The line of mature trees that was due to be cut down under plans to improve the netball courts at Impington Village College (IVC) could now be saved.
The trees form a 60m hedge that creates a natural screen between the courts and neighbouring residential properties.
Fence approved
Despite objections from neighbours, including those living on Park Drive, immediately in front of the courts, the planning application for upgrading the facilities included replacing the trees with an acoustic fence.
This was approved by the planning authority when they gave permission for the development in December 2024. They said: “the use of the courts shall not commence until the acoustic fence has been installed in accordance with the approved details. It shall be retained as such thereafter.”
But the Decision Notice also allows for variation of the permission if there is local agreement.
Change of heart
At a meeting with residents and other stakeholder last week, Ryan Kelsall, Deputy CEO of Eastern Learning Alliance (ELA), the academy trust that runs IVC, confirmed that they had listened to residents’ objections and that the trust’s preferred option was now to retain the trees.
He told HI HUB: “We can’t confirm that we can keep the trees until we get confirmation from Planning that this is supported…
“The Parish Council are following up with the Planning Department to seek confirmation/clarification; once we have this we can confirm either way.”
Courts to open
The IVC Liaison Group will now be considering whether the trees alone or a combination of both the trees and a fence would mitigate the expected levels of noise and light pollution.
Whatever the outcome, ELA is not in a position to put floodlights in place yet, as they are prioritizing progress on creating an all-weather 3G football pitch elsewhere on the IVC site.
But the resurfacing of courts has now been completed, with top dressing and lines due to be added in March. IVC students will be able to use the courts shortly, and when all the work has been completed, the public and clubs will be able to use them on a pay-and-play basis during daylight hours.
READ ALSO: Decision time for IVC netball development | HI HUB
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