Issue - meetings

This item will give Members an update on the latest position for the Cambridge Northern Fringe East project, including that the revised timetable will be contained within a new Local Development Scheme to be presented to Members in October 2018.

The Committee received a presentation regarding Cambridge Northern Fringe east (CNFE).

 

The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development outlined:

     i.        Greater Cambridge strategic ambitions, opportunities and challenges.

    ii.        CNFE development area plans.

 

The Strategic Director outlined:

     i.        Housing Infrastructure Fund details.

    ii.        The developing business case would be submitted in December 2018.

 

Members of the public and a councillor asked a number of questions, as set out below.

 

1.      Richard Cushing asked what was the relationship between CFNE and the Milton Road Corridor? Also if they would impact on each other?

 

The Joint Director said:

                     i.        CNFE and the Milton Road Corridor were related projects.

                    ii.        The City Council was working with Greater Cambridge Partnership and other partners to address congestion issues in the A10 corridor. Better connections were needed between where people were living and working.

                   iii.        The intention was to avoid growth in vehicle trips (for commuting) as the area population grew. A mode shift from private vehicles to public transport would help reduce commuting in/out/around the city.

 

2.      Richard Cushing asked if the same transport model was used for CNFE as the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in the south of the city?

 

The Joint Director said:

                     i.        He hoped the transport model had been improved since it was used for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

                    ii.        The intention was to better design the area in future to make communities better joined up with walkable distances to jobs, homes, open spaces and Cambridge North Station.

 

3.      Ruth Yule asked what was happening to the area east of the railway line.

 

The Joint Director said this was a flood plain so could not be developed.

 

4.      Ruth Yule asked when the area around Cambridge North Station would be developed and get transport links to the Science Park.

 

The Joint Director said the intention was to co-ordinate development between land owners over the next 3-5 years.

 

The Strategic Director said development in the area would be limited until the water treatment facility (sewage works) moved.

 

5.      A member of the public suggested there would be difficulties commuting from CNFE into town and back.

 

The Joint Director said the intention was to improve connectivity through and from CNFE.

 

6.      Councillor Scutt raised the following issues:

     i.        Queried provision of social/affordable housing.

    ii.        Stated transport infrastructure should be in place from CNFE to the rest of the city for work and leisure.

   iii.        Stated residents had concerns about the relocation of the water treatment facility.

 

The Joint Director and Strategic Director said the following:

     i.        The Joint Housing Strategy would set out details on housing provision. This would be compliant with the policy to make 40% of housing affordable.

    ii.        CNFE would be a community with all necessary facilities (eg shops), but people would be able to travel into the city too.

   iii.        Relocation of the water treatment facility would be strictly controlled through policy. The new facility would be modern and so have less issues (eg smell) than the old one.