Plans to build up to 75 new homes on land off Back Road in Linton, Cambridgeshire, have sparked fierce debate

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Residents across Cambridgeshire have expressed firm opinions on proposals for new housing in Linton and surrounding villages, with the majority of remarks centring on congestion, parking availability, education facilities and GP surgeries. Some insist on reduced car dependency and improved public transport infrastructure prior to any construction. Others support new developments, even if it results in increased traffic on local routes.

Proposals to construct up to 75 new dwellings in Linton have prompted opposition from residents living close to the intended development location. Local people have expressed concerns about the “long-term harm” the new properties could cause to “road safety, local services, and the existing community”.

The dwellings are planned for land off Back Road in Linton. Of the 75 properties, 30 are intended to be designated as affordable housing, with 45 to be sold on the open market. Gladman Developments Ltd stated its proposals would deliver an “attractive, welcoming and walkable new residential development” with a “strong sense of place that is well integrated within its surrounding landscape”.

The design statement says: “At its heart, the scheme will promote health and well-being through the provision of accessible green public space, new play opportunities, and provision for community food growing; ensuring a vibrant and enduring new community.”

The outline planning application lodged with South Cambridgeshire District Council seeks to deliver a range of housing to address local requirements, while “respecting and enhancing” the site’s environmental features. The proposed development has provoked considerable local opposition, with numerous objections submitted to date. One objector warned that Back Road can “barely sustain the amount of traffic as it is”, cautioning that additional vehicles using the route could “cause chaos”.

One reader, Windypants, comments: “It would be better off being turned into a solar farm.”

Calumen Nomen writes: “Stephen Reed is the housing minister. So he needs a big number of houses to shout about. He thinks this may stop him from being booted out at the next election. He is wrong, but Linton – and a thousand other settlements round here – is to be sacrificed. Tell him all about schools, G.Ps, traffic, etc.”

Freddly quotes: ” ‘One objector said ‘Back Road can barely sustain the amount of traffic as it is’, so more cars using that road could ’cause chaos’.’ We’ve become a one-adult, one-car country. It works in countries with vast empty space, like the US, Aus or NZ. It doesn’t work in crowded countries like the UK. I say build the houses. I am happy to see the SUV people sitting in endless queues of cars and vans.”

Whynot2 replies: “Are you confused with SUVs and 4+4s? There’s a big difference! If developers want to build all over the place they should be obligated to fund an extra GP or nurse at the local surgery and the bigger the development an extra classroom plus teacher or two! This should be done before any development starts, so developers cannot weasel their way out of their obligations when the houses are built.”

Over on our Facebook page, Alan T comments: “75 new builds = 400 extra vehicle movements (trips in & out) per day onto the local roads, probably a few more if school runs are involved. New Build housing creates car-dependent households. Each dwelling has to accommodate parking for at least 2 vehicles.”

Darren Shaw says: “We are getting 80 houses just on the site of the RGE factory and carpark site in Godmanchester, imagine the impact of the extra traffic on the small local road right next to the medieval bridge that can barely deal with the traffic as it is.”

Do you agree with the proposed plans? Comment HERE or below to join in the debate.

The injury to Simons comes amid Spurs fighting for Premier league survival.

Tottenham are in the relegation zone in 18th place and two points from safety with four games left.

The 2026 World Cup, which is taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins on 11 June, with the Netherlands starting their campaign in Group F against Japan on 14 June.

“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me … along with the World Cup,” added Simons.

“Representing my country this summer … just gone. It’ll take time to find peace with this, but I’ll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.

“I’ll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there.

“Be patient with me.”

Simons joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig for £52m last summer and has made 28 league appearances for the club this season, including 19 starts.

He has scored two goals in the top-flight and registered five assists but has struggled to make a major impact during a season in which the club have parted ways with managers Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, who was in interim charge, before appointing Roberto de Zerbi.

Simons also joins a lengthy Spurs injury list heading into their final four Premier League games against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.

Striker Dominic Solanke also went off injured at Wolves, while Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Cristian Romero are all sidelined.

Manchester United have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, who hit out at the weekend after the defeat to Arsenal

Manchester United will be on red alert after Bruno Guimaraes made his Newcastle United frustrations crystal clear following their defeat to Arsenal. The Reds have been repeatedly linked with the Brazilian midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.

