Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
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Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
S/WC: West Cambridge
Representation ID: 57877
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
The West Cambridge site represents a very major development in North Newnham. Cambridge University have historically shown considerable reluctance to mitigate the effects of this development. They have failed to implement existing Section 106 obligations to provide a dedicated cycle route East from the site to Grange Road. Although the OPA has been agreed, no new Section 106 agreement has been completed. It is vital that the University makes realistic commitments to new dedicated cycle infrastructure to deal with the massively increased traffic flow. A new Section 106 agreement needs to make this a priority.
The West Cambridge site represents a very major development in North Newnham. Cambridge University have historically shown considerable reluctance to mitigate the effects of this development. They have failed to implement existing Section 106 obligations to provide a dedicated cycle route East from the site to Grange Road. Although the OPA has been agreed, no new Section 106 agreement has been completed. It is vital that the University makes realistic commitments to new dedicated cycle infrastructure to deal with the massively increased traffic flow. A new Section 106 agreement needs to make this a priority.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
S/CB: Cambourne
Representation ID: 57882
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
The further development of Cambourne to provide much needed housing is a logical development. To make this truly successful there needs to be attractive public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge. In relation to the Cambourne to Cambridge busway proposals, the NNRA recognises and supports the need for a separate dedicated route for this infrastructure. Only by segregating public transport from general traffic can the reliability and service frequency necessary to make public transport an attractive option be achieved.
The further development of Cambourne to provide much needed housing is a logical development. To make this truly successful there needs to be attractive public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge. In relation to the Cambourne to Cambridge busway proposals, the NNRA recognises and supports the need for a separate dedicated route for this infrastructure. Only by segregating public transport from general traffic can the reliability and service frequency necessary to make public transport an attractive option be achieved.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
BG/PO: Protecting open spaces
Representation ID: 57884
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
Policy 67 seeks to protect Public Open space but does not adequately reflect the fact that, in environmental terms this aspects of open space is inherent to the location of the space itself . By admitting the possibility that open space with environmental qualities can be relocated, the policy is undermining the very protection that it is seeking to promote. Environmental qualities, including views and openness are not relocatable.The new Plan should continue existing Protected Open Space designations of sites previously assessed of environmental value, as well as recreational value. Policy 67 needs strengthening to reflect environmental location.
Policy 67 seeks to protect Public Open space but does not adequately reflect the fact that, in environmental terms this aspects of open space is inherent to the location of the space itself . By admitting the possibility that open space with environmental qualities can be relocated, the policy is undermining the very protection that it is seeking to promote. Environmental qualities, including views and openness are not relocatable.The new Plan should continue existing Protected Open Space designations of sites previously assessed of environmental value, as well as recreational value. Policy 67 needs strengthening to reflect environmental location.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/HA: Conservation and enhancement of heritage assets
Representation ID: 57889
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
The major existing University developments at Eddington and West Cambridge, which are proposed for acceleration, have significantly changed the character of North Newnham. They represent removal of large areas of open space, with consequent effects on water management and dense urban development on the edge of the West Cambridge Conservation Area. Given this context, maintaining and strengthening Conservation Area policy protection is even more important to preserve The West Cambridge Conservation Area from inappropriate development which would damage its characteristics. Future development proposals could adversely affect the special character of the Conservation Area. Policy 67 does not afford sufficient protection.
The major existing University developments at Eddington and West Cambridge, which are proposed for acceleration, have significantly changed the character of North Newnham. They represent removal of large areas of open space, with consequent effects on water management and dense urban development on the edge of the West Cambridge Conservation Area. Given this context, maintaining and strengthening Conservation Area policy protection is even more important to preserve The West Cambridge Conservation Area from inappropriate development which would damage its characteristics. Future development proposals could adversely affect the special character of the Conservation Area. Policy 67 does not afford sufficient protection.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
I/ST: Sustainable transport and connectivity
Representation ID: 57922
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
We support the development of dedicated cycling and walking infrastructure. There is, however, a need for segregation between the two. Shared pavement solutions are only viable where there is very limited usage. Where there are higher volumes of either pedestrian or cycle traffic or both there is a need to separate these forms of traffic. Mobility as a Service, which is currently being trialled in Cambridge and electric scooters raise issues about dangerous and anti-social usage which do need addressing.
