Object

Representation ID: 31183

Received: 22/07/2016

Respondent: Cambridge GRT Solidarity Network

The need for continued Council ownership.

The community has seen that developers have been able to negotiate away their obligation to provide the currently defined 'affordable' housing, community space, green space, as well as any semblance of design integrity; leading to local developments that are out of character with the local area, and adding to existing pressures and problems in the area.

Retaining the Depot site within Council ownership would help enable the community aspirations for live/work units. These would be a continuation of the small-scale local enterprise that is so characteristic of this area. If, however, the site were to be sold on the open market, the City Council relinquishes its means of determining exactly what happens on the site.

The draft SPD leaves resolution of the issues to a future developer. This is unacceptable because the site's capacity depends on resolution of issues for all users (including Bharat Bhavan & Language School).
The draft SPD, exhibition, and transport report give inadequate consideration to access and traffic issues.
The draft SPD's assessment of context is so wrong that it invalidates the whole draft.
The draft SPD will hinder, not enable, resolution of the listed building at risk.
All these issues need to be resolved before the SPD is approved.