Rural Southern cluster
28. CPRE objects strongly to Policy S/GC: Genome Campus, Hinxton. The proposed policy area is many times the area of the existing campus and the majority of it is on productive farm land on the opposite side of the
A1301. To hide this attempted sprawl into the countryside by badging it as a potential expansion of the
Wellcome research business, when that business has room for expansion on its existing site, is less than
honest.
29. This area of land may be close to a significant road junction but Hinxton is a rural community with a long
history in a countryside location and this should be respected. We find this proposal doubly surprising
when it was only just over two years ago that CPRE supported the District Council in its rejection of a
similar proposal in the countryside near Hinxton, rejection which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate
on appeal.
30. CPRE objects most strongly to Policy S/BRC: Babraham Research Campus. The proposed policy area would approximately double the size of the existing site. It is unacceptable to withdraw this area from the Green
Belt. Withdrawal is not consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework. The Babraham site is
located within the Cambridge Nature Network and adjacent to two strategic green infrastructure areas
(Green Infrastructure Strategic Initiatives: Gog Magog Hills (3) and River Cam Corridor (2c)).
31. Vague terms such as these used by the Shared Planning Service:
• Protect and enhance the landscaped setting of the site
• Preserve the appearance of the conservation areas, and the setting of the Grade II Listed Babraham
Hall and the Grade I Listed St Peters Church.
• Protect and enhance the corridor of the River Granta (recognised as a county wildlife site)
• Take steps to include sustainable travel opportunities, including the opportunities provided by the
planned Cambridge South East Transport Scheme.
• Retain the area of The Close as key worker and affordable housing to support the needs of the
Campus. Any future renovation or replacement should retain the low density character, which
responds to the sensitive village edge location.
provide no comfort that this Policy will not lead to further sprawl into the countryside.
32. The proposed Policy Area extension is on higher ground than the existing campus buildings and the location is sensitive in landscape character, being visible from the higher ground of the Gog Magog Hills, including
from the Roman Road Scheduled Ancient Monument. The landscape has already been damaged by one of
the recently constructed buildings on the campus. CPRE is very concerned by the further development of
this site towards Cambridge and we will request the Secretary of State to consider very carefully any
further attrition of the Green Belt at this location.