Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Girton Position
Any such proposals must respect Green Belt, flood risk, and rural landscape.

Key Points
Green Belt restrictions limit available land.
Flood‑risk areas unsuitable.

GPC Requests
Require rigorous site assessment.
Avoid Girton Gap and flood‑sensitive locations.

Girton Position
Transport is Girton’s top priority, with 293 mentions in community engagement. The village requires safe, direct Active Travel links to Eddington, Darwin Green, Histon, and Madingley Road.

Key Points
NIAB bridge reinstatement is essential.
Tunnel under Huntingdon Road is required for safe separation. (Aspirational but worthy of consideration)
Strongly support Active Travel link between Girton & Histon/Impington
DG2/3 Active Travel links (Wellbrook Way, Thornton Road, Thornton Close) must be Phase 1.
Remove severance between Girton, Histon & Eddington.

GPC Requests
Formally safeguard all Girton Active Travel corridors.
Insert tunnel/green underpass under Huntingdon Road into strategic infrastructure schedule. (Aspirational but worthy of consideration)
Require integration with Madingley Road P&R.
Ensure child‑safe, fully separated routes.

Girton Position
Travel hubs must integrate with Girton’s Active Travel priorities, not encourage increased car travel or sever community areas.

Key Points
Girton’s transport issues centre on severance, not hub capacity.
Travel hubs must connect directly to safe cycle links.
Hubs must support vulnerable users and school routes.

GPC Requests
Ensure any travel hub upgrades align with Active Travel corridors (DG2/3, Eddington, Histon).
Prioritise safety, lighting, and segregation.
Avoid car‑dominant hub expansion within the parish.

Girton Position
Parking stress already affects Girton; EV strategies must not worsen congestion or obstruct pavements.

Key Points
Pavement obstructions undermine safety and active mobility.
EV charging must avoid reducing footway accessibility.
Car‑lite solutions are preferred.

GPC Requests
Require EV infrastructure that does not obstruct pavements.
Prioritise mobility‑impaired safety and school routes.
Encourage EV charging at hubs, not along narrow streets.

Girton Position
Servicing must not increase pavement obstruction, congestion, or conflicts with Active Travel, especially near schools.

Key Points
Girton faces narrow pavements and constrained junctions.
Last‑mile servicing should be cycle‑compatible.
Distribution activity must avoid increasing severance.

GPC Requests
Require safe, unobtrusive servicing solutions.
Encourage e‑cargo, micro‑hubs, or off‑street delivery points.
Design servicing away from school approaches.

Girton Position
Girton needs safeguarding of Active Travel links, NIAB bridge, Huntingdon Road tunnel, and blue‑green flood infrastructure.

Key Points
Girton relies heavily on infrastructure that is currently unprotected.
Failure to safeguard risks losing critical connections.
Blue‑green infrastructure also requires safeguarding.

GPC Requests
Safeguard:
NIAB bridge
Huntingdon Road tunnel
DG2/3 Phase 1 links
Girton–Histon corridor
Washpit & Beck Brook drainage systems
* Include all in infrastructure schedules.

Girton Position
Energy planning should support local renewables, micro‑grids, and community energy connected to key sites (e.g., Pavilion, youth spaces).

Key Points
Renewable energy supports community wellbeing and resilience.
Infrastructure must fit rural character.
Localised energy reduces network stress.

GPC Requests
Enable village‑scale renewable energy.
Encourage micro‑grids tied to community assets.
Avoid large infrastructure that urbanises the parish.

Girton Position
Girton requires early‑phase delivery of Active Travel and flood‑risk mitigation, not back‑loaded promises.

Key Points
DG2/3 Phase 1 links must be delivered early.
Flood mitigation must be front‑loaded.
Infrastructure sequencing is essential to safety.

GPC Requests
Place Girton’s Active Travel links in early delivery tiers.
Require early flood‑mitigation for brook‑affected catchments.
Ensure transparent delivery timetables.

Girton Position
Digital infrastructure should enhance connectivity without harming rural character or obstructing routes.

Key Points
Village needs dependable broadband/mobile access.
Telecoms installations must be sensitively sited.

GPC Requests
Require sensitive design and siting.
Protect heritage assets and views.
Avoid obstructive street furniture.

Girton Position
Construction must avoid severance, protect school routes, and minimise flood and noise impacts.

Key Points
Traffic management is essential during works.
Construction can worsen flooding if drainage is disrupted.
Dust/noise affect wellbeing.

GPC Requests
Require Construction Management Plans to:
Maintain Active Travel routes
Avoid disruption to brooks/drainage
Protect school access
* Impose strict working hours.