Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

The HCT welcomes this consultation. As an important stakeholder in the environmental and historical fabric of Greater Cambridge we would expect to remain engaged with the process of drawing up the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. To this end we would expect consultation on matters concerning our interests by e-mail and, if thought helpful, by meetings and site visits.

Agree

The HCT agrees with the proposed big themes. Hobson’s Brook sits mainly in the second (Biodiversity and Green Spaces).

Neither agree nor disagree

Continuous and adequate water flow in Hobson’s Brook is crucial to its continued existence and purpose. In recent years this flow has been in serious decline. The situation was particularly concerning in the summer of 2019, when the Nine Wells springs almost dried up. The HCT is aware that the causes of this decline in water flow are multiple. One aspect of the situation is irregularity in the pattern and usefulness of rainfall in the catchment area of the springs, leading to a lowering of the aquifer. In order to maintain a healthy flow of water from Nine Wells springs action needs to be taken to prevent further decline in the level of water in the aquifer. One major factor contributing to this decline is certainly abstraction by Cambridge Water Company. We would urge the Greater Cambridge Local Plan to address the issues of water abstraction and the sustainable sourcing and use of water. We note that the responsible use of water is required in the 2018 Local Plan for Cambridge (Policy 31). The HCT is concerned that increased water abstraction (to cope with huge increases in water demand from new developments) would cause significant harm to the water flow in Hobson’s Brook (and other chalk streams in the Greater Cambridge area) through the lowering of the level of the underlying aquifer. There is increasing statistical and material evidence that supports our concern for the decline in flow. We were pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the Water Forum organised by Cllr Katie Thornburrow at the Guildhall in November 2019 and we urge that the Report from the forum be duly noted and weighed in the preparation of the new Local Plan.

The HCT welcomes the ‘doubling nature’ vision proposed. It also welcomes the strategic approach needed towards restoration and enhancement of green infrastructure. As a green space, Hobson’s Brook would benefit from these proposed policies. The HCT also welcomes the acknowledgement that national planning policy requires the protection and enhancement of valued wildlife habitats and sites of biodiversity importance, which include Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook. Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook, together with its immediate setting (banks, flanking trees, paths) are important sites for biodiversity. In the case of Nine Wells this is already recognised through its designation as a Local Nature Reserve and Local Geological Site. Although Hobson’s Brook does not have any designation in recognition of its biodiversity it nonetheless has great biodiversity value within Greater Cambridge, as demonstrated by the number and range of species found during regular bioblitz days held along the whole length of the brook. In answer to the questions set out on this issue the HCT would like to make the following suggestions: What do we have to do? We suggest that the Local Plan include a policy for the protection of sites of biodiversity value. Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook, in its entire length, should be included in a list of protected sites. The policy should include measures such as maintaining water flow and quality, which are important to the value of Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook. What are we already doing? The 2018 Cambridge Local Plan has policies for the protection of open space (Policy 67) and the protection of sites of biodiversity and geodiversity important (Policy 69). The 2018 South Cambridgeshire Local Plan has policies for protecting and enhancing landscape character (Policy NH/2), for protecting biodiversity (Policy NH/4), for protecting sites of biodiversity or geological importance (Policy NH/5), for protecting green infrastructure (Policy NH/6) and for protecting local green space (Policy NH/12). Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook (within South Cambridgeshire) lie within the Strategic Green Infrastructure Network. Cambridge City Council, in conjunction with the HCT, produced a document, ‘Hobson’s Brook Corridor 10 Year Vision’ in 2018. This detailed the current state of the brook and gave management proposals to protect and enhance it. The City Council has formally adopted the 10 Year Vision (https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/media/4482/draft-hobsons-brook-corridor-10year-vision.pdf). What are the key issues? The HCT’s view is that the key issues are the protection and enhancement of the area’s green spaces and biodiversity, to be achieved through strongly worded policies. This is an urgent issue given the vast amount of new development taking place and proposed.

A strategic approach is needed towards preservation, restoration and enhancement of green infrastructure. This approach would benefit Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook in several ways: 1. It would support their biodiversity and provide an integrated approach to the management of the whole entity, from Nine Wells to the Conduit Head in Lensfield Road. 2. It would help to enhance their landscape character as a whole, again through an integrated approach. 3. Balancing public access with the need for undisturbed natural habitats is an important issue for the HCT. This is particularly the case at Nine Wells, which suffers from over use by the public in terms of vegetation damage, erosion of the springs and their channels and degradation of paths. Along the brook there are issues of path degradation and litter, both on the ground and in the water. 4. The issue of rural biodiversity and its compatibility with modern agricultural practices is an issue for the HCT at Nine Wells. The HCT is in favour of extending the Local Nature Reserve designation in order both to improve biodiversity and to protect Nine Wells itself and its immediate setting. Over use by the public of the small site of Nine Wells would be mitigated by extending the area available for public use around it. 5. National policy requires development to achieve a net gain for biodiversity. Probable and possible development adjacent to Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook, including housing, Cambridge South station and associated works, the East-West Rail Link and Cambridge South East Transport Scheme busway, have the potential to benefit Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook through enhancement of biodiversity value of the sites themselves and of land immediately adjacent to them. The HCT recommends that the Local Plan takes these opportunities into account.

