Draft Cambridge Biomedical Campus Supplementary Planning Document

Comment

Representation ID: 200605

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 4.10 of the draft SPD refers to Nine Wells LNR, which is part of the Green Belt. The phase two and three developments yet to come forward may be particularly relevant here given their proximity to the fragile and vulnerable LNR. The issue remains and we suggest its importance is reflected in the addition to the wording of the SPD: “and needs greater protection by extension of its area or other means.”

Comment

Representation ID: 200612

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

“The questions to consider” under “The built form”, asks “Does the proposal… Make a positive contribution to the city’s skyline through careful consideration of its visual impact?” Use of the word “skyline” meaning “the outline of hills, buildings etc, defined against the sky; the visible horizon” seems unclear. Looking at this part of the city’s edge from the fields and Magog Hills outside, it is the whole impression of the buildings that strikes one – their unattractiveness, certainly amongst the older buildings, and their disordered appearance – in so important a view of Cambridge. It is this that new development should seek to modify and improve – and certainly not aggravate. We suggest that the text is amended to capture this meaning more accurately.

Comment

Representation ID: 200614

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Rat running on the CBC's private roads is not recognised in Chapter 3 (Paragraph 3.30) of the draft SPD.

Comment

Representation ID: 200615

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 2.7 notes that the Cambridge South Station will mean that communities of the south of the city and beyond will have better access to the rail network. Network Rail's intention is that Cambridge South will be primarily a "destination station" as noted by the Planning Inspector (October 2022 Report) when recommending the granting of a Transport and Works Act Order. We ask that the wording is amended to reflect the station’s primary “destination” status.

We note that if not managed positively, car “drop off” at Cambridge South Station could cause significant congestion problems at this sensitive point in the CBC’s road network. This underlines the need to avoid use of Cambridge South Station by unauthorized car drivers,
and to encourage use of buses and active travel to gain access to the Station.

Comment

Representation ID: 200616

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 3.24 states “In terms of landscape, the Campus is located between a rolling agricultural landscape in the south…” This is potentially misleading as it omits mention of White Hill / Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury. A more complete description is advisable.

Comment

Representation ID: 200617

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 2.8 states that "the Cambridge Children's Hospital... is currently under construction". This is not correct - it is not currently being built. The wording should be amended to reflect construction and funding realities.

The same paragraph also states that “In 2024, the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital was also approved. This means… there will be four hospitals within the campus, consolidating it as a regional centre
for health care…”. As yet, the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is not funded within the New Hospitals
Programme. we suggest that the proposed wording in the SPD concerning “four hospitals” is modified to reflect the funding realities and the uncertainty they entail.

Comment

Representation ID: 200618

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

The infographic includes facts “Lower cancer, heart and circulatory disease and respiratory disease mortality rates than the national average, with 468 extra lives saved each year”, and “the Campus contributes £4.2bn to the UK economy each year.” The factual basis for these claims by the CBC needs to be demonstrated in detail including the assumptions made in their calculation. They should not be included in the Councils proposed SPD until justified.

Comment

Representation ID: 200619

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 4.19 is an important statement on car parking provision. Its meaning is not clearly expressed in the first sentence and should be expressed more clearly.

As we understand it, CBC aims to reduce the number of car parking spaces planned/permitted and increase the proportion travelling to/from the Campus by public transport and active travel, together with significant further reduction of single occupancy car trips. If this is what is meant, the wording should reflect this in plain English.

The meaning of the second sentence is also unclear: what does “a careful balance” mean? This should be explained.

Comment

Representation ID: 200620

Received: 14/01/2025

Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association

Paragraph 4e 3.2 should refer to the Hobson’s Brook/Vicar’s Brook Green Corridor including Hobson’s Park and Nine Wells Local Nature Reserve not just to Hobson’s Brook. This important point, not least for CBC phase three applications yet to come forward, is underlined by the recent JDCC debate and decision concerning appropriate form of lighting for the new shared use path crossing Hobson’s Park from the Cambridge Guided Busway to the western building of Cambridge South Station. We suggest the wording is amended to refer to all of the Hobson’s Brook/Vicar’s Brook Green Corridor including Hobson’s Park and not only to Hobson’s Brook.