Planning Developments
Cambridge is changing
At Cambridge Past, Present & Future, we're not anti-development. We know the city has to grow. It's inevitable, maybe even desirable. But we don't see why growth can't be compatible with what makes Cambridge such an attractive place.
We need to preserve and cherish what we have because once it's gone, it's gone.
Looking to the future, we need to put quality of life, community spirit, green spaces
and more common sense on the agenda when new developments are planned.
This is entirely possible, but it won't happen by accident.
We have a credible track record of success but we need you to join us,
to strengthen our voice and tackle the challenges ahead.
We want usually to draw attention to issues, rather than to offer solutions, and then later to make sure the issues have been addressed. If, occasionally, we offer an opinion on how an issue should be handled, we hope record that on our web site in the future. This will normally be for topics in which we have particular expertise, such as green spaces. Our concern is also with major strategic issues, not necessarily related to a particular development, such as the Green Belt or transport.
Major developments in and around Cambridge
Greater Cambridge is developing extremely rapidly. A recent report by the Centre for Cities observes that Cambridge is a key economic driver for the wider region and an asset for the UK as a whole, attracting investment in knowledge intensive industries that otherwise might not have come to the UK at all. According to the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Greater Cambridge creates output to the value of £12bn, employs 360,000 people and includes 1,400 businesses in high tech sectors, and it is planned that the Sub-Region will provide 47,500 new houses, 50,000 new jobs and £2.2bn of infrastructure improvements over the period 2001-2016.
In the autumn of 2008 the Cambridge Association of Architects published an excellent account of the major developments in and around Cambridge. To see this, click here. While the credit crunch may slow the programme down, the principal major developments under way or being planned are:
Please click on the following links for more information:
Trumpinton Meadows - about 1200 homes
Cambridge East - up to 12,000 homes
Trumpington Meadows
Former Monsanto site, also known as land to the west of Hauxton Road
Description
Site area: Gross area c 90 hectares; built content on c31 hectares.
Proposed development content: c 1,200 homes (to include 40% affordable homes),
a primary school, community facilities, two shops and a country park
Projected housing density: an average of 50 dwellings per hectare
Current planning status
Planning application reference: 06/0706/OUT
A resolution to grant outline approval was made by the Joint Planning Committee
20th February 2008. The issuing of the planning permission is subject to Section 106
agreement being agreed and signed.
In a report to the Board of Cambridgeshire Horizons (Dec.2008) it was noted that a request has been received for re-phasing of some Section 106 payments. It is stated in the report that 'Alternative sources of funding would be needed to pay for early infrastructure, such as a public sector loan'.
One of the key outstanding issues is the question of how to secure public access
to the community facilities co-located with the Trumpington Meadows Primary School. The
Joint Development Control Committees of 20 January 2009 considered a report on the issue.
See: http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2009/0121jdc/04.pdf
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: Grosvenor
Masterplanner : Terence O'Rourke
Local authority lead officer: Janice Richardson (Cambridge City Council) 01223-457200 switchboard
Glebe Farm
Description
Site area: 9.8 hectares
Proposed development content: c300 new homes including landscaping, open space, allotments & related infrastructure. Vehicular access to the south from Addenbrooke's access road. Estimated population of c600.
Projected housing density: 35 dwellings per hectare (44 d/ha. max).
Current planning status
Planning application reference: 08/0361/OUT & 08/0363/OUT
Considered by the Joint Development Control Cambridge Fringes, 2 October 2008. Approved subject to:-
- the satisfactory execution of the s106 agreement by 27 February 2009.
- agreement on those outstanding S106 items, including phasing and triggers, that are still under negotiation.
- conditions based on the draft conditions as set out in Appendix G of the Officers Report. See:-
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2008/1002jdc/04.pdf
According to a report to the Cambridgeshire Horizon's Board in December,2008 an application for 280 homes is likely to be considered at the Feb. 2009 meeting of the Joint Development Committee.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/major-applications-within-the-city.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: Countryside Properties
Masterplanner/architect: PRP Architects
Landscape consultants: David Jarvis
Local authority lead officer: Toby Williams (Cambridge City Council). Tel. 01223 457297
Clay Farm
Description
Site area: 60.7 hectares
Proposed development content: Up to 2,300 dwellings, a
neighbourhood centre with community facilities, retail, and two schools (with
an alternative scheme should the secondary school not go ahead). Estimated population c4,600.
