Mereham

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Mereham is a potential new town near Ely in East Cambridgeshire. The developers, Multiplex Stannifer, have applied for planning permission but, as of yet, has not received it. The application for planning permission was turned down by East Cambridgeshire District Council but the developers have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and the decision has been called in by the Secretary of State. The inquiry closed, after a number of adjournments on 8 January 2008. The Planning Inspector, Richard Ogier, will make his report in April and a decision is expected by September 2008.

Mereham is a controversial issue, as the plans have already been rejected by East Cambridgeshire District Council, who were supported in the decision by Cambridgeshire County Council, and the refusal of necessary associated works to the A10 in the adjacent |District of South Cmabridgeshire. The main issue is the size of the town which would consist of around 5000 new homes and the transport links to the development sites both to Ely and Cambridge. The site is south of the A1123, west of the A10, north of the River Ouse, and east of the B1049 Twenty Pence Road.

The three Local Authorities were represented by barrister Simon Bird and the developer by Robin Purchas QC and Craig Howell Williams. Over a week of the Inquiry was taken up by hearing evidence from local residents on a number of issues including traffic, impact on local wildlife and the potential drain on local services.

[edit] Backlash and Lawsuit

Say No to Mereham is a protest group of villagers in Haddenham, Wilburton, Stretham, and Witchford who are against the building of Mereham. Their purpose is to stop the building of Mereham, because they say the 'effect would be disastrous to East Cambridgeshire'. The group members are undeniably passionate about their cause, and overall community support is very much with them. In Ely, as in most communities, appropriate growth is generally considered to be a good thing - alas, Mereham is not appropriate growth as highlighted by the all the local councils (parish, district and county).

According to a recent article in the Ely Standard newspaper, the campaign members are also seeking court action requiring Multiplex to reimburse their members for lost wages and expenses incurred during the public inquiry. The local district and county councils are also claiming costs incurred via their legal representatives. Some outside observers have speculated that the court claim is itself an attempt to bring more publicity to the protest effort. But continued support of the campaign would suggest that the message is getting through that Mereham is not good for the area. Neither is it part of the Ely masterplan.