Category: News

Church and driving test centre both approved
Two separate office blocks in Histon have been granted planning permission, one to become a place of worship and the other a new driving test centre for Cambridge. Both sites are located off Chivers Way.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God City of David Parish in Cambridge explained to South Cambridgeshire City Council that it needed to relocate as it had been given notice to vacate its current site.
The Church therefore asked for permission to convert an office block in Trust Court, Histon, into a place of worship. Some parts of the building will still be used as office space, while other areas will be converted for worship services and group meetings.
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Planning documents explained the church office will be open weekdays between 8:30am and 5:30pm.
The Church’s proposed timetable includes a worship service on Sundays between 11am and 1:30pm, and other group meetings such as bible study, mother and baby group and choir practice. It would also like to offer a food bank service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Possible noise impact
Planning permission has been granted for offices at 1-3 Trust Court to provide facilities for a church. Credit: SCDC planning portal
The District Council agreed to grant planning permission for the change of use, but advised that a management plan should be put together and regularly reviewed to address and reduce any potential noise impact on the area.
There were no public comments to the application, but this request was added after concerns were raised by environmental health officers about potential noise from the choir practice and worship services.
The report said: “… it is encouraged the applicant draft a management plan to ensure these concerns are addressed and reduce any potential impact on the community.
“This could include keeping windows and external doors closed during these activities, use of acoustic equipment rather than amplification, amending times when these activities take place so as to have less impact, noise attenuation schemes and a complaints procedure (if complaints are received). This is not an exhaustive list.”
Driving test centre
Meanwhile, the green light has also been given to relocate Cambridge’s existing Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) centre from Brookmount Court to Compass House on the Vision Park.
Approval of an application for change of use to mixed use office and car driving test centre could see the existing Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) centre at Cambridge (Brookmount Court) close, with learner drivers taking their test instead from Compass House on the Vision Park here in Histon.
Currently Brookmount Court hosts car tests only as well as Approved Driving Instructor tests part 2 and 3. DVSA confirmed to HI HUB that an average of around 75 practical car driving tests currently take place daily from Brookmount Court, with testing beginning from 7am and the latest test finishing at approximately 5pm.
‘A huge benefit’
The driving test centre for Cambridge will relocate to Compass House in Histon.
One public comment was received in relation to the application, saying it would “be a huge benefit for Histon and Impington and will help to revitalise the retail park which has seen a large drop in tenancy”. The individual added: “It will also bring more people to the area and make businesses more attractive and encourage more local businesses which would help boost the local economy.”
The Highways Authority also concluded there should be “no significant adverse effect” upon the public highway.
Both developments need to be underway within three years of their decision notice and must be carried out in accordance with the plans submitted to planners. The Church has also been told the associated bin and bike stores need to be in place before the building is occupied for its new use.
Additional reporting by Hannah Brown, of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
READ MORE: Park Primary parking improvements “not considered necessary”
10/04/2025
Elections to go ahead on 1 May 2025
As polling cards start arriving for the upcoming local elections, residents are being invited to cast their vote for two key positions.
Histon & Impington will be electing their representative on Cambridgeshire County Council and also voting for the person to take over as Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Earlier this year, the County Council confirmed the elections on 1 May would still be going ahead despite the biggest restructure of local government in a generation being underway.
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Histon Baptist Church is once again the venue for the polling station in the village.
At the time, Dr Stephen Moir, the County Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I would encourage everyone who is registered to vote to take part in the forthcoming County Council elections….”
The Mayoral position at the Combined Authority and H&I seat at Cambridgeshire County Council both have five candidates in the running, representing the Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Reform UK parties. HI HUB will be publishing their profiles in its 10 April edition.
County Councillor role
