5. A close relationship with the countryside

Showing comments and forms 1 to 7 of 7

Comment

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167800

Received: 30/05/2019

Respondent: Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Agent: Savills

Representation Summary:

On page 8 of the Village Design Guide, reference is made to the significance of the important gap that currently exists between the edge of Cambridge and Fulbourn village.

The Guide must acknowledge that Policy H/3 of the adopted Plan states(Fulbourn and Ida Darwin Hospitals) states:
''The redevelopment of the existing built footprint of the Ida Darwin Hospital into a different configuration , comprising residential redevelopment on the eastern part of the Ida Darwin site and the transfer of part of the building footprint to the
Fulboum Hospital site for new mental health facilities will be permitted ...... "

Full text:

CAMBRIDGESHIRE & PETERBOROUGH FOUNDATION TRUST.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust are instructed by Savills (UK) Ltd in Cambridge to make the necessary representations to the draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide.

The content of the Village Design Guide is intended to amplify and build on the requirements of policy HQ1
(Design Principles) within the recently adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018.

Once adopted, the Fulbourn Village Design Guide will form a material consideration in determining planning applications for developments within the village. W ith the Trust being a major landowner at the Fulbourn Hospital site, then it is entirely appropriate and relevant for necessary comments to be made to the Design Guide in the event that circumstances where new developments requiring planning permission for new healthcare facilities on the Hospital site are likely to come forward.

The land in question lies to the west of Capital Park which has developed as a major employment area and which includes the original Fulbourn hospital building. Healthcare facilities are now located to the west comprising a series of generally low-rise buildings set back from the main road. The entire site lies on land designated as Green Belt.

On page 8 of the Village Design Guide, reference is made to the significance of the important gap that currently exists between the edge of Cambridge and Fulbourn village . In this context specific reference is made to both the Fulbourn hospital site and Ida Darwin site both of which are the subject of specific policies within the adopted Local Plan (2018). The Trust is aware that separate representations have been made to the Council on behalf of Homes England, who are the current landowners of the Ida Darwin site and where the Council have resolved to grant planning permission for new residential development which will obviously affect the character of that site.

In respect of Fulbourn Hospital site (i.e. where the current mental health facilities are located) at page 8 of the
document it states

"although physically developed, the Fulbourn hospital and Ida Darwin sites have kept low heights and scant night lighting - something that is already being diminished with more recent development on the Fulbourn hospital site and is essential to re-establish and preserve for the future."

It is important that the Design Guide acknowledges that the Fulbourn Hospital site is an important provider of mental health services for the National Health Service as an important health facility in Cambridgeshire and whilst the impacts of new development must be carefully assessed, it is also equally important to acknowledge that new healthcare facilities associated with Fulbourn Hospital may well need to come forward in the future.
In this context , it is important to acknowledge that it was up until relevantly recently (LPA ref: S/2412/07/CAC) in planning terms that Kent House existed on the Fulbourn Hospital site. Kent House was a significantly sized building with the complex of the Fulbourn Hospital site.

In the circumstances where the Village Design Guide must be consistent with adopted planning policy, the Guide must acknowledge that Policy H/3 of the adopted Plan states(Fulbourn and Ida Darwin Hospitals) states:
''The redevelopment of the existing built footprint of the Ida Darwin Hospital into a different configuration ,
comprising residential
redevelopment on the eastern part of the Ida Darwin site and the transfer of part of the building footprint to the
Fulboum Hospital site for new mental health facilities will be permitted ...... "

The Policy permits the provision of new mental health facilities on the Fulbourn Hospital site and consequently a balance will need to be made at the appropriate time to ensure that the development that does come forward is located in an appropriate area having regard to the important operational needs of those services in the context of healthcare and of course the visual impact of development having regard to the character of the area.

At section 12 of the Village Design Guide, reference is made to "development that is inappropriate for Fulboum". Whilst we fully understand the intentions behind this part of the guide but it is important that buildings of a specific style and character and which .are needed for healthcare reasons may well come forward on the Fulbourn Hospital site which because of their particular operational need may well not fall within the traditional building types as it relates to the more residential areas of Fulbourn. Consequent ly a balance needs to be made for new proposals that come forward at Fulbourn hospital having regard to their siting scale mass and architectural detail.