Projected housing density: 48 dwellings per hectare overall (90 d/ha max - 40 d/ha min)
Current planning status
Planning application reference: 07/0620/OUT & 07/0621/OUT
Approved at Joint Development Control Committee 14th May 2008
See officer's report at: http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2008/0514jdc/04_3.pdf
Cambridgeshire Horizon's Board (Dec.2008) noted that in response
to a request from developers to reconsider the viability of the site;
Cambridgeshire Horizon's Board has asked King Sturge to review the viability model,
including the phasing of developer contributions. In the Board report it is stated that
'Consideration will be given to the longer term financial prospects and not just the current downturn'.
Currently an appeal by the developer is being considered in relation to the provision
of affordable housing and new schools.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/major-applications-within-the-city.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: Countryside Properties
Masterplanner/architect: PRP Architects
Local authority lead officer: Elizabeth Rolph (Cambridge City Council Tel. 01223 457293)
Addenbrookes Medipark
Addenbrooke's Hospital (land to the west & south-west of Addenbrooke's Campus, Robinson Way)
Description
Site area: 28.33 hectares
Proposed development content: 215,000 sq.metres of new biomedical research and clinical space; learning, conference and hotel facilities and possibly, a relocated Papworth Hospital. Some staff housing. Estimated 7,500 jobs.
Projected housing density: n/a
Current planning status
Planning application reference: 06/0796/OUT
Approved at Planning Committee 7th Nov 2007
Cambridgeshire Horizons Board of Dec. 2008 told that the developers had requested a re-phase
of triggers for the Section 106. It was noted that to meet such a request
there would be a need for alternative funding in the early phases, or a
re-phasing in the delivery of infrastructure.
Cambridgeshire Horizons
Board noted that the completion of Addenbrooke's Access Road is anticipated
by Sept. 2009 and that the Section 106 was being finalised.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: Countryside Properties/ Cambridge
University Hospitals NHS Trust/ Liberty Property Trus
Masterplanners : Aukett Fitzroy Robinson
Local authority lead officer: Toby Williams,( Cambridge City Council Tel. 01223 457297)
ADDENBROOKES MEDIPARK
Outline planning permission was granted (subject to the signing of a legal agreement under Section 106 of planning legislation) in November 2007 for the extension of Addenbrookes to create the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (c28 hectares in area) to the southwest of the existing hospital perimeter road, extending up to the railway line and the access road and bridge now under construction. This road will link the campus to the new Southern Fringe housing and the M11, with measures to eliminate its use as a cut-through from Hills Road. The guided bus will also connect to the new development via a separate bridge. The development will provide a massive 215,000m² of new biomedical research and clinical space; learning, conference and hotel facilities; and, possibly, a relocated Papworth hospital. This development is said to have huge employment potential (estimated at 7,500 jobs) and is expected to be a significant driver of demand for the adjoining new developments in Cambridge's Southern Fringe.
The Addenbrooke's Access Road is expected to be completed by September 2009 and the Section 106 agreement was to be finalised in July 2009.
Bell School
Land to the south of Greenlands, south-west of the Bell School & West of Babraham Road
Description
Site area: 7.88 hectares
Proposed development content: Up to 347 homes and apartments (including 40% key-worker and affordable units) and accommodation for 100 students
Projected housing density: 48 dwellings per hectare
Current planning status
Planning application reference and status: 06/0795/OUT
Outline planning consent granted in principle but subject to a Section 106 agreement
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: Bell Educational Trust
Masterplanner/architect : Hankinson Duckett Associates
Local authority lead officer: Toby Williams (Cambridge City Council). Tel. 01223 457297
Northwest Cambridge
A triangle of largely Green Belt land which is largely owned by the University of Cambridge and bounded by Huntingdon Road, Madingley Road and the M11
Description
Site area: 140 hectares
Proposed development content: The formation of a new cluster of
University of Cambridge faculty and research buildings, affordable housing
for academic staff and their families, a school, hotel and community facilities.
Housing density 50 dwellings/hectare overall. Estimated population c7,000.
Current planning status
The area is designated as being suitable to accommodate the University's expansion
needs in both the Cambridgeshire Structure Plan (adopted 2003) and the City of Cambridge Plan (2006).
