It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes an additional employment at land off Butt Lane in Milton, as promoted by EDBF, with the following policy requirements:

• Site Area of 13.80 Ha (Approx. 3.3 Ha for new Police Station and approx. 10.5 Ha for promoted Class E, Class B2 and Class B8 uses).
• Proposed Employment Uses: including Commercial/Office Use (Class E), Class B2 (General Industrial) or Class B8 (Storage or Distribution), and ancillary uses.
• Retain and enhance existing trees and hedgerows at site boundaries
• Vehicular access from Butt Lane
• Pedestrian and cycle connection to Milton Park & Ride
• Pedestrian and cycle connections to future public transport projects e.g. Waterbeach to Cambridge Project or walking and cycling routes to/from North East Cambridge

It is anticipated that the allocation would be suitable for employment uses displaced from North East Cambridge, and that is expressed in the specified mix of uses.

OBJECT

The Proposed Submission version of the North East Cambridge AAP is currently being reported through various committees of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, in advance of public consultation in early 2022.

It is noted that a number of amendments have been made to the AAP, including a 25% reduction in the amount of new commercial (office) floorspace to be provided across the North East Cambridge area and an associated reduction in the number of jobs to be provided from 20,000 to 15,000 jobs. It is intended that there would be no net loss in the quantum of existing industrial (Class B2 and B8) floorspace as a result of the regeneration of the North East Cambridge area. Although it is acknowledged in the AAP that some existing businesses within North East Cambridge would need to relocate as part of the redevelopment.

The Councils intend to support those existing businesses that will be displaced from North East Cambridge, including help to find alternative sites. However, finding alternative sites is likely to be difficult, partly because of the number of businesses that are likely to be displaced either permanently or for a temporary period, and partly because some business will want to remain close to the edge of Cambridge to be close to customers and employees.

The successful delivery of the redevelopment of North East Cambridge is a key part of the development strategy for the emerging GCLP, including in terms of meeting housing needs. However, the redevelopment of North East Cambridge is reliant in part on the timely relocation of existing business from land to be redeveloped by other uses. It is considered that the relocation process would be made easier if additional land was specifically identified in the emerging GCLP for relocated businesses from North East Cambridge, whether temporary or permanent.

It is requested that the remaining land off Butt Lane in Milton owned by EDBF, and adjacent to the new Police Station for Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Milton Park & Ride, be allocated in the emerging GCLP as a suitable relocation site for some businesses that will be displaced from North East Cambridge area as well as for general employment purposes. This outcome would represent the exceptional circumstances to justify the release of land from the Green Belt.

It is considered that, taking into account the neighbouring uses and the current Green Belt status of the site, the land off Butt Lane could be suitable for commercial offices, high quality industrial, or other compatible uses. There may also be an opportunity to deliver an EV charging station in conjunction with the existing and proposed uses e.g. Park & Ride, Police Station, office, and industrial uses.

EDBF’s representations to the assessment of the land off Butt Lane in Milton in the HELAA (Site Ref. 40365) request that the assessment takes into account the approved new Police Station on part of the site (App Ref. S/20/04010/FUL). EDBF’s representations also comment on the potential constraints identified with the promoted development and explain how those constraints would be addressed.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes an additional employment at land off Butt Lane in Milton, as promoted by EDBF, with the following policy requirements:

• Site Area of 13.80 Ha (Approx. 3.3 Ha for new Police Station and approx. 10.5 Ha for promoted Class E, Class B2 and Class B8 uses).
• Proposed Employment Uses: including Commercial/Office Use (Class E), Class B2 (General Industrial) or Class B8 (Storage or Distribution), and ancillary uses.
• Retain and enhance existing trees and hedgerows at site boundaries
• Vehicular access from Butt Lane
• Pedestrian and cycle connection to Milton Park & Ride
• Pedestrian and cycle connections to future public transport projects e.g. Waterbeach to Cambridge Project or walking and cycling routes to/from North East Cambridge

It is anticipated that the allocation would be suitable for employment uses displaced from North East Cambridge, and that is expressed in the specified mix of uses.