that we’ve of interest and off-plan reservations since we by five thirty every day.” found the perfect home on the former airfield launched the second phase, which consists of I know so well!” exquisitely designed traditional homes all built with the care and attention to detail that Civic Living Homes pride themselves on practical Hopkins Homes is renowned for. We know this I love living so close to work. We are thinking designs, with integrated bike and bin stores, a phase will complement the thriving community layout that ensures the large windows and of the first phase. We look forward to helping about getting a dog as now would be a balconies retain privacy and maximise natural people move into their new homes throughout perfect time. With all the lovely walks around light and on plot parking to help unloading of the current restrictions.” shopping. us, this is the ideal home for a dog owner. For more information call 01480 435108, email I don’t own a car so being able to walk For more information, visit www.civicliving.co.uk [email protected] or visit or call 01480 272422. www.hopkinshomes.co.uk everywhere is fantastic. 24 New homes 25

Crest Nicholson Help to Buy

Crest Nicholson is developing a range of homes Help to Buy is a government scheme designed to close to the cricket pitch, with residents help people who are struggling to save a deposit ideally located to enjoy events and activities for their first home or move up the property in the new Pavilion, which is set to open in the ladder if they have limited equity. There are Morris Homes Spring. Around a quarter of the 192 homes several options available as part of the Help to being built have been sold. Buy scheme, including the following: The first parcel of Morris Homes is nearing Crest Nicholson is offering Home Reach, its first ● ISA: savers looking to buy their first home can completion and nearly two thirds of the save money into an ISA and the Government 165 properties have been sold. ever part buy/part rent ownership option, at Alconbury Weald. The scheme is available on will add to your savings by 25%. So, for every £200 you save, you’ll receive a government Morris Homes’ designs at Alconbury Weald all apartments at Wellington House, with prices contribution of £50 up to £3,000. include a collection of characterful homes that starting at £90,000 for a 50% share of a one fit into the area seamlessly. The red and buff bedroom apartment and £104,500 for a two ● Equity Loan: if you already have a 5% cash coloured bricks complement the surrounding bedroom apartment. deposit, the Government could lend you up to properties, whilst crafted detailing such as brick 20% of the cost of your newly built home. You eaves and stone heads give the homes a Home Reach, in partnership with heylo, provides won’t be charged loan fees on the loan for the sophisticated edge. the security of home ownership with a lower first five years of owning your home. initial financial commitment, making it a more A neighbourhood green with a parkland play affordable way onto the housing ladder. It allows ● Shared Ownership: if you can’t quite afford area provides a central landscaped space for users to access all the benefits of owning a home, the mortgage on 100% of a home, Shared residents to meet and enjoy at the heart of the from the ability to decorate and personalise their Ownership offers you the chance to buy a Morris development. home, to the flexibility to sell and move at any share of your home (between 25% and 75% of Redrow point. its value) and pay rent on the remaining share. Morris Homes still has three and four bedroom Later on, you could buy bigger shares. homes available from £304,750. Buyers can purchase a share in a property, with Redrow is bringing forward 200 homes in a the possibility to increase the share up to 100% Visit www.helptobuy.gov.uk for more information. To find out more, call 01480 355286 or visit wide range of sizes and styles on a parcel of ownership over time. The remaining interest in www.morrishomes.co.uk land on the other side of Swynford Road. So the property is owned by heylo, which acts as Shared ownership at Alconbury Weald far Redrow is nearly three quarters through the landlord on a 125-year lease. the development and is now taking forward At Alconbury Weald, Cross Keys Homes (CKH) is a second parcel in the next phase of homes Karen Coulson, Sales and Marketing Director at providing homes available both for rent and to coming forward at Alconbury Weald. Crest Nicholson Eastern, commented: “The buy through shared ownership. CKH is dedicated introduction of Home Reach at Alconbury Weald to providing high-quality, affordable homes and One of their popular homes is the four-bedroom is already proving popular. It’s an ideal option for services as well as thriving communities across Stratford. Featuring sleek and modern interiors, first time buyers that need an additional helping the local area. perfectly paired with a contemporary open plan hand to get onto the property ladder, as you kitchen and dining room, a separate lounge, don’t need to save up a hefty deposit – you can Joe Dawson, Senior Development Manager for cloakroom and laundry room, the home perfectly buy with a deposit of as little as £4,500. We’d Urban&Civic, said: “Working with CKH as the main fits the needs of families without compromising urge anyone who wants to find out more to get partner providing all of the affordable housing on style and elegance. Designed for flexible in touch with our friendly sales executives at options, means that – if you fit the affordable living, the Stratford includes two bedrooms, as Alconbury Weald.” housing criteria – whether you want a home with well as two further rooms that could be used as Hopkins, Redrow, Morris, Civic Living, Crest or bedrooms, a fitness studio or office space. Properties in The Wellington will be ready to any of the future housebuilders, you can work move into Summer 2021. with them to secure your home at Alconbury Suzanne Irons, Sales Director for Redrow Homes Weald. We continue to work with best in class For more information, visit www.crestnicholson. South Midlands, said: “Recently we’ve seen an partners to ensure there are real, accessible com/alconburyweald and www.crestnicholson. increase in homebuyers looking for more outdoor options for everyone who wants to make their com/offers/home-reach or call 01480 809 514. space and close proximity to the countryside, home here. This way you can live in the place so we were thrilled to be able to release 50 new you want to live, in the type of house you want homes last year that tick all of these boxes. to live in and at a price that works for you.”

