1. Introduction

1.1 Background

ENVIRON UK Ltd has been commissioned to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the options being considered as part of the Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan (CNFE AAP). A Scoping Report was produced in August 2014 and this has been amended in line with consultee comments received.

This report is the Interim SA Report which outlines the results of an appraisal of the sustainability effects of the plan’s options (also referred to as reasonable alternatives). The SEA Directive and transposing SEA Regulations require the identification, description and evaluation of the likely significant effects on the environment of “reasonable alternatives” taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme” (Reg 12 (1(b)). This report is not the formal SA Report which will be prepared once an assessment of the Draft Plan has been undertaken.

(1)1.2 The Area Action Plan

The CNFE site is located between the A14 and Chesterton and is bounded by the Cambridge – Kings Lynn railway line and Milton Road. It straddles the administrative boundaries of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. The Councils have taken a coordinated approach to its development. This approach is to seek the wider regeneration of this part of the city with the creation of a revitalised, employment-focused area centred on a new transport interchange.

In March 2014 Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, following three rounds of consultation with the public and statutory consultees, submitted draft Local Plans to the Secretary of State. Both Local Plans included a commitment to prepare a joint Area Action Plan (AAP) for the site. The proposed boundary for the AAP was set out in the Local Plans under the associated Local Plan policies. Consequently, these draft Local Plans provide the policy framework for the CNFE AAP and the CNFE AAP must be in conformity with them. Figure 3.1 shows the boundary of the AAP area.

1.3 How to comment on this report

This report is not a legally required document, but has been prepared for consultation alongside the CNFE AAP Issues and Options consultation document between 8th December 2014 and 2nd February 2015 in order to present the potential sustainability implications of the issues and options. If you would like to make a comment about this report, please use the following contact details: