Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

The development strategy is broadly supported however opportunities for densification of existing urban areas in locations well served by public transport should be maximised wherever possible and the approach supported by Local Plan policy.

It is proposed to carry forward The Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change identified in the adopted 2018 Cambridge Local Plan. Land to the south of Bateman Street continues to be excluded from the designation despite the fact that it has an important role to play in the continuing redevelopment and revitalisation of the emerging central business district along Station Road and has an adopted allocation that seeks the redevelopment of the site adjacent to the Area of Major Change. These representations therefore object to Policy S/AMC as currently drafted and it is requested that the boundary of the ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’ is reviewed to include for Land to the south of Bateman Street to make sure its long-term future is properly considered to best support the Cambridge Station Area as part of a coordinated and considered Area of Major Change.

It is proposed to continue to identify the Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre Opportunity Area. Land south of Bateman Street continues to fall within this opportunity area.

Trinity Hall supports draft Policy S/OA and the proposal to carry forward the Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre Opportunity Area to the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

Trinity Hall is also supportive of the proposed policy direction, in particular the drive to deliver public realm improvements. The opportunity that Land south of Bateman Street can provide in terms of an improved public realm along Hills Road should be particularly recognised in future policy wording. The Policy should explicitly attach positive weight to a development that helps to meet the aims of the Opportunity Area policy.

Land south of Bateman Street is proposed to be carried forward as a Mixed Use allocation under Policy S/LAC (site reference S/C/M5: 82-88 Hills Road and 57-63 Bateman Street). However, the site excludes No. 90 Hills Road.
Trinity Hall supports the continued allocation of Land south of Bateman Street but requests that the allocation also includes for No. 90 Hills Road. Trinity Hall remains committed to the sites’ positive redevelopment as a Commercial-Led, Mixed Use allocation.
The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. Alongside, it is important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on long-distance travel to service the area with goods and services. Further prime office floorspace in high quality developments is also needed to consolidate and expand the world class facilities which have recently put CB1 on the international property investment map.
Opportunities for densification of existing urban areas in locations well served by public transport should be maximised wherever possible. Furthermore, the redevelopment of areas around Cambridge central station for high quality offices within mixed use development which offers a healthy working environment is supported, together with the delivery of a high quality public realm.
Densification of existing urban areas in locations well served by public transport will also help to keep Cambridge as a compact city whilst still supporting the significant unmet needs arising from knowledge intensive (KI) companies, especially artificial intelligence firms around Cambridge Central station. This supports CPIERs third key recommendation: “Ensuring that Cambridge continues to deliver for KI businesses should be considered a nationally strategic priority”.
Land south of Bateman Street, Cambridge is within single ownership and capable of delivering a well-designed, high quality development that could make efficient use of a brownfield site, in a highly sustainable location, whilst also being able to respond to local character and protect the historic environment.
The Site has been assessed as suitable, available and achievable in the HELAA (reference OS044). Any matters scored as Amber in the HELAA are fully capable of being satisfactorily mitigated or compensated.
The key opportunities for the site are outlined below:
Meeting unmet development needs
− Hills Road forms part of the gateway into the city and a significant and thriving cluster of businesses. There is an opportunity for the Site to actively contribute to the hub of commercial buildings along Hills Road and deliver employment to help meet the needs of Cambridge whilst also supporting the local economy and community;
A highly sustainable location
− the Site is extremely well located for access to key facilities and services, including transport infrastructure such as Cambridge Railway Station, the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB) and the city centre; all within a 10 minute walk
− There are a number of strategic schemes coming forward which will improve mobility in the area (the Chisholm Trail and extensions to the CGB)
− Opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes reduce car use to ease congestion and reduce airborne pollutants. The same measure offers opportunities to promote active travel choices (walking, cycling) to enhance health and wellbeing.
Enhancing the public realm
− There is an opportunity to significantly enhance the public realm along Hills Road and in turn create wellbeing through improved green spaces to relax and socialise. New areas of green infrastructure can also mitigate against climate change, through creating resilient new habitats. In turn helping to fulfil the aspirations of the Opportunity Area policy.
Sustainability, social inclusion and wellbeing
− Trinity Hall are committed to ensuring that any development proposal would meet the highest sustainability standards
− This site presents a significant opportunity to spearhead solutions around sustainability, social inclusion and wellbeing in the context of move to a net zero-carbon society. In addition to its central location being able to support active travel choices; a number of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures would be incorporated in to redevelopment proposals for the Site
Preserving and enhancing heritage assets
− Land south of Bateman Street, Bateman House and 90 Hills Road are identified as buildings that detract from the Conservation Area in the New Town and Glisson Road Conservation Area Townscape Analysis. Any redevelopment proposal provides the opportunity to make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness and provide opportunities for improvements in the quality of the historic environment