Issue - meetings

Planning Officers will be available to give information on the progress of the University’s application on the West Cambridge site.

Contact for further information:

John Evans, Principal Planner, Cambridge City Council |

john.evans@cambridge.gov.uk| 01223 457289

cambridge.gov.uk | facebook.com/camcitco | twitter.com/camcitco

The Committee received a presentation from the Principal Planner (City Council) and Transport Officer (County Council) regarding the West Cambridge Development Site (16/1134/OUT).

The presentation outlined key issues following the consultation period and provided a general update on the proposals and ways to engage.

       i.          Original application submission was in June 2016.

     ii.          Documents considered – included 5 parameter plans, Design and Access Statement, Design Guide, Environment Statement and various supporting technical studies.

   iii.          Key officer concerns – were set out to the developer team following the consultation period.  The key Issues are:

   iv.          Transport - the transport assessment as submitted was not a complete assessment.  Principles of phased approach explained and the latest update on modelling work which is being carried out.

    v.          Landscape and visual impact – potential visual impact of the proposals, particularly from key views from the south and west.  Indicative revised images were introduced showing reduced height in key areas.

   vi.          Trees – full consideration and survey of existing trees and development buffers has been necessary.  The relationship of this work with the Design Guide and consideration of reserved matters was explained.

 vii.          Drainage – surface water drainage strategy revisions.

viii.          Environmental Health Issues – in particular noise, air quality and potential impact from artificial lighting.

   ix.          Sustainability – wider strategic issues with grid capacity and revised hierarchical approach to energy on the site.

    x.          Amenities delivery – Shared facilities hub, phasing and strategies to improve sense of place on the campus.

The Principal Planner and Transport Officer said the following in response to Members’ and public questions:

       i.          The continued development of sites around Madingley Road meant that pressure on transport, cycle and pedestrian access would grow. Measures to mitigate the West Cambridge development were being discussed with the university.

     ii.          Assessing the transport impact was complex due to uncertainties with the timing of other developments in the wider area and potential transport mitigation measures that may accompany those. The University were taking an ‘adoptive phased approach’. This was a pragmatic approach to assess the transport impact of the proposal through a number of key phases.  This involved assessing smaller phases of the overall scheme within agreed parameters and an overall Transport Cap for mitigation measures.

   iii.          A Cycle Strategy was under review in order to create a new cycle route to alleviate the pressure from Garrett Hostel Bridge.  This would also consider longer term connectivity between West Cambridge and North West Cambridge.

   iv.          The proposed new masterplan was an outline planning application. Details about the design and style of the buildings would follow in reserved matters applications in the future.  The proposed new building for Civil Engineering (16/1811/FUL) was submitted and determined in advance of the outline because of funding deadlines.  This scheme was assessed on its own merits based on the current situation.

    v.          A further briefings/forum could be set up in future to update residents/Members.   Details could also be brought back to WCAC.