Decision details

To consider the key issues arising from the Issues and Options consultation and provide a steer on the approach to take forward. Topics include design, landscape, public realm, historic environment, trees, pollution, infrastructure, & transport.

Matter for Decision:  

The Local Plan was a key document for Cambridge, and the review of the current Local Plan is currently underway. Following on from consultation on the Issues and Options Report, which took place between June and July 2012, officers are working on the analysis of the comments received to the consultation and developing the preferred approach to take forward into the draft Plan. It has previously been agreed that future reports would be brought to Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee to analyse the comments received and options to take forward in more detail in order to seek a steer from Members on the approach to take forward in the draft Plan.

The report considered the approach to be taken forward in relation to the water and flooding, design, landscape, public realm, historic environment, tall buildings, biodiversity, trees and density sections of the Issues and Options Report as part of developing the content of the new Plan.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change:

               i.      Considered the key issues related to water and flooding, design, landscape, public realm, historic environment, tall buildings biodiversity, trees and density as set out in Appendices A, B, C and D

            ii.      Endorsed the response and approach to take forward in the draft Plan, as set out in Appendices A, B, C and D and tables 1, 2, 3 and 4.

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 Planning Policy Manager regarding the approach to draft plan sections relating to: water and flooding, design, landscape, public realm, historic environment, tall buildings, biodiversity, trees and density.

The following matters were discussed:

              i.      Option 57: Concerns were raised with regards to surface water discharge rates for previously developed land.  It was confirmed that this relates to redevelopment proposals on previously developed land.  The policy will be informed by discussions with Anglian Water and modelling of capacity within the surface water sewers.  

            ii.      Option 59: Councillor Saunders stated that whilst this policy seemed to represent a good approach, he was concerned that green roofs were not necessarily appropriate in all situations.  Officers confirmed that this policy is intended to give a stronger steer to developers on the appropriate use of green roofs, while acknowledging that there will be some situations where they will not be appropriate.

          iii.      Option 60: Councillor Marchant-Daisley raised a query regarding the need for development briefs. Officers confirmed that development briefs were not used on every site, but where the Council has used them to date a more informal approach has been taken, which has proved successful. It was also noted that where strategic site policies are developed, these would be carefully worded to provide more detail on design principles.

         iv.      Option 75: Members asked why this option was not being discussed at this meeting of Development Plan Scrutiny Sub-Committee. Officers stated that they were waiting for further information from Marshall regarding the safeguarding restrictions affecting the airport and the surrounding city.   This option would be discussed at a future meeting of the committee, as would policy options on different forms of pollution.

           v.      Options 79, 80 and 81: Members questioned the crossover between these and option 64. Officers stated that major developments would still need to complete a biodiversity checklist for major developments and would need to enhance biodiversity, but option 64 also allowed smaller developments to be included in the requirement to enhance biodiversity.

Members welcomed the creative thinking in the options and the opportunity to include density and internal space standards at a policy level for the first time.

Councillor Reid stated that there was fresh thinking around density levels and their links to sustainability through the ReVISIONS She proposed that the University of Cambridge be invited to speak to members about the latest research in this area.

The Committee resolved by 3 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

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

Not applicable.