8. Landscape setting and village edge
Support
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167705
Received: 17/05/2019
Respondent: Cllr David Bard
Need an additional reference to likely development on former Spicers site and need to preserve Dernford Fen SSSI.
Need an additional reference to likely development on former Spicers site and need to preserve Dernford Fen SSSI.
Support
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167706
Received: 17/05/2019
Respondent: Cllr David Bard
Need an additional reference to likely development on former Spicers site and need to preserve Dernford Fen SSSI.
Need an additional reference to likely development on former Spicers site and need to preserve Dernford Fen SSSI.
Comment
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167715
Received: 29/05/2019
Respondent: Cllr Brian Milnes
Question value of current village edge views
I question the innate value of the current edge of village panorama. It has arisen through happenstance. The example shown consists of views of a rural exception site and commercial buildings. These are not exceptional or particularly attractive views
I strongly agree with the use of tree and hedge planting at boundaries (and within the new developments) and we already use lower density at the edge of developments to soften those boundaries. (These buffers can also improve bio-diversity.)
In fact, I would commend the use of tree planting along the primary routes of the village as a way of improving the ambience of the village as well as their beneficial effects on air quality.
Object
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167719
Received: 29/05/2019
Respondent: Hill
Sawston is described as being located 'in the Area of Restraint South of Cambridge'. However, there is no such allocation in the Local Plan. The Village is designated as a Rural Centre (policy S/8), which are described as '. . .the largest, most sustainable villages of the district' (para. 2.55). As such 'there is no strategic constraint on the amount of development or redevelopment of land for housing that can come forward within the development frameworks' (para. 2.56). Far from being an area of restraint, Sawston has been allocated as a location that can accommodate growth.
Sawston is described as being located 'in the Area of Restraint South of Cambridge'. However, there is no such allocation in the Local Plan. The Village is designated as a Rural Centre (policy S/8), which are described as '. . .the largest, most sustainable villages of the district' (para. 2.55). As such 'there is no strategic constraint on the amount of development or redevelopment of land for housing that can come forward within the development frameworks' (para. 2.56). Far from being an area of restraint, Sawston has been allocated as a location that can accommodate growth.
Object
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167720
Received: 29/05/2019
Respondent: Hill
Fig. 36 shows a landscape buffer between industry and housing of a minimum depth of 20m. This figure appears somewhat arbitrary and is not predicated on a detailed assessment. The need for a buffer, its design and depth is best addressed as part of the detailed design process.
Fig. 36 shows a landscape buffer between industry and housing of a minimum depth of 20m. This figure appears somewhat arbitrary and is not predicated on a detailed assessment. The need for a buffer, its design and depth is best addressed as part of the detailed design process.
Support
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167730
Received: 31/05/2019
Respondent: Woodland Trust
We support the proposal in this section to retain existing trees and hedges and to look for opportunities to plant new trees and hedgerows to provide boundaries at the edge of development. We would also like to see new street trees and trees on areas of greenspace planted within new development, wherever possible. There is strong evidence that planting of trees can help create pleasant, healthy environments for local residents, as well as encouraging wildlife and helping to tackle wider environmental problems such as climate change.
We support the proposal in this section to retain existing trees and hedges and to look for opportunities to plant new trees and hedgerows to provide boundaries at the edge of development. We would also like to see new street trees and trees on areas of greenspace planted within new development, wherever possible. There is strong evidence that planting of trees can help create pleasant, healthy environments for local residents, as well as encouraging wildlife and helping to tackle wider environmental problems such as climate change.
Comment
Draft Sawston Village Design Statement SPD
Representation ID: 167852
Received: 31/05/2019
Respondent: Miranda Fyfe
The draft VDG incorrectly labels an important existing Public Right of Way as a Permissive footpath (page 16, section 8). In fact this is now a Restricted Byway. This VDG/SPD needs to be much more ambitious about enhancing existing and providing new access routes available to all non-motorised users (NMUs) i.e. pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
This draft VDG Document incorrectly labels an important existing Public Right of Way as a 'Permissive Footpath'. In fact, as shown on Cambs map, this is a former footpath is now a Restricted Byway, meaning it is open to all non-motorised users.
This failure to correctly label the only fully NMU-accessible right of way in this particular plan area seems to be symptomatic of a general lack of focus on improving the public rights of way network and providing with all important safe and healthy access into and through the countryside which surrounds their village.
The BHS have submitted a fuller response.