Draft Cambridge Biomedical Campus Supplementary Planning Document

Comment

Representation ID: 200309

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The Equestrian Industry (EI) in Cambridgeshire creates commercial, social, mental and physical wellbeing and educational benefits.

The EI provides Riding for the Disabled Centres. RDA is a charity which pioneers the therapeutic use of horses and are leaders in disability sport. Their innovative programmes improve mobility, boost physical health and mental wellbeing, build confidence, and teach new skills for those with life challenges.

Equestrian sport is one of the few (if not the only?)
physical sport where men and women compete equally successfully for the same prizes. This is in addition to the well recorded benefits of horse riding which we know contributes to fitness and wellbeing both, mentally and physically.

All the above benefits rely on safe, off-road access to suitably surfaced public rights of way – amenities which are not being protected nor enhanced by the documents included in this consultation.

Comment

Representation ID: 200644

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

There is no reference to paragraph 105 of the NPPF about protection and enhancement of the public rights of way for all users, with only reference to restrictive cycling and walking. A consequence of this omission is that reference is only made to Active Travel. In Cambridgeshire, Active Travel means utility journeys on urban style tarmac surfaces for walkers and cyclists. It excludes walkers, dog walkers, runners, off road cyclists and equestrians, all of whom wish to access the benefits of the countryside on natural, soft surfaces which do not impact on the environment.

Protection and enhancement of the rights of way network should be embedded in this Plan. Provision of rights of way ‘green corridors’ with natural surfaces and boundaries, to at least bridleway status, linking to existing access, would benefit humans, wildlife and the environment and meet NPPF 105 requirements.

Creation of a peripheral green PROW with ‘loops’ has shown to be successful on new developments such as Cambourne and Wintringham. It would provide a welcome retreat for CBC employees who often work in stressful situations and for those undergoing treatment or in recovery enabling them to be in a green and peaceful situation.

All CBC development should consider opportunities to enhance the rights of way network. If this were to be embedded in the policy now, it would be a legacy for future generations.

Comment

Representation ID: 200645

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The Cambridgeshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) is not included in the list of local policies. As a result, there is no mention or acknowledgement of the existing rights of way, both public and permissive, which are well used and much loved by local communities in the area. There is no mention of opportunities to enhance the PROW network. This is a serious omission as it brings a local aspect to NPPF 105.

Comment

Representation ID: 200646

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy is not included in the policies although referred to.

Comment

Representation ID: 200647

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The Vision Zero Partnership's strategy should be embedded in the ethos of CBC:

'The Vision Zero Partnership is committed to preventing all road deaths across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and to significantly reduce the severity of injuries and subsequent costs and social impacts from road traffic collisions.

Vision Zero is a road safety partnership strategy adopted and built on, incorporating the international Safe System policy approach for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.’

Failing to take every opportunity to improve the off road, safe access for all vulnerable road users does not meet the aims and ambitions of Vision Zero.

Comment

Representation ID: 200648

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The SPD should consider the