Castor & Ailsworth Joint Community Action Plan
Two Parishes – One Community
Two Introduction
December 2017 saw the formal adoption by Peterborough City Council (PCC) of a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) for each of Castor & Ailsworth parishes following
detailed consultation by the Parish Councils with residents and statutory consultees. The NPs complement and support each other, recognising the parishes’
shared heritage and the maxim ‘two parishes – one community’ which became very apparent during the course of consultations with residents. The two NPs
cover matters relating to land use in the parishes. Other matters important to residents also emerged during the course of consultations and this Joint
Community Action Plan (JCAP) outlines priorities jointly agreed by the Parish Councils, which will be supported and/or taken forward by the Parish Councils on
behalf of the community.
The JCAP is a living document and will be updated periodically and as new initiatives arise.
1. A vital place to Live
Item ref. Activity/Project Current Position
JCAP 1.1 Ensure planning proposals meet NP provisions and represent any
concerns to PCC Planning Officers. (Supports all NP policies, in
particular CH1/CH2 & AH1/AH2.)
Ongoing evaluation of all planning applications by PCs against the relevant
NP requirements. The PCs challenge Peterborough City Council (PCC) on
planning applications which have not fully considered the Castor and
Ailsworth NPs. CPC is a member of the PCC Parish Liaison Working Group
and, through meetings with other parish councils, has agreed a Parish
Conference dedicated to the issue of planning.
JCAP 1.2 Ensure that planning proposals which exceed anticipated growth
levels in the NPs are supported by evidence of clear community
support through appropriate pre-application consultation.
(Supports NP policies CH2/AH2.)
Ongoing evaluation of planning proposals by PCs against the NP CH2/AH2
requirements.
JCAP 1.3 Woodlands – consult with site owners to ensure acceptable re-
development of the existing Woodlands buildings and related
land; also, to retain a continued community sports facility with
appropriate facilities (see also JCAP 4.3). (Supports NP policy
CRV1.)
Meetings in 2021 & 2022 heard residents’ views on development proposals;
there has also been continued contact with Nene Park Trust (NPT) & the
Care Home. Clarification of Castor NP Policy CRV1 has been proposed in
the review of the NP. Residents’ views had previously been sought re-a
proposed new build to replace the old Woodlands building; this was opposed
by CPC and the planning application was subsequently withdrawn. A
revised planning application for conversion of the existing Woodlands
building had been made. A further public meeting was also had been held
regarding the scale of new proposals for sporting facilities to hear residents’
views and the application was opposed. Revisions to the proposed building
Draft Update
16 January 2025
Castor & Ailsworth Joint Community Action Plan
Two Parishes – One Community
had been submitted but objections remained. No Tennis Club proposals had
yet been forthcoming.
JCAP 1.4 Explore the feasibility of establishing a village housing trust (akin
the existing almshouses in Castor).
The potential implications have been discussed with the administrators of the
existing almshouses and this will be revisited in due course in light of the
Care Home and eldercare provisions currently envisaged at Woodlands.
JCAP 1.5 The Castor & Ailsworth Climate Action Group (CAG) has been
formed to develop ideas on how people in the parishes might help
to mitigate the effects of climate change; how the villages might
become carbon neutral and the impact both individuals and
families might have.
Representatives of CAG meet with PC members informally and attend
formal PC meetings as necessary; both PCs have provided support. CAG
worked with the two PCs to develop a succinct draft climate action statement
which APC and CPC have both adopted and will take forward with CAG and
others as appropriate. Both PCs had reviewed and confirmed their Climate
Change policies, which appear on their websites.
JCAP 1.6 Take forward the intention to re-register land with common rights
within the parishes as necessary as mentioned in paragraph
6.2.1.7 of the Ailsworth NP and paragraph 6.2.1.6 of the Castor
NP.
The present extent of the commons registrations will initially be checked and
confirmed by the two PCs prior to assessing and taking forward any action
needed to update the commons registrations in the Parishes.
2. An ancient & fragile landscape
Item ref. Activity/Project Current Position
JCAP 2.1 Support initiatives for preservation, restoration and interpretation
of historical features in and around the parishes.
Funding and restoration of the Robin Hood and Little John standing stones
arranged and counder the provisions of the current Common Land
Registration Act and Regulations.mpleted by CPC. CPC were arranging
clearance of shrubbery to make the stones more visible and an appropriate
information board. CPC also arranged reinstatement of the milestone on
Love’s Hill following a traffic accident. The PCs have jointly commissioned
and installed a replacement village sign. Some limited funding for
community needs was available and the PCs would make bids as
necessary.
JCAP 2.2 The St Kyneburgha Building Preservation Trust will continue
walks, talks and guides to interpret the building and its situation.
The Church guide has been republished. A number of events were arranged
to mark the 900th anniversary of the dedication of St Kyneburgha church.
JCAP 2.3 Seek opportunities to enhance and protect the natural
environment within Castor & Ailsworth parishes. For example
through engagement with:
The PCs continue to develop nature recovery plans and a phased approach
continues. The Coppice in Castor now has a wildlife pond, some seating
and an observation hut. Further trees have been planted and work has
commenced to improve Splash Lane Paddock. Rewilding of a third of the
Castor & Ailsworth Joint Community Action Plan
Two Parishes – One Community
1) The Langdyke Countryside Trust and key partner organisations
and support them in developing and achieving their John Clare
Countryside Vision.
2) Local village groups in nature recovery and in ‘rewilding’ areas
in the villages.
