Decision details

To approve the Issues and Options Report for public consultation.

Matter for Decision

Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area is one of the most important brownfield regeneration opportunities in Greater Cambridge. The new Local Plans for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire recognise that regeneration and redevelopment of the area is important, both in the short term aligned with the opportunity presented by the opening of a new rail station and in the long term to ensure that maximum regeneration benefits are captured for Greater Cambridge.

 

Work started on the development of an Area Action Plan for the CNFE earlier in 2014, in parallel with the later stages of the Local Plans. The Officer’s report presented the background research and evidence base prepared so far, and possible development options for the area in an issues and options consultation document.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport

       i.          Agreed the Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan Issues and Options (CNFE AAP I&O) Report for consultation jointly with South Cambridgeshire District Council.

     ii.          Noted and approved the evidence base that supports this work as contained in the appendices to the Officer’s report.

   iii.          Agreed the approach to Consultation and Community Engagement set out in the strategy appended to the Officer’s report; and Report Page No: 2

   iv.          Delegated to the Head of Planning Services authority to finalise the consultation documents for publication including any minor typographical, formatting, editing or other inconsequential corrections that are necessary, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, DPSSC Chair and Planning Policy and Transport Opposition Spokes.

    v.          Delegated to the Head of Planning Services authority to finalise the Interim Sustainability Appraisal and associated supporting documents for publication including:

a.    The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.

b.    Final version of the Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report.

c.    Making any other minor typographical, formatting, editing or other inconsequential corrections that are necessary, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, DPSSC Chair and Planning Policy and Transport Opposition Spokes.

 

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 Planning Services. She tabled:

       i.          An index page as a key to agenda page numbers and documents.

     ii.          An additional recommendation (#5) to supplement those on P12 of the Officer’s report.

 

5) To delegate to to the Head of Planning Services authority to finalise the Interim Sustainability Appraisal and associated supporting documents for publication including:

                           i.          The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.

                         ii.          Final version of the Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report.

                       iii.          Making any other minor typographical, formatting, editing or other inconsequential corrections that are necessary, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, DPSSC Chair and Planning Policy and Transport Opposition Spokes.

 

Members were asked if they wished to accept the additional recommendation, or delay the consultation by 2 days so councilors could see the final version of the scoping and appraisal reports.

 

Members unanimously agreed to accept the additional recommendation.

 

The SQW Consultant gave a presentation on the issues and options report.

 

The Urban Extensions Project Manager gave a presentation on the Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan.

 

The Chair proposed to review the main part of the Officer’s report and appendices as a whole, then look separately at Appendix A Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan Issues and Options Consultation Document, plus Appendix H Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan Consultation and Community Engagement Strategy.

 

Officer’s Report and Appendices B, C, D, E, F, G, I

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Suggested reviewing the name of the nature reserve near the public drain.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Head of Planning Services, Urban Extensions Project Manager plus SQW Consultant said the following:

       i.          Strategic plans and policy options for cycle routes were set out in pages 74, 75 and 105 of the Officer’s report. Junctions needed to be usable by vehicles, bikes and pedestrians in order to be suitable.

     ii.          A transport modal strategy would be jointly considered in future with the County Council as part of the Cambridge North Station proposal.

   iii.          The main issue for Anglian Water was finding a new treatment site. The cost of moving would be considered in a viability study. The difference between 2006 and 2013 plans was that the station area was now coming forward for development to regenerate the area. Due to this, various options were presented to Members regarding the waste water park.

   iv.          Cambridge and Northstowe needed waste water facilities, but the location for these was still to be determined. Officers had not yet looked at location options with Anglian Water.

 

Appendix A

In response to Members’ questions the Head of Planning Services, Urban Extensions Project Manager plus SQW Consultant said the following:

 

Question 1

       i.          Education provision depends on the amount of accommodation coming forward ie the mix of employment and residential properties. This would be considered in future.

 

Questions 3 & 4

     ii.          The Station Liaison Group would be included in the consultation group in future.

 

Question 6

   iii.          The Cambridge Northern Fringe East Area Action Plan would include guidance on how to select the name of the new Cambridge Railway Station. The final decision would be made by Network Rail after considering options.

 

Question 28

   iv.          The option for local authorities to provide market rent accommodation could be included in either existing options or a new Option C. Officers undertook to confirm revised wording with the Committee Chair and Spokesperson after the meeting.

 

Questions 36 & 41

    v.          These questions focussed on what provision should be made to improve the vehicle, cycle and pedestrian environment.

 

Question 41

   vi.          The text reflected standard guidance. Any changes to legislation will be reflected after the consultation.

 

The Committee unanimously noted Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I.

 

Appendix H

In response to Members’ questions the Urban Extensions Project Manager said a list of organisations to consult was being developed by South Cambridgeshire and the City Council.

 

The Committee unanimously noted Appendix H.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations as amended.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.