Issue - meetings

The Committee received a presentation from the Strategic Director, and Senior Planning Policy Officer.

The presentation provided an update on the North East Cambridge (NEC) proposed development:

      i.         The draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan (NEC AAP) defined a vision for the development and sought to minimise transport impacts and match infrastructure which would be required by communities.

    ii.         NEC would provide circa 8500 new homes of a higher density and quality and new centres for local amenities and services.  It would also provide community facilities and intensified office use.

   iii.         Noted physical barriers to the development this included Milton Road, the guided bus service, A14 and the Science and Business Parks.

  iv.         Commented that it was beneficial that the NEC AAP was being developed at the same time as the Local Plan as quite a lot of the evidence being collected for the Local Plan could be used to inform the NEC AAP.

    v.         Other factors which needed to be taken into consideration include the Oxford to Cambridge technology corridor and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

  vi.         Referred to Fen Road Option Analysis.  Noted that Network Rail had attended a previous North Area Committee and that they had installed a CCTV camera to monitour the crossing following safety concerns.  Alternative access options for Fen Road had been considered if the crossing was closed.

 vii.         Discussed the Development Consent Order planning process.

Members of the Public (MOP) and Councillors asked a number of questions as set out below.

        i.       What would happen to Kings Hedges Road.

An addendum to the transport strategy was being prepared, officerss were working with County Council Transport colleagues to ensure traffic can move more smoothly around the area.

ii.               Noted the water levels of the River Cam and questioned where water would be coming from to service the site.

Officers confirmed that a water cycle study was underway, this looked at the Greater Cambridge area and was not limited to NEC development.  They looked at the water table which was high and noted that this would need to be maintained and potentially cleaned.  Officers noted that water solution was put in place water would need to be re-used and recycled to minimise waste.

iii.               Noted that the plans showed a main arterial route through the development but commented that the Science and Business Parks can be closed at certain times during the day and questioned how this would work.

Officers confirmed that the Science and Business Parks will have a walking / cycling route through.  This would break down barriers and make the sites more permeable.