Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 204425

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

Riverside should be designated a PRIA because: (i)It is a key link in the City’s sustainable transport infrastructure, as the entry point to central Cambridge for three Greenways; (ii)It is a unique stretch of accessible urban riverfront that connects three green spaces and combines distinctive heritage assets with unspoilt river views; (iii)Work is underway with GCP to realise the area’s potential as a vibrant destination with city-wide benefit; (iv)It sits alongside Eastern Gate Opportunity Area and close to four Areas of Major Change, surrounded by development proposals with major implications for the area.

Comment

Representation ID: 204440

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

For rationale see Policy S/PA/CC comments.

Proposals within the Riverside Area will be supported if they align with the Riverside Vision and emerging thinking on the area’s future potential as a strategic asset for the City as a whole.

Vision: A vibrant connected urban riverfront destination with city-wide benefit that celebrates Cambridge’s relationship with water: Riverside unites Stourbridge Common and Midsummer Common through an elegant inclusive promenade that enhances community life, local heritage and ecological sustainability, making walking and cycling joyful experiences.

Key themes
Character, identity and heritage
Connectivity
Safe, accessible and inclusive
Activation
Environment & biodiversity

Details, see attached

Comment

Representation ID: 204447

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

RARA seeks to re-establish the historical local centre and high street function of Newmarket Road for Riverside residents, with attractive shop fronts, cafes and restaurants. Making the road a single carriageway and tree-lined promenade should be considered for this currently run down and pedestrian-unfriendly stretch. Please rephrase point 2b to start: "prioritise a pedestrian-led movement hierarchy which emphasises.." as in Policy GP/QP. We support point 2c to re-establish the historic route and visual links between Occupation Road and Abbey Road. Please also add to 2c "and the former pedestrian connectivity between Coldham’s Lane and River Lane." (photo attached).

Support

Representation ID: 204456

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

RARA supports establishing a designated centre for street trading operations, particularly regular outdoors markets on Walnut Tree Avenue, an under-used access road, and the space before the entrance of Stourbridge Common, hosting various types of markets for residents and visitors. The areas are not currently designated but have strong potential for smaller markets to emerge and grow over time, given pedestrian footfall and cycle flow data E/W along the river promenade and also N/S between the wards with better connectivity.

Support

Representation ID: 204663

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

RARA strongly supports this policy, which responds to the need of protecting our rivers, safeguarding our views to them and enhancing our relationship with them.

We would add to point 1f. that rivers can and should encourage the wider circulation of tourism to other heritage sites along the river, away from the overcrowded centre.

It has been suggested that 'river meadows' might be a preferable descriptor of our rivers.

Comment

Representation ID: 211844

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

The Riverside area sits alongside the Eastern Gate Opportunity Area (proposed Public Realm Improvement Area) and close to four designated Areas of Major Change. It is surrounded by development proposals which have major implications for the area, and further proposals
will surely follow. Any decisions about these should understand their relationship with the profile and characteristics of the Riverside. For example, we believe there is potential for these combined developments to form an East Cambridge Innovation Hub, with the Riverside area at its centre. Our first aim is to describe what makes the Riverside area such an attractive place to live in
and to visit. Our second aim is to provide a Vision of the area’s future potential as a strategic asset for
the City as a whole.

Comment

Representation ID: 211845

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

The Riverside Area Vision sets out objectives for character, identity and heritage, connectivity, creating places that are safe, accessible and inclusive with three activation spaces and integrate the environment and enhance biodiversity.

Comment

Representation ID: 211846

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

The area has a rich history with medieval beginnings with churches and Leper Chapel. In the 19th century there was the industrial transformation with the landmark building that is now the Museum of Technology (a Scheduled Ancient Monument). The 20th century redevelopment demolished old pumping stations and sewage works and a Tesco store and Riverside Place apartments were built.

Comment

Representation ID: 211847

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

The riverfront is an exceptional asset and an extraordinary resource for opportunities, with Logan's Meadow nature reserve opposite. Wildlife include fish, ducks, swans, herons, kingfishers and cormorants. The river is used for rowing, canoeing, paddleboarding, and boat trips. Visitors can meander along the river to view the action or stay put to watch competitor craft rowing to and from the events. The riverside boulevard is an attractive walking and cycling route with little vehicle traffic. It provides fine
views of the river and nature reserve, and of local domestic and industrial architecture. Growing numbers of commuting and leisure cyclists, walkers and tourists are drawn to the heritage, river, nature and parkland features. It has been described as ‘Cambridge’s beach’.

Comment

Representation ID: 211848

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Riverside Area Residents Association

Agent: Maria Cleminson

The Riverside area provides a scenic backdrop to a variety of sporting and cultural events. In 2022, the amazing Our Place in Space exhibition came to Cambridge, landing a scale model of the solar system in the city. In 2024, an amphitheatre on Midsummer Lawn provided the stage for a magical adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, featuring performances by local residents.