To guide this development, Cambridge City Council with South Cambridgeshire District
Council prepared the North West Area Action Plan Development Plan Document (DPD).
Following on from Issues and Options Consultation in 2006 and the Preferred Options
Consultation in 2007, the two councils agreed the Submission Draft Area Action Plan,
which was submitted to the Secretary of State on 19 May 2008 for an independent
public examination. An Independent Examination has been held into this DPD
and a larger footprint of development is now being proposed (August 2009).
Details of the examination documents can be viewed at:-
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/policy-and-projects/north-west-cambridge-examination.en
Planning application reference: No applications have been submitted.
The Inspectors have recommended an amended larger site footprint.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: University of Cambridge
Masterplanners: EDAW
Local authority lead officer:
- Sara Cass (Policy - Cambridge City Council) 01223-457200 switchboard
- Mark Parsons ( Development Control - Cambridge City Council) 01223-457200 switchboard
NIAB
Description
Site area: 53 hectares
Proposed development content: The major component of the proposal
is for residential development of up to 1780 dwellings in a range of types
and sizes, which covers approximately 40 Ha of land. The scheme also proposes
a combined primary school and community hall, a retail store and up to six retail/service units. A park is proposed in the centre of the development that will cater for formal and
informal sports provision and a green corridor is proposed along the Cambridge City/South Cambridgeshire District boundary.
Projected population and housing density: c4,000; overall density of 50 dwellings to the hectare
Current planning status
Application Number: 07/0003/OUT
The outline application was submitted to Cambridge City Council for a mixed use development comprising up to 1780 dwellings, primary school, community facilities, retail units (Use Classes A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5) and associated infrastructure including vehicular, pedestrian and cycleway accesses, open space and drainage works on land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road.The site, which is mainly in agricultural use, is located within the Cambridge City Council boundary on the northwest edge of the City and is 48 Ha in size. The application came forward within the context of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan 2006, which removed this site from the Green Belt and allocated it for development under policy 9/8.
At the same time, a separate detailed planning application was submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council. This seeks the formation of a vehicular, pedestrian and cycleway access road from Histon Road to serve the urban extension of the City, together with drainage and landscaping works.
The reason for the two separate applications is that the site falls within different administrative boundaries. The outline application to the City Council is accompanied by a series of parameter plans and parameter statements concerning land use, building heights, landscaping and access. A site location plan, 2 access detail plans and an illustrative masterplan also accompany the proposal. The application sought to fix a point of access onto Huntingdon Road.
Application status: Pending consideration. An amended scheme has been received by the City Council. The scheme excludes the NIAB frontage site and has an estimated yield of 1,593 dwellings. David Wilson Homes is not identified as one of the named developers in the amended application.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/growth-area-applications.en
Contacts
Prospective developer: David Wilson Homes/ Barratts Strategic on behalf of a landowners consortium
Masterplanners: LDA Design
Agents: Bidwells
Local authority lead officer: Mark Parsons (Cambridge City Council) switchboard 01223 457200
NIAB
This city fringe agricultural site of over 50 hectares in area lies between Huntingdon and Histon Roads. It is in the ownership of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, the Chivers family estate and Chivers Farms Ltd. Sports grounds belonging to Christ's, Sidney Sussex and St Catharine's Colleges also fall within the site area. The Cambridge Local Plan of 2006 removed this land from the greenbelt and designated it for development.
The proposed development makes provision for a mainly residential area of up to 1780 dwellings in a range of types and sizes, which covers approximately 40 hectares of land. The houses proposed will be between one and four storeys in height graded so that one and two storey buildings on the south edge of the site mimic the scale of houses on the adjacent streets. Larger apartment buildings are located towards the centre and north western edge of the site. The houses proposed will be between one and four storeys in height graded so that one and two storey buildings on the south edge of the site mimic the scale of houses on the adjacent streets. Larger apartment buildings are located towards the centre and north western edge of the site. The projected population is aprooximately 4,000 and the overall density of housing density is expected to be 50 dwellings to the hectare.
