Waterbeach Neighbourhood Plan - Submission version

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.