Agenda item

Hybrid application for the expansion of existing business park to create a sustainable campus comprising - (i) Full application for the erection of two office (Class E) buildings, together with landscaping, SuDS, earthworks and associated works; (ii) Outline application (matters of access and scale to be considered, all other matters reserved) for the erection of additional office (Class E) floorspace, together with landscaping, SuDS, earthworks, renewable energy generation/storage, new pedestrian and cycle routes, cycle and parking facilities and associated works.

By seven votes to three, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to

1.    the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in accordance with the Heads of Terms referred to in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, subject to the parties exploring

a.    the viability of the shuttle buses being electric in accordance with the Committee’s aspiration; and

b.    together with Waterbeach Parish Council, the possibility of a scheme being brought forward by Urban & Civic that would secure street lighting and footpath improvements along the footpath to the north of Denny End Road as part of Phase 1A of the current application; and

2.    the Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development with the final wording thereof being agreed by officers in consultation with the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, including (but not limited to) rewording so as to require retention of the temporary car parking area until the decked car park is in use, and its retention should Phase 2 not proceed, and a landscaping Condition including details of fencing to the ponds; and

3.    the Informatives set out in the said report.

The case officer reported that the Drainage Manager had no objection, and outlined the business case supporting the application.

Professor John French (applicant), Councillor Jane Williams (Waterbeach Parish Council) and Councillor Judith Rippeth (in her capacity as one of the local Members) addressed the meeting. The Delivery Manager Strategic Sites) read out a statement from Councillor Paul Bearpark, another of the local Members.

There was some concern relating to the phasing of the footpath lighting along the north side of Denny End Road. Cambridgeshire County Council had not requested this as provision would be made by Urban & Civic as part of the development of the New Town. Following an intervention from the Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites), the agreed by affirmation to ask officers to negotiate with Urban & Civic the early delivery of said footpath and lighting.

The travel plan was commended as innovative and comprehensive. Members welcomed the Green standards, energy efficiency and renewable generation aspects of the proposal.”

In response to Councillor Judith Rippeth, an assurance was given that the developer would not be allowed to begin work on Phase 2 unless Phase 1 was seen to be successful. Accordingly, it was in the developer’s  interest to make sure that the shuttle bus service was effective.

Further debate surrounded

·       Policy E/16: the Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) suggested that this one of the policies overriding Policy S/7 to permit development outside the village framework.

·       The temporary car park: officers undertook to amend the wording so as to require retention of the temporary car parking area until the decked car park is in use, and its retention should Phase 2 not proceed

·       Landscaping, including fencing around the ponds

Following further comments, and by seven votes to three, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to

1.    the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in accordance with the Heads of Terms referred to in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, subject to the parties exploring

a.    the viability of the shuttle buses being electric in accordance with the Committee’s aspiration; and

b.    together with Waterbeach Parish Council, the possibility of a scheme being brought forward by Urban & Civic that would secure street lighting and footpath improvements along the footpath to the north of Denny End Road as part of Phase 1A of the current application; and

2.    the Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development with the final wording thereof being agreed by officers in consultation with the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, including (but not limited to) rewording so as to require retention of the temporary car parking area until the decked car park is in use, and its retention should Phase 2 not proceed, and a landscaping Condition including details of fencing to the ponds; and

3.    the Informatives set out in the said report.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Cahn, Fane, Harvey, Hawkins, Heylings and Rippeth voted in favour. Councillors Roberts, Heather Williams and Richard Williams voted against.)