North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

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Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 4: Have we identified all relevant constraints present on, or affecting, the North East Cambridge area?

Representation ID: 33150

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

We believe that further to Figure 4.8 there may be additional areas of green infrastructure that are not included on the map. This should be confirmed and amended if necessary through the proposed ecological survey work.

The ecological constraints set-out in section 4.13 should be seen as a positive unique opportunity to develop frameworks that enhance, extend and protect significant areas for retention, focus for green infrastructure, connectivity and biodiversity in areas such as Bramblefields Local Nature Reserve, the protected hedgerow on the east side of Cowley Road (City Wildlife Site), the First Public Drain wildlife corridor and other habitats.

We fully support the requirement in Section 4.20 and 4.22 to deal with potential contaminated land and other environmental issues such as minimising light pollution.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 5: Do you agree with the proposed Vision for the future of the North East Cambridge area? If not, what might you change?

Representation ID: 33151

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Natural England supports the AAP vision and objectives for 'a socially and economically inclusive, thriving, and low carbon place for innovative living and working; inherently walkable where everything is on your doorstep'.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 6: Do you agree with the overarching Objectives? If not, what might you change?

Representation ID: 33152

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

We welcome objective 7. As mentioned elsewhere, we believe the AAP should be developed around a robust green infrastructure framework for the site to ensure delivery of the full range of environmental services required to meet the needs of the proposed scale and nature of development: recreation, health and well-being, biodiversity, landscape, drainage, flood management, sustainable travel, climate change and adaptation.

Whilst we fully support the above we would expect a development of this magnitude to deliver significantly greater than 'district scale' green infrastructure, although we are unclear what this really means. We have provided further advice on green infrastructure provision below.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 13: Should the AAP require developments in the North East Cambridge AAP area to apply Healthy Towns principles?

Representation ID: 33153

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Sections 6.14 and 6.15 discuss creating a healthy community which we fully support. Our advice is that a strategic level of high quality greenspace provision will be key to creating a healthy community and enhancing people's physical and mental wellbeing. The extent of accessible natural greenspace provision (i.e. excluding formal sports areas) should be proportionate to the scale of development, for example 8ha 11000 population is advocated through the Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) guidance to meet people's needs and protect more sensitive designated sites such as Stow-cum-Quy Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Wicken Fen SSSI, Ramsar site.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 16: Should the AAP include any or a combination of the options below to improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity through the site and to the surrounding area?

Representation ID: 33154

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Consideration should also be given to significantly enhanced green infrastructure corridors to improve connectivity of green infrastructure within the site and beyond, including green linkages with Milton Country Park (option C). Green infrastructure provision should seek to contribute towards the delivery of the objectives of the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy for habitat enhancement and improved connectivity. The AAP should not rely on existing green space such as Milton Country Park to meet people's recreational needs; the AAP should seek provision of similar area of open space to complement and connect the Country Park.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 18: Which of the following options would best improve connectivity across Milton Road between Cambridge North Station and Cambridge Science Park?

Representation ID: 33155

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Natural England agrees that the development of the NEC Area presents an opportunity to create a new network of streets and open spaces that will support and improve movement of people throughout the area. Creation of sufficient informal open space for outdoor recreation, enjoyment of the countryside, walking, cycling and adequate public transport provision will be critical to this. A network of green corridors should provide connectivity to areas off site including the Country Park, the Chisholm Trail and Waterbeach Greenways.

We note and welcome Option C to upgrade connections to Milton Country Park by both foot and cycle, including improving access to the Jane Coston Bridge, the Waterbeach Greenway project including a new access under the A 14. We would welcome consideration of options for a crossing of the railway line and the use of green bridges.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 24: Within the North East Cambridge area green space can be provided in a number of forms including the following options. Which of the following would you support?

Representation ID: 33156

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Issue: Green Space provision - Natural England advises that this needs to be addressed through a combination of options A -F to provide strategic high quality, biodiversity-rich multi-functional greenspace. This should seek to meet SANGS standards and be connected through substantial green corridors to open spaces across the site and beyond, including connectivity with Milton Country Park, Waterbeach Greenways and the Chisholm Trail, as discussed above.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 26: Do you agree that the AAP should be seeking a very low share of journeys to be made by car compared to other more sustainable means like walking, cycling and public transport to and from,

Representation ID: 33157

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Natural England advocates a focus on sustainable, non-car travel including cycling, walking and public transport.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 60: Should open space provision within the North East Cambridge area seek to provide for the widest variety of everyday structured and unstructured recreational opportunities, including walki

Representation ID: 33158

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

We welcome recognition of the multi-functional benefits of open space provision including biodiversity enhancement, landscape, drainage, flood management and health and wellbeing. A development of this scale should provide open space to accommodate formal and informal requirements: informal open space in accordance with SANGS, as discussed above, to provide biodiversity net gain and meet people's informal recreation, physical and mental health needs.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 58: It is recognised that maximising the development potential of the North East Cambridge area may require a different approach to meeting the sport and open space needs of the new community

Representation ID: 33159

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

We welcome recognition of the multi-functional benefits of open space provision including biodiversity enhancement, landscape, drainage, flood management and health and wellbeing. A development of this scale should provide open space to accommodate formal and informal requirements: informal open space in accordance with SANGS, as discussed above, to provide biodiversity net gain and meet people's informal recreation, physical and mental health needs.

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