Policy BG/GI: Green Infrastructure

9.0 POLICY BG/B1 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
9.1 Policy BG/GI highlights areas within Greater Cambridge that are considered appropriate for green infrastructure initiatives. With regards to the promotion of land in Coton, area 7 (West Cambridge green infrastructure buffer – Coton Corridor) is relevant to land at Silverdale Close given it washes over the site.

9.2 The policy as proposed seeks to ensure development can benefit ‘people, wildlife and the planet’ and provides a list of criteria as to how that can be achieved, including the need to ensure ’proposed green infrastructure is appropriate to its local context’.

9.3 At Silverdale Close, open space is indicatively location to the south of the site, where it can benefit from views of the countryside and Bin Brook along the southern boundary. The development allows the opportunity to enhance Bin Brook by providing long term maintenance along the waters edge and providing suitable habitat features to encourage use of the brook by identified species. On site planting can also respect and supplement the tree planting beyond the western boundary.

9.4 The finalised wording of the policy should be drafted so as not to inhibit development within these areas. As noted, the Site brings forward significant benefits and is a logical extension to the village. The green infrastructure policy must be clear that appropriate development is suitable in this location and the policy should not be an opportunity to deny appropriate development in principle. The policy should then set out the potential requirements to be included within such development.

9.5 At this stage, it is unclear as to how the policy will be worded and therefore further representations will be made in further consultations as necessary.