Issue - meetings

The Deputy Leader of Council AGREED to the schedule of changes to the Issues and Options 2 document.

This decision was first published on Friday 25 January and so the deadline for call-in is Friday 1 February at 5pm.

Appendices 2 and 4 are available on the website. The Draft Interim Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 3) will follow and will also be available online. Hard copies of these documents can be made available on request.

The Planning Policy Manager presented the report alongside Consultant Matthew Patterson. The committee was informed of the following:

·         The Northern Fringe was identified as an area with potential for significant regeneration.

·         Options for development in the area were constrained by the water recycling centre.

·         A Housing Infrastructure (HIF) bid to relocate the Water Recycling Centre off-site was being considered by government.

·         The AAP was an important part of unlocking and delivering the Northern Fringe site.

·         The HIF funding was time limited. Moving the AAP forward was important to help secure a successful HIF bid to relocate the water treatment works.

·         In identifying the timetable for consultation, officers were also mindful of the cycle of local elections; City Council elections were scheduled for 2019.

·         More would be known about the HIF bid in early 2019.

·         A framework for the regeneration of the area would need to be brought forward with or without the Water Recycling Centre.

The committee was informed of the changes that had happened since consultation had taken place in December 2014, such as the implementation of the guided busway link and the opening of the Cambridge North Railway Station and the completion of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Ely to Cambridge Transport Study. The significant issues with the location of the site were also highlighted:

·         It was bordered by the railway and A14, which caused noise and air quality issues.

·         The aggregates railway line was essential infrastructure, which could not be relocated.

·         There were other waste uses which needed to remain on site.

However, the committee was informed that due to the strategic and brownfield nature of the site, there was a broad range of things that it could be used for. Consultation responses and evidence would guide this. The AAP set out a new vision for the area, which focussed on innovation and creating a walkable and low carbon development. Achieving higher levels of travel by sustainable modes would be looked at. The right type and range of housing needed to be looked at for this site which had the advantage of being situated near strong employment centres such as the Science Park and St John’s Innovation Park. Retail and leisure provision was also being looked at that would allow people to meet their needs on site. A broad concept plan had been prepared to test ideas with consultees. Both Local Plans allocated this area for regeneration and making best use of the brownfield site was very important.

There was the potential to look at the Science Park acquiring housing on this site for their employees.

Regarding comments in relation to the poor quality of maps provided in the report, it was pointed out that this was a draft document and the maps would be made clear in the final consultation version. 

The committee discussed the report:

·         Access to adjoining places via cycling and walking, was very important.

·         It was pointed out that the capacity of Cambridge Station was limited and the role of the area around Cambridge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6