“The homes all offer versatile layouts that allow To find out more about shared ownership with for time spent together as a family, as well as CKH, join its mailing list or apply for a shared additional bedrooms suitable for growing ownership home, visit www.crosskeyshomes.co. families, or those looking for flexible bedroom uk/sharedownership space that can serve as a home office, playroom, games room or even a relaxing wellness space.” CKH also work with the Local Authority’s Home- Link service, to allocate affordable rented To find out more, please call 01480 802430 or properties within the development. The Lettings visit: www.redrow.co.uk/developments/ Team ‘advertise’ the properties through the alconbury-weald-huntingdon Home-Link system, for families to apply for.

Further information about housing options within the local area are available from: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/housing/finding- a-home/ and home-link.org.uk/choice/ 26 Education 27

Update from Ermine The Education Campus Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the contractor to design Street Church Academy and build the Education Campus at Alconbury Weald.

2020 saw many challenges caused by the The Education Campus will be developed over The project team have started informal Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions put a number of phases and will eventually include discussions with the Planning Authority in place to help slow the spread of the virus. a Secondary School consisting of eight forms of responsible for determining the planning We caught up with Ali Machin, Deputy Head entry (FE), a Sixth Form centre and a Special application. This includes both Cambridgeshire of Ermine Street Church Academy (ESCA) to School provision; as well as ancillary features County Council and Huntingdonshire District find out how they have been coping in these such as sports pitches, drop-off points and Council ahead of the planning application being unprecedented times: appropriate cycle and vehicle parking. Land has submitted. A public exhibition is planned to also been identified to allow a further expansion ensure that residents of Alconbury Weald can January 2020 seems such a long time ago, but of the secondary school in the future should this input their views into the process. saw us grow to five classes. The first lockdown be required. came as a surprise for all, but our community all It is anticipated that the planning application rose to the challenge. We ensured that school The Campus buildings will form an important will go in during the Summer, with work on site remained open in support of families of key landmark, and sit adjacent to a civic square, starting by Winter. Timings for opening are still workers. In addition, we ventured online for which will connect the schools to the wider in discussion with the Department for Education, learning, which included creating our own YouTube community. but it is anticipated the Special School will open channel. With both elements in place, we provided September 2023 and the Secondary School education throughout the school closure period. Morgan Sindall, working on behalf of Cambridge- September 2023 or 2024. shire County Council, is supported by both design Our ‘Staycation’ education saw lots of learning We decided to begin with a whole school learning and technical teams to assist in the preparation both at school and home; we are so fortunate to theme when we returned in September, which we of a planning application which is due to be have wonderful learners and fantastic families. called ENDURANCE, and has never seemed more submitted in the Spring/Summer of 2021. We were able to see a complete range of learning, apt. We based it around the achievements and from reaching milestones like riding a bike and lives of four different people; Malala Yousafzai, Technical reports will be provided to assess and sewing dresses, to taking up gardening and Nelson Mandela, Anne Frank and Ernest identify any impacts that may arise as a result of growing food to eat. Within school, we made as Shackleton. They have inspired us to think of the construction. These technical considerations much of the good weather as we possibly could, others, to write and to take on new challenges. will directly inform the design and layout of the as well as enjoying our new Nature Area, which Some of the children have joined together to site. was completed by some amazing community raise funds for a School in a Box – our way of volunteers back in February. helping others.

