Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan

Agree

No answer given

Mostly yes

No answer given

Mostly yes

No answer given

Support: Introduction These representations on behalf of Hawkswren Ltd relate to the site occupied by Barr Tech at 90 - 92 Cowley Road. Barr Tech provides vehicle servicing and repairs within the existing building, and intends to relocate elsewhere in Greater Cambridge to enable the redevelopment of the existing site. A De Simone Investments Ltd has an option on the site and would seek to redevelop the site for a mix use development. As set out in these representations, A De Simone Investments Ltd broadly supports the policies for redevelopment of the site and the surrounding area, but it is requested that more flexibility is allowed in terms of the mix of uses and the building heights at the site. Policy 1: A comprehensive approach at North East Cambridge The comprehensive approach towards development and regeneration at North East Cambridge is broadly supported. Policy 1 expects the criteria in Policy 23 (Comprehensive and Coordinated Development) to be addressed for development proposals. It is noted that Policy 23 requires applications for major development to successfully integrate with the surrounding area. However, as set out in the response to Policy 9, it is noted that the development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site is proposed for buildings of 4 to 5 storeys and maximum of 6 storeys, when taller buildings are proposed for adjacent development parcels. It is requested that similar building heights are specified for the development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site as those for adjacent parcels, in order to deliver a comprehensive and coordinated approach to development. Policy 6a: Distinctive design for North East Cambridge The aspiration for development at North East Cambridge to provide distinctive, high quality and contemporary design is broadly supported. A De Simone Investments Ltd has an option on the site occupied by Barr Tech and would deliver the redevelopment of this site. The design criteria identified in Policy 6a are supported, and could be achieved for the redevelopment of the site. Policy 6b: Design of mixed-use buildings Policy 6b identifies general criteria for the design of mixed-use buildings, all of which are supported. The criteria requiring the design and construction of buildings to be adaptable and flexible is particularly supported. As set out in the responses to Policies 12a, 13a and 13f, the redevelopment of the Barr Tech site could accommodate a more flexible mix of uses including short term serviced accommodation. Policy 7: Legible streets and spaces The aspiration to create high quality, inclusive and attractive streets and spaces within North East Cambridge is broadly supported. Policy 8: Open spaces for recreation and sport Policy 8 expects major new development to provide for open space and recreation facilities. Figure 19 shows a linear park along the frontage of Cowley Road, which includes the proposed development parcel where the Barr Tech site is located. The delivery of open space and recreation facilities in North East Cambridge is broadly supported because it contributes towards high quality spaces and meets health and wellbeing needs. Policy 9: Density, heights, scale and massing Figure 21 shows proposed building heights and Figure 23 shows proposed densities for the different development parcels within the AAP area. The development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site indicates building heights of 4 to 5 storeys and a maximum of 6 storeys, and a density of 225 dwellings per hectare. In contrast the adjacent development parcels show taller building heights and higher densities, but there is no evidence provided to explain the differing building heights or densities. For example, the development parcels to the west, north and south show building heights of between 5 to 6 storeys and 6 to 8 storeys (maximums of 8 to 10 storeys) and densities of between 260 and 300 dwellings per hectare. It is requested that the building heights and densities for the development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site are increased to be consistent with adjacent parcels; a building height of 6 to 8 storeys and a density of 300 dwellings per hectare would be appropriate. The development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site is located within close proximity to a proposed mobility hub, it would be accessible by walking, cycling and public transport including Cambridge Guided Busway and Cambridge North Station, and it would be well related to the proposed District Centre. The location and future accessibility of the Barr Tech site supports additional development at this parcel in the form of taller buildings. Policy 10b: District Centre Figure 24 shows the proposed location of new centres for North East Cambridge, which includes a new District Centre on Cowley Road which would be located opposite the development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site. The location and mix of uses included within the proposed District Centre are supported. Policy 11: Housing design standards Policy 11 sets out the housing design standards for residential development within North East Cambridge. Those standards are supported and can be met for the proposed redevelopment of the existing Barr Tech site. 12a: Business The proposed development parcel containing the Barr Tech site is identified for business (B1) and housing uses. Policy 12a sets out the approach to the delivery of business uses in North East Cambridge. It is noted that Policy 12a proposes a flexible approach including for business types and sizes, other types of uses to provide an appropriate mix, and adaptable buildings that can be reused for other uses. It is considered that this flexible approach is appropriate at this stage because it is likely that market demand and economics for different types of uses will change during the lifetime of AAP. The redevelopment of the Barr Tech site could accommodate a more flexible mix of uses including business, housing and short term serviced accommodation. This mix of uses would be consistent with the proposed mix of uses for the Cambridge Business Park area as defined in Policy 