Cambridgeshire County Council as landowner is seeking to promote land adjacent to Buckingway Business Park (reference 40191) for a new Highways Depot for the County Council. This would involve the relocation of this use from their existing premises on Station Road, Whittlesford, thus freeing up that land for development as part of the Opportunity Area (GCLP policy reference S/SCP/WHD).

The existing depot at Whittlesford Parkway is too small for operational purposes. Its location off the A505 impacts its accessibility at peak times, which in turn impacts the County’s ability to efficiently treat the road network. It is also an unneighbourly use in close proximity to residential and leisure uses as it requires 24hr access. Noise, odour, dust and lighting can all have adverse impacts on neighbouring amenities. Further, the existing buildings are no longer fit for purpose and require significant investment for continued use.

For these reasons the County as landowner and as highways authority would support the relocation of their highways depot to the land north of the A1307 at Buckingway Business Park. The 7.54ha site is located immediately north of the de-trunked A1307. It is currently accessed via Anderson Road which runs through Buckingway Business Park and CCC's site identified for proposed employment allocation (reference S/RRA/BBP). It has the potential for direct access to the A1307 and A14.

This allows co-location of compatible uses away from sensitive neighbours. The site has much better access to the strategic road network and is central within the County, minimising lengths of journeys that highways vehicles need to take. Please see letter of support from the Director of Highways, Cambridgeshire County Council.

Requested Change
It is requested that the development strategy for freight and delivery consolidation includes an additional allocation at Buckingway Business Park, as promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council, with the following policy requirements:
• Site Area of 7.54 Ha
• Provision of highways depot and associated facilities
• Access from Anderson Road and A1307