Staycation and online learning continued as we As a school we continued to find ways to work welcomed back ‘bubbles’ of Reception and Year 1 and celebrate together, including virtual children in June, as well as maintaining provision Celebration Assemblies, and we made a few for key worker families. Throughout this time, we Christmas surprises which you can see online: kept a diary of some of the activities we took www.erminestreetca.org.uk part in, which will make for an interesting account when we look back on this period. We are so thankful to have a passionate and committed staff, enthusiastic and determined We were so very pleased to be able to welcome children, and families that have done their back all children in September, as well as absolute best during these challenging times. welcome a growing staff team too. We now have eight classes and continue to work and learn within ‘bubbles’; these have increased in size, but the principles of keeping them separate remains the same. We are so very fortunate to have a building that supports this kind of teaching, and has allowed us to provide for all children and staff with the highest regard for safety. Not quite Friends of ESCA school as we know it, but we found new ways round getting together - with a strong focus on Don’t forget that you can support wellbeing and a curriculum designed to motivate the Friends of ESCA, through taking learners, the children settled so very well, part in the Glade online consultation bringing the building back to life. at www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/news 28 Education Prestley Wood Academy is named after 29 a heritage site within Alconbury Weald, where the remains of a moat sitting within an ancient woodland mark the site of an ancient manor house.

