Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

It is paramount that Grantchester meadows be included as an integral part of G.Cambs green infrastructure. This would create a link between the Coton Countryside Reserve, Countryside Restoration Trust at Lark Rise Farm (Barton), Grantchester Meadows and Byrons Pool (Trumpington). It would also help by extending the Cambridge Nature Network.

The plan considers “the quarter to six quadrant of Cambridge, a major GI target area”. It rightly describes it as “spanning the parishes of Barton, Coton, Grantchester and Madingley”. Inexplicably Grantchester has then been left out of the W.Cambridge GI Buffer Zone. The M11 should not act as the barrier to this zone and Grantchester, an integral part of the quarter to six quadrant, must be included.

The plan mentions King’s College specifically as a potential delivery partner. It should work with them and Cambridge Past Present and Future to create a conservation covenant across the Grantchester Meadow area. This would aid its inclusion in the W.Cambridge buffer zone and help to preserve its rich and varied heritage.

Meadowland running along the Cam and its chalk stream tributaries should be identified and assessed as a carbon store. It should be mapped in the plan and included as a pollinator corridor. Restoration and biodiversity should be made a priority to help maximise this invaluable natural asset.

Grantchester meadows already faces high pressure from recreational visitors. A lack of public transport, no provisions for parking, no management of litter are directly damaging the environment. With the growing population this can only increase. By including the meadows within the green infrastructure it can start to be mitigated. Low carbon public transport should be provided into and around the area. Litter collection, car travel and parking all needs to be organised better.

East West Rail Southern approach should be rejected. It runs through the entire Western Gateway GI zone and along the Bourn Brooke Chalk Stream. It would lead to a loss of habitat directly where the plan strives to value and protect it.

In G.Cambs there are a considerable number of rural communities reliant on oil. They have ageing power networks without the capacity to install heat pumps or car charging points. There is a risk that these communities will be further left behind. The local plan has identified the need for “smart” power networks with greater capacity for new developments. As part of these new developments, section 106 agreements must be negotiated to help rural residents also install renewables. There are a large number of roofs in these areas that would benefit from solar PV with batteries plugged into this “smart” network.

It is paramount that Grantchester meadows be included as an integral part of G.Cambs green infrastructure. This would create a link between the Coton Countryside Reserve, Countryside Restoration Trust at Lark Rise Farm (Barton), Grantchester Meadows and Byrons Pool (Trumpington). It would also help by extending the Cambridge Nature Network.

The plan considers “the quarter to six quadrant of Cambridge, a major GI target area”. It rightly describes it as “spanning the parishes of Barton, Coton, Grantchester and Madingley”. Inexplicably Grantchester has then been left out of the W.Cambridge GI Buffer Zone. The M11 should not act as the barrier to this zone and Grantchester, an integral part of the quarter to six quadrant, must be included.

The plan mentions King’s College specifically as a potential delivery partner. It should work with them and Cambridge Past Present and Future to create a conservation covenant across the Grantchester Meadow area. This would aid its inclusion in the W.Cambridge buffer zone and help to preserve its rich and varied heritage.

Meadowland running along the Cam and its chalk stream tributaries should be identified and assessed as a carbon store. It should be mapped in the plan and included as a pollinator corridor. Restoration and biodiversity should be made a priority to help maximise this invaluable natural asset.

Grantchester meadows already faces high pressure from recreational visitors. A lack of public transport, no provisions for parking, no management of litter are directly damaging the environment. With the growing population this can only increase. By including the meadows within the green infrastructure it can start to be mitigated. Low carbon public transport should be provided into and around the area. Litter collection, car travel and parking all needs to be organised better.

East West Rail Southern approach should be rejected. It runs through the entire Western Gateway GI zone and along the Bourn Brooke Chalk Stream. It would lead to a loss of habitat directly where the plan strives to value and protect it.

In G.Cambs there are a considerable number of rural communities reliant on oil. They have ageing power networks without the capacity to install heat pumps or car charging points. There is a risk that these communities will be further left behind. The local plan has identified the need for “smart” power networks with greater capacity for new developments. As part of these new developments, section 106 agreements must be negotiated to help rural residents also install renewables. There are a large number of roofs in these areas that would benefit from solar PV with batteries plugged into this “smart” network.