Attachments:

Comment

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167803

Received: 30/05/2019

Respondent: Countryside Properties

Agent: Strutt & Parker

Representation Summary:

We are concerned that the key views referenced are not supported by a thorough views assessment which include photographs of each view from locations where the public are likely to see them.

Apart from the Haggis Gap viewpoint, we are not convinced the other views out of the villages provide 'important' views of the countryside.

We raise concerns with the justification for identifying the field south of the railway line and west of Station Road as having a sensitive visual relationship with the village.

Full text:

I write on behalf of my client, Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd, in connection with the above.

My client welcomes the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft Village Design Guide SPD for
Fulbourn.

We understand that one of the main purposes of the village design guide is to provide a clear design steer to help guide future development in and around Fulbourn. Once adopted, the guide will form material consideration in determining future planning applications for development within the village. It is therefore important that residents, key stakeholders and developers are given the opportunity to make representations to help refine the documents into a purposeful, representative, and sympathetic design guide for the village. This will enable the guide to achieve its purpose of being a clear and useful place making tool, which ensures future development responds positively to and respects the character of the village through its design, scale and layout.

I set out below our views on the relevant section of the guide for your consideration:

3. Community Input

It is essential that the community is involved in this process and feel
that they have a sense of ownership over how the village is
developed in the future.

This section sets out the community aspirations for enhancing the village character and design which includes references to rural setting and important views across open fields (points 2 and 3) but on the same page set out their concerns which include a need for a housing mix and desire to attract local employment

4. Character Areas
The categorisation of character areas provides important reference points and helps to break down the village. This is an important guide for any future development.

Page 6 and 7 talks about the marked village character and the need to retain and strengthen its image by avoiding pastiche replications of existing patterns of developments found on thesuburban and urban fringes of Cambridge. It also talks about the importance of future development having a better appreciation of the context and qualities of Fulbourn;

However , comments on each character area is limited and we believe a more robust and detailed appraisal of each should be carried out. Otherwise, other than providing a general overview of each area, we would question the purpose of this section and how it helps to guide future development. We would therefore recommend a more robust characterisation of each area is carried out by perhaps using annotated maps as a visual tool which is supported by some text.

5. A close relationship with the countryside

Fulboum is surrounded by Green Belt and so its relationship with
the countryside is important in terms of views into and out of the village. This is also important in order to avoid coalescence with Cambridge.

The design guidance section states there are key views out of the village and makes a lot of reference to the importance of the trees.

We are concerned that the key views referenced are not supported by a thorough views assessment which include photographs of each view from locations where the public are likely to see them. Plotting viewpoints in general locations and labelling them as important views could undermine the integrity of the guide.

Therefore , we believe a more detailed assessment should be carried out of all the viewpoints identified on fig.16 to determine the quality of each of the views.

Important views should be those that are appreciated from publically accessible locations and at street scene. Many views whilst assumed important can sometimes be screened by hedgerows/trees/planting , houses, land contours when properly assessed. Apart from the Haggis Gap viewpoint, we are not convinced the other views out of the villages provide 'important' views of the countryside. Fleeting or partial views cannot be considered as important if they can only be appreciated from certain specific locations.

Whilst we understand the desire to try and protect land around the village from development, it is also important to provide a fair and accurate assessment of what are the most important views in and out of the village.

Also, the areas identified as 'Fields with sensitive visual relationship with the Village' does not explain what the sensitive relationship is and from what viewpoints. Some of the fields identified are only viewable from the rear of existing dwellings and so cannot be appreciated as a feature from the public realm. For the purposes of assessing a view, the public realm should be regarded as a place, space, position where people congregate or pass on a regular basis.
We therefore raise concerns with the justification for identifying the field south of the railway line and west of Station Road as having a sensitive visual relationship with the village. The site is surrounded by housing development to the west, south and east, and bound to the north by the railway line. The field is a large open site with limited visual relationship with the village from specific locations within the public realm. The field is only visible at the junction with Church Lane and The Chantry but even at this location the view is dominated by housing and parked cars. We would therefore recommend the designation is removed from the field.

