Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The report was intended to update the Executive Councillor and the Committee on the current status and proposals for the Cambridge Northern Fringe East site and to recommend next steps.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation

i. To note the current status, indicative proposals and target timescales for the programme and the continued engagement with Homes England on progression with the HIF bid.

ii. Approved the timeline for the Master Developer tender process and delegate the final approval to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Executive Councillor and Opposition Spokesperson, noting that the decision to run a procurement  in order to identify a master developer, was in consultation with the Leader, recognising that the offer was not certain at point of tender.

iii. To establish the terms for an appropriate joint venture vehicle, working with the Strategic Director, Anglian Water and advisers, subject to HIF bid outcome.

iv. Noted the proposed timetable for preparing the CNFE Area Action Plan for the proposed wider boundary area (contained in paragraph 4.2.6 and appendix 2a), which is programmed to run in tandem with the HIF bid and with the  subsequent regulatory process required for relocation of the Cambridge Water Recycling Centre.

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 Strategic Director.

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

     i.        Questioned whether 7600 homes would be able to be built and delivered on the site.

    ii.        Requested that Opposition Councillors were included to develop the Area Action Plans.

   iii.        Questioned where the water treatment plant would relocate to if the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid was successful.

The Strategic Director and the Group Property Director from Anglian Water said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        The HIF bid put forward a proposal of 5000 houses on the core site which was owned partly by Anglian Water and partly by the City Council but it was hoped that if the core site got approval that this would be a catalyst to build further housing.  Anglian Water and the City Council did not own land beyond the core site and therefore the housing figures above 5000 houses were speculative figures.

    ii.        Confirmed that if the HIF bid was successful then officers planned to do more work and involve Opposition Councillors.

   iii.        Confirmed that if the HIF bid was successful Anglian Water would have to go through a process to look for alternative sites to relocate to.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

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.