Neither agree nor disagree

The HCT would welcome a Local Plan policy for the protection and enhancement of tree cover as part of a strategic, integrated approach towards the maintenance and enhancement of Greater Cambridge’s landscape character. Tree cover is a valued asset both for Nine Wells and for Hobson’s Brook. Trees form an important aspect of the character of their landscape, particularly at Nine Wells and some stretches of the brook. At present the trees of Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook are only given protection within the Brookside Conservation Area and the Nine Wells Local Nature Reserve. The HCT would welcome an extension to this protection to cover the whole of the brook.

As the entire watercourse of Hobson’s Brook, runnels and pipework are of great historical value they form an important and integral part of the historic fabric of Greater Cambridge. The system has been in existence for more than four hundred years, during which time it has continuously supplied clean, fresh water to sites in central Cambridge. According to Historic England, in its listing of the Trumpington Street runnels, the ‘water supply system (is) of undoubted historic significance in a national context’. What do we have to do? The HCT would like to see stronger protection for this watercourse and its built structures. At present there is statutory protection for the Conduit Head at Lensfield Road (Scheduled Ancient Monument) and various built structure that are Listed Buildings, Grade II (the Nine Wells monument, the runnels in Trumpington Street on the west side of the brook, the 19th-century fountain base at Market Hill, the bath and pond at Emmanuel College, the bathing pool at Christ’s College, four cast-iron bridges over the brook along Brookside and Trumpington Road, together with entries and cast iron railings.) Increased statutory protection might include making the Conduit Head a Listed Building, listing the underground pipework and making the entire length of the Brook a Conservation Area. It should also be designated, as a whole, as Green Space. What are we already doing? Various statutory and non-statutory designations apply to parts of the whole watercourse system of Hobson’s Brook (see above). Although these designations are helpful the approach is piecemeal. The Cambridge Local Plan Policy 62 protects local heritage assets (criteria and list in Appendix G). The South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Policy NH/4 protects heritage assets. What are the key issues? The HCT would like to see a more integrated approach to the protection of the heritage value of the whole system of Nine Wells, Hobson’s Brook, Hobson’s Conduit Head, the runnels and the underground pipework. In the first instance the entire above-ground section should be designated as Green Space. Over and above this we would welcome its designation as a Conservation Area (excluding the runnels and underground pipework, which can be, and partly are, separately designated).

Proposals for new infrastructure are of concern to the HCT. Three of them in particular could have a major impact on Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook and their setting. These are the proposed South Cambridge Railway Station, the proposed new public transport link (busway) between the A11 and the Biomedical Campus and the proposed East-West Rail link. In order to protect Nine Wells and the south end of Hobson’s Brook, which are in the vicinity of the proposed station and busway, The Greater Cambridge Local Plan should include measures for their protection. The setting of Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook should also be protected as it makes a major contribution to their ecological, historical and scenic value. The setting lies in the Green Belt of the city. The HCT acknowledges that the development of the Cambridge South station and the busway could be seen as ‘exceptional circumstances’ (the only criterion for altering Green Belt boundaries). It is the HCT’s view that the remaining agricultural land around Nine Wells and the south end of Hobson’s Brook should be protected as open, green space in order to preserve the setting of Nine Wells and the brook. Particular issues that the HCT would like to raise are as follows: 1. Physical damage to Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook themselves 2. Physical damage to their immediate setting, including ecological damage 3. Alteration of drainage that would detrimentally affect the flow and quality of water in Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook 4. Scenic degradation 5. Public access alteration or removal

Where to build The HCT would like to emphasise again the protective role of the Green Belt in preserving the character of Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook. The Trust’s view on ‘Where to build’ is that the Local Plan should take account of this need in its allocation of zones for housing development. Particular issues that the HCT would like to raise are as follows: 1. Physical damage to Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook themselves 2. Physical damage to their immediate setting, including ecological damage 3. Alteration of drainage that would detrimentally affect the flow and quality of water in Nine Wells and Hobson’s Brook 4. Scenic degradation 5. Public access alteration or removal

RESPONSE FROM THE HOBSON’S CONDUIT TRUST Hobson’s Conduit Trust (HCT) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan by commenting on issues and options raised in the current consultation document. Hobson’s Conduit Trust is the charitable body whose primary purpose since 1610 has been to ensure that the flow of water in Hobson’s Brook and Conduit is unimpeded and that it is maintained in perpetuity. A body of trustees, now the HCT, has the responsibility to ensure that maintenance is adequately undertaken. The HCT took over the management of funds for the benefit of the water supply from feoffees from the town and university in 1868, when ‘The Conduit Trust’ was registered. The whole water course, from Nine Wells, along Hobson’s Brook, down the Trumpington Street runnels and through the pipework to the colleges has great heritage value on local, regional and national scales. It is one of the great historical monuments of Cambridge. Its above ground sections also have great local and regional biodiversity and scenic value, particularly in the light of the brook’s character as a rare chalk stream. The Brook forms an important green corridor in the city, linking the city centre at the north end with the open countryside at Nine Wells at the south end. The whole length of the Hobson’s Brook and Hobson’s Conduit system lies within the Greater Cambridge area.

No uploaded files for public display