Ailsworth recreation ground includes a story telling circle of tree stumps and
wild flower seeds and trees have been planted, including some apple trees
to be dedicated as the ‘King’s Orchard’. The two PCs have water
harvesting facilities in use. Both PCs had made arrangements for a tree
nursery with PECT.
3. A thriving community
Item ref. Activity/Project Current Position
JCAP 3.1 Support the development of a suitable surgery/other primary
health facility within or immediately adjacent to the villages to
overcome existing traffic and parking difficulties in Main Street.
(Supports NP policies CSE4/ASE3.)
Longer term objective is to encourage existing surgery to relocate to a new
site within these parameters.
JCAP 3.2 Support proposals which will ensure continued development of
the school and provision of a permanent location for the pre-
school. (Supports NP policy CSE3.)
See item 1.3 re-the pre-school.
Donations made by each PC to the Friends of Castor School to support the
school shop/bank initiative. CPC had has agreed to the school’s temporary
class base remaining for another three years on the condition that this
should be it was the final time that planning permission is was sought for a
temporary building. and a more CPC supports the need for a permanent
building should to be erected to secure the school’s needs for the longer
term. The PC has also requested that a new, robust travel plan be
completed as part of the planning permission.
JCAP 3.3 Explore how to overcome difficulties with speeding traffic through
the villages, notably in the Peterborough and Helpston Roads,
such as 20 mph limits, ‘gates’ at village entrances.
The new 20 mph speed monitoring camera has been installed in Castor, with
the old one relocated to the 30 mph zone at the top of Love’s Hill. The 20
mph zone has also been extended to the top of Love’s Hill although roundels
have not yet been added to the road surface. A new 20 mph speed
monitoring camera has also been installed in Helpston Road. The intention
to start Speedwatch was not taken forward due to insufficient volunteers.
JCAP 3.4 Support and encourage improvements to maintain and develop
the village shop and a positive environment for village business
amenities.
Both PCs continued to liaise with the shop owner seeking to ensure the
continued presence of a shop in the community. It was recognised that the
temporary change of use of the house next door to the shop was time
limited. The PCs will continue to explore options.
Castor & Ailsworth Joint Community Action Plan
Two Parishes – One Community
JCAP 3.5 Support and promote Good Neighbours – Rural Peterborough
(which developed from the scheme launched by St Kyneburgha
Parochial Church Council with APC & CPC support).
The scheme was launched on 3 November 2020 and publicised to parish
residents with a flyer distributed to all households. It has charitable status
and provides support to residents in need, becoming the Mayor’s Charity for
2022. Trustees have been appointed and additional funding has enabled
further staff to be recruited to work with the scheme co-ordinator. Helpston
had joined the scheme and all Peterborough parishes North of the Nene
were now involved.
4. A space for Peterborough to breathe
Item ref. Activity/Project Current Position
JCAP 4.1 Encourage the initiative to improve cycleway facilities to the West
of the parishes. (Supports NP policies CRV1 and ARV1.) This
leisure route is seen as complementary to any cycleway
proposals which may emerge in dualling the A47 to Wansford.
Led by the Cycle West Project and both PCs provided funding in support of
the scheme. Planning for the proposals lodged by Cycle West was initially
rejected by PCC but successfully appealed by Cycle West. Planning has
now been granted by Huntingdonshire DC for the part of the project West of
the footbridge. Planning is therefore in place for the whole of the proposed
route and the task of fund raising to finance the project is being pursued.
JCAP 4.2 Encourage visitor information regarding historical links and
ecological interests in the parishes. (Supports NP policies
CRV3/ARV3.)
Route guides published by residents’ visitor group providing visitor
information for ‘John Clare’s footsteps through Castor Hanglands’ and
‘Roman Castor – Normangate Field’. Further publications are proposed.
JCAP 4.3 Woodlands – consult with site owners to ensure acceptable re-
development of the Woodlands site to retain a continued
community sports facility with appropriate facilities. (See also
JCAP 1.3) (Supports NP policy CRV1.)
Sports facilities are back in use and continue to develop, with temporary
accommodation as changing facilities. As outlined in JCAP 1.3 formal
proposals for developing the sports facilities have come forward and
consultation to gauge residents’ views arranged.
JCAP 4.4 Monitor existing network of footpaths and bridleways to ensure
they are adequately maintained. Continue to seek improvements
to promote access and safety. (Supports NP policies
CRV2/ARV2.)
The Nene Park Trust ‘Walking back in time’ project will include a heritage
trail and improved riverside walking routes. Arrangements agreed with PCC
to replace two stiles with kissing gates to improve access. The two PCs
will seek to involve residents in monitoring and enhancing the existing
network of footpaths and bridleways within the parishes. Residents and
visitors will be invited to join councillors on their parish land walks.
JCAP 4.5 Organise periodic community ‘litter pick’ exercises to enhance the
public areas in the parishes.
Litter pick events were paused due to the impact of Covid on PCC capacity
to collect the waste and would recommence as capacity comes available.
CPC had taken up the need for litter picking along the Ferrybridge access
road with PCC and they successfully prosecuted a fly tipper following use of
Castor & Ailsworth Joint Community Action Plan
Two Parishes – One Community
a covert CCTV camera. APC would liaise with the Scouts as necessary to
co-ordinate litter picking activity. A village litter pick would be arranged.
JCAP 4.6 Landscape and environmental improvement initiatives as outlined
against JCAP 2.3 to achieve the John Clare Countryside Vision
and enhance the countryside on the doorstep of Peterborough as
a whole.
See JCAP 2.3.
FOOTNOTE: From time to time the PCs are made aware of potential funding opportunities for community projects. For sources of information on such
opportunities contact either Ailsworth or Castor Parish Clerk.
