Decision details

The Draft Cambridge Skyline Guidance was circulated for public, agency and member consideration from October 31/11 for a period of 6 weeks.  The results of the consultation on the draft guidance will first be considered by the Development Plan Scrutiny Sub-Committee (January 2012) prior to the guidance being considered for adoption at the March Environment Scrutiny Committee 

Matter for Decision:  

The Officer’s report requested the adoption of guidance to support the application of Policy 3/13 (Tall Buildings and the Skyline) of the Cambridge Local Plan (2006). The guidance was formerly referred to as the “Cambridge Skyline Guidance” during previous draft versions up to January 2012. Final revisions have now been made to the draft document following agreement from the Executive Councillor to responses to representations for the draft guidance in January 2012.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport:

(i)                Agreed the responses to the Draft Cambridge Skyline Guidance (October 2011) included in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

(ii)              Approved the document “Guidance for the application of Policy 3/13 (Tall Buildings and the Skyline) of the Cambridge Local Plan (2006)”, attached as Appendix 2 (with text amendment to paragraph 4.4.5 set out below), as a material consideration in the determination of future planning applications.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Head of Joint Urban Design and Urban Designer regarding the Adoption of Cambridge Skyline Guidance.

The Officers referred to an amendment to paragraph 4.4.5 (P31) of the Skyline Guidance document (appendix 2 of the Officer’s report):

“Policy 8/13 of the Cambridge Local Plan (2006) is about the Cambridge Airport Safety Zone and Airport safeguarding restrictions. Developers of tall buildings should contact Marshalls Airport at pre-application stage to discuss the effect which safeguarding restrictions may have on the maximum height of the building.”

The committee welcomed the document as a material planning consideration to ensure that the ‘right building’ was located in the ‘right place’.

In response to Member’s questions the Chair, Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport and Head of Joint Urban Design recommended including a dossier of ‘successful’ building good practice case studies in a supplement to the Local Plan Review, rather than delaying the Skyline Guidance to include it.

The committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations, including the amendment to paragraph 4.4.5 of the Skyline Guidance.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.