Introduction ; Policy Context

Thank you for inviting the Forestry Commission to respond to the consultation on the Waterbeach Neighbourhood Plan. Unfortunately we do not have the resources to respond to individual neighbourhood plans but we have some key points to make relevant to all neighbourhood plans:
Forestry Commission and Neighbourhood Planning
Existing trees in your community
The Forestry Commission would like to encourage communities to review the trees and woodlands in their neighbourhood and consider whether they are sufficiently diverse in age and species to prove resilient in the face of tree pests and diseases or climate change. For example, if you have a high proportion of Ash, you are likely to see the majority suffering from Ash Dieback. Some communities are proactively planting different species straight away, to mitigate the effect of losing the Ash; you can find out more here. Alternatively, if you have a high proportion of Beech, you may find they suffer particularly from drought or flood stress as the climate becomes more extreme. There are resources available to help you get ideas for other species you can plant to diversify your tree stock and make it more resilient.
Ancient Woodland
If you have ancient woodland within or adjacent to your boundary it is important that it is considered within your plan. Ancient woodlands are irreplaceable, they have great value because they have a long history of woodland cover, with many features remaining undisturbed. This applies equally to Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW) and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). It is Government policy to refuse development that will result in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodland, unless “there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists” (National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 175).
The Forestry Commission has prepared joint standing advice with Natural England on ancient woodland and veteran trees. This advice is a material consideration for planning decisions across England and can also be a useful starting point for policy considerations.
The Standing Advice explains the definition of ancient woodland, its importance, ways to identify it and the policies that relevant to it. It provides advice on how to protect ancient woodland when dealing with planning applications that may affect ancient woodland. It also considers ancient wood-pasture and veteran trees. It will provides links to Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Inventory and assessment guides as well as other tools to assist you in assessing potential impacts.

Deforestation

The overarching policy for the sustainable management of forests, woodland and trees in England is a presumption against deforestation.

Woodland Creation

The UK is committed in law to net zero emissions by 2050. Tree planting is recognised as contributing to efforts to tackle the biodiversity and climate emergencies we are currently facing. Neighbourhood plans are a useful mechanism for promoting tree planting close to people so that the cultural and health benefits of trees can be enjoyed alongside their broader environmental benefits. Any planting considered by the plan should require healthy resilient tree stock to minimise the risk of pests and diseases and maximise its climate change resilience, a robust management plan should also be put in place.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above document – in regards to Policy we would wish to mention:

NPPF s.12 Para 127 which states: -

Developments should create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience.


In regards to design and layout regarding new commercial and residential development we would wish to make the following comment:

Crime prevention should be considered as an integral part of any initial design for a proposed development. It should incorporate the principles of ‘Secured by Design’. In particular to demonstrate how their development proposal has addressed the following issues, in order to design out crime to reduce the opportunities for crime:

• Natural Surveillance of public and semi-private spaces, in particular, entrances to a development, paths, play areas, open spaces and car parks.
• Defensible space and the clear definition, differentiation and robust separation of public, private and semi-private space, so that all the spaces are clearly defined and adequately protected in terms of their use and ownership.
• Consideration for some lighting, in particular shared parking courts and footpaths.
• Design and layout of pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes into and within the site, including how these integrate with existing patterns in the village.
• Landscaping and planting, in particular, potential hiding places and dark or secluded areas should not be created.

In practice this means that Secured by Design status for new housing developments can be achieved through careful design and the use of a limited number of through routes, so that they are well used, effectively lit and overlooked, thereby creating a safe and secure atmosphere. Developers should, at an early stage, seek advice from the Police Designing out Crime Officers at Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters on designing out crime.

Hopefully our comments will be considered.

Please accept this comment Waterbeach Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Consultation.

I whole heartedly support and endorse this proposed Neighbourhood Plan.

With the high volume of traffic on the A10 and it being a link road at peak hours and continuing throughout the day, how can further development even be considered before safety in waterbeach? As a clinician, the number of accidents is already extremely high, and already over the past twelve months there have been four deaths locally, through serious accidents on this stretch of road, and many minor accidents that go unreported. It is absolutely devastating that concerns raised have been responded to as a non priority, and as to such maybe we need to start looking at priority rather than money making, unworkable, slums.

Why move a railway from the centre of our village after just spending millions extending the platform and inconveniencing village people for your new development who walk to the station to get to work, and have done for many years?

The volume of traffic will increase in the village to it’s already gone bursting capacity and local services that can already not cope!

Our wildlife is being pushed out if it’s natural habitat into more built up areas of the village!
Why should decent people, born here, moved here for a village life, to be near the amenities they want, make way for proposals that totally spoil a rural habitat and change their way of living, for those who have no idea of the impact and safety of others.

I wish to put forward a number of comments concerning the above mentioned plan. It is my hope that these comments go forward to the committee.

1) As a resident of this village and a member of this vibrant, friendly community, I wish to highly recommend this accurate and forward thinking view and plan for our village.

Sadly for nearly the last decade, we have felt that we are the forgotten and ignored community.
WPC and the residents of Waterbeach, plus tens of thousands of surrounding local village residents have fought hard to try to contain this over development. Unbelievably there are still NO plans for any infrastructure.

