Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

The proposed allocation seeks to deliver a comprehensive, masterplan-led redevelopment of Whittlesford Parkway Station and the surrounding area.
Whittlesford Parkway Station, together with the associated operational railway infrastructure, is owned by NR. The station is operated and managed by GA under a lease agreement.

NR and GA welcome the policy’s emphasis on delivering improvements to accessibility and facilities at Whittlesford Parkway Station, as well as the aspiration to create a multi-modal mobility hub that promotes sustainable travel choices and improved integration between different modes of transport.

NR and GA are pleased that GCSP has considered the previous feedback provided within NR’s Regulation 18 representations, and that Part 2 (b. i) of this policy has now been amended to include reference to step-free access.

NR and GA are supportive of the proposed allocation and strongly encourage GCSP to engage with us at an early stage to discuss the proposed masterplan, including its objectives, phasing, and funding arrangements. Early engagement will be essential to ensure that any proposed works are deliverable, appropriately coordinated, and fully aligned with the station’s current and future
operational requirements.

Feedback on Figure 38 (Indicative Spatial Framework for S/AMC/NEC: North East Cambridge Area of Major Change):

NR’s Regulation 18 representation raised concerns regarding ‘Figure 17: Spatial Framework S/NEC: North East Cambridge’. NR acknowledges that GCSP have considered this feedback and sought to address these concerns through the preparation of the new ‘Figure 38: Indicative Spatial Framework for S/AMC/NEC: North East Cambridge Area of Major Change’.

In particular, NR welcomes the changes made in relation to the Cambridge Strategic Freight Site, the railhead at Chesterton Sidings, and NR’s emerging proposals for a new MDU in this location.

Notwithstanding this positive progress, NR considers that a further minor amendment to Figure 38 is still required to ensure that the safeguarded rail sidings are accurately represented. The requested amendments are shown below.

Extract from existing Figure 38:
[see attachment]


Proposed alteration to Figure 38:
[see attachment]


The draft Local Plan should also make it clear that Figure 38 is intended as illustrative and is not a prescriptive tool.

Reference to Railhead:

Part 6 (c) of the draft policy refers to the ‘Aggregates Railhead’. NR considers that this terminology is unnecessarily restrictive and does not fully reflect the strategic function and potential future role of the railhead facility. Whilst the railhead is currently used predominantly for the handling of aggregates, its importance extends well beyond a single freight commodity. The railhead forms part of a strategically important piece of rail-connected freight infrastructure which has the capability to support a wider range of freight, logistics and operational railway activities over time.

NR therefore requests that the wording of Part 6 (c) is amended to replace ‘Aggregates Railhead’ with ‘Railhead’. This amendment would more accurately reflect the current and potential future role of the facility, recognising its importance as strategic rail infrastructure that supports a range of freight and operational railway functions, rather than aggregates traffic alone.

A separate response is being submitted by Bidwells LLP on behalf of the
Chesterton Partnership (Brookgate Land Ltd and NR) and should be read alongside the comments provided within this consultation response. For the avoidance of doubt, the comments below are submitted by NR in its capacity as owner and operator of the national railway infrastructure and focus specifically on the operational railway and infrastructure considerations relevant to Policy S/AMC/NEC.

Proposed new Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU):
As outlined in NR’s response to the Regulation 18 consultation, NR is progressing proposals for the development of a new NR Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) within the Chesterton Sidings / Junction area.

The proposed MDU facility would provide operational accommodation, welfare and training facilities, vehicle and plant storage, within a single purpose-built location. The MDU would facilitate the relocation and consolidation of a number of existing maintenance operations currently distributed across several sites, including facilities at Cambridge Station and Foxton.

The proposed MDU would provide a modern, efficient and resilient operational facility capable of supporting the inspection, maintenance and operation of the railway network within Cambridge and the surrounding area. It would also support the future growth and enhancement of the railway within the wider Cambridge corridor by providing a flexible and adaptable facility capable of accommodating evolving operational requirements, technological advancements and future increases in rail services, including potential operational requirements associated with East West Rail.

NR is keen to continue work closely with GCSP, EWR Co and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that this important operational requirement is fully understood and appropriately integrated into the ongoing planning and development of the North East Cambridge Area of Major Change.


Feedback on Figure 38 (Indicative Spatial Framework for S/AMC/NEC: North East Cambridge Area of Major Change):

NR’s Regulation 18 representation raised concerns regarding ‘Figure 17: Spatial Framework S/NEC: North East Cambridge’. NR acknowledges that GCSP have considered this feedback and sought to address these concerns through the preparation of the new ‘Figure 38: Indicative Spatial Framework for S/AMC/NEC: North East Cambridge Area of Major Change’.

In particular, NR welcomes the changes made in relation to the Cambridge Strategic Freight Site, the railhead at Chesterton Sidings, and NR’s emerging proposals for a new MDU in this location.