Also the explanation is missing as to why images of only three view points looking towards the village have been included in the guide.


6. A legacy of majestic trees
This section looks at tree coverage in Fulbourn and the importance
they play in forming a vital part of the character of the village.

The design guidance talks about how any development should contribute to this and provides some limited guidance on preferred locations of enhancement. However, there is reference to open views of the countryside which seems out of place when the purpose of the page is to highlight the importance of trees.

The guide should make reference to the potential benefits that development could bring in the terms of enhancements to green corridors, additional tree planting, and soft edges.

The layout of this page could be made a lot clearer in terms of layout. Also for such an important character feature it should be spread across two pages to get a clear message across.
7. Attractive and safe village strets

This section talks about the importance of the historic high streets
to the character of the village and need to protect these.

Several 'Priority mitigation of traffic impacts' areas have been shown on Fig.25. Has a road safety audit been carried out on these areas?

7.1 of the Design Guidance talks about highway design and improvements adopting a style of street appropriate to the village, and uses fig.28 and 29 as examples of this.

7.2 of the Design Guidance states "Carriageways should typically be narrow and slow". Whilst we understand the intention, we believe the language used is too generalising and adversarial to vehicular traffic .Does this relate to the high street or all roads in the village? Narrow carriageways can be used help to moderate traffic speeds but only in suitable locations, particularly in new development. Inserting build out to existing roads or widening existing footpaths to narrow roads is likely to create issues for delivery vehicles , buses, emergency services etc...
With any future growth of the village, there is likely to be an increase in vehicle movements . Therefore , the guide should make provision for this by providing guidance on ways to accommodate and mitigate the impact. We recommend 7.2 should be removed or
replaced with a more balanced statement which acknowledges the need to accommodate all modes of transports in a safe and convenient manner.


8. An improved High Street at the heart of the village

The High Street is generally seen as the main public interaction hub
of any village , and so it is important that any future development respect its character and setting and enhancement is carefully
integrated.

The design guidance sets out a list of considerations and where improvements can be made to enhance the appearance, connectivity and use of the High Street.

Whilst we agree with the intention of this page, we have a concern with the green arrows- "important views of the countryside beyond"
- seem to be out of place on Fig.30. The countryside cannot be seen from the starting location of the arrows . Also, this page is meant to focus on the high street and therefore as the countryside is not visible from the High Street, these arrows should be removed.

We would recommend focusing on showing examples of high street
improvements that the village would like to see .

10. Integrating larger developments within the village

It is important for any new development to be able to knit into the
existing built form and therefore an assessment of the site context
will be important to demonstrate how this can be achieved.

It is also important that the guide is clear on how to achieve this . We therefore recommend the text in the second paragraph is reworded to be made clear and concise,as some of the text seems to contradict itself.

Fig.39.a - how can open views over fields be retained if it has development on it? Does this mean over undeveloped fields? We recommend this is removed as it does not.

Fig.39.e - all street to be designed as green and pedestrian centred - what does this mean? New streets will need to accommodate vehicles. Whilst some part of developments may be able to accommodate shared surface area, the main routes will need to ensure they meet highway standards in terms of pavement and road widths , street lighting, etc...

The Building Design section is overly prescriptive.

10.9/10.10 - The village has 3 storey forms including 3 storey blocks of flats - Windmill Lane and Cambridge Road contains several three storey dwellings and three storey blocks of flats on prominent locations. Whilst this may not be a style or form that is preferred in the village , they are existing feature which add to the variety of the built form.

10.11 - Setting building heights based upon the height of trees is not an appropriate way to maintain the setting the village. Trees form an important part of any village and contribute toward soften development. However, they should not be used to justify maximum heights.

10.12 - "Buildings should not be repetitive" is a very general requirement. There are many examples of contemporary housing developments which use this to good effect , and so should be ruled out.

11. Appropriate scale, materials and details

It is important that new development responds to the local context
and the guide can be used to identify the variety of positive features and styles.

We are concerned that the images in the 'Details and materials that make Fulbourn special' section are very selective and do not reflect the overall variety in the village particularly in terms of fenestration design and arrangements, roof design and form etc...