Cambridgeshire County Council says it has a budget of around £1,164 million to run public services that include roads and footpaths, libraries, recycling centres, schools and adult and children social care. The councillor elected for Histon & Impington will represent the views and concerns of residents in the village on areas specifically related to these Council services. Ros Hathorn (Lib Dem) has held that position during the last term.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
The current Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson (Labour), has already announced he will not be running for a second term. The Combined Authority’s key responsibility is “delivering economic prosperity across the region”, particularly in the areas of housing, travel, employment skills and environmental improvements.
It is also the legal body that allows Cambridgeshire and Peterborough councils to cooperate with each other on large-scale strategic projects. And with Local Government Reorganisation underway, it will potentially receive more responsibilities in the future.
Key information
H&I residents with suitable ID will be able to cast their vote in person at Histon Baptist Church on 1 May 2025.
Residents have until midnight on 11 April to register to vote and postal vote applications can be submitted by 5pm on 14 April. It will be possible to apply for a proxy vote or free voter ID by 5pm on 23 April. Further details are available on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website.
READ ALSO: Devolution process begins for Cambridgeshire
03/04/2025
3g pitch “provides more public benefit than harm” say planners
Planning officers are recommending that Councillors give the go-ahead for a full-size artificial grass football pitch and a permanent parking area on Impington Village College (IVC) land.
They report “significant third-party support for the provision of the proposed 3G pitch” and note “significant objection on matters such as traffic, parking pressure, visual amenity and noise”. But there were no objections from any statutory consultees, and ultimately the planners conclude that the development “…when weighed in the planning balance provides more public benefit than harm.”
Facilities
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The South Cambs Planning Committee, due to meet on 9 April, will be asked to approve the creation of the 3G pitch with perimeter fencing, floodlights, hardstanding areas, a storage container, an embankment, an access footpath and a toilet block.
They will also be asked to give retrospective approval for a permanent car park on an area that was previously green space but has been used as an informal car park since the Cavendish School was built.
Traffic mitigation
Local residents have consistently put forward objections to the 3g pitch facility, citing the impact additional traffic to the site would have – especially in light of the recent approval for a major netball facility there.
But planning officers believe that, by creating an area within the car park for taxis to queue off New Road and introducing a Parking Management Plan – “factoring in the recently approved netball application” – will improve current traffic problems on New Road and also offset the impact of additional traffic to the new facilities.
They recommend that the situation is kept under review, monitored by the Local Planning Authority and Highway Authority, and that adjustments are made if the traffic problems persist.
Open all hours
Although IVC has asked for permission to operate floodlights from 8am until 10pm on weekdays and until 6pm at weekends, officers are recommending approval of the new application for longer, until 7pm on Saturdays and 8pm on Sundays and public holidays. They justify this as balancing “illuminating the sports facility for maximum use and benefit to sport with the interest of amenity and sustainability”.
They propose the condition that automatic floodlight controls are installed. These would ensure all artificial lighting turns off automatically at the permitted curfew hours, during daylight hours and when the pitch is not in use.
Other conditions
As well as traffic management and limits to opening hours, planners are asking for details of features including the design of the storage container and toilet block, and lighting of the access path, to be approved as a condition of approving the whole scheme.
They also say details of hard and soft landscape works should be submitted to the planning authority and approved in writing. Then if, in the first five years, any trees and shrubs are removed, uprooted, destroyed, die or become damaged or diseased, replacement trees and shrubs of the same size and species as originally planted would have to replace them.
READ ALSO: Council recommends approval of IVC sports plans but neighbours fear problems ahead and Council to debate plans for IVC sports facilities and Renewed IVC sports applications spark neighbours’ fury and 3g pitch application withdrawn following new objections and Residents concerns drive objections to 3g pitch proposals and Plans progress for artificial grass pitch at IVC
Residents wishing to attend the South Cambridge Planning Committee where the 3g pitch proposal is on the agenda can do so in person or online. See the agenda here . Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting can find further details here .
03/04/2025