Notwithstanding this positive progress, NR considers that a further minor amendment to Figure 38 is still required to ensure that the safeguarded rail sidings are accurately represented. The requested amendments are shown below.

Extract from existing Figure 38:
[See attachment]


Proposed alteration to Figure 38:
[See attachment]


The draft Local Plan should also make it clear that Figure 38 is intended as illustrative and is not a prescriptive tool.

Reference to Railhead:

Part 6 (c) of the draft policy refers to the ‘Aggregates Railhead’. NR considers that this terminology is unnecessarily restrictive and does not fully reflect the strategic function and potential future role of the railhead facility. Whilst the railhead is currently used predominantly for the handling of aggregates, its importance extends well beyond a single freight commodity. The railhead forms part of a strategically important piece of rail-connected freight infrastructure which has the capability to support a wider range of freight, logistics and operational railway activities over time.

NR therefore requests that the wording of Part 6 (c) is amended to replace ‘Aggregates Railhead’ with ‘Railhead’. This amendment would more accurately reflect the current and potential future role of the facility, recognising its importance as strategic rail infrastructure that supports a range of freight and operational railway functions, rather than aggregates traffic alone.

Agent of Change:

Part 10 of the policy sets out requirements relating to the Agent of Change principle. NR supports this approach and welcomes the clear application of the Agent of Change principle within the policy.

NR wishes to emphasise the importance of applying this principle to freight and operational railway infrastructure, operations, and activities. This will help ensure that the continued operation, maintenance and future enhancement of railway infrastructure is not constrained by the introduction of sensitive uses in close proximity to the railway. Any new development should therefore be designed and mitigated appropriately to address impacts arising from existing and anticipated railway operations, rather than placing restrictions on established or future railway activities.

Connectivity:

Part 19 of the policy states that development should support the removal of existing barriers to movement by securing and/or contributing to new and improved connections including: ‘d. Improved access to Cambridge North Station…..’.

NR and GA support the principle of improving access to Cambridge North Station and will need to be engaged at an early stage in the development of any such proposals. This engagement will be necessary to ensure that proposed works are appropriately designed to align with the station’s current and future operational requirements.

Rail infrastructure and accessibility to the railway network will play a vital role in supporting GCSP in achieving its long-term vision for Greater Cambridge. Network Rail welcomes the recognition within the draft Local Plan of the importance of enhancing rail infrastructure and public transport provision.

The draft Local Plan’s strategic priorities relating to infrastructure provide clear direction on the importance of sustainable transport. They also set out the expectation that development will be required to contribute towards the delivery of transport schemes necessary to mitigate its impacts.

This approach is further reinforced by Policy I/ST (Sustainable Transport and Connectivity), which advises, within Part 3, that direct improvements and commitments to transport infrastructure will be secured through planning conditions and/or contributions through planning obligations, community infrastructure levy or its successor.

Network Rail looks forward to working collaboratively with GCSP and developers to ensure that the rail infrastructure improvements required to support planned growth can be planned and delivered effectively, in alignment with the objectives of the draft Local Plan.

East West Rail Scheme Safeguarding:

Policy I/SI advises that land identified on the Policies Map in relation to the East West Rail scheme is subject to safeguarding directions. As noted earlier in this response, NR is working collaboratively with EWR Co on the development and delivery of the scheme.

While NR is supportive of the safeguarding of this land required for the delivery of East West Rail, it is important that the safeguarding provisions do not prejudice or constrain the day-to-day operation of the existing railway. Nor should it limit NR’s ability to maintain, operate, and upgrade the railway and its associated infrastructure within the safeguarded area as required to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the network.

Furthermore, as the East West Rail scheme progresses, the associated safeguarding areas will continue to evolve. It is therefore important that GCSP adopts a flexible approach to safeguarding to ensure the policy remains effective over the lifetime of the Plan.

Rail Freight Sites:

NR welcomes the fact that the GCSP has taken account of the feedback provided by NR in its previous Regulation 18 consultation response, and that Policy I/SI, Part 4, has been amended to reflect the current status and circumstances of the rail freight sites within the Greater Cambridge area.

NR considers it essential that new development contributes, where necessary and justified, towards improvements to railway infrastructure, stations and associated facilities where such measures are required to make development acceptable in planning terms. The cumulative growth planned across Greater Cambridge will place additional demands on the rail network and station infrastructure, and it is therefore important that the draft Local Plan provides an effective mechanism for securing appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures.

NR is committed to working proactively with the GCSP, developers and other stakeholders to identify the need for rail-related infrastructure improvements at an early stage in the development process. Where development generates impacts on the operation, performance or capacity of the railway network, appropriate contributions and mitigation measures should be secured and delivered in a timely manner to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support sustainable growth and maintain the safe and efficient operation of the railway.

NR strongly supports the strategic objectives and case for East West Rail and looks forward to continuing to work closely with East West Railway Company (EWR Co) on the development and delivery of the scheme. NR is committed to full collaboration with EWR Co to help deliver a high-performing railway that provides long-term benefits for passengers, freight users, and taxpayers.