We support the development of dedicated cycling and walking infrastructure. There is, however, a need for segregation between the two. Shared pavement solutions are only viable where there is very limited usage. Where there are higher volumes of either pedestrian or cycle traffic or both there is a need to separate these forms of traffic. Mobility as a Service, which is currently being trialled in Cambridge and electric scooters raise issues about dangerous and anti-social usage which do need addressing.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
I/EV: Parking and electric vehicles
Representation ID: 57927
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
There is an inherent tension between parking provision and encouraging usage of public transport walking and cycling. Cambridge is already a very congested city. There is an urgent need to encourage the use of public transport. This can only be achieved by improving public transport connectivity at the expense of private cars. At the same time car commuting should be discouraged. North Newnham currently has no parking controls. It provides in excess of 400 free commuter parking places all of which contribute to congestion. Parking management and control should be universal across the City.
There is an inherent tension between parking provision and encouraging usage of public transport walking and cycling. Cambridge is already a very congested city. There is an urgent need to encourage the use of public transport. This can only be achieved by improving public transport connectivity at the expense of private cars. At the same time car commuting should be discouraged. North Newnham currently has no parking controls. It provides in excess of 400 free commuter parking places all of which contribute to congestion. Parking management and control should be universal across the City.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
S/DS: Development strategy
Representation ID: 57938
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
Whilst recognising the need for new homes, we are concerned that there is a spiral of development that will continue to put pressure on housing. Limiting commercial development could break this spiral. In any event the aim of providing policies protecting green spaces, important for people’s quality of life, and protecting the qualities that makes Cambridge City a great and unique place to live are vital policy aims. The setting of the historic centre, and its relationship with the countryside with a network of green spaces complementing the built environment must be preserved
Whilst recognising the need for new homes, we are concerned that there is a spiral of development that will continue to put pressure on housing. Limiting commercial development could break this spiral. In any event the aim of providing policies protecting green spaces, important for people’s quality of life, and protecting the qualities that makes Cambridge City a great and unique place to live are vital policy aims. The setting of the historic centre, and its relationship with the countryside with a network of green spaces complementing the built environment must be preserved
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
BG/BG: Biodiversity and geodiversity
Representation ID: 57956
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
The objective to ‘Increase and improve our network of habitats for wildlife, and green spaces for people, ensuring that development leaves the natural environment better than it was before’ is most important. Policies must provide for the protection and enhancement of existing green spaces and corridors, in more urban areas especially where they are adjacent to areas of major development. Developers always seek to underplay the negative impacts of development such as the loss of open space, the effects of hard surfaces etc. Increasing green spaces for people is a necessary counter.
The objective to ‘Increase and improve our network of habitats for wildlife, and green spaces for people, ensuring that development leaves the natural environment better than it was before’ is most important. Policies must provide for the protection and enhancement of existing green spaces and corridors, in more urban areas especially where they are adjacent to areas of major development. Developers always seek to underplay the negative impacts of development such as the loss of open space, the effects of hard surfaces etc. Increasing green spaces for people is a necessary counter.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
S/LAC: Land allocations in Cambridge
Representation ID: 57975
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: North Newnham Residents Association
We support the rejection of following Sites, ref. 40380,40425,40396. They are currently Protected Open Space, and assessment by HEALAA (Appendix 4) reinforces this position. We would stress the contribution of these sites to biodiversity and geodiversity is incorrectly assessed. The sites make a significant contribution to the green corridor between the Backs and the M11. They are an inherent part of the West Cambridge conservation area. Their importance is enhanced given the 66 hectare development on the West Cambridge site. The flood risk assessment is unduly optimistic. Site 40380 has flooded several times in the last twenty years.
We support the rejection of following Sites, ref. 40380,40425,40396. They are currently Protected Open Space, and assessment by HEALAA (Appendix 4) reinforces this position. We would stress the contribution of these sites to biodiversity and geodiversity is incorrectly assessed. The sites make a significant contribution to the green corridor between the Backs and the M11. They are an inherent part of the West Cambridge conservation area. Their importance is enhanced given the 66 hectare development on the West Cambridge site. The flood risk assessment is unduly optimistic. Site 40380 has flooded several times in the last twenty years.