With Casemiro leaving Old Trafford, his fellow Brazilian has been touted as a potential replacement, amid ongoing uncertainty around his future at St. James’ Park. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe denied any transfer talk earlier this season, but speculation has not gone away.

The Magpies are expected to sell some big-name players this summer if they miss out on European football and are currently seven points adrift of Bournemouth in the final European spot.

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Speaking to ESPN Brazil after the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, Guimaraes fumed: “Without a doubt, this has been the worst season since I’ve been here. We’ve done great things for the club recently.

“In the last four years, since the club was bought, we saved the team from relegation, won a title after 70 years and went to the Champions League twice. I don’t know if some players got a little complacent; overall, we got a little complacent, but it’s not a good season.”

It’s been a disappointing campaign for Newcastle, with Eddie Howe’s side set to miss out on European football, and Guimaraes added: “I would say it’s a season to forget. We have four games left, we know that the difference to seventh or eighth place, who will qualify for Europe, is possible.

“We have four games to finish in the best way possible, but it’s not a good season on average, even though, individually, I’m having a good year, with more goals scored in the Premier League, it’s a strange mix of feelings.”

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The midfielder’s rant will no doubt have been taken in by United chiefs who may sense an opportunity ahead of their summer plans to revamp their midfield for next season.

Guimaraes’ current contract at St. James’ Park expires in the summer of 2028 and would not come cheaply, while Howe claimed transfer talk regarding a departure was nonsense.

“I don’t think I have to respond to that. It is a waste of my energy,” Howe said earlier this year, via Chronicle Live. “Bruno is our captain and he is fully committed at the moment. He is injured at the moment; his only focus is coming back to fitness.

“I am going to be impolite, for me it is a nonsense story. Is it a problem for us? I don’t necessarily think it is a problem for us.

“But it is unwanted news, I suppose, is the best way to put it. You don’t want the players distracted I don’t know how much they will absorb that.

“For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.

“To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else, he is totally committed here.”

Despite Guimaraes being recently linked, United are understood to have more interest in Elliot Anderson, Ederson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, with plans to sign at least two midfielders in the summer.

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The actress shared the photo after opening up about heading back to work on her latest thrilling drama after becoming a first-time mum

Michelle Keegan shared a rare snap of her daughter, Palma, after opening up about heading back to work on her latest thrilling drama after becoming a first-time mum.

Last week, the Stockport-born actress was seen alongside her new co-star Douglas Booth as they attended the ITV Showcase 2026 at The Design Museum on Thursday (April 23), where their new show, The Blame, was previewed ahead of its release later this year.

It was previously announced that Michelle will be starring as DI Emma Crane in the new “compelling” ITV crime drama, In The Blame. Her character will investigate the death of a teenage figure skater, starring alongside Douglas as DI Tom Radley.

ITV’s synopsis for the six-part drama previously teased: “What starts as a tragic death in the quiet town of Wakestead, spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups, and moral compromise as DI Crane (Keegan) and DI Radley (Booth) dig deeper”.

Speaking to ITV Showcase host Graham Norton about working on the show after welcoming Palma into the world, Michelle said: “Coming back to work after having a baby is quite daunting. The production were so supportive and I was so looked after and it was like working with family.”

While Michelle and her husband, Mark Wright, largely keep their daughter out of the spotlight, over the weekend, Michelle did share a new snap of her little girl.

Out soaking up the spring sunshine, she shared a picture of Palma, without showing her face as they choose to keep her identity private, in which she could be seen sporting a denim jumpsuit covered in embroidered cherry and strawberry details, which had been paired with some vibrant red shoes, as she tucked into some crisps.

Last month, the former Coronation Street star and Mark celebrated a year since they welcomed their daughter, Palma Elizabeth Wright, into the world. Fans may recall that the couple revealed to the world that they were expecting their first child together in a sweet pregnancy announcement just after Christmas 2024, which featured Michelle debuting her blossoming baby bump on a Spanish beach.

Michelle, 38, and Mark, 39, who hails from Essex, then later announced they’d welcomed their daughter into the world on March 12, almost a week after she was born, as they confirmed their unique name for the first child

The hit ITV gameshow returned for a 36th series on Sunday (April 26), with Jeremy Clarkson once again taking on the role as host.

The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter has described the new series as “exceptionally exciting”, and after the first episode, we can see why.

Quiz enthusiast becomes seventh winner on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Only six other UK contestants have ever won the £1 million prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Retired IT analyst Roman Dubowski became the seventh, winning the £1 million jackpot on Sunday night’s episode.