12. Development that is inappropriate for Fulbourn

This page is overly prescriptive and make very specific
requirements to design , scale and features rather than being positioned as preferences.

Most of the text and images on this page appear to be a wish list of requirements which could be argued stifles innovation and creativity. Clearly, the guide should not be fixing specific design requirements as its purpose is to guide future development not dictate it.

With regards to sections 10, 11, and 12, we are of the view that this part of the guide is overly prescriptive, particularly pages 15 and 18. We would recommend that these pages are removed and the other pages revisited by toning down the language used. Otherwise, we are concerned that the guide would be contrary to paragraph 126 of the NPPF states that "...level of detail and degree of prescription should be tailored to the circumstances in each place, and should allow a suitable degree of variety where this would be justified". We understand the need to achieve and meet high design expectations but this should be allowed to develop through a design process that is context led.

Aside from the above, my client is generally supportive of the purpose of the design guide and its aspirations to ensure any new development within the village respects the character and setting of the built and natural environment. We therefore believe these comments/observations will assist in the preparation and maknig of a well balanced and well thought final design guide.

If you would like further clarification on any of the above comments then please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, I trust these comments are of assistance to you and we look forward to seeing and commenting on any further iterations.

Attachments:

Object

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167812

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: Savills

Representation Summary:

The grant of outline planning permission is to be issued very shortly, the Design Guide needs to acknowlege that there will be approved parameter plans which refer to the development areas, land uses and density and height parameters.

Full text:

On behalf of Homes England, Savills Planning Team have reviewed the draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide and consider that there is merit in referencing in more detail the outline planning permission that is due to be issued very shortly in respect of the Ida Darwin Hospital site. The Ida Darwin Hospital is referred to under the bullet points on page 8 of the Guide and states that along with the Fulbourn Hospital site, the Ida Darwin site has 'kept low heights and scant night lighting' - something that has already be diminished with more recent development on the Fulbourn Hospital site and is essential to re-estab lish and preserve for the future'.

Such a statement whilst possibly representing the current situation, is not going to be reflective of the future having regard to residential development proposals that will ultimately come forward on the Ida Darwin site. There is no doubt that the landscape will change as a result of the policies within the Adopted Plan which identify the Ida Darwin site for new development, the outline planning permission that is due to be issued very shortly and of course the detailed housing proposals that will come forward following the grant of the outline planning permission. To suggest that low density development and scant night lighting will remain in respect of the Ida Darwin site is misleading in such circumstances and we suggest this section be re-written to reflect the current situation and the impending development

The Council will also be aware that as part of any issuing of any outline planning permission, there will be a number of approved plans which will accompany that permission and these will include approved parameter plans that identify the development areas, land uses and density and height parameters. Alongside the description and the outline planning permission, these parameter plans set a template for future development and in such a context , the Village Design Statement should appropriately acknowledge this position.


Attachments:

Object

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167813

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: Homes England

Agent: Savills

Representation Summary:

To suggest that areas such as this will become darker at night time is unrealistic having regards to the site planning status and this needs to be acknowledged within the STatement.

Full text:

Paragraph 5.4 of the Village Design Statement states ' there should be limited night light pollution ; night darkness should be increased, especially at the fringes of the built area and within the green belt '.

Whilst the comments within the paragraph are laudable, it must be acknowledged that the western fringe of Fulbourn will be significantly affected by new development coming forward on the Ida Darwin site consistent with Development Plan Policy and the expectation that outline planning permission will soon be issued for development on that site.

New residential development on the site will of course significantly alter the character of that site and the very nature of built form and the residents within the new properties and on the site in general will introduce a new level of activity which will of course impact on lighting . To suggest that areas such as this will become darker at night time is unrealistic having regards to the site planning status and this needs to be acknowledged within this Statement.

Attachments:

Object

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167815

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: Homes England

Agent: Savills

Representation Summary:

No clear justification for the designation of important local landmark on Figure 16 in reference to the Ida Darwin site. We accordingly suggest that Figure 16 should be amended to remove the designation on the Ida Darwin site.