Surgery makes progress in the face of intense demand

Firs House offered around 6,000 appointments to patients in March, according to new figures. Call handlers dealt with over 6,200 calls and the team spent an average of 21 hours and 15 minutes a day on the phones. The average wait time for callers was three minutes and eight seconds.

The numbers were included in the surgery’s Spring 2025 Information Sheet alongside various other statistics which offer an insight into the heavy demand on the service. It also explains some of the operational changes being put in place to help patients who want to contact the surgery.

Improvements

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Libby Mead, the practice manager, said: “A number of initiatives have gone well in the last 12 months. We introduced a call back system on the phones to alleviate call waiting times for patients.

“We are also working on reducing the routine appointment waiting time, which is currently at five weeks compared to nearly eight weeks this time last year. Firs House has also reduced the time it takes for patients to be referred to other organisations such as hospitals or specialist clinics.”

Total calls	Total call time	Daily average time spent on phone	Average wait time	Number of hospital referrals completed
6,212	446 hours 25 mins	21 hours 15 mins	3 mins 8 secs	551
Total appointments offered	Same day appointments offered	Face-to-face appointments completed	Appointments – ‘Did Not Attend’	Number of prescription items issued
5,957	3,252	3,190	79	1,574

Appointments

Libby Mead – Practice Manager – Firs House Surgery

Approximately 12,800 patients are registered with the surgery’s main site in Station Road, Histon and branch location in Cottenham. There are five GP partners, and a further three GPs employed by the practice. It is also a training practice, and four GP registrars work with them.

Of the 5,957 appointments offered to patients, 3,252 were for the same day. In total, 3,190 face-to-face appointments were completed and 1,574 prescription items were issued.

The data also revealed 79 missed appointments, recorded as “Did Not Attend”.

Last year, in total, it provided 70,412 appointments which calculates on average to be 5.5 appointments per patient.

Surgery’s ‘great work’

David Jenkins, Chair of the Firs House Patient Participation Group, said: “[The Surgery] has done great work recently to make it easier for patients to be in contact and to make appointments. The more stress it can take out of this process the better it will be for everyone.

“At the same time we can all be supportive by ‘choosing the right service’. It’s often not necessary to call the surgery. Simple common sense self medication, a visit to the pharmacy or calling NHS 101 can often result in quicker and easier treatment. This makes it easier for those who really need to see their GP to do so’.”

Advice

Firs House says there are various ways patients can also support staff. These include:

Using online services to order prescriptions where possible and not calling the Surgery;
Cancelling appointments if they are no longer needed;
Referring to the “Use the Right Service” NHS graphic;
Understanding the Surgery aims to help as many patients as possible and can only offer a certain number of appointments a day; and
Appreciating the Surgery is still busy behind the scenes even if the waiting room is not full.

Further information about Firs House Surgery is available on its website.

