Dear North East Cambridge (NEC) Planning Team

Thank you for inviting a response to your proposals, which I received through my letterbox about a month after the start of the consultation period, and thus only two weeks before the closing date. As a result, I am having to write to you while on an extended foreign trip. That is not a satisfactory way to consult.

I write as a someone who has lived on the edge of the NEC area for over 40 years, a period which has seen many changes in the area, and on its periphery. I have followed these changes keenly. I welcome in broad terms the development of the NEC area, but wish to make the following observations:

1. Noting the proposed vision and objectives, I would strongly question whether "the place" as currently delineated could achieve "a strong identity", as proposed in objective 1. I think that the area is fundamentally two distinct places, on either side of Milton Road, north east of the Kings Hedges Road/Green End Road crossing.

2. To the left, heading north east are the established residential communities largely along the Kings Hedges & Lovell Road axes, plus their Regional College and Science Park neighbours. There is no scope for further residential development, without major change of use from commercial to residential use between Seeleys Court and the Science Park, which you are not proposing. It seems to me that the major issues in this part of the area are (i) the creation of a Local Centre to serve the residential population (plus that of Ramsden Square), for which provision is indicated in your proposal, and is welcome, and (ii) hugely improved links across Milton Road at its widest, busiest and most complex, to Cambridge North station by bike, foot and public transport. Again, this is outlined in your proposal and is welcome. However, wide and busy arterial roads delineate areas with which communities identify. There are no convincing arguments in your proposal that north east Milton Road is an exception to this rule. Given this major constraint, the two sides of the road are and will surely remain distinct areas for the great majority of people residing and/or working in them.

3. To the right, heading north east, is an utterly contrasting area, with little current residential provision, but plans for very substantial residential development to the north of Cambridge North station, including on sites that are currently industrial. This is welcome, but the ambitions expressed for this development - in your vision and objectives statement - seem to me muddled and of limited use. How about setting the vision in terms such as "a place that strives for the highest attainable health, wellbeing and harmony of all who live, work and play there, through setting, promoting and sustaining the highest possible standards of urban landscape design, environmental cleanliness, ease of transport, and work, recreational, and local democratic management opportunities, while achieving net zero carbon usage, and in so doing acting as a standard bearer for the whole of Greater Cambridge" Such a vision statement would lend itself better to the development of specific, measurable, achievable, reviewable, time-related objectives.

4. Finally, your proposals are inadequate as regards the involvement of the population of the area or areas in the development of their 'quarter(s)'. A series of one-off consultations, with or without 'proposals ping-pong' with residents associations and other interests, are not substitutes for an ongoing rich dialogue with the local residential, business and other communities, organised in a way that enjoys popular confidence in the area(s). This needs to be re-considered, and proposals brought forward for public discussion.

I hope that these comments are useful.

If I can get into your online interactive consultation system from my present location, I will attempt to respond via there as well.