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Contact: Claire Tunnicliffe Committee Manager
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APOLOGIES Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Price |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Minutes: No interests were declared. |
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PRE-APPLICATION DEVELOPER BRIEFING - Masterplan Review, West Cambridge Site, South of Madingley Road The West Cambridge Site, south of Madingley Road, accommodates academic buildings and
departments as well as some commercial research. The site has long term
tenants such as the Vet School, British Antarctic Survey, Schlumberger Research
Centre and the Cavendish Laboratory. Over the last 15 years the site has
been developed in line with an existing outline planning permission.
New buildings include Physics of Medicine, the Institute for
Manufacturing and more recently Materials Science. The site also accommodates
the West Cambridge Sports Centre and residential accommodation for University
staff. In line with the Draft Cambridge Local Plan
2014 the University wishes to increase density on the site to provide
additional employment and academic floorspace, while
at the same time address shortcomings of the existing masterplan.
These include a public realm dominated by the car and a lack of
amenities. The University’s vision is for a world-class,
well connected, research and development environment which supports
entrepreneurship and collaboration with industry. The new masterplan is still the subject of pre-application discussion and an Environmental Impact Assessment, and there will be a need to review the existing Section 106 commitments. This briefing is intending for officers and the University to update Members on progress to date and to discuss the key issues ahead of a target submission for a formal new outline application. Minutes: The West Cambridge Site, south of Madingley Road, accommodates academic buildings and
departments as well as some commercial research. The site has long term tenants
such as the Vet School, British Antarctic Survey, Schlumberger Research Centre
and the Cavendish Laboratory. Over the last 15 years the site has been
developed in line with an existing outline planning permission. New buildings
include Physics of Medicine, the Institute for Manufacturing and more recently
Materials Science. The site also accommodates the West Cambridge Sports Centre
and residential accommodation for University staff. In line with the Draft Cambridge Local Plan
2014 the University wishes to increase density on the site to provide
additional employment and academic floorspace, while
at the same time address shortcomings of the existing masterplan.
These include a public realm dominated by the car and a lack of amenities. The University’s vision is for a
world-class, well connected, research and development environment which
supports entrepreneurship and collaboration with industry. The new masterplan is still the subject of
pre-application discussion and an Environmental Impact Assessment, and there
will be a need to review the existing Section 106 commitments. This briefing is
intending for officers and the University to update Members on progress to date
and to discuss the key issues ahead of a target submission for a formal new
outline application. 1) Key Points from Developer Presentation - University’s Vision is
for a world class, well connected development which benefits the Cambridge and
United Kingdom economy. - Transformation of
the site is intended through the new masterplan. - Phasing -
The site will be built out over a 25
year period. - Adaptable and efficient buildings
will be delivered. Future occupiers not
yet known for most of the site. - Public transport -
Significant investment to be provided. - Reduced reliance on private car key
to the overall approach. - Connectivity improvement
integral, both cycle and pedestrian. - Cavendish Laboratory is
not currently fit for purpose and is a priority project. - Landscaped setting for west forum to
be delivered early. - Commercial Programme –
Schlumberger is the seed for the new programme. - Vet School –
space will be optimised for the next 10 years. - Open Space – an
appropriate scale will be delivered in the third phase. - Informal Shared Facilities to
be provided at the East Forum. - Hierarchy of catering venues to
be provided. - Northern European good
practice examples explained. - Illustrative masterplan
explained
in context. - Draft Parameter Plans – Robust
design guidelines to accompany submission. Member
Questions/Comments 1) There are already key worker residents
on the site. Would you have sited them
on West Cambridge with the benefit of hindsight and what can be done to improve
their social isolation? - The existing 206 flats at West Cambridge is a substantial proportion of the University’s current portfolio. This will be radically changed with the 700 key worker flats to be provided at the North West Cambridge Development (NWCD). 1500 units will ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |