The Kite Redevelopment

The History of the Kite redevelopment

In 1982 Elizabeth Howard Leggatt, had just gained a qualification in Local History. Although she lived in Oxford, she was visiting her son in Cambridge and undertook this research

The Kite – Who owned the land prior to building work?

---

Mike Petty’s Archive

1958 01 22

Fitzroy/Burleigh Street is easily the most convenient shopping area in the city, handy to the bus station and enjoys ample parking facilities. There is one car park at New Square and another in Burleigh Street. It offers the widest variety imaginable with two department stores and 39 specialist shops. You can get everything from fish cakes to furniture. Two good reasons why you should do your shopping there – Advertisement by the Fitzroy/Burleigh Street Traders Association. 58 01 22

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 58 01 22.

1959 11 04

In the past few years the Fitzroy/Burleigh Street area, with its easy access, ample car-parking facilities and huge variety of shops, has become increasingly popular as Cambridge’s most convenient shopping centre. Many of the shops were formerly in ramshackle buildings, combining timber and corrugated iron with a minimum of brickwork, often built over the front gardens of houses which had their ground floors converted. But now these have made way for up-to-the-minute shopping premises and improvements are constantly going on. 59 11 04 & a

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 59 11 04 & a.

1959 08 26
Sir – in the area between Warkworth Street and Burleigh Street there are many little houses which have been bought by elderly people for their retirement and by young couples starting a new home. Now having been put in good order they are to be demolished by the Council in a ‘development scheme’. It is cruel, unnecessary, and wasteful to pull down houses which are in liveable condition because in the same neighbourhood there are a number that are neglected and damp. I hope ratepayers will protest – Hilda Finney, Prospect Row. 59 08 26

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 59 08 26.

1964 07 06
Cambridge expansion: Conservatives would like to encourage businesses which start in the town and want the Market Square to be the main centre. Socialists want new light industries with the Lion Yard as a civic centre and with new shopping in Burleigh Street while the Liberals favour a central pedestrian precinct with public transport in the form of a minibus service or travloator. 64 07 06a

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 64 07 06a.

1968 03 26
Fitzroy Street – Burleigh St residents fear city council intend to demolish good houses under slum-clearance scheme – 68 03 26

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 68 03 26.

1971 06 28

Fitzroy Street, Burleigh Street shopping – photos – 71 06 28 & a

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 71 06 28 & a.

1972 03 20
Most of the people who will be displaced by the Burleigh Street-Fitzroy Street redevelopment (Cambridge) want to be rehoused in the same area according to a report. Counc. Christopher Bradford claimed that the land was bought by the city council for “chickenfeed” ten years ago and is now worth £65,000. The council paid only £200 to £300 development value for some of the houses and perhaps £2,000 for some of the others

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1972 03 20.

1972 07 26
A total of 160 houses in the Burleigh street – Fitzroy street area of Cambridge will have to be demolished to make way for the city council’s shopping redevelopment scheme. At present only 34 of the houses are unoccupied. The city council are prepared to buy the houses at full market value if the owners cannot find other buyers. Some of the houses have already been classed as slums and earmarked for demolition. A number have in fact already been closed, such as in parts of James Street or demolished, as at Adam and Eve Street. A year ago the city council gave details of a large area outside the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy Street complex which they said would not be required for demolition. This gave the house owners the go-ahead to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to improve their homes

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1972 07 26.

1972 11 21
The Cambridge city council’s planning consultants who are designing the redevelopment plans for the Burleigh Street- Fitzroy Street have suggested the building of a departmental store East of Napier Street. Consultants feel that the introduction of shopping uses at this point would improve the whole project in addition to saving housing land to the North of Maids Causeway and James Street. They have also proposed that the pedestrian way along Fitzroy Street should be graded down and Napier Street itself raised over the pedestrian way. This appears to be the best way of separating traffic and pedestrians

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1972 11 21.

1972 12 07
A large out-of-town shopping complex covering about 10 acres is being planned for Newmarket Road, just outside the Cambridge boundary. But Cambridge planning committee decided to resist the project. Fears were expressed about the effect the shopping centre would have for the city council’s plans for redeveloping the Burleigh street – Fitzroy street area. Marshalls of Cambridge (Engineering) made an application to develop the shopping complex, together with car parking and garages on a site immediately to the East of their vehicular workshops off Newmarket Road. The site faces Cambridge airport

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1972 12 07.

1973 01 25

Two national organisations are interested in building a dance hall in the Fitzroy-Burleigh Street area, the Cambridge Arts and Entertainments Committee were told last night. The Director of Leisure Activities, Mr David Constant, reported that the Mecca organisation had written to the Town Clerk confirming their interest. Another firm of national dance hall promoters were also interested, he said. Meanwhile public criticism of the lack of dances in Cambridge has led to a decision to hold a series of monthly dances at the Guildhall from next October to March. Mr Constant said the cost of a ticket, without subsidy would be 75p. If the dances proved a success they might be able to lower the price

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 01 25.