Full text:

On Figure 16, page 9 where the caption states "the countryside is lived and experienced directly from within the village", it is unclear why the Ida Darwin site has a brown circle shown on the site stating it is an "important local landmark" according to the accompanying key. There is no clear justification of what this landmark is, particularly bearing in mind the other landmarks within the village seem to be identifying discrete buildings or features. It is the case that the Ida Darwin Hospital site is made up of a number of low density mostly vacant unsightly buildings, all of which are planned to be demolished in two phases to provide for new residential development following the granting of outline planning permission in accordance with the Adopted Plan. The inclusion of a designation in the manner shown in Figure 16 seems to suggest the retention of a particular feature or indeed the retention of the site itself in its present form and clearly that is unrealistic having regard to its planning status. We accordingly suggest that Figure 16 should be amended to remove the designation on the Ida Darwin site.

Attachments:

Comment

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167816

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: British Horse Society

Representation Summary:

Opportunities to create new Bridleways and Restricted Byways, the most inclusive form of public access, should be an aim of the guide. The BHS have identified 4 paths, which if upgraded, would provide essential links to other villages and help to join up the fragmented bridleway network.

Full text:

This response is based solely on the VDG. There are numerous, well documented reasons why equestrian access should be included in protecting and improving access including impact on the rural economy, public money should benefit all users, health and wellbeing, local and national planning policies. Should the Parish Council require further details or information, either the BHS would be pleased to answer questions or make a presentation with a view to working with the PC to improve countryside access for all.

Section 5:8 of the guide;
"The rural access and feel of walks and routes that allow access from the village to the countryside, and to natural areas and heritage sites, should be safeguarded and enhanced."

However the Fulbourn VDG does not mention the inclusion of improving links from the village into the local landscape and public rights of way (PROW). It would be nice to maintain and enhance the 'green fingers' which connect the village interior to the landscape.

As well as pedestrians and cyclists, there are many equestrians in Fulbourn, who keep horses at several livery yards in Fulbourn. There is also a local Fulbourn Bridleway Group. The BHS, the local Bridleway and local horse riders should be consulted regarding the improvement of access to prow and how this can be achieved. For instance, upgrading public footpaths to bridle ways would benefit pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to help link up the fragmented network of bridle ways - a requirement of the Cambs Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Opportunities to create new bridle ways and restricted byways, the most inclusive form of public access should be an aim of the guide.

In the parish of Fulbourn are 15 PROW, of which there are only 2 bridle ways and 2 byways, with the rest being footpaths. The distance covered by all PROWS is over 12.5km, although only 2.4km are bridle ways available to cyclists and horse riders. The BHS have identified 4 paths, which, if upgraded would provide essential links to the other villages and help join the fragmented bridle paths.

The footpaths which could be considered for upgrades are;

95/4 14.12km of footpath, linking with BW8 and BR7, which connects the village to Fulbourn Nature Reserve.
95/6 1.06km of footpath, running from Wilbraham Road towards Little Wilbraham and linking with 95/15 to provide a potential circular route over 5km.
95/11 2.56km of footpath, running from Balsham Road to the Roman Road
95/15 3.76km of footpath, runs from Fulbourn Road, Teversham towards Little Wilbraham along Wilbraham River.

The upgrade of these footpaths to Bridleways would enable better, safer, off road connections to neighbouring villages such as Teversham and The Wilbraham's.


Attachments:

Support

Draft Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167818

Received: 24/05/2019

Respondent: Fulbourn Parish Council

Representation Summary:

Fulbourn Parish Council fully supports the Village Design Guide to ensure any new development fits in with the village and any design compliments the local area. Fulbourn would like to keep its rural views an considers it important to plant more grees. Fulbourn has many unique features and is surrounded by agricultural fields. Any new development on the village periphery should give priority to landscape designs to protect and enhance these views.

Full text:

Fulbourn Parish Council fully supports the Village Design Guide to ensure any new development fits in with the village and any design compliments the local area. Fulbourn would like to keep its rural views an considers it important to plant more grees. Fulbourn has many unique features and is surrounded by agricultural fields. Any new development on the village periphery should give priority to landscape designs to protect and enhance these views.

Attachments: