The proposed boundary is not appropriate as it does not fully reflect the surrounding landscape context, thereby limiting future design options. It is essential to incorporate the river corridor for the following reasons:
1. Elsewhere in the consultation the movement, green space and open space sections refer to creating and enhancing linkages from the site to Milton Country Park and the river.
2. The green space, open space and biodiversity sections all refer to solutions and interventions involving the river corridor.
3. With respect to achieving biodiversity net gain, it is highly questionable whether this could be achieved within the current proposed boundary, particularly with the development of Chesterton Sidings, which was until very recently a high quality brownfield site supporting priority habitats, the loss of which must be compensated. Other design considerations may legitimately dictate a high density approach to development with a relatively limited area of green spaces and a greater use of multifunctional green spaces, all of which significantly reduce the potential to achieve a net biodiversity gain on-site. The off-site biodiversity compensation / offsetting that will almost inevitably be required must be planned strategically in advance. Whether these go to support strategic habitat creation at places such as Wicken Fen, are developed adjacent to the site along the river Cam corridor, or a mixture of these approaches will need to be decided now. Provision of strategic green infrastructure in additional to Milton Country Park, and biodiversity enhancement and offsetting, both along the River Cam corridor should form part of the NE Cambridge AAP. This approach would significantly benefit the overall quality of place at NE Cambridge, and the quality of life of those who live and work there.