03/04/2025

Special event planned for The Stutes penultimate game
Histon FC will be fundraising for charity and commemorating a landmark occasion in the club’s history this weekend when they will be hosting G.N.G Oadby Town FC at Bridge Road. Kick-off for the match on Saturday 5th April is at 3pm.
The club will be raising funds for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity at the match. They recently announced an 18-month partnership with the cause, and will be helping to fundraise and increase awareness of the charity’s work. One generous local business has even gifted the charity advertising space at the ground and paid its sponsorship for two matches.
Charity partnership
The hospice relies on donations to support its work. Photo credit: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will be attending Saturday’s game, collecting donations and answering any questions supporters may have. Histon FC has also gifted matchday tickets to the family of a patient who was cared for by the charity.
The cake stand will be selling homemade sweet treats before the game and at half time. Mascots Arthur Bear and Histon Hound will be making appearances throughout the day and will be around for photos with supporters.
Paul Smart, Finance Director at Histon FC, said: “The charity has supported many members of the Histon Football Club family both past and present and no doubt will support many many more in the future. They have an excellent facility and staff, but would simply not survive without donations.”
The sponsorship partnership will continue for the remainder of this season and throughout the 2025/26 season. Jodie Vaughan, from the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, added: “Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved!”
Celebrating past achievements
The occasion will also be celebrating The Stutes’ past achievements, including their famous win against Leeds in the FA cup in 2008 and near promotion to the football league.
Past players have also been invited to Saturday’s game and will be mingling with supporters. Among them will be record goal scorer Neil Kennedy who scored over 300 goals for the club.
Donate to the Histon FC fundraising page for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.
Update 9/4/2025. HI HUB has been informed a photograph sent for publication in this original story was not of Neil Kennedy, Histon FC’s record goal scorer. It was actually Adrian (Ade/Aidy) Cambridge. Histon FC has apologised for the mistake, particularly to Neil and Ade. The match’s final score was 3-1 to Histon FC and raised just under £1,000 for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.
03/04/2025
‘Urgent food safety’ alert issued for Barkers Bakery
Local food operators stocking products from Barkers Bakery, including shops and cafes in Histon & Impington, have received an “urgent food safety alert” requiring them to take immediate action.
In a letter from the Waste and Environment team at South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC), dated 26 March, business operators were informed of ,“an urgent food safety matter concerning products supplied by Barkers Bakery of Broad Lane Industrial Estate, Cottenham” – relating to “serious hygiene issues at their premises”.
The letter continued: “As a precautionary measure we advise all businesses that have received products from Barkers Bakery to cease use of all products immediately and remove and dispose of all stock, including those that may have been frozen.”
The company’s premises in Broad Lane Cottenham serves as both its bakehouse and business headquarters.
Local businesses who sell Barkers products have also been warned that “failure to take appropriate action may pose a risk to public health.”
Barkers Bakery provides goods for both wholesale and retail customers in five stores across Cambridgeshire, including branches on Histon High Street and in Cottenham.
The advice from the council’s Waste and Environment team could also apply to members of the public who may have purchased and frozen items produced by the bakery. Based on its warning to food business operators, these should be disposed of.
Business as usual
As of this morning (27 March), the Barkers’ outlet in Histon remains open to the public. Customers can continue to buy sandwiches, savouries and wrapped produce, but the bread shelves are bare.
A handwritten notice on the shop door states: “Due to lack of delivery, we have no bread. Sorry.” HI HUB has been informed by a source close to the company that they “think the bakehouse is being refurbished.”
Barkers’ goods are stocked by local businesses including Co-op stores but today an empty shelf remained where Barkers’ bread would normally be stocked.
A spokesperson for South Cambridgeshire District Council said: “We’re investigating hygiene issues we found during a routine inspection of Barkers Bakery in Cottenham on Wednesday 19 March. During that inspection, the bakery chose to voluntarily close, so they could carry out work to rectify the issues”.
HI HUB has reached out to Barkers Bakery for comment but, at time of publication, no response has yet been received.
Anyone with concerns should email commercial.envhealth@scambs.gov.uk
Updated 28 March 2025 – SCDC Waste and Environment team have issued further advice concerning affected products as follows:
“In our initial alert, we advised businesses to dispose of all Barkers Bakery products due to possible contamination issues during production. We are now extending this precaution to include all Kings Cliffe Bakery products as well.
“It has come to our attention that these two businesses, which previously operated separately, have now merged and are operating from Barkers Bakery, Broad Lane, Cottenham while continuing to use both brand names. Due to a lack of full traceability, and possible contamination of products, all products under both brands should be disposed of immediately”.
27/03/2025
Park Primary parking improvements “not considered necessary”
Residents’ calls for additional onsite parking at Park Primary school have been rejected by Cambridgeshire County Council. The decision follows a site visit by the Council’s Road Safety Manager and their Assistant Director of Transport Strategy and Network Management.
Residents have been told “there is no further recourse within the planning framework to revisit the original decisions regarding the design and layout of the school site.”
Frank Jordan, Executive Director of Place and Sustainability, added that the road may become congested at times – something that is “common in locations of this nature” – but it is “not considered necessary to make any changes to the highway.”
He says the school’s travel plan, which encourages sustainable travel options, is the most effective way of tackling the problems, and that this approach “best aligns with our sustainable travel ambition.”
This view has been endorsed by Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of the Council, who has told residents she is “not willing to suggest that the County Council investigate a car park on this site.”
She said: “There are many many primary schools in Cambridgeshire which have issues with parking, and if we were to start improving car access for schools it would cost a vast amount and go against our policies of trying to encourage walking and cycling to school.”
An “exceptional” site
Alan Jones has responded to the Council on behalf of the campaign group pressing for action. He explained that Park Primary school has a catchment where active travel is already very popular, but the safety of the many pedestrians and cyclists who use Narrow Close and Narrow Lane has been compromised by the number of vehicles manoeuvring in the street at school drop-off times.
“The site really is exceptional because of the [school’s] location on a main road and the geography of the sustainable transport routes that converge into Narrow Close”, he said.
“The school was planned to accommodate motor vehicle drop-off for 120+ vehicles entirely on-site, so we are not asking for a change of policy, just an implementation of what was promised.”
He estimates that up to 60 vehicles currently have no choice but to park on residential streets near the school, saying “those who drop off by car that I have spoken to are doing so out of necessity because they have no other viable option…
“20 vehicles (and up to 30 in the winter) are reversing into the flow of vulnerable road users [in Narrow Close]” he said, “at a time when all may be distracted, with car doors opening on both sides or children running across the road to their friends…”
Flat out rejection
The Council sees the school’s travel plan, which promotes and encourages sustainable travel, as the most effective route for addressing the problems. But Cllr Ros Hathorn has been putting pressure on officers to take further action.
Norfolk Street, Cambridge: vehicle access is prohibited at school drop-off and pick-up times.
She is frustrated at their refusal to introduce signage that restricts access to Narrow Close to pedestrians and cyclists during school drop off and pick-up times.
“This is a solution that would be brilliant for Narrow Close and I have asked for [it] until I am blue in the face, and received flat out rejection at every turn”, she said. “Please can we understand why Narrow Close is not able to have that signage and such a scheme in Norfolk Street [in Cambridge] is?
Her comments have now been taken on board by Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, who has asked for more information about the signage issues, saying “this seems a good option”.
READ ALSO: Pressure grows to resolve Park Primary traffic issues and Residents step up Park Primary parking campaign
The campaign group leading on the Park Primary parking issues are Alan Jones, Hilary Knightley, Paula Potter, Norman Gentry and Edd Stonham.
To read more about the Park Primary parking campaign, see their website at parkparking.exospan.com
27/03/2025
Village Society welcomes new chair
Histon & Impington Village Society (HIVSoc) has announced the election of Linda Holland who will replace long-time Chair, Max Parish. Max will continue at the Society as a committee member whilst Linda steps up as Chair with immediate effect.
Linda joined the Village Society committee after being inspired by the Chiver’s exhibition and, since then, has been involved in organising coffee mornings as well as leading the CALH Conference hosted by HIVSoc last April.
Talking to HI HUB, she said: “The role gives me an opportunity to be more involved with activities in the village and to get to know more people.
‘”It also allows me to use skills developed during many years working in the third sector as well as keeping the ‘grey cells’ working!”
Professional experience
Professionally, Linda has over 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, working at a national level with charities in social justice, disability, and retail.
More recently, she was a management consultant helping organisations strengthen governance and grow their capacity. She also serves on the boards of two other Cambridgeshire charities.
Involvement
Originally from London, Linda spent nearly 20 years living on the Norfolk/Suffolk borders before moving to Impington in 1996. “What drew me here was the house and its proximity to Cambridge”, she said “but, since retiring, I’ve come to truly appreciate all the wonderful facilities and activities our village has to offer.”
A keen gardener, Linda is involved with the Histon & Impington Garden Club and is also a member of the University of the Third Age (U3AC) in Cambridge. Her daughters currently live locally and she has a grandson at Impington Village College.
Keep up-to-date with Histon & Impington Village Society news and events here.
READ ALSO: Full steam ahead as Village Society launches new local history book and Local history treasure trove now accessible to all
27/03/2025
Councils say more time is needed to explore devolution
The councils that serve H&I are among a group of local authorities that have told the Government more time is needed to explore options for local government restructuring.
Before Christmas, the Government announced ambitious plans that will involve changing the way local government is organised. It will essentially see two-tier councils abolished and replaced with unitary councils. Cambridgeshire’s local authorities were invited to think through their new structure last month, and had until last Friday (21 March) to present their interim plans to the Government.
In response to that deadline, six out of Cambridgeshire’s seven councils signed a joint letter outlining where they all stand with the process. While it does not set out exactly what the Government asks for, it states the authorities are “working closely and effectively together” on proposals but more time is needed. The leaders of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council are included as signatories.
Approaching ‘with an open mind’
The letter, addressed to Jim McMahon OBE, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, said: “A working group of officers from all our authorities is also meeting regularly to develop a shared evidence base that can inform subsequent proposals.