NR has engaged with EWR Co in relation to the Regulation 19 consultation and understands that EWR Co intends to submit its own detailed representations on the draft Local Plan. Whilst NR does not seek to comment on all the railway-specific matters raised within EWR Co’s submission, NR wishes to express its support for the EWR Co’s representations in relation to the following matters;

• The proposed new eastern entrance to Cambridge Station and Policy S/C/LCR (Land at Clifton Road (including Cambridge Junction and Cambridge Leisure);
• Cambridge East Station and related Policies S/CE (Cambridge East) and S/AMC/SCL
(South of Coldhams’s Lane); and
• Policy S/AMC/BC (Beehive Centre Area of Major Change).

Any planning applications coming forward within these proposed allocated sites S/CE and S/AMC/SCL will need to assess the impacts of increased vehicular traffic arising from the developments on the local highway network, with particular regard to the operation and safety of the existing level crossings over the railway at Cherry Hinton High Street and the Cherry Hinton By-Pass.

NR strongly supports the strategic objectives and case for East West Rail and looks forward to continuing to work closely with East West Railway Company (EWR Co) on the development and delivery of the scheme. NR is committed to full collaboration with EWR Co to help deliver a high-performing railway that provides long-term benefits for passengers, freight users, and taxpayers.

NR has engaged with EWR Co in relation to the Regulation 19 consultation and understands that EWR Co intends to submit its own detailed representations on the draft Local Plan. Whilst NR does not seek to comment on all the railway-specific matters raised within EWR Co’s submission, NR wishes to express its support for the EWR Co’s representations in relation to the following matters;

• The proposed new eastern entrance to Cambridge Station and Policy S/C/LCR (Land at Clifton Road (including Cambridge Junction and Cambridge Leisure);
• Cambridge East Station and related Policies S/CE (Cambridge East) and S/AMC/SCL
(South of Coldhams’s Lane); and
• Policy S/AMC/BC (Beehive Centre Area of Major Change).

Any planning applications coming forward within these proposed allocated sites S/CE and S/AMC/SCL will need to assess the impacts of increased vehicular traffic arising from the developments on the local highway network, with particular regard to the operation and safety of the existing level crossings over the railway at Cherry Hinton High Street and the Cherry Hinton By-Pass.

NR strongly supports the strategic objectives and case for East West Rail and looks forward to continuing to work closely with East West Railway Company (EWR Co) on the development and delivery of the scheme. NR is committed to full collaboration with EWR Co to help deliver a high-performing railway that provides long-term benefits for passengers, freight users, and taxpayers.

NR has engaged with EWR Co in relation to the Regulation 19 consultation and understands that EWR Co intends to submit its own detailed representations on the draft Local Plan. Whilst NR does not seek to comment on all the railway-specific matters raised within EWR Co’s submission, NR wishes to express its support for the EWR Co’s representations in relation to the following matters;

• The proposed new eastern entrance to Cambridge Station and Policy S/C/LCR (Land at Clifton Road (including Cambridge Junction and Cambridge Leisure);
• Cambridge East Station and related Policies S/CE (Cambridge East) and S/AMC/SCL
(South of Coldhams’s Lane); and
• Policy S/AMC/BC (Beehive Centre Area of Major Change).

Any planning applications coming forward within these proposed allocated sites S/CE and S/AMC/SCL will need to assess the impacts of increased vehicular traffic arising from the developments on the local highway network, with particular regard to the operation and safety of the existing level crossings over the railway at Cherry Hinton High Street and the Cherry Hinton By-Pass.

NR strongly supports the strategic objectives and case for East West Rail and looks forward to continuing to work closely with East West Railway Company (EWR Co) on the development and delivery of the scheme. NR is committed to full collaboration with EWR Co to help deliver a high-performing railway that provides long-term benefits for passengers, freight users, and taxpayers.

NR has engaged with EWR Co in relation to the Regulation 19 consultation and understands that EWR Co intends to submit its own detailed representations on the draft Local Plan. Whilst NR does not seek to comment on all the railway-specific matters raised within EWR Co’s submission, NR wishes to express its support for the EWR Co’s representations in relation to the following matters;

• The proposed new eastern entrance to Cambridge Station and Policy S/C/LCR (Land at Clifton Road (including Cambridge Junction and Cambridge Leisure);
• Cambridge East Station and related Policies S/CE (Cambridge East) and S/AMC/SCL
(South of Coldhams’s Lane); and
• Policy S/AMC/BC (Beehive Centre Area of Major Change).

Any planning applications coming forward within these proposed allocated sites S/CE and S/AMC/SCL will need to assess the impacts of increased vehicular traffic arising from the developments on the local highway network, with particular regard to the operation and safety of the existing level crossings over the railway at Cherry Hinton High Street and the Cherry Hinton By-Pass.