In a recent town planning group meeting, Councillor and Town Mayor Ann Hay made a startling revelation that will surprise most of us.
A planning application for yet another 152 houses off the Elms was being discussed, with several items regarding it being highlighted. The planning group passed it, but British Democrat councillor Ken Perrin, a prominent member, opposed it. So, yet another piece of our open space is being built over.
Ken told them we do not need all these houses—we must cut immigration! His opposition was based on concerns about the impact of such a large-scale development on our community and the need to prioritise local needs over immigration.
According to Ann Hay, the reason we need these houses is not immigration. “People work in Huntingdon, Peterborough, Cambridge, and other places, but they like to return to their home in Chatteris—we are a Commuter Town.” Ann explains that a commuter town is where a significant portion of the population commutes to work in nearby cities, often resulting in a different lifestyle and community dynamics.
According to records, Chatteris is one of the four market towns in Fenland, having a royal warrant since 1834. A Market Town and a Commuter Town have two completely opposing dynamics.
A market town supports local industry and is the home for many of its workers. It is usually friendly, has a good sense of community, and people integrate and get on well. Property sizes and prices reflect the local workforce’s earnings; however, that property price principle is severely under pressure.
A commuter town, unlike Chatteris, is often characterised by its transport links to other towns and cities. However, with its limited transport connections, Chatteris has always fostered a strong sense of community. This unique community spirit, a hallmark of Chatteris, is at risk of being diluted in the face of this transformation. This community spirit often wanes in commuter towns, with many residents feeling isolated from the town’s core and needing help to integrate.
Commuter towns, unfortunately, often experience a rise in crime and unemployment rates. These statistics should be a cause for concern for us in Chatteris, as they indicate a potential threat to our town’s safety and economic stability. Furthermore, house prices tend to escalate in commuter towns, making it even more challenging for the local population to find affordable housing. This could lead to a significant shift in our town’s demographics and a loss of its unique character.
Ken says, “Our town Mayor is supposed to support the very essence of our market town’s individuality and vibrancy and build on that, not destroy it. She has demonstrated yet again that she and our councillors are totally out of touch and dismissive of the electorate. People live here for the relative peace, quiet, low crime rate, and wonderful open spaces. We don’t want a commuter town; Chatteris must not be turned into a crime-ridden, concrete jungle, with house prices further out of reach by local people. I will continue my election policy of opposing all these major developments.”
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