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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 & 2, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ. View directions

Contact: Claire Tunnicliffe  Committee Manager

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Price

2.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

3.

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.