The Greater Cambridge shared planning service has published a joint plan for how a new district could be created on a site between the A14, the Cambridge North Railway Station, the guided busway and Cambridge Science Park. The service is a partnership between South Cambs District Council and Cambridge City Council.
Peter Topping, leader of the Conservative Group at SCDC, said: "This proposal for making good use of the last major brownfield site around Cambridge has only been possible because of the infrastructure bid put forward in 2017 to government by Conservatives in charge of South Cambridgeshire and the Labour administration in the City of Cambridge and fully backed by the Combined Authority.
"One of its benefits is it enables thousands of houses to be built close to places of employment, removing the pressure on further house building in the villages of South Cambridgeshire.”
Councillors at both councils will discuss the plans before a public consultation, expected early next year, explores the issues for the site and the options for regenerating it. These include:
- The overall vision for the area.
- The types of development which could take place.
- Any constraints influencing how it is developed.
Ideas within the report include the opportunity to create a 'low carbon' district, reflecting the idea jobs in the adjoining science and business parks could be supported by nearby new homes and local facilities for new and existing residents and businesses, reducing the need to commute.
Following initial feedback, it also highlights the need to reduce significantly the reliance on private cars at the development, so it does not further contribute to congestion on the local roads in the area.
Anglian Water’s treatment facility will need to be relocated for comprehensive regeneration of the area to take place. In the past the cost of relocating the facility has meant this has not been an option the councils could consider.
However, a bid to government under their Housing Infrastructure Fund – which was set up to help sites like Cambridge Northern Fringe get off the ground – has recently been submitted to move the water treatment facility. The bid successfully passed the first round of government assessment and the final outcome is expected in the spring.
SCDC's Scrutiny Committee will consider the plans on 18 December before the Council’s Cabinet will be asked to agree a public consultation at its meeting on 9 January. Cambridge City Council’s Planning Policy and Transport Scrutiny Committee will also consider them on 15 January.
- Use this link for a copy of the report.
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Peter Topping
District Councillor, Whittlesford Ward
01223 834 905 / 07825 876 582
Peter Topping
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South Cambridgeshire District Council
South Cambridgeshire Hall
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
CB23 6EA
T 03450 450 500
F 01954 713 149
E scdc@scambs.gov.uk
T @SouthCambs
W www.scambs.gov.uk
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South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
You can write or visit us at:
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