A grid of streets around a central park forms the primary structuring device for the proposal. At the northwest corner of the park a local centre is proposed, with shops and community facilities arranged around a small square. A secondary landscaping feature is a wide, car-free green edge that runs the length of the northwest boundary of the site. This linear park connects with smaller green fingers bisecting the site. A sustainable drainage scheme with 'swales' (an open drainage system) will absorb surface-water run-off. The guided bus route will follow Histon Road and a separate new bus route is also proposed through the site on the north side of the park.
At this stage the overall character of the development is difficult to gauge, as a wide range of housing types and sizes is proposed. However, the generous landscaped areas may pay rich dividends if the proposed buildings are of high quality, and succeed in attracting a broad spectrum of residents to this new local centre.
Some of the fields to the north are currently being considered by South Cambs for more housing. In July 2009 a government planning inspector decided that land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road in North West Cambridge, known as the NIAB extra site, is suitable for future development of 1,200 homes. The development of this site will be in addition to the 1,780 homes already allocated to the original NIAB site. This site allocation will be added to the existing Development Plan Document and form the basis for future planning decisions.
Cambridge East
Centred on the existing working airport site, owned and operated by Marshall.
Description
Site area: 320 hectares
Proposed development content: c10,000 - 12,000 new homes, a district and local centres, a 'green finger' from Coldham's Common towards Teversham served by an extension of the guided bus network.
Projected population and housing density: c25,000 and a density of between 35 and 200 dwellings/ hectare
Current planning status
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council formally adopted the Cambridge East Area Action Plan on the 21 February 2008, following the receipt of the binding inspectors report on the 20 December 2007, which found the document to be sound. For Inspector's report - see: http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/pdfs/Cambridge-East-area-action-plan-Insp-final-report.pdf
For Area Action plan (the approved Local Development Document) see: http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/policy-and-projects/cambridge-east-area-action-plan.en
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
Contacts:
Prospective developer: Marshalls of Cambridge (land owner)
Masterplanners: LDA
Local authority lead officer: Janice Richardson ( Cambridge City Council)
Cambridge East (Marshall Airport)
This development spans land owned by Marshall's on both sides of Newmarket Road, most of it on the south side and including the present runway and aerospace works. If and when it goes ahead, its 12,000 additional homes will have a significant impact on Cambridge and on its transport system. There is a requirement that no more than 40% of the trips to and from the development be by car. It is uncertain how this will be achieved, but the intention is to move the Park & Ride further out and enlarge it from its present 800 spaces to 2500. A main aim of the development is to enable more people with jobs in the city to live within it, and so reduce the number of crossings of the green belt.
Marshall's have told us that they aim for a development with real architectural merit, and with high-quality infrastructure and community facilities, so that it will enhance the surrounding areas. They intend providing good open spaces, including a lake and a green area like Parker's Piece. A green corridor will pass through the site, dividing the land to the south of Newmarket Road into two and linking Coldham's Common to a new country park in Teversham.
The project received a serious set-back when negotiations to move Marshall's aerospace activities to Mildenhall broke down. We understand that they are now looking at two other possible sites. It is possible that development of the part of the proposed site to the north of Newmarket Road, accommodating 1500 to 2000 houses, could go ahead regardless.
Northstowe
Site of a redundant airfield and barracks between Oakington and Longstanton - approx. 5 miles north-west of Cambridge.
Description
Site area: 427 hectares
Proposed development content: See application description S/7006/07/0 below for details.
Projected population and housing density: c 24,000 at an average density of 46 dwelling /hectare.
Current planning status
The following applications were submitted by Gallagher Longstanton Ltd in December, 2007
and decisions by the Local Planning Authority are pending.
S/7007/07/F - Highway link between the proposed new town of Northstowe and Hattons Road; improvements to Hattons road; and associated drainage and landscaping
S/7008/07/F - Highway link between the proposed new town of Northstowe and Dry Drayton Road; improvements to Dry Drayton Road; and associated drainage and landscaping
S/7006/07/O - A new town with residential development, approx 9500 dwellings, employment development (knowledge based and other businesses, research and development and light industry) community uses and non-residential institutions, research institutes, retail, showrooms, financial and professional services, restaurants, snack bars and cafes, drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, hotel and guest houses, assembly (including places of worship and conference facilities), entertainment and leisure (including casino, cinema and nightclubs), education (including nursery, pre-school, primary, secondary and post 16 education), health, library, cultural facilities (including art centre), residential institutions, open space including town park and town square, sport and recreational facilities, public transport routes, footpaths and cycleways, landscaping, cemetery / burial ground, allotments, tree nursery, household waste recycling facilities and all related infrastructure (including roads, car and cycling parking, electricity and power generation plant and equipment, gas facilities, water supply, telecommunications, drainage systems, foul and surface water, flood plain compensation (including pumping station) and lighting
According to a progress report to the Board of Cambridgeshire Horizons in December the Joint Promoters propose to submit a revision to the current outline planning application in Spring 2009 (none yet seen).
