More than 1,000 residents attended the public consultation on the proposed redevelopment of the St Ives Cattle Market by Capital & Centric on 19 August, with queues stretching into the street — a striking demonstration of local concern and dissatisfaction with the plans. The St Ives Mayor, our MP, SITC and HDC councillors were among those in attendance. However, many who queued to speak with the small number of Capital & Centric representatives present found little on display and no real detail on paper.
A second strong turnout followed on 27 August, when St Ives Town Council hosted an Open Meeting at the Free Church. The venue was packed to standing room only, as residents filled the room to voice a series of spirited and passionate comments. After around an hour, councillors responded in turn — every one of them opposed the proposals.
The meeting passed a resolution to write to Capital & Centric and Huntingdonshire District Council setting out the Council’s objections. Councillor Pope also suggested establishing a working group to develop and promote the community’s own ideas for regeneration, proposing the Town Team’s ‘Vision for St Ives’ as a starting point; while this did not proceed to a formal resolution, it received a warm reception from those present.