“We are entering into Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) with an open mind and spirit of wanting the best for all our residents and for the local area as a whole. Not all of us would have chosen this path but we accept that it is the path we are on.”
It added: “We are not currently in a position to respond to all the points raised in your [invitation] in the time available.
“Our councils have been focused on setting legal budgets, driving efficiencies and improving services. Pre-election period begins on 25 March and local attention is now turning to Mayoral and County Council elections which may have a bearing on the development of our LGR plans.”
The Councils say further work will take place “at pace” after the local elections. A statement released alongside the letter adds “when the time is right” further discussions will also be held with residents, Members of Parliament and other partners including the police, NHS, fire service and town and parish councils.
Idea ‘really stinks’
Cllr Ros Hathorn speaking at Cambridgeshire County Council’s debate about Local Government Reorganisation, also referred to as devolution.
Councils across Cambridgeshire held meetings last week to debate the concept of devolution and their responses to the Government. At Cambridgeshire County Council’s meeting, Cllr Ros Hathorn said the plan “really stinks” and likened it to “putting a bomb under the local authority” at a time when it is facing many challenges.
She said: “We have so many challenges we face as a council, fixing the roads, adult social care, children’s social care, special educational needs, getting children to school, it is so difficult. This is not unique to Cambridgeshire, this is across the entire country.”
“And what has the Government done? The Government’s idea of the best way to fix this is just to put a bomb under local authority, so that all we are going to talk about is ourselves for the next three years, it is just ridiculous.”
The County Council’s chief executive has previously said that the estimated cost of local government reorganisations across all of the councils is anticipated to be “at least £18.6million”.
However, Councillor Richard Howitt (Labour) said this was a “once in a generation chance” to affect local government in the area, adding that it was important to “get it right”.
He said: “The idea that we live in one of the most centralised states in Europe and that we should try and devolve power locally is a powerful and good idea and therefore we must seize the opportunity in my view in order to do it.”
4-day week query
Cllr Bridget Smith raised concens about devolution plans with MPs at a select committee hearing.
During South Cambridgeshire District Council’s debate, the leadership were asked what would happen if the 4-day week becomes a permanent fixture as the Council will be abolished and replaced under the plans. A public consultation on the trial working arrangement closed on Sunday night (23 March), and the analysis is expected to be made public in the summer.
The Council’s leader Bridget Smith explained the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE) would deal with how staff transfer to a new organisation, no matter what their terms of employment are.
She said: “These are processes we have used before, I think we used it with the waste service, with the shared planning service, so I think we have got considerable expertise within the council for managing these situations.”
Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting service.
READ MORE: Devolution process begins for Cambridgeshire
27/03/2025
Cambridge Road dubbed ‘the fly tipping capital of Impington’
Two large fridges and a pile of other waste were dumped on the road leading up to the B1049 some time around 18 March, causing a potential hazard to drivers as well as an environmental health concern for locals.
Residents living at the southern stretch of Cambridge Road took to social media to comment on what they say is one of the worst incidents of fly tipping in their locality yet.
One described increased incidents of fly tipping in the area recently, saying: “Cambridge Road feels like it is probably the fly tipping capital of Impington and it’s really frustrating.
“We’re used to people just driving into our street and either throwing their rubbish out the window as they drive by, or opening the door and emptying out the contents of their footwell onto the street, just metres from the nearest bin. Also people urinating here is a regular sight.”
The same resident went on to detail how “large lumps of concrete and metal” and “an office chair with a bucket on top” had been dumped there recently, in addition to the “large quantities of general litter” which they say are common place.
The dumped waste on Cambridge Road was subsequently cleared by South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) operatives on Friday (21 March).
The team from SCDC clear the fly tipped waste on Friday 21 March.
Following the evidence
White goods such as fridges and freezers need to be disposed of properly as they contain harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) gases. Correct disposal of such items can cost up to £50, leading to many being fly tipped to avoid the fee.
SCDC defines fly tipping as the illegal dumping of items and says anyone caught doing so could face a fixed penalty notice of up to £700.
They say: “all instances of fly tipping should be reported to us using an online web form, whether you witnessed it take place or not. People can be prosecuted even if waste is fly tipped by someone else on their behalf.”
They also urge residents to: “… always use a registered waste carrier to provide a skip and collect your rubbish; and check the register of waste carriers on the Environment Agency website”.
The Council’s environmental crimes officers will act on reports and follow up. If there is any information among the rubbish, such as bills or addresses, they can follow the evidence.
For the upcoming financial year, the Council will be purchasing an extra vehicle and employing another member of staff to support its enviro-crime team as it tackles fly tipping.
READ ALSO: Histon couple deny fly tipping accusation | HI HUB
Fill in the online form here to report fly tipping; and find out more about how to dispose of household items safely here.
When reporting incidents of fly tipping it is useful to include the following details:
- Exact location
- Date and time the fly tipping was discovered
- The contents and size of the fly tip
- Details and photos of the items
- Vehicle registration numbers
27/03/2025