We talked to the Diocese of Ely Special School: Prestley Multi-Academy Trust and Spring Wood Academy Common Academy Trust, who will Spring Common Academy Trust, based in Prestley Wood will have a dedicated specialist be working together to deliver the Huntingdon, has been selected to run the new learning environment for pupils with autism. schools in the Education Campus. special school – Prestley Wood Academy – The Trust plans to create and train a new team in Alconbury Weald’s Education Campus. This with support, coaching and mentoring from school will serve children and young people experienced staff at Spring Common, many of aged 3 to 19 and will include a centre for whom are specialist leaders in our region with autism. It will also have a 19–25 specialist links to wider national expertise. Secondary School: Alconbury Weald Church Academy centre for adults with profound and complex learning difficulties including medical needs. Kim added: “The lack of specialist support for The Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT) is bringing its Its team is currently working hard to design autism in the local area has had a real impact wealth of experience to the new 750-pupil Alconbury Weald the school to ensure it offers a wide range of on families and on schools that simply can’t special needs, building upon the successful provide the environment, support or skills for Church Academy. model at Spring Common Academy, with those with the most complex education needs. inclusive education and ECO values. It has been heart breaking not to be able to meet demand for placements, so this project The Trust, which runs 39 primary schools across The Academy will also have a purpose-built will bring much needed capacity and choice. We the East of England – including Ermine Street autism provision attached to the school as part are so excited at the opportunities that Prestley Church Academy – will look to share its strong of an inclusive community special school. Wood opens up for us and we plan to create a ethos and core values with the new school, really special place for some amazing young creating a dynamic teaching space where pupils Prestley Wood Academy will be run as its own people, to help them be able to shine.” are happy and eager to learn. school but will form part of the growing Spring Common Academy Trust. It will be able to share The ECO values and landscape design will The new build seeks to give primary pupils within the significant expertise of the Executive Head support the curriculum to provide a range of the Trust’s family a continuation of their and central team, who have made the Huntingdon initiatives including residential and educational education, and welcome pupils from other school a huge success – recognised through its visits, forest school learning, specialist art/ primary schools in the area. ‘outstanding’ rating in all categorises at its last creativity and sport and fitness. Ofsted assessment in December 2018 and recent Alconbury Weald Church Academy, which will autism accreditation renewal. Pupils will receive high quality vocational cater for pupils aged 11 to 16, will include education and employability training as well specialist facilities for art, science, physical Kim Taylor OBE, Executive Headteacher of Spring as skills to support them to live independently, education and design technology, and will boast Common Academy Trust, said: “This is such an and it is hoped that older students will set up a broad and balanced curriculum rooted in core exciting opportunity for us. Prestley Wood a café and shop, which the community can use, academic subjects. Academy will provide a vital addition to the to develop their experiences and build links special needs capacity and choice in the local with local residents. The building will also provide DEMAT will bring clear leadership to the Academy, “We look to share our core values with the new area. We have a strong, inclusive vision to offer a specialist hydrotherapy pool, which it is hoped and focus on curriculum content, the quality of academy, including strong subject knowledge building on the success at Spring Common can be opened up to the wider community. teaching and celebrate the Academy’s role in the among teaching staff, and allowing teachers to Academy. It is the intention of the Local Authority community. ‘keep close to the work’ through high-quality, to provide design opportunities to implement the subject-specific professional development. best special needs practice.” It will instil its core values of love, community, respect, trust and ambition in the new academy “We are committed to providing a rounded community while giving its pupils the highest education for our pupils, supplemented by quality of education and sparking a love of wider a range of extra-curricular activities, while learning. promoting an inclusive culture among pupils and staff.” Working with the design and build team, we The Trust is determined to further develop its sustainable approaches to education, finances He added: “Children are at the heart of all we are all committed to creating an amazing and the environment while remaining flexible to do, and our teaching staff are key to giving our learning and caring environment for some the challenges faced at each of its individual pupils the highest quality of education. academies. really special children, many of whom have “Alconbury Weald is an opportunity for the Adrian Ball, Chief Executive of DEMAT, said: “Our Trust to enable more children to realise their difficult challenges to cope with, and also to aim is to bring together the Trust’s educational ambitions. The academy will provide them with support their families. vision, the building’s state-of-the-art facilities the tools, knowledge and skillset to excel in their and our strong local partnerships to create a chosen path. Kim Taylor Executive Headteacher, Spring Common Academy Trust high-quality learning environment for our pupils. “This is an exciting time for the Trust, and we look forward to bringing our experience and values to Alconbury Weald Church Academy.” 30 Community 31

I/we are self-isolating due to COVID-19 and would really welcome help with the following: I/we are self-isolating due to COVID-19. ● Picking up shopping ● Posting our mail If you have a delivery, ● Walking our dog/s please knock on the March ● A friendly phone call Any other help you need? door or ring the doorbell and leave the delivery Coronavirus lockdown meant we needed to find for us to bring in. ways for people to stay healthy – mentally and If you can help, please drop in one of the physically – during this unprecedented and cutoff slips from The Warbler and we’llThank you. be in touch. Thank you. challenging time. To help achieve this, we set up a webpage with stay home guides (for adults and children), keep fit and nutritious recipes: www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/at-home/ April The community rallied and residents set up a Alconbury Weald usually has a very active community with a mutual aid group to provide support to those wide range of sports, activities and social events taking place shielding and self-isolating. We witnessed some incredible acts of kindness, including nappies throughout the year. Last year, the pandemic made life donated to a couple with a new born baby. challenging for everyone, with social distancing and other Swynford Stores set up a delivery service to ensure our residents stayed stocked up with restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. However, everyone daily essentials. April also saw the Easter Egg pulled together and we managed to arrange some home-based Trail with brightly coloured pictures of eggs hidden for residents to find while safely exploring and socially distanced activities for everyone to enjoy. the Weald.

January May June To help inspire a healthy start to the New Year, Everyone was now getting more familiar with We had some great entries to our photo Active New Me organised a series of activities meeting virtually and we put on our first online competition for residents to show what they including yoga and bootcamp. community quiz. To mark the 75th anniversary have been enjoying most around Alconbury of VE Day, we put up a lone soldier tribute at The Weald during their daily exercise. Club and residents put up posters and bunting and enjoyed a socially distanced street party.

