Waterbeach New Town Supplementary Planning Document

Comment

Representation ID: 167440

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

1. INTRODUCTION
The Consultation Draft, Waterbeach New Town SPD, September 2018 (the Draft SPD) is very much welcomed, as is the considerable progress made in evolving the content over recent months, in parallel with on-going consideration of the outline planning applications for redevelopment of the allocated site and the emerging, legal framework for joint working between the landowners and promotors.
DIO/U&C endorse the approach to both the spatial framework and the approach to delivery set out in the SPD. Set out below are a number of suggested clarifications. These are offered within the context of broad support for the Draft SPD.

Comment

Representation ID: 167441

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
SPATIAL FRAMEWORK DIAGRAM
The Spatial Framework Diagram provides the critical 'skeleton' for a comprehensive and coherent development across the allocated site. Clarification that it provides the broad structure for development, but it is nevertheless indicative is particularly welcome.

Object

Representation ID: 167442

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
Hierarchy of Centres
Co-location of primary schools and local centres should be expressed as a principle that is desirable, subject to consideration of all other design matters and impacts.

This section includes definitive statements (also reflected in Figure 15) with respect to the co-location of primary schools and local centres. This is inconsistent with the SFD. Complexity of issues which impact upon the location of schools and local centres; co-location will not be optimal in all instances.

Object

Representation ID: 167443

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
Education
This section opens with a statement that is definitive in terms of what will 'be required' in terms of education provision. Does not reflect the approach, now agreed with the County Council, to maintain a degree of flexibility to deliver in response to actual need, managed through an Education Review Group
Table 1 - This summary is reflective of a more flexible position (for example indicating scope for one or two secondary schools) but also introduces different locational criteria (walking catchments) from those listed on the preceding page - the two should be consistent.

Object

Representation ID: 167444

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
PRIMARY MOVEMENT AND ACCESS
Movement Network
The plans and text relating to the hierarchy of routes and movement would benefit from further explanation of what is meant be primary and secondary routes, and how these relate to both mode and the needs of the anticipated, resident population. A number of issues are raised in the attached comments.

Object

Representation ID: 167445

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
AMOUNT DENSITY AND HEIGHTS
Figure 30 is clearly indicative but is difficult to interpret and potentially misleading. Both the low and medium 'density' areas are labelled 2-3 storeys as a 'height range' (with the exception of one area of 1-2 storeys and one area of 2-5 storeys). The diagram gives the overwhelming impression of a predominance of 2 to 3 storey buildings. Yet, medium density is not readily achieved at a uniform two storeys, without a degree of 'cramming'.
The B&A OPA has demonstrated that a large part of the site can accommodate buildings of up to four storeys and on significant parts of the site, buildings up to six storeys. Figure 30 gives no indication of the scope for a variety of building heights. Use of the word 'range' in the key implies minimum and maximum, and yet the range is no narrow and not indicative of what is possible.
There are three locations, not two, where tall buildings have been identified as acceptable; the town centre, the station and adjoining the lake.

Object

Representation ID: 167446

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
SUMMARY OF SPATIAL FIXES
STRATEGIC WALKING AND CYCLING CONNECTIONS
As advised previously, this refers to augmentation of Cycle Route 11 which is not deliverable due to the current landownership, and therefore contributions cannot be sought.

Object

Representation ID: 167447

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

4.2 KEY STRUCTURING ELEMENTS (FIXES)
SUMMARY OF STRUCTURING ELEMENTS
PAGE 78, TABLE 8 DENSITY AND HEIGHTS
It would help to switch paragraphs one and two in the 'mechanism' box so it is clear that the density and height plans referred to are those submitted with planning applications (otherwise it might be misinterpreted as the indicative plan in the SPD.)

Object

Representation ID: 167448

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

5.2 MOVEMENT AND PLACE
PAGE 85 ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The ambition to have as many homes as possible within 400m of a bus-stop is supported, but it should not be stated as a requirement.
The text at the bottom of the first column sets out a 'requirement' for proximity to bus stops. This is in the section of the SPD on guiding principles, not fixes. Positioning every home within 400m of a bus stop is an extremely onerous 'requirement.' The Plan on Page 86 shows that many, but certainly not all homes will be within 400m of a bus stop. The SPD is directing bus priority onto key routes, which is necessary to sustain frequent services; on this basis it is not possible to also have stops within 400m of every home.

Object

Representation ID: 167449

Received: 26/10/2018

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Urban & Civic

Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES

5.7 PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE & PLANTING
Page 105 Table 14
This refers to a site wide planting scheme and landscape strategy. Strategies and schemes beyond the SPD will come forward only through outline planning applications so will not be site wide. Proposals can still be set within a site wide context.