Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Representation ID: 33126

Received: 26/03/2019

Respondent: Miss Rhiannon Evans

Representation Summary:

Paragraph 7.24 notes that 'Mixed use development, with a diverse range of residential, employment, education, retail and local amenities would provide the opportunity for those living and working in the area to access many services without using a car'. The plan states the need for a diverse range of amenities, including strong educational facilities. This should be supported by planning for a secondary school on site.

Full text:

My comments all relate to the need for a secondary school to be built as part of the NEC area plan.

The County Council's methodology for planning secondary school places is that 18-25 places are needed to cater for the demand for each 100 homes built. 5000 homes (a figure quoted in the press and not contested by council officers when asked at a meeting) would potentially generate a need for 900-1250 secondary school places. This level of demand cannot be accommodated in existing local schools, and therefore a new secondary on the NEC site should be considered. In addition, the published SCAP (school capacity) forecasting data indicates a shortage of 611 secondary places in Cambridge City by 2023-2024. This does not take account of any development in NEC. As a result, it is clear that the additional 900-1250 secondary places will not be available in other local schools.

Point (vii) of the executive summary notes that 'In particular, the successful regeneration of the NEC area is not just about providing for new development and physical growth, it is also about the realisation of the social benefits and improvements to the overall quality of place that new development can deliver'.
Social benefits are most likely to be delivered via excellent, local educational institutions. The adjacent wards are deprived. Investing in secondary education in the NEC would increase life chances for residents and provide a clear educational centre for the whole community to benefit from.

Paragraph 6.16 notes that 'As an innovation district, NEC needs to capitalise on great links to education facilities in the area to improve links to businesses'. This clearly recognises the importance of education in the area and would be bolstered greatly by a secondary school serving as the educational hub for the local community.

Paragraph 7.24 notes that 'Mixed use development, with a diverse range of residential, employment, education, retail and local amenities would provide the opportunity for those living and working in the area to access many services without using a car'. The plan states the need for a diverse range of amenities, including strong educational facilities. This should be supported by planning for a secondary school on site.

- Pupil number forecast combined with key goals for the development present a clear case for a secondary school to be included in the NEC area plans.