2) Road safety.
What steps will be taken to stop an ever increasing RatRun from the A14 via Horningsea Road speeding into Waterbeach to join the A10 and inevitably this New Town massive development. Traffic in all areas around the A10 will double with this overpopulation.
The Neighbourhood Plan - Restrict traffic in Cody Road to village residents only.
The Neighbourhood Plan -No New Town Traffic entering Waterbeach through Cody Road.

We wish to see a 20 mph speed limit in our village, particularly in the High Street. One way traffic on Greenside ( by White Horse pub) to help make the heart of our village safer from speeding inconsiderate non-resident drivers.
Time limited parking in layby, by pharmacy and post office.

Double yellow lines (safety barriers ) around all junctions in the Preservation Area of the village , especially where there is now inconsiderate and dangerous parking in that area. Many residents have no clear driving view right or left on leaving their street or lane and entering this area because of dangerous parking on both sides of the High Street. It is especially dangerous for pedestrians to cross a very narrow road with cars parked on both sides of the green

The Milton roundabout is still not finished. The merging of traffic from the A14 on an incredible short merging lane, will develop into an accident black spot! Constant lorries exiting A14 will ignore or not see traffic exiting the roundabout, via green traffic lights.
We hear that there are now plans for a new police headquarters to be built next to the Milton park&ride, so we will have to deal with bluelight traffic constantly using this dangerous road.
It is now time for a direct plan to be made and secured for a Bypass from Milton to Ely.

3) Environment. Car Dyke Roman Canal

The importance of preserving this Ancient Monument. This area has huge importance to our village and community, that is why it it is top of the list for preservation on the Neighbourhood plan.

It is a conservation area, an incredible Fenland landscape, massive horizons and a unique place of peace and reflection.
It's ancient hedgerow has a complete biodiversity to protect. Such a diverse numbers of birds , butterfly and insects.
During lockdown this area next to the recreation ground has been a focal part of the village, it has always been a wonderful place for walkers, especially dog walkers and for horse riding. It is a wonderful bridleway. But more important during these difficult times it has brought a special quietness and mental well being to all different age groups, toddlers up to senior citizens. All within walking distance of the village centre. This last part of our south wild fen that must be preserved for children and greatgrandchildren. Once it goes its gone forever.

At one time this area was considered to be one of many crazy areas put forward as part of a Greenway cycling lane for the New Town.

Thousands of cyclists, e scooters etc. using this area as a thoroughfare is totally abhorrent and destructive to this important environment and heritage site.
Waterbeach overwhelmingly voted to have the area adjacent to the railway line as the new Greenway. Council land I believe, flood plain When, if ever there is an upgrade to the A10 there should be a dedicated cycle lane separated from traffic.
Crossing Car Dyke road junction with pedestrian/ traffic lights replicating Denny End/A10 lights for pedestrians and traffic filter lane At the same time slowing speeding A10 traffic and stopping horrendous traffic accidents that still continue too happen on this dangerous poorly marked road . The traffic will actually come to a stop, with the filter lane safely seeing traffic crossing to the opposite lane to head towards Ely.
We have learnt the hard lessons ,about safety since Butt Lane and Denny End have gained multiple traffic lights the roads have become much safer. It is now the turn of Car Dyke road junction that desperately needs upgrading.

Roundabouts they just not up to the job, cars speed and at busy times they block the roundabout so nothing is moving. You see it in Cambridge eveyday.I

Cycles from Milton cycle way will safely enter the village near the Slap Up Pub pathway or onwards to Denny End.

That way we would have 2 safe cycle ways, with the added bonus of reducing the number of cycles on the tow path and improving the environment by the river.

May I also suggest that at these times the area of walkway for residents through Cody Way to New Town , has plenty of attractive natural looking bench's for tired family's but especially pensioners To sit and chat.



4)Travel
We need a secure New Station bus shuttle for residents who usually walk to our own train station for work and pleasure. We are informed that there is now not going to be a multi car park for the new station, so I take it our village roads will be used as a free car park for passengers. Especially Bannold Road.
RLW were given planning permission for this development because they Bragged that they would totally fund the New station out of their combined huge profits. Now we are informed that this is not happening and now we, the council tax payers are funding this unwanted station. Is this Tory government aware of these changes. We take it that is why no plans for a upgrade or bypass far the A10 or Waterbeach is even forseen in the future.

We have a perfect upgraded station in our village at Station Road, even full crossing barriers, to be updated.
Any sensible owner of that line would keep it open and maintained, in case of emergency ( sadly many have happened on this line exactly where the new station is planned ) passengers having to leave the train many times each year at Waterbeach and catch buses to further their journey +. Emergency services attending victims Thousands of villagers would still like to have a limited off peak service, perhaps twice a day or weekly and a limited weekend timetable from out convenient station. Otherwise many will no longer use either stations, instead traveling by car, bus, or use the much quicker Milton Park&Ride ( cheaper)

Where all the residents of this New Town are going to park all their many cars is a complete mystery to us , we are told (No plans are ever displayed) that no garage or parking is allowed next to their homes. Because everyone will be walking & cycling everywhere, whatever the weather. So one can imagine vast car parks dotted around this development, probably overlooking our village.

Thank you for reading this and passing on to committee.