A start on site at Northstowe has been delayed to at least 2010. In addition, an Investment Strategy is being drawn up to identify the infrastructure requirements, and to inform the drafting of the Section 106 agreement. Work is also continuing in liaison with the Joint Promoters and Cambridge Partnerships Ltd on public realm management issues. Early indications are that there is a substantial viability gap for the proposed development. Cambridgeshire Horizons' Programme of Development included a bid for just over £36m for Northstowe, of which £22m is Rolling Fund.
The County Council has selected promoters for the first primary school (Diocese of Ely) and the secondary school (Swavesey Village College) following the competition tender processes.
Websites:
Cambridge City Council
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/development-control/major-applications-within-the-city.en
Contacts
Developer: English Partnerships and Gallagher
Masterplanners: Arup Urban Design
Local authority case Officer: Julie Ayre (South Cambridgeshire District Council: - tel.01954 713313)
NORTHSTOWE
The site is almost 230 Hectares in size, much of which is a redundant airfield and barracks, is approximately 5 miles north-west of Cambridge between Longstanton and Oakington. It is to be a complete new town with approximately 10,000 homes. Construction is projected to start in approximately two years and will be phased with the town fully complete by around 2025. Northstowe’s projected population is 24,000 at an average density of 46 dwelling /hectare.
The route of the Cambridgeshire Guided Bus bounds the site to the east - running south to Cambridge and north-west towards Huntingdon - and is a critical component in the siting and premise of the town. A local loop off the main route of the guided bus takes a route north-south through the town, providing a focus for each of its three districts. Separating these districts, and forming buffers to the neighbouring villages, are corridors of multiuse open space. The town centre is to be located adjacent to the southernmost of the two east-west green corridors providing a direct connection to the countryside beyond. In this way the development is characterised as a fen edge market town. The strategies relating to water management and the relationship between landscape and the urban form are intended to reinforce this sense and provide a distinct identity for the new community. Northstowe is not one of the highly publicised eco-towns as the planning for the new town began many years prior to the Governments current eco-town proposals. However many of the eco-town principles and criteria of sustainability will feature at Northstowe creating what a former Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper described in 2007 as a "prototype for eco-towns". Over one-third of the total area will take the form of open space including 35 ha of outdoor sports areas and 22 acres of children's play areas.
Current planning status
The several planning applications for the proposed settlement were
submitted by Gallagher Longstanton Ltd in December, 2007.
According to a progress report to the Board of Cambridgeshire Horizons in December 2008 the English Partnerships and Gallagher (now the joint promoters) propose to submit a revision to the current outline planning application in Spring 2009.
A start on site at Northstowe has been delayed to at least 2010. In addition, an Investment Strategy is being drawn up to identify the infrastructure requirements, and to inform the drafting of the Section 106 agreement. Work is also continuing in liaison with the Joint Promoters and Cambridge Partnerships Ltd on public realm management issues. Early indications are that there is a substantial viability gap for the proposed development.
The County Council has selected promoters for the first primary school (Diocese of Ely) and the secondary school (Swavesey Village College) following the competition tender processes.
Growth Area Profiles for planned major schemes in the Cambridge City sub-region
Brief profiles have been assembled for most of the planned major developments in an around the City to aid the Society’s Planning Committee in its attempts to be alert to progress on significant schemes. The profiles have been put together from various sources, which include; public domain information from Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils planning websites, the Cambridgeshire Horizon’s website and Cambridge Architecture's excellent publication 'Expanding City: Life on the edge: the growth of Cambridge'. http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAProfessionalServices/Regions/East/CAMBSARC200857.pdf
The information contained in each profile is up to date as at the end of December 2008 and further updates are being prepared.