Mr Dubowski, a quiz enthusiast who lives just outside Stockport, said the victory felt “unreal” and revealed he celebrated the life-changing win with “a cup of tea.”

Mr Dubowski said: “It felt unreal. It didn’t feel like the real world, almost, this isn’t where I expected to be.

“It didn’t sink in until later. I did sort of go home quietly, to be honest, I didn’t get drunk – I had to have a cup of tea.

“I think it was just sitting in a quiet room and letting it all sink in, and thinking about what happened in the previous 24 hours.”

After the show, the first person he told was his sister, who was “absolutely thrilled.”

Planning to buy a new house, Mr Dubowski also hopes to travel with his winnings, naming New Zealand and South America among possible destinations.

He said he will share some of the money with his niece and nephew.

Would you have answered the £1 million question correctly?

The crucial £1 million question was: “Used since 1876, which trademarked logo is described in the James Joyce novel Ulysses and depicted in works by Manet and Picasso?”

The options were Bass Ale, The Famous Grouse, Coca-Cola, and Stella Artois.

Mr Dubowski chose to use his 50/50 lifeline before choosing Bass Ale.

He said he felt confident immediately: “When it came up… I thought, I think I know this straight away.”

He recalled seeing the Manet painting A Bar at the Folies-Bergère at The Courtauld Gallery in London, and “distinctly” remembered the red triangle, the symbol of Bass beer.

Despite confidently winning the £1 million, earlier questions nearly saw Mr Dubowski leave empty-handed.

One question asked what is mixed with vinegar, mustard, and oil to make a basic mayonnaise: plain flour, salted butter, egg yolk, or double cream.

Cooking is one of Mr Dubowski’s weak points, so he was forced to use the ‘ask the audience’ lifeline, with 93 per cent correctly choosing egg yolk.

Mr Dubowski “always” wanted to appear on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

A long-time fan of the show, Mr Dubowski said he had “always” wanted to appear on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

He first applied during Chris Tarrant’s time as host but received no reply.

Another application after lockdown was also unsuccessful.

He said: “Then in October last year, I suddenly saw an advertisement, or something online saying they’re recruiting for new competitors again.

“I thought oh, might as well try again, got nothing to lose, and just from that sort of casual opening, it ended up with the top prize.

“So I’m just happy I did it really.”

For other quizzers considering applying, Mr Dubowski recommended the book A To Z of Everything by Trevor Montague.

Previous winners on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Before Mr Dubowski, only six other UK contestants have won the £1 million prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?:

• Donald Fear (2020)
• Judith Keppel (2000)
• David Edwards (2001)
• Robert Brydges (2001)
• Pat Gibson (2004)
• Ingram Wilcox (2006)

Would you have got Sunday’s £1 million question right on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

EXCLUSIVE: Fulton MacGregor said he did not know why the SNP failed to include a commitment for kindergarten in their manifesto.

An SNP candidate has broken ranks by criticising his party’s manifesto on education.

Fulton MacGregor said he was “disappointed” the SNP did not back the introduction of kindergarten, which would raise the age a child starts school.

He also called for the abolition of primary one tests introduced by John Swinney when was Cabinet Secretary for Education.

SNP members backed a kindergarten-stage for younger children at their party conference in 2022.

However, no mention was made of kindergarten when the SNP unveiled their Holyrood manifesto this month.

READ MORE: Top charity blasts Holyrood parties over manifesto promises on child povertyREAD MORE: Malcolm Offord accused of ‘buying his way’ to Reform Scotland top job after admitting donation

MacGregor, an SNP MSP for ten years who is standing for re-election, said at a hustings organised by the Upstart charity:

“Perhaps before I come to what’s in in the SNP manifesto, I will address the issue of kindergarten, of course, which is the main issue that Upstart exists to promote and put on record, which I don’t mind doing, my disappointment that the SNP manifesto does not include a commitment to kindergarten in this parliamentary term.”

He added: “This is despite my own personal best efforts to try and get it there, and I know actually the cabinet Secretary for Education and the outgoing minister Natalie Don both also were supportive of that as well.

“I think it should be recognised, though, that a kindergarten stage is SNP party policy, which I’m very pleased about and just because it isn’t in the manifesto does not mean that it isn’t something that can be taken up in the next parliamentary session.”

Journalist Lesley Riddoch, who chaired the hustings, told MacGregor his criticism was “astonishingly honest” and asked what the SNP’s problem was with the policy.

He replied: “The honest answer is I don’t know.”

MacGregor, who is standing in Coatbridge and Chryston, also said: “I think perhaps it’s maybe not seen as being as of an urgent concern as other areas.”

On primary school testing, a policy defended by Swinney, he said: “I’ve been an outspoken critic of testing at P1.”

He continued: “I just don’t think that they should exist at all. I don’t think that it’s one of these things that you can make better, you can make less intensive.

He also said: “But they just really shouldn’t be happening. And I don’t mind saying that. That could be seen as quite strong, but I do think that we should take the opportunity early in this next parliamentary session, hopefully under an SNP government again, to get rid of them rather than trying to dilute them. They should just go.”

MacGregor also said he is “not a fan” of homework at a primary school level.

In 2018, Swinney as Education Secretary rejected calls to axe P1 tests:

“Frankly many of the criticisms from opposition politicians have ranged from ill-informed to hypocritical.

“Some opposition politicians are now proposing to scrap P1 assessments.

“To do this would be deeply irresponsible, and parents would quite rightly never forgive any politician who puts party politics ahead of the educational interests of their children.”

This year, that day marked the 30th anniversary of the St George’s CE Primary School in Westhoughton with a special reunion with former staff and governors being invited to celebrate the milestone.

The day was capped of by a church service in the school’s on-site church, which on weekends is used by people from around Westhoughton as their local place of worship.

Pictures from the church service (Image: James Young)

School headteacher James Young said: “It’s been a lovely day, but very busy!

“The service will be all about celebrating St George’s Day and celebrating 30 years of the school.

“We try and focus on out motto, which is all about loving life. It comes from John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The library, opened in 2024 (Image: Dan Dougherty)

St George’s CE Primary School moved from its previous home on Hart Common in 1996, as the previous building – which had been there for 125 years – was no longer fit for purpose.

It was at this point that Hart Common School, as it had previously been known, became St George’s CE School.

The library was opened in 2024 by poet Levi Tafari (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“We came from Hart Common with 100 children,” said Jackie Goodwin, who was a governor at the time of the transition – and still is today.

“The old building wasn’t fit for purpose anymore – it was too small.

“We took the original stained glass windows with us when we made the transition, as well as the wooden plaques with the names of people who died in the war, so there is continuity between this building and the old one.”

Extracts from the 1879 logbook of the original Hart Common School (Image: James Young)

Dave Smith currently a ‘foundation governor’ on the board of the school, was also a governor at the time of the transition.

“I’ve got a connection with school as all three of my children went here and they all did really well,” said Dave.

“The old building was just too small and not suitable – this one is very light and bright.

Hart Common School had been in place for 125 years, across which period they only had five headteachers, said Mr Smith.

A celebration poster from the children of St George’s (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“When you got that job you didn’t leave it!” he said.

Mr Smith added: “When the old school was set up Hart Common was just a small collection of houses, but as Westhoughton grew it made sense to move to a bigger building.”

One of the most striking things about St George’s CE School is the sense of community they have managed to foster.

Many former teachers still keep in contact with current staff, and many children are children of former pupils.

Picture of the previous school building at Hart Common (Image: James Young)

“There are a lot children here that are now on their second or third generation,” said former headteacher Simon Bramwell, who was visiting for the occasion.

“Ms Fairbanks, who teaches here now, used to be a pupil.”

Marilyn Sweet was a reception teacher at St George’s at the time of the transition, having spent 15 years at Hart Common before it moved.

“It was a good name for the children, because I could say ‘I’m Sweet now, but if you misbehave I’ll turn sour!” Marilyn said.

She played a very active role in school life during her tenure, even designing the school’s original logo.

“I have very fond memories of the place,” she said, “and being here again is bringing back more and more.

30th anniversary cake (Image: James Young)

“This used to be my classroom, but everything has moved!”

The back room that we were in had recently been redecorated and was not currently being used as a classroom.

After a tour of the school, the children gathered in the main hall for their St George’s day service.

Bridlington and Filey Coastguard rescue teams were sent to Thornwick Bay in Flamborough around 12.30pm yesterday (Sunday, April 26).

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A manual rescue operation was hampered by a scene the coastguard described as “a narrow knife-edge pinnacle, with sheer drops either side and no safe option for a rope rescue.”