1973 02 02

Householders, traders, planners and property developers have a common hope in the outcome of next week’s public inquiry into the proposed comprehensive development plan for the Burleigh Street area of Cambridge. They all want a firm answer to a question which has blighted a decade of Cambridge planning history. The answer, if it comes, will not please everybody, since homes and small businesses are threatened by the scheme, but it should put an end to years of confusion and uncertainty. The question is: Will the Government give the go-ahead for redevelopment on the lines of the current proposals?

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 02 02.

1973 04 26

The scheme to build a hypermarket for Tesco on the outskirts of Cambridge has been rejected by the city council. The scheme was put forward on behalf of Tesco by Stokes of Cambridge Ltd. They asked permission to build a 100,000 square foot hypermarket with a car park for 900 cars on land off Milton Road next to the railway line. The store would have been one of the largest in Cambridge. In turning it down the planning committee said it was outside the area allocated for development, would encourage extra traffic on a fast trunk route and was against the shopping policy for Cambridge in which large scale development is aimed at the Fitzroy Street – Burleigh Street area

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 04 26.

1973 08 31

The £20m redevelopment scheme for the Fitzroy Street – Burleigh Street area of Cambridge may go ahead with only minor modifications, following the result of a 13-day public inquiry earlier this year. Several schemes for the area have been considered and rejected over the past 10 years, but the present plans, designed by international architects Piano & Rogers were adopted by the city and county councils last year

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 08 31.

1973 09 10

Prof John Parry Lewis, the Manchester don who has just finished the biggest Cambridge redevelopment plan ever devised, has told the Government that it may as well be scrapped now if the new Fitzroy-Burleigh Street shopping centre goes ahead. When his final report is published it will contain some sweeping proposals. One of these is for a new commercial centre on the Cambridge outskirts – perhaps in the Trumpington area – in order to siphon shops and traffic away from the historic heart of the city

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 09 10.

1973 09 21

Like some great suicidal spider Cambridge will have eaten its heart out by the turn of the century. Such is the dramatic prophecy of Professor John Parry Lewis who has been making a complete study of its future. Specifically he is saying is that if Cambridge proceeds with the scheme to build a twin shopping centre in the Fitzroy Street – Burleigh street area it will be signing the death knell of the present Market Square area. He concludes that a new focus for commercial activity must be developed on the edge of the city either in the Trumpington area or to the east near Marshall’s airport. This cannot be done if the Fitzroy-Burleigh scheme proceeds, as the indications now are that it will

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1973 09 21.

1974 02 04

When Christ church, in the parish of St Andrew the Less, Cambridge, was built in 1839 the cost was £3,800. On Saturday a new church- installed at gallery level in the original building at a cost of £40,000 – was dedicated. Rebuilding began nine months ago, following the sale of Abbey church hall and Christ church institute to Cambridge city council as part of the planned redevelopment of the Burleigh street area. Now the building provides a new church with seating for 465 and at ground level a hall with seating for 200

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1974 02 04.

1974 10 29

The Parry Lewis super plan for the future of Cambridge, which took three years to prepare at a cost of £20,000, has been rejected by all the senior city and county planning officers. The plans main suggestions were for the immediate scrapping of the scheme for extensive development in the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy street area and the building of a second shopping centre in the Trumpington area. Chairman of the County Planning committee, Counc. Tony Cornell, said: “The technical boys took a look at Parry Lewis and they have not liked what they have seen”

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1974 10 29.

1974 11 06

New plans for reshaping Cambridge’s Burleigh St – Fitzroy St shopping area are being unveiled at a private meeting tonight. Although the project provides for more than 80 shops, including two major departmental stores, it is on a smaller commercial scale than the plans put forward three years ago. The project includes a new underground country bus station; placing much of Napier street underground to avoid disruption to people living nearby, a series of underground service roads to allow pedestrians traffic free access to the main shopping area, and the creation of landscaped parks. It provides for a new store for the John Lewis organisation and another for Laurie & McConnal

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1974 11 06.

1974 11 08

By Cambridge planning standards, the argument over how the Burleigh St – Fitzroy St area should be redeveloped is a relative newcomer to a list of current city controversies. It has been raging for only 15 years. Which means that at least another 10 years of inactivity are necessary before the Lion Yard redevelopment record is reached. Cambridge city council has announced its intention of making a decision on the future of the area by the end of the year. But even if this happens it will not be the end of the story by a long way. There will be inevitable objections and the problem of raising money must remain a formidable obstacle in these economic times.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1974 11 08.

1974 12 31

The controversial multi-million pound redevelopment proposals for Cambridge’s Burleigh Street – Fitzroy street area may be scrapped and traders and residents encouraged to rebuild as they wish. This is just what the majority of them have been advocating for most of the 15 years over which the controversy surrounding plans for the revitalisation of the area has raged. Leading members of the City council’s controlling Labour Group are now trying to whip up general support behind the scenes for the new thinking. Moves come on the eve of the Government’s expected announcement that after a two-year delay official approval is on the way to the area to be declared as suitable for comprehensive redevelopment

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1974 12 31.

