St Ives Town Regeneration Forum Updates
February 2026 Update
Response to the Local Plan & Proposal for the Redevelopment of the A14:
Due to both consultations happening in the same timescale inevitably creating some crossover we refer to both in this update.
Residents were concerned about the draft Local Plan’s density, the limited time for feedback, and the major effects of proposed housing and commercial developments on the town’s infrastructure.
We understood the Town Council did not support the A14 redevelopment proposals. We organised a public meeting on 13th December at Free Church Hall to gather residents’ views and clarify issues with HDC councillors, focusing on concerns about infrastructure, heritage, neighbourhood identity, and sense of place. Please click here for our response.
This was sent to Town and District councillors on 17.12.25, requesting a meeting to discuss joint planning for the town’s future needs. The meeting is still pending.
Local Heritage Listing
Towns and cities are required to identify local buildings that are significant—whether socially, architecturally, or historically, according to English Heritage—for protection and conservation, even if these sites do not qualify for Grade I or II Heritage Listing. Cambridge City Council has taken the initiative by nominating mostly historic buildings, Huntingdon is yet to do so. As a result, FoRSIT made it a priority to review proposals from the Neighbourhood Planning consultation, as well as other sources, to assess which sites may be suitable for submission to the County Council for Local Heritage Listing recommendations
The project is a collaborative initiative involving the Town Council and the Civic Society, overseen by FoRSIT. A panel of specialists will thoroughly review, research, and recommend each nomination to the District Planning Committee. Every submission must include supporting research documents and photographic evidence, andsatisfy at least one of five key criteria. At present, funding options for the project and candidates for the Panel are being considered. Additionally, historical researchers and a project administrator are needed.
Conserving Bridge Street
A 2024 Bridge St survey gathered input from local retailers and hospitality venues on attracting visitors and boosting footfall. Key priorities included festoon lighting, pavement seating, greening, improved signage, and addressing illegal parking.
Funded posters promoted shopping locally at Christmas in 2025 and 2026, and conservation-based Shop Fronts & Street Surfacing guidelines were developed for distribution to new businesses, aiming for a heritage look; these are now being considered for adding to the St Ives Neighbourhood Plan. Next year’s budget will target enhanced lighting and signage for Foundry Walk.
July 2025 Update
We met with MP Ben Obese-Jecty about our concerns that sufficient attention is paid to residents’ aspirations to preserve the town’s heritage and support its growth when Council developers discuss its future development.
We found him to be aware of conservation issues and supportive of our concerns. He is already involved in regeneration discussions with Mayor Julie Kerr and others and will include ForSIT in discussions going forward.
We hope this will provide us with the opportunity to influence planning decisions relating to significant and exciting developments for the town.
March 2025 Update
Exciting progress continues in our journey to rejuvenate St Ives. Here’s a quick overview of recent developments:
Dedicated Website Space
Many of you may already be familiar with the Old Riverport website which features events and festivals, tourist tips and practical information about the town.
We’re excited to announce that a dedicated section for St Ives town regeneration activities will soon be live on the website. This space will keep you updated on our progress, plans, and opportunities to get involved. See www.stivescambridgeshire.co.uk
WhatsApp Group News
Since its launch in February 2025, the town regeneration WhatsApp group has become a platform for collaboration and ideas.
Currently, about half of the local shops have joined, and we anticipate more will participate as tangible progress unfolds.
The first topic under discussion is gathering insights from shop customers:
Parking Preferences: Would shopkeepers be willing to ask their customers where they typically park?
Greener Streets: Where would customers like to see trees or planters placed along the street?
We’re excited to see this group fostering conversation and collective action and look forward to more voices joining in soon.
St Ives Shop Front and Signage Guidelines
As part of our ongoing efforts to celebrate and preserve the charm of St Ives, we’ve developed draft guidelines for creating a cohesive shop front and signage brand. These guidelines aim to accentuate the unique architectural features of our local buildings and streetscapes while fostering a sense of place and identity.
Street News
Outdoor Lighting: We’re in the process of gathering quotes for festoon lighting to illuminate Bridge Street, Crown Street, Merrylands including the courtyards and alleyways. These will not only brighten these areas at night but also enhance their charm.
Greener Spaces: Costs are being explored for adding trees, planters, and new signage to transform our streetscapes into more welcoming, vibrant spaces.
Once all estimates are finalised, we will submit an application for funding as this vital support will enable us to bring these enhancements to life.
Looking Ahead
Our efforts to enhance the town continue with a growing programme of activities. We’re committed to keeping you updated, sharing exciting developments and opportunities to get involved.
December Update 2024
Right here in St Ives – have you seen the shop local posters in town? One celebrates the restaurants, pubs and bars where you can wind down with friends and the other promotes the wonderful independent shops around town where you can do all your Christmas shopping locally.
A big thanks to our local galleries and shops for their creative input to the posters design. The Civic Society funded the poster printing and developed the graphics.
Local business owners have been busy with ForSIT developments and are currently running a parking questionnaire with customers and a petition for 1 hour of free parking.
Elsewhere members of ForSIT have been busy processing comments received from residents during the neighbourhood planning process which will be converted into viable plans for revitalising the town and boosting its economy.
Liaison with the shop keepers in Bridge Street is ongoing including the development of a shop front template and improving the town centre signage.
A Community Asset Plan to develop the Octagon, which is owned by Huntingdon District Council, is being explored. A variety of suggestions for its use have been put forward including use as an indoor market, café or theatre. HDC wish to have an internal review to decide what their plans are for the Octagon. In parallel the ForSIT group has been added to the Market Towns network which can give access to funding.
St Ives is also becoming part of HDC’s Pride in Place programme which celebrates regeneration projects.
Regeneration Away Day on 4th July 2024
The meeting broadly covered communication difficulties within the town, retail decline, pedestrianisation, parking/transport, flood/water management, heritage protection, the scruffiness of the town, its ecology and future event creation.
From these topics a regeneration metric was established with which to begin assessing the opportunities and barriers for revitalising the town. Given that Bridge Street was the example used by Simon Ward’s presentation at the previous meeting, it was agreed members would walk along it to note what immediately needs doing.
In addition, members will explore possible funding such as the Shop Front Grants which expires in September 2024 so both new and existing shopkeepers could be reminded to apply quickly. The next meeting will take place in early September 2024.