A spokesperson for Bridlington Coastguard rescue team said: “The call was made to request a rescue helicopter.

“In a tense and highly skilled manoeuvre, the aircraft arrived on scene and carried out a low-level winch, carefully lowering the winchman onto the precarious ledge.

“The casualty was secured in a rescue strop and lifted to safety.

“The helicopter then landed at a site prepared by coastguard teams, where the casualty was safely reunited with family members.

“Thankfully, despite the dramatic circumstances, the casualty escaped injury just very cold after the ordeal.”

Thousands of runners, including a host of famous faces, crossed the London Marathon finish line on Sunday, amid warm temperatures, with many punching the air in triumph on the Mall. Among the notable participants were Wicked actor Cynthia Erivo and former England cricket captain Sir Alastair Cook.

Cynthia Erivo achieved a new personal best, completing the 26.2-mile course in approximately three hours and 21 minutes, significantly improving on her 2022 time of three hours and 35 minutes. After her arduous run, the Oscar-nominated star, visibly exhausted, was helped to a seat before speaking to the media.

Reflecting on her experience, Erivo shared: “There was a little rough moment where I thought it was never going to make it, but then I found a little bit of strength. I’m here, and I feel really proud.” Despite her early 5am start for the marathon, Erivo was scheduled to perform all 23 roles in Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre in London on Monday evening. “It’s at 7.30pm, so I should be fine,” she quipped, adding: “I may be a little slower than usual.”

When asked about the potential for the London Marathon to be held over two days in the future, Erivo commented: “It would be amazing. I may be just watching next year, though.” She expressed her love for running, explaining that it allows her to “zone out” and “just be me”, providing a moment to “centre… I get to think about the things that I want to think about, zone out for a second, meditate for a second”.

The distinctive Peppa Pig theme tune heralded the arrival of children’s TV character Daddy Pig at the finish line, accompanied by “The Body Coach” Joe Wicks. The pair completed the course in five hours and 51 minutes, running in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society, following a storyline in Peppa Pig that revealed George Pig is moderately deaf.

Post-race, Wicks conveyed his immense pride in Daddy Pig, praising his dedication to training and his impressive performance despite the warm conditions. He noted the crowd’s reaction: “It’s lovely when people say ‘Joe!’ and give me a little cheer, but 99 per cent of it was ‘Daddy Pig, give us a wave!’, kids smiling, kids getting excited. So I rode off the energy of Daddy Pig today, and it was great.”

When questioned about other animated characters he might like to run alongside, Wicks responded: “Who can top Daddy Pig? There aren’t many people… maybe one day, when Peppa’s older, she might run with me as well.” He also addressed social media speculation regarding Daddy Pig’s identity, stating that while social media has been “great at stirring up conspiracies… Daddy Pig is a pig and that is it. There’s no human being involved”.

Sir Alastair Cook, upon finishing his race, declared the finish line as his favourite part. “Apart from that, just seeing the number of people that come out,” he added. He found a moment of personal joy at the 20-mile mark: “I’d just say, seeing my little boy (Jack) and my family at around about the 20-mile mark, it didn’t inspire me to run any faster, because I was done, but it was nice to see his face.”

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Comparing the marathon to his cricketing career, Sir Alastair remarked: “Cricket’s easy. When you’ve finished, when you’re not very good, you cash out and sit down. There’s no hiding place here.”

Other notable finishers on Sunday included BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth, F1 driver Sebastian Vettel, former Arsenal and Wales footballer Aaron Ramsey and former British women’s tennis No 1 Laura Robson.

Fire crews raced to the home on Sunday afternoon.

A huge fire has torn through a house near Aberdeen. Emergency services were called to a property on Coronation Road in Peterculter, on the outskirts of Aberdeen, at around 2pm on Sunday.

Footage of the blaze showed thick black smoke billowing from the front door of the house and rising through the property’s roof. Sirens could be heard in the distance as neighbours stood watching on the pavement in disbelief.

A number of fire crews were sent to the scene and spent a few hours bringing the fire under control

It is unknown if anyone was injured in the blaze. The property is understood to have suffered significant damage.

Speaking to The Courier, one onlooker said: “The roof has caved in and the whole house seems to have been destroyed.

“I think firefighters are now trying to stop the fire from spreading into the neighbouring house.

“It must be horrible for the owners – a nightmare.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland were contacted for comment.

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