It's Now or Never for Cambridge Country Park and Sport Lakes

Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust are launching a new campaign to raise funds for a Country Park and Sport Lakes between North Cambridge and Waterbeach. 

The plans will see Milton Country Park grow from a 95 acre public site to 300 acres, creating a strategic green corridor between two major development areas in Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire is one of the fastest growing counties in the UK whilst also suffering from one of the smallest percentages of publicly accessible green space. 

Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust has managed Milton Country Park for twelve years and in that time has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers and the Park is frequently at capacity. The large scale developments to the North and South of Milton Country Park are expected to add further pressure to this popular regional park, with 11,000 homes proposed for Waterbeach New Town and 8,000 homes and businesses along with new connections to Milton Country Park, being proposed for Cambridge North East.

Mick Woolhouse, Executive Director of Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust said, ‘It’s never been more evident that Parks are important to people, for their physical and well-being, their quality of life and as a community space. Cambridgeshire is facing huge development pressure and it’s vital that green infrastructure is included in future plans for residents. Milton Country Park is an extremely important facility for these new developments. North East Cambridge in particular is on our doorstep and planning to improve connections to the Park. We want to be able to provide new residents with access to the green space they need but in order to continue this provision Milton Country Park must increase its capacity.’

Having been granted planning permission in 2013 the Trust withdrew its application in 2018 in order to work on a fresh application that would incorporate Milton Country Park and enhanced plans for cycling provision. The Trust now needs financial and political support to take these plans forward. With Greater Cambridge Partnership investing in multi-million pound improvements to the area and Cambridgeshire councils setting a target to double green space, Mick adds, ‘We must prioritise and invest in parks for people and protect them for the future. The value they add cannot be underestimated. Communities need a sense of place, access to nature, sport, and activities that connect each other. In an area facing unprecedented growth pressure, Cambridge Sport Lakes and Park could be a flagship facility and the breathing space we need for North Cambridge.’ 

Future Vision

A document outlining the position of the Trust at Milton Country Park and the plans for Cambridge Country Parks and Sport Lakes in response to the Local Plan can be found here: https://bit.ly/2EFYHo2   

Greater Cambridge Planners are currently holding a public consultation on plans for North East Cambridge. The consultation runs until 5pm Monday 5th October. Have your say here: https://consultations.greatercambridgeplanning.org/