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A Thoughtful Look at the Norwood Urban Extension in Peterborough

Peterborough City Council has approved a major new development for 2,000 homes on land east of Newborough Road in Paston.

Spanning 40 hectares, the Norwood Urban Extension is one of the city’s largest housing projects in decades.

But questions are already being raised about whether the city’s rapid expansion is being properly managed. National Highways has warned that no more than 200 homes should be occupied until planned

A47/A16 road improvements are completed otherwise there could be a “serious impact” on the wider road network. Despite this, the council has pressed ahead with approval.

Peterborough is growing faster than many UK cities.

While new housing may seem like welcome progress, there’s growing concern that infrastructure is lagging far behind development.

Water, sewage, roads, community facilities, hospitals, dentists, and policing are already stretched close to breaking point.

Time and again, large-scale housing projects promise upgraded services, but too often these arrive years after the homes are built if at all.

Across Cambridgeshire, we’ve seen issues with aquifer depletion, sewage overflows, and essential services playing catch-up long after new estates fill up.

One long-running local example is Connect 21 near Hammonds Drive and Fengate.

Decades after it was built, many streets remain unadopted by the council, leaving over 600 households paying private management fees for basic road maintenance and street lighting because the infrastructure never met adoption standards.

Nationwide, concerns about build quality add another layer of risk.

Reports of poor insulation, structural problems, and low-quality materials have plagued rapid-build developments for years.

While there’s no suggestion that this particular developer would cut corners, history shows that rushing homes onto the market before infrastructure is ready often creates long-term issues for residents.

✅ Why This Matters

Affordable housing means little if schools, roads, and utilities can’t support it.
Unadopted roads, delayed sewage upgrades, and houses built before shops or GP surgeries shift the burden to homeowners.
Communities worth building should be sustainable—not just on paper, but in the real, lived-in experience of residents.

🗣️ Over to You

We’d like to hear your thoughts:

Should local infrastructure always be in place before homes are occupied?
Do you—or someone you know—live in a long-unadopted estate, facing unexpected fees or maintenance problems?
Should ‘affordable housing’ mean not just a low price, but quality and longevity as well?

Join the conversation—reply to this newsletter or vote in our poll to share your views.

The Commute Café, St Ives

(by Ben Holloway)

St Ives has its fair share of cafés, but The Commute Café feels different.

I wandered in on a Wednesday morning to find two cyclists propping up their bikes outside and a couple of regulars sharing a toastie at the window.

The smell hit first—fresh sourdough and strong espresso.

Their toasties (proper sourdough ones, cheese melting over the edges) are the kind you burn your tongue on because you can’t wait.

And the staff?

Chatty without rushing you, always happy to recommend a slice of cake to go with your coffee.

On weekends, they sometimes set up live acoustic sessions.

Last month, someone brought a violin and before you knew it, half the café was humming along.

That’s The Commute Café—part caffeine stop, part living room, part little music hall.

📍 The Commute Café – St Ives

Local Hero – Brian Calvert of Ely

(by Lucy Carter)

Every community has someone who quietly makes things better.

In Ely, that’s Brian Calvert. Back in 2020, he started the Ely Litter Pickers, not for praise but simply because he hated seeing the riverside cluttered.

Fast forward, and what began with a few bin bags is now a thriving group of volunteers making Ely brighter every weekend.

This year, Brian’s been asked to help judge the Ely Hero Awards, recognising others who give their time to make Cambridgeshire shine.

When I asked him why he still does it, he shrugged and said: “It’s the little things—one wrapper at a time. That’s how a place feels like home.”

What’s On This Week & Beyond (by Tom Whitfield)

Cambridge Rock Festival at Harlock’s Farm, Ely – Thu 31 July to Sun 3 August
Nearly 50 bands, camping, food stalls, and community vibes beneath the summer sky.
Wild Weaving: Family Workshops with Zena Brackenbury – St Ives, Fri 1 August, 10:30 am–12:00 pm
A free, creative craft morning at the Norris Museum—perfect if you’ve got little ones or want to unwind with natural materials.
stivescivic.or
Summer Fair at Field Lodge Care Home – St Ives, Sat 2 August, 2:00–4:00 pm
Live music, community stalls, and ginger beer on tap for a friendly, small-scale fair feel.Skiddl
Music on the Waits – St Ives free concert by James Schouten, Sun 3 August, 2:30–4:00 pm
Opera to Sinatra under open skies by the bandstand—part of the Civic Society summer series.
Heather Small Live at Ely Cathedral – Sat 16 August, 7:30 pm
Featuring M People’s legendary singer in one of England’s grandest venues—a ticketed event but worth it for a summer highlight

A Sunday at Dog & Castle, Woodwalton

(by Graham, Editor)

There’s something about a Sunday roast in a proper country pub that feels like a hug. Last weekend, I found it at the Dog & Castle in Woodwalton.

Parking was jammed (always a good sign), so I parked in the village and walked down a pleasant short stroll past cottages with roses climbing over their doorways.

Inside, it felt like someone’s slightly eccentric living room—stone floors, wonky tables, friendly faces.

We both started with pork scratchings and apple sauce. The scratchings were just salty enough, the apple sauce tangy and sweet. Served in a jar, which made dipping a bit of a juggling act, but it made us laugh.