12a. Policy 13a: Housing Policy 13a seeks to deliver a mix of housing types and tenures across North East Cambridge, including housing in the Cambridge Business Park area which is where the Barr Tech site is located. The housing strategy is broadly supported. The redevelopment of the Barr Tech site would include a mix of housing types and tenures alongside business (B1) uses, and could include short term serviced accommodation because of its close proximity to proposed business, community and retail uses and its proposed accessibility by sustainable modes of transport. Policy 13f: Short term/corporate lets and visitor accommodation Policy 13f includes criteria for new short term serviced/visitor accommodation. It is noted that the criteria include requirements for such accommodation to demonstrate need, to be located within district centres or business parks, and to be accessible by sustainable modes of transport. The approach towards short term serviced accommodation is supported. The redevelopment of the Barr Tech site could include short term serviced accommodation, and it is located within the Cambridge Business Park area, close to the proposed District Centre, and it would be accessible my sustainable modes of transport including Cambridge Guided Busway and Cambridge North Station. Policy 14: Social, community and cultural infrastructure The inclusion of additional social, community and cultural facilities within the North East Cambridge area is supported. Policy 15: Shops and local services The inclusion of additional shops and local services, including within the proposed District Centre on Cowley Road, is supported. Policy 16: Sustainable Connectivity Figure 36 shows proposed strategic walking and cycling routes in the North East Cambridge area, including new routes along Nuffield Road and Cowley Road. The proposed development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site would be located on these strategic walking and cycling routes, and also in close proximity to the proposed mobility hub at the Cambridge Guided Busway/Cowley Road intersection. The aspirations for sustainable connectivity across the North East Cambridge area is supported. Policy 17: Connecting to the wider network Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to neighbouring areas. The creation of new connections is broadly supported. The proposed crossing of the Cambridge Guided Busway from Cowley Road to Nuffield Road is supported because it would improve connectivity between neighbouring areas. Policy 19: Safeguarding for Cambridge Autonomous Metro and Public Transport Policy 19 seeks to improve public transport and refers to the delivery of mobility hubs in key locations across North East Cambridge. The proposed development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site would be located in close proximity to the proposed mobility hub at the Cambridge Guided Busway/Cowley Road intersection, which is supported. Policy 22: Managing motorised vehicles Policy 22 seeks to define a maximum vehicle trip budget for motorised vehicles across the North East Cambridge area, in order to reduce travel by private car. The proposed development parcel that includes the Barr Tech site would be located in highly sustainable location, making it possible for businesses, residents and visitors to the proposed uses to travel by non-car modes of transport. However, motorised vehicles will still need access the area, and it is requested that the monitoring system for the trip budget should be designed to exclude delivery vehicles to businesses. Policy 23: Comprehensive and Coordinated Development Policy 23 seeks to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to development and regeneration at North East Cambridge, which is broadly supported. Policy 24a: Land Assembly As set out in the Introduction, A De Simone Investments Ltd has an option on the Bart Tech site, and intends to deliver development that is consistent with the mix of uses and policy requirements specified for this development parcel, subject to requested amendments on building heights and flexibility to include short term serviced accommodation. Policy 24b: Relocation As set out in the Introduction, Barr Tech intend to relocate their existing vehicle servicing and repairs business elsewhere, and A De Simone Investments Ltd has an option to redevelop the site. This relocation will only take place if a high use class value is generated on the site. Policy 24b sets out the process and criteria for assessing options for the relocation of existing businesses, and it is acknowledged that these steps might be appropriate for most circumstances where an existing business could be accommodated within the redeveloped AAP area. However, it is requested that Policy 24b also refers to the situation – as is the case with Barr Tech - where a willing landowner who operates an existing business has agreed to sell their land for redevelopment and relocate elsewhere, and in these circumstances the requirement for a relocation strategy to be prepared for a planning application should not be necessary. It is requested that a relocation strategy is specifically not required where a willing landowner or business has agreed to the redevelopment of their site. Policy 27: Planning Contributions Policy 27 sets out the purpose and approach to planning contributions for development within the North East Cambridge Area. It is acknowledged that the policy contains some flexibility, in that contributions will be assessed on a site by site basis and that viability will be assessed where relevant. It is requested that the level of planning contributions and viability matters should also take into account whether the successful delivery of a development parcel is related to the relocation of an existing business e.g. Barr Tech will need to find an alternative building for their existing business operations. Policy 28: Meanwhile uses The grant of temporary consent for ‘meanwhile’ uses within North East Cambridge is broadly supported. The ‘meanwhile’ uses could temporarily add to the range of facilities within the area, and could reuse empty or underused land and buildings. Policy 29: Employment and Training The employment, skills and training initiatives associated with development within North East Cambridge are supported.