Question 13. How do you think we should improve the green space network?

Believe it or not, it is possible to walk from Cherry Hinton Brook to Coldham's Common. It is largely very pleasant along cherry hinton brook, and indeed from the Sainbury's roundabout it is trivial to go through a private field to the Common. However, a drug- and alcohol-riddled alleyway alongside Sainsbury's is not very appealing for walkers and children, though many do attempt it as they have little choice if they prefer not to or cannot drive. I suggest partnering with Sainsbury's to open this up - total cost to clean and improve the walkway, and introduce some lighting would be in the low £thousands. It would provide better access to the supermarket, if you want to pitch it like that, and encourage people to walk, not drive.

have green connecting routes

City parks are mainly flat grass areas. Introduction of more diverse plant types (e.g. bushes, grasses, etc) would be both nicer to look at and provide more habitat types.

On the assumption that there will be enhanced public transport services in the future then more consideration could be given to car-free developments or residential schemes with very low parking standards in suitable locations. New tree planting should be positively encouraged in all developments and there should be an ambitious plan-wide network of longer distance footpath/cycleways linking villages to Cambridge, to nearby railway stations and to local employment areas.

Make it a fgundamental condition of every significant development that it includes green space that connects with neighbouring green spaces.

By providing further green space through development (on site) and by contributions raised through CIL and s106 (off site).

The 2011 Green Infrastructure Strategy is a good start. Give it more prominence in planning policy.

Stop using pesticides etc, grow food not just flowers, leave areas wilder not just constantly mown grass.

The Plan should continue as per the current situation – protect important natural areas and, where appropriate, encourage the provision of new greenspace associated with large scale development. Cambridge itself would benefit from further large-scale greenspace on its periphery - i.e. areas large enough to serve the whole population. There are potential opportunities to achieve major new green infrastructure associated with Green Belt release.

New tree planting should be positively encouraged in all developments and there should be an ambitious Plan-wide network of longer distance footpath/cycleways linking villages to Cambridge and key employment areas

The Plan should continue as per the current situation – protect important natural areas and, where appropriate, encourage the provision of new greenspace associated with large scale development. Cambridge itself would benefit from further large-scale greenspace on its periphery - i.e. areas large enough to serve the whole population. There are potential opportunities to achieve major new green infrastructure associated with Green Belt release.

Make easy, local dog walking areas to reduce car travel and dog impact on nature reserves and playing fields High quality but openly accessible playing fields Have longer grass and wildflower areas Have denser scrub areas for bird nesting and roosting Have water bodies for nature, water management and as a focus for exercise. Keep some parts of the edge inaccessible for people and dogs to allow nesting sites (Eddington works well)

This should come from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network. Page 5 of our Exhibition Boards document, submitted in addition to these representations, details how our proposals for a countryside park could contribute to and link with the green space network to the south of Cambridge.

Create a public but closed BIG skatepark (just for members who follow the civic and "how to use" rules). So it can be managed by people from the comunity, or just opened with a card access for all the registered members, providing a good area for socialise and make sport. It needs to be big enough to fit all the children and begineers as well as the amateurs or professionals. With just a big one in a centric place (Jesus Green for example) will be enough for everyone. Important to be covered (by the rain) and lights on the night, as a lot of people can not skate during the day because of school or work.

See answer to Q3 and Q8. Additionally, the new 40 ha country park proposed at Duxford would provide public access to the countryside, which currently does not exist. The development would have a green estate management plan which would link up to other green spaces, walks, and bridleways in the area whilst safeguarding and enhancing existing public rights of way.

Make more of it. Make more of what we already have. Give us back the whole of St Matthew’s Piece. Look after our trees better. Stop over extracting water from our aquifers. Make this a top priority. Oh, and I forgot to add to the previous question about climate change - put solar panels on all south-facing roofs of every public building. All of them. And then maintain them well, sharing the electricity with the community (starting with the most vulnerable).

5.13 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network.

• Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

• Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and well-being. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

It is considered that one approach to improving the green space network is to create significant new green spaces within strategic developments. The selection of suitable strategic sites within the emerging GCLP provides an opportunity to create new green spaces that connect with existing spaces and the surrounding countryside; new spaces would provide alternatives to existing green spaces and divert and reduce recreational pressure from those spaces. The promoted development at South West Cambridge would include a comprehensive new green infrastructure network in conjunction with a landscape-led urban extension, including a new country park with potential connections to Coton Countryside Reserve and an extensive green corridor from Cambridge to the surrounding countryside. A Vision Document and Masterplan for the promoted development at South West Cambridge is submitted with these representations.

• Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

There is a need in Greater Cambridge for a significant increase in 'natural' habitats - relatively undisturbed, wild and biodiverse (the rewilding project at Knepp in West Sussex gives many examples of what can be achieved). Parks and recreation grounds do not perform this function. Current 'natural' habitats should be mapped and a long-term project initiated to enlarge these sites and link them by land purchase or agreements with landowners. This must be by wild, dense and bushy hedgerows with trees (wildlife corridors), and with wide, open margins both sides (unploughed) to provide habitat for a range of flora and fauna. In Fulbourn we would like to see better 'nature' connectivity between sites such as the Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve, the Wibraham River, the Roman Road and Fleam Dyke. The last three are all located on the Fulbourn Parish boundaries. The huge loss of insect life in the countryside, which is the result of intensive farming practices, must be reversed for the benefit of humans, agriculture and wildlife. For example, in fulbourn there is a large swift colony, returning every year as a result of nest boxes installed in new developments and on existing buildings. The colony will only survive if there is a plentiful food source available.

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this answer - if not, please apply it to the relevant question when you compile the responses. I personally felt very let down that in inviting 'sites for future development' South Cambs had accepted areas that fell within the green belt. To build on the green belt directly contradicts everything you have said before about protecting biodiversity and the natural environment. No developer could ever successfully replace and exceed that historical natural environment. It would mean uprooting animals and creatures from their natural habitats, destroying much needed hedgerows and destroying trees that are hundreds of years old. Green belt should be nurtured and protected at all cost.

• Cambridge city park idea - linking all green areas aroiund and within Cambridge Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

I support the proposal from Past, Present and Future for a "Nature Recovery Network"

Green spaces should be easy to walk and cycle through, including having a solid, smooth surface of sufficient width to meet demand for use. It must be easy to use for people with prams, in wheelchairs and for people of all ages and fitness to cycle.

• Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

There seems to be no recognition that large-scale developments are incompatible with preservation of the natural environment. This basically needs to be left alone or sensitively improved. Wildlife needs wildernesses., not planned parklands primarily designed around visitors, their dogs, runners, and cyclists. People and wildlife are generally not a good mix.

• Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes for all abilities to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. • Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment for all abilities. • Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

Green spaces could store rainwater in water butts as domestic households do to use the water during the summer to water shrubs.