Comment

Cambridge Northern Fringe East AAP - Issues and Options

Representation ID: 29372

Received: 06/01/2015

Respondent: Historic England

Agent: Historic England

Representation Summary:

Question 18 is concerned with building heights within the area to be covered by the AAP and is divided into 3 parts. Unfortunately there is no evidence base included with the document to explain the impact that the varying heights of buildings might have on designated heritage assets to the south west, south and east of this site. It is therefore difficult to objectively comment on the potential impact of 16 metre, 24 metre or taller buildings.
However, it is likely that new buildings of similar heights to those on the existing Cambridge Business Park would not adversely impact on the setting of nearby heritage assets. But the new station is located in the southeast corner of the site and tall buildings in the vicinity of this station would have an increased potential to adversely impact on the character and appearance of the Cambridge central conservation area (and in particular the eastward arm that extends along the river corridor to the south of this site), the Fen Ditton conservation area to the east and the setting of listed buildings within both conservation areas. Without a robust evidence base English Heritage could not support either Option B or C that would permit a more flexible approach to the issue of building heights within the AAP.

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