Issue - meetings

The Committee received a reserved matters application pursuant to application 13/1402/S73.

 

The Committee noted the amendment sheet.

 

The application sought approval for the construction of 186 residential units, access road, cycle parking, car parking, landscaping, utilities and associated ancillary structures.

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a local resident.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

     i.        As a local resident with no connection to the developer or the University, had concerns about the proposals.

    ii.        Main issues were light pollution and the height and density of the site.

   iii.        Guidance documents suggested that this would be a 3 storey development. It now appears to be 5 storeys.

  iv.        The area has a village feel to which would be lost by a building of this size.

   v.        There are gaps between the blocks but when viewed from an angle, it would appear as a solid block.

  vi.        The density also causes concern. 200 small apartments would result in a lot of windows overlooking existing properties.

 vii.        Light pollution would be an issue.

 

Jamie Wilding (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Member of the Committee made the following comments regarding the application:

 

     i.        Suggested that local residents were expecting a development of no more than three floors and while the scheme conforms to the outline plan and design code, residents might feel they had been misled. More meaningful conversation with surrounding communities was needed in future.

    ii.        Expressed concerns that many developments near to Park and Ride sites appears to see them as a viable alternative parking arrangement.

 

In response to questions the Principal Planner stated the following:

 

     i.        Indoor, wall hanging, cycle storage was an additional amenity which people with expensive cycles valued. There was sufficient alternative cycle parking, such as the basement.

    ii.        The properties were likely to be fitted with bespoke blinds as the residents would want privacy. This would also address light pollution.

   iii.        Confirmed that Lansdowne Road and Conduit Road were over 100 metres from the nearest building on the site.

  iv.        Disabled parking spaces with electrical charging points would be restricted to disabled users.

   v.        The gradient of the ramp leading to Turing Way footpath was not known but it had been approved by the disabilities panel.

  vi.        Confirmed that internal corridors were 2.2 metres wide with wider passing points.

 vii.        Confirmed that on site visitor parking spaces had increased significantly since the outline plan was agreed. A holistic approach to visitor parking was being taken with pockets of parking across the scheme.

viii.        Confirmed that letter box access would be in central foyer area.

  ix.        Refuse collection would be via the underground system already in use on the site.

   x.        Plans for a localised green waste collection point had not yet been finalised.

  xi.        Confirmed that there was no affordable housing on this site In accordance with the outline permission. However, it was anticipated that the nearby Darwin Green site would deliver 40% affordable housing

 

The Assistant Director stated that a long period of time had elapsed between the original outline permission for the North West Cambridge development and the more detailed application now being considered. Lessons learned in phase one (including this scheme under consideration) would help to shape future phases of the development.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (by 7 votes to 3) to grant the reserved matters application in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.