February Alconbury Weald has many inspiring spaces and children of Ermine Street Church Academy drew pictures and wrote poems to help showcase their favourite spaces. 32 Community 33

July/August November We were very lucky with the weather in the We were in second lockdown for Remembrance Summer and it was great to be able to reopen Sunday so we provided downloadable poppy parks that had been closed due to Covid-19 sheets for children to colour and put in windows. restrictions and open the new section of Garland We also laid wreaths at Watch Office Green and Park. We also arranged for food trucks and residents were able to add their poppy tributes picnic benches to be set up on Watch Office and pay their respects over the following week. Green on four Saturdays in August to provide REBECCA BRITTON an opportunity for some socially distanced Head of interaction and enjoyment. Communications, Communities and We launched our podcast series to help you to Partnerships explore Alconbury Weald from the comfort of your home. In case you missed them, go to www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/podcast Rebecca has been a key part of the Development team at Alconbury Weald from the very start – over 10 years ago. She now provides strategic communications support and partnership development across Urban&Civic’s three Cambridgeshire sites – Alconbury Weald, Waterbeach October Barracks and Wintringham. [email protected] For Halloweald, we set up a trail with spooky images hidden around Alconbury Weald for residents to find. We also held a photo competition for the best costume, which was won by Willow, RACHEL ARNOLD who made a very fetching skeleton! Communications, Communities and December Partnerships As we still couldn’t meet up in the September traditional way, we set up Alconbury Weald as a giant advent calendar Due to continued restrictions to help reduce the with the help of our residents (with spread of Coronavirus, we still weren’t able to Rachel joined the team in November a new window being revealed each hold events, so we provided a virtual tour of our to support strategic communications, day from 1–24 December); produced nuclear bunker: www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/ community activity and building a Christmas activity pack with crafts, about/heritage partnerships across Alconbury Weald jokes, recipes and puzzles; set up and Wintringham. and decorated a Christmas tree in the school plaza; and had a special [email protected] weekend of food trucks to help spread some festive cheer. NATALIE LEIGH-BROWN Community Development

Natalie has been supporting the development of Alconbury Weald’s community since January 2020. She set up Alconbury Weald’s first book club and helps residents with a range of activities and interests, including the formation of new clubs and groups. [email protected] 34 Campus We feel a real connection with Alconbury Weald 35 and the community that now exists here. Our business just wouldn’t be the same if we were based elsewhere. Dennis Luckett Co-founder and director of C1 Media

Alconbury Weald Studios

Independent video production and photography company C1 Media was one of the first companies to arrive at the Incubator at Alconbury Campus back in early 2014, and has gone from strength to strength since then.