The Wagyu topside of beef arrived blushing pink, melt-in-the-mouth tender, with roast potatoes that actually crunched (harder to find than you’d think).Plus a huge selection of veggies that some how you never seem to get at home.

I finished with a 3 scoops of homemade ice cream so creamy it tasted like summer itself. Banana, Strawberry and Mango, but this was not your typical ice cream, NO this was blow your socks off good!

It wasn’t just food it was the gentle hum of families catching up, staff who knew half the customers by name, and that warm, lazy Sunday feeling you don’t want to end. If you haven’t been, go hungry and don’t rush it.

📍 Dog & Castle, Woodwalton

Seasonal Recipe – Garden Picnic Wraps

(by Lucy Carter)

The perfect wrap for when you don’t fancy cooking:

Tortilla wraps
Beetroot hummus
Carrot & cucumber ribbons
Pea shoots or mint
Lemon zest, olive oil

Spread, layer, roll, slice. Easy to pack, easy to eat, and perfect with a punnet of local strawberries on a riverbank bench.

(Sam here—money’s tight for many of us, so here’s how I’ve been helping readers stretch the weekly budget lately):

1️⃣ Farmers’ Market Late Hour Deals

As mentioned, stallholders in St Ives, Ely, and Huntingdon markets often knock 20–30% off in the last hour before closing. Bring cash—it’s faster and often gets you a bonus handful of fruit.

2️⃣ DIY Eco-Cleaners

Skip pricey branded sprays—mix white vinegar, water, and a squeeze of lemon in a spray bottle. Works on windows, kitchen worktops, and costs pennies.

3️⃣ Energy Bill Hack

If you’ve got a dishwasher, use the eco setting overnight. It uses up to 30% less power and often runs cheaper thanks to off-peak tariffs (check if you’re on one).

4️⃣ Bulk Cook & Freeze

With summer veg cheap right now, batch-cook sauces, soups, and stews. One hour cooking = dinners sorted for the week.

Deal of the Week

If you’re in Huntingdon Thursday, the market lunch stalls are doing fresh baguette lunches for under £6. Proper deli fillings, market-baked bread, and cheaper than a high-street café.

Deals & Quick Wins

(Sally here—I love a bargain and this week I’ve found a few worth sharing):

1️⃣ Midweek Pub Roasts

Many village pubs (like The Crown in Little Stukeley) offer 2-for-1 roast deals on Wednesdays. Same Sunday taste, midweek price.

2️⃣ Railcard & Bus Savers

If you’re under 30 or travelling in pairs, railcards and Stagecoach’s DayRider Group Tickets can chop 30–40% off weekend trips to Ely, Huntingdon, or Cambridge.

3️⃣ Charity Shop Gold

St Ives and March charity shops are full of designer summer dresses under £10 right now—it’s the changeover season, so they’re clearing stock.

4️⃣ Utility Switching

Check comparison sites—several suppliers are quietly offering new fixed deals. Switching can save £200–£300 a year, and you don’t have to wait until your contract ends if you’re on a variable tariff.

Neighbourhood crime is down across Cambridgeshire this year (burglaries 37% lower, rural crime 21% down), but South Cambridgeshire still sees high rates of anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.

Police have stepped up patrols around St Ives and Ely to keep summer events safe.

Check crime stats for your area here: police.uk.

Hidden Gem – Green Abbey Walk, St Ives

Just behind the historic bridge chapel in St Ives is a riverside path locals call The Green Abbey Walk. Shaded, quiet, and often missed it’s perfect for a peaceful stroll after the market. Bring a coffee and let the river slow you down.

Cambridgeshire on the Move

(by Tom Whitfield)

It’s been a big week for Cambridgeshire sport—not just the pros, but grassroots and community fun too.

Last Thursday, we headed down to Ely Rowing Club, where summer evenings on the Ouse are a thing of beauty. Newcomers lined the bank, a little nervous, but by sunset they were gliding in perfect rhythm.

If you’ve ever wanted to try rowing, now’s the time—open sessions run twice a week and no experience is needed.

Meanwhile, St Ives Town FC is deep into pre-season.

Training sessions are buzzing with kids watching their heroes and dreaming of scoring the winning goal themselves.

The first friendly kicks off this Saturday with a proper family vibe—BBQs, music, and local supporters turning out in force.

Over in Doddington, junior cricket is bringing the community together.

Parents on picnic blankets, little ones chasing cricket balls bigger than their bats—it’s everything summer sport should be.

And for those who prefer two wheels to two boots, cycling clubs are offering guided busway taster rides—gentle introductions to the joy of pedalling through the flat Fen landscapes with a friendly group.

Whether it’s rowing under golden skies or cheering at the pitch sidelines, Cambridgeshire’s sporting heart is well and truly beating.

Plans for 1,000 new homes near Cambridge have been approved. Essential growth or too much too soon? Click here to vote, and we’ll share what Cambridgeshire thinks next week.

Thanks for spending a little of your week with us.

Cambridgeshire is full of hidden stories, heroes, and cosy spots to discover—we’re just here to help share them.

If you’ve got a tip, event, or favourite place we should shout about, hit reply and tell us.

Until next week, stay safe, stay curious, and enjoy these long summer evenings.