Worked for 12s
Fitzroy Street–Burleigh Street redevelopment
1975 02 07

The Government has decided after two years deliberation that the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy street area of Cambridge is suitable for redevelopment. This now lays the responsibility for action squarely on the city council who are likely to decide within two months whether to drop the much-criticised official development plan and go ahead with something less contentious. The plan has been unanimously rejected by the area’s residents and shopkeepers.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1975 02 07.

1975 11 28

Cambridge City Council has brought the Rumble-Tum Restaurant at Burleigh Street and two private houses at Fitzroy Street. All are in the centre of the area, known as the Kite, which the council proposes to redevelop comprehensively in the near future. The individual purchase prices are not being disclosed. The Burleigh Street and Fitzroy Street properties will show an estimate future profit for the council of £1.137 a year from rents.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1975 11 28.

1976 04 17

The future redevelopment of the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy Street area of Cambridge is back in the melting pot following the decision of the outgoing city council to throw out the massive £30 million scheme proposed by a London development company for the Kite area. The rejection of the scheme, which would have brought a greatly-increased number of shops in to the area, together with car parks, a new road and an underground country bus station, was an easy matter for the city council. But it was far less easy for them to decide how to go about working out alternatives.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1976 04 17.

1977 03 22

Cambridge & District Co-operative Society’s plan to expand the Beehive complex, which was turned down by the county planners, has been given the go-ahead by the Department of the Environment. The scheme, using the former Cadbury-Schweppes warehouse near Coldham’s Lane will provide an extended shopping space, a garden centre and leisure goods sales centre. The Inspector said that as there were still no definite plans for the Fitzroy/Burleigh Street redevelopment the Beehive scheme would meet some of the shopping need without detriment to the city centre.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1977 03 22.

1977 04 20

A multi-million pound deal for the rebuilding of large parts of the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy Street area of Cambridge (The Kite) which would involve a handsome handout to the ratepayers is being negotiated between the City council and two internationally known development companies. Under the deal the redevelopment could be carried out without any cost to the ratepayers. The council would hand some of its land holdings – much now derelict – to the developers on a long lease. In return they would build large car parks for the council, re-grass the New Square car park and erect a number of shops, at least one of them a department store. And at the end of the development period the company would make either a substantial lump sum payment to the council or give it a large cut of the rents collected.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1977 04 20.

1977 07 27

The issue of redevelopment in the Kite area of Cambridge may have dragged on for more years than many care to remember but the controversy it has provoked is far from disappearing. More than 300 people turned up to the Guildhall. Opinions on the scheme varied. A pork butcher, Mr Jack Curtis, who had traded in Burleigh Street since 1945 said he had never seen a scheme that hurt so few people. There were interruptions, including an appropriately timed blast or two from a bugle smuggled in by Mr Arthur Sutton whose house is due for demolition

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1977 07 27.

1979 03 29

The £10 million Kite area shopping and parking scheme scheduled for opening in 1982 may be scrapped if opposition against it throughout Cambridge is strong enough. An official of Grosvenor Estates, the development company, said “If the people of Cambridge do not want our product we shall not give it to them”. But the present indications are that the public does want the Burleigh Street – Fitzroy Street area to be redeveloped as quickly as possible, despite the protests being voiced by pressure groups. The Kite Co-ordinating Council say the plans are ‘hopelessly inappropriate’ and it is a very cheap scheme: Cambridge deserves something much better than this.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1979 03 29.

1981 11 13

Skirting the roadworks and dodging the demolition rubble, the visitor finds the Kite area of Cambridge hardly the easiest or most picturesque place to shop. Almost one side of Fitzroy Street is empty. The top end, which once included a Post Office, sweet shop, denture repairer and café called the Toby Jug, has been flattened. The Co-op department store in Burleigh Street have axed the traditional ceremonial arrival of Father Christmas as it would aggravate traffic problems. Add the lack of parking space and it is not surprising that traders fear for their Christmas profits. 81 11 13a

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 81 11 13a.

1983 10 19

Businessmen and shopkeepers in the Fitzroy-Burleigh Street area are hoping that trade which has been depressed in recent years by the area’s lack of glitter and by the large-scale building works, will now come bounding back. Traders such as the Cambridge Co-op, now in the throes of a redevelopment plan which will see the conversion of its second floor to a suite of offices for letting, should do well. 83 10 19 p14

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 83 10 19 p14.

1985 08 30

Now that the dust has settled after the upheaval of building the Grafton Centre, Burleigh Street and Fitzroy Street have emerged as pleasant shopping promenades. Very few shops remain unlet with Andy’s Records and Lancashire Mills about to open. Fitzroy Street will become more interesting in October when Habitat finally open at the old Laurie & McConnell shop while Burleigh Street will get a similar boost when the House of Holland opens in the old Marcade centre. 85 08 30

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Burleigh Street Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 85 08 30.