“We’ve been based at Alconbury Weald for about seven years now,” said Dennis Luckett, co-founder and director of C1 Media. “It was the location and transport links that first attracted us here. We do a lot of work in Cambridgeshire but also Alconbury Enterprise Campus is currently home to around 60 diverse further afield, and having access to the A1, A14 businesses located in units in the Incubators (with office space to support and M11, as well as good and improving train “We’ve seen Alconbury Weald grow around us links, means we can quickly get out and away out of the old airfield and Urban&Civic has been and grow start-up and expanding companies), bespoke new facilities and to wherever in the UK we might be filming or really flexible in accommodating us as we’ve refurbished buildings. There are also lots of new opportunities for businesses meeting clients.” grown at the same time. The site has an incredible heritage and there are lots of quirky looking to start-up, relocate or expand within the area. This section provides Having moved from St Neots, the business spent buildings around, including the old Cold War an update on just some of the businesses, who despite the challenging five years in the Incubator before branching out workshop that the guys suggested we take a to create new office and studio space in a former look at. economic circumstances, are going from strength to strength. If you want Cold War military transport workshop on the site. “Effectively it’s a bunker and it wouldn’t suit to find out more about space available, please contact Richard Adams at “The Incubator was great for us,” said Dennis. many businesses, but it’s perfect for us and so Edisons or William Rose at Savills. “The space is of an exceptional quality and there’s we took the building on in 2019, formally opening a sense of vibrancy that’s unusual to get in a Alconbury Weald Studios in early 2020. With its Eddisons 01480 451578 | Savills 01223 347000. non-city-centre location. We ended up doing lots two-foot-thick reinforced concrete walls, it hasn’t of work with other tenants and have continued always been an easy building to work with. to win business through people we met in the However, we think we’ve created something Incubator, even after they’ve moved on to new really special and our clients love how different it Ambu Ltd, manufacturer of single-patient-use roles and other companies.” is. They’re fascinated by the history of the site and that’s a big plus for us when trying to stand Medical devices provider disposable medical devices, has taken over When Dennis and his business partner decided a floor in Incubator 2 at Alconbury Enterprise out from other venues and production Ambu moves to Incubator 2 that the next step for their business was to open companies.” Campus for its 88-strong and growing team a studio space, they approached Urban&Civic to previously located in St Ives. see what the options were for them to stay on The Studio includes three multipurpose studios Ambu develops, produces and markets site. where clients can build their own temporary sets. diagnostic and life-supporting devices for At various points over the past year, these have hospitals and rescue services. Ambu has three included a 1950s diner, several band and vehicle business areas: shoots and even a beach! ● Visualisation The wider site also offers advantages for C1 ● Anaesthesia Media. Dennis said: “It’s great to be surrounded ● Patient monitoring and diagnostics. by wide open space as well as some interesting buildings from Alconbury Weald’s past. We’ve Its most important products – which are sold used various locations on site for a number of globally – are ventilation bags for artificial shoots too, so it’s a real bonus having such a respiration, visualisation devices, masks, circuits diversity of spaces right on the doorstep.” and single-use electrodes for ECG tests and neurophysiological mappings. www.alconburywealdstudios.com Incubator 2 has a lovely spacious feel and Keith McCallum, Managing Director of Ambu, said: “Demand for single-patient-use, disposable as a sustainable building surrounded by an medical devices is increasing, particularly given attractive green environment, will provide the need to control the spread of Covid-19. As well as organic business growth, we are looking the perfect base for our growing team as we to further expand our single-use endoscopy deliver our ambitious plans. portfolio and launch into the urology and gastroenterology markets.” Keith McCallum Managing Director www.ambu.co.uk 36 Campus 37

Roythornes expands at Alconbury Enterprise Campus Since moving to the Campus in March 2019, Roythornes Solicitors New County has gone from strength to strength. As well as relocating to much larger office space in Incubator 2, the company has also expanded Council its office in Birmingham City Centre and announced six partner promotions to accommodate its growing team and support its Headquarters ambitions plans.

Vember Mortlock, managing director at Roythornes, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Roythornes. We took immediate measures to strengthen the business as soon as we went into lockdown – we planned for the worst but strived for the best. This strategy resulted in a strong end to our financial year in June, with turnover up by 4% and net profit up by 10%. This was a fantastic result, showcasing a huge amount of hard work and dedication by our staff.

“Our entry into the West Midlands market, and growing Cambridgeshire team, have helped to further establish our reputation as experts in our key sectors of housing and development, agriculture, food and natural resources. Having a deep understanding of the sectors we work in, and the particular issues that the industries face in these times, greatly enhances the legal advice that we can give”.

Roythornes was once again recognised by the leading, independently researched Legal 500 last year, with its agriculture team securing a tier one ranking.

Although a lot of our staff are still working remotely, the office environment still has an important part to play for both the wellbeing of the staff and the business. Our new spaces provide a welcome balancing environment alongside our virtual ‘one team’ way of working. Vember Mortlock Managing Director 38 Campus Skills 39

Magpas Air Ambulance

New HQ, Air Base and Training Centre EDGE is a jobs and skills partnership

Covid-19 has caused huge operational Magpas Air Ambulance provides emergency care that works with Alconbury Enterprise challenges for Magpas Air Ambulance. Yet, by helicopter and rapid response vehicle 24/7. Campus and businesses across the throughout the pandemic, the charity Every Magpas doctor and paramedic is specially continued to respond to hundreds of patients trained in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine and region, to help them find the people in life-threatening situations, including supports the ambulance service by bringing they need and give local people the Covid-19 sufferers. treatments usually only available in hospital directly to the patient, wherever their incident skills to fill those vacancies. In the midst of the most challenging times, occurs, when every second counts. Magpas Air Ambulance received some exciting news – the organisation has been granted The organisation has served Cambridgeshire for planning approval for its new base on the almost 50 years and felt it was essential to keep outskirts of Alconbury Weald. the medical service located in the heart of the area; ensuring local communities can rely on the Magpas Air Ambulance CEO, Daryl Brown, lifesaving service for generations to come. explains: “We’re thrilled we can build an amazing new headquarters, training centre and operations Site clearance on the land to the West of base at Alconbury Weald. The charity needs to Alconbury Weald near to the A1(M), began at the relocate due to the sale of the land at our current end of last year and Magpas Air Ambulance airbase: RAF Wyton. The new site provides the expects to start building in Autumn 2021, aiming optimum location for our advanced medical team to complete by 2022. to reach patients in the most effective way possible and we’re proud to become part of the Alconbury Weald community.”

Sarah’s story Winter Appeal

Someone who experienced Magpas With winter pressures and another Air Ambulance’s critical care first hand national lockdown, this time will be was Sarah, who was hit by a lorry in difficult for everyone. The Magpas Chatteris. Her injuries were so severe doctors and paramedics remain on the that, without treatment, they could front line, treating critically ill and have taken her life. Her partner Lee injured patients every day and night, witnessed everything and describes: to continue saving as many lives as “She was in so much pain and I couldn’t they can. make it better, but as the Magpas Air Ambulance came into view, I knew that As a charity, it can only continue to help had arrived.” operate thanks to your generosity. Daryl Brown, CEO said: “I hope that The Magpas team sedated Sarah, once again our loyal supporters will straightened and reset her broken stand alongside our team and support limbs on the roadside and airlifted her Magpas Air Ambulance this Winter. to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Lee Even the smallest donation could continues: “If it wasn’t for the Support Magpas make a life changing difference.” lifesaving skills of Magpas Air Ambulance I might not be getting Don’t forget that you can support Find out more about the lifesaving ready to spend another Christmas Magpas, through taking part in the service at: www.magpas.org.uk with Sarah this year. A thought I can Glade online consultation at hardly bear to have.” www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/news www.sharperskills.co.uk 40 Skills 41

Target Apprenticeships

Target Apprenticeships is a partnership that brings together apprenticeship providers, HE, community and sector-based organisations to promote apprenticeships in the Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough area.

You can find out more about apprenticeships at: EDGE on the road/EDGE on the screen www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/. To view local apprenticeship vacancies check out the With Coronavirus restrictions explore the opportunities to retrain, or Cambridge Regional College website: www. impacting on people’s movements, to go straight into the jobs that are camre.ac.uk/apprenticeships/. at the same time as the economic out there – including with companies consequences meaning people need at Alconbury Weald like MMUK and If you are a business who wants to find out more the team more than ever, EDGE is some of our construction partners. The about taking on an apprentice, there is helpful evolving and finding new ways to great thing about EDGE is it brings information at the CRC Apprenticeship Hub: help local people access jobs and together training providers, Jobcentre www.camre.ac.uk/employers/employer- training. support, employability advice and apprenticeship-hub/ or you can email training@ knowledge of the vacancies with local camre.ac.uk Working with the District Council and employers: but can help people one local community partners, the team is on one to find the route that works To keep up to date with the latest events and exploring ways in which – when best for them.” activities, follow @_TargetApps on Twitter and restrictions ease – the EDGE team can Contact EDGE Target Apprenticeships on Linkedin. visit the market towns and other key Any businesses wanting to promote locations across Huntingdonshire, opportunities through EDGE or support supporting local jobs clubs, bringing the team with interview practice, work In 2021, the team will be looking at training from colleges and other experience or other support, please do ways to take the EDGE service on the partners out to support one to one get in touch with Rebecca or with the road to support local communities and small group sessions for people EDGE team → in the surrounding villages. More looking for work. information will be available on the website: www.sharperskills.co.uk In the meantime, the team is using If you want to explore the help, the phone, Zoom and Team calls to courses and training available from In the meantime, you can contact One of our core commitments as Master Developer for Alconbury respond to people’s needs, help get local and national partners, these the team by calling 01480 413141 or CVs up to scratch and promote the links might be of interest: emailing [email protected] Weald – across both the design, landscaping and construction of many jobs that are available locally, www.cambsals.co.uk/ even in these challenging times. the development as a whole, and within the businesses coming www.camre.ac.uk/courses/ forward on the Enterprise Campus – is to support local people into Rebecca Britton, said: “There is so employability-skills/ much help, support and training out www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ the jobs and opportunities created. there for people impacted by find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit Rebecca Britton Communications, Communities & Partnerships, Urban&Civic redundancy, and the team is helping people navigate this support and 42 Urban&Civic news 43

Wellcome Trust The annual award ceremony, which was held online in Waterbeach November 2020, celebrates the value of landscape in connecting people, place and nature. In November, The Wellcome Trust Ltd and the Board of Urban&Civic plc The accolade rewards landscape professionals who are announced that they had reached Barracks taking innovative and bespoke approaches to urban design agreement on the terms of an and celebrate the transformative power of landscape. acquisition by Wellcome of This year – at a time of ongoing climate and biodiversity Urban&Civic. Following a 99.6% crises and when the importance of public green spaces to shareholder vote in favour, this enhance personal wellbeing has been brought home during acquisition has completed and pandemic lockdowns – the awards stressed that good Urban&Civic shares were de-listed The team behind Urban&Civic’s landscape architecture was more important than ever. on 21 January 2021. redevelopment of Waterbeach Waterbeach Barracks’ award submission was led by The independent global charitable Bradley Murphy Design, who in partnership with the site’s foundation supports science to solve Barracks and Airfield is masterdeveloper Urban&Civic and masterplanner Fletcher urgent health challenges and is celebrating after being awarded Priest Architects, developed the nature-led design process funded by an investment portfolio of that set the vision and informed the Outline Planning over £26 billion. This move will see the Landscape Institute Award Consent for the development. Urban&Civic and the strategic sites for Excellence in Masterplanning Wintringham it is developing become a part of that For more information about the Waterbeach Barracks site, portfolio. and Urban Design. visit www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk The work at Wintringham is progressing Our Christmas greetings, a celebration Nigel Hugill, Chief Executive of well and the first new residents moved of local creativity and digital talent, Urban&Civic, said “The two in, in time for Christmas in their new focussed on our development at organisations share the same values home. Wintringham. The virtual card (shown and know each other really well, and above) featured a photograph of the are delivering a project together in This site will comprise 2,800 new new village pond and Christmas lights Hampshire. Wellcome is a long-term homes, two new primary schools, a by local St Neots photographer shareholder in Urban&Civic: it supports district centre, 63,500m2 of Maciek Platek, which emerges from our management team and backs our employment floorspace and 9km of the paintbrush of watercolour artist strategy. Your local team at Alconbury cycleways. In Phase 1, Morris and Cala Tabitha Pow. The painting is filmed Weald will stay just the same and Homes are taking forward the first by Cambridgeshire-born and bred there will be no change of name, homes on site with Durkan and two Will Firth of Stage 3 Films, who ties art personnel or approach. This move will further house builders due on site in and reality together in under a minute. only support our long-term vision and the next few months and years. The commitment to Alconbury Weald and whole development is expected to To see the video visit: our developments across take 15 years to complete. www.urbanandcivic.com/media- Cambridgeshire, ensuring they are library/videos/christmas-card/ exemplar places to live, work and enjoy.” Visit www.wintringham.org for more Civic Square and Wintringham Primary School information about Wintringham 44 Contact

Rebecca Britton Communications, Communities & Partnerships

Urban&Civic, The Club Alconbury Enterprise Campus Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 4XA E: [email protected] T: 01480 413 141 / M: 07739 339 889 alconbury-weald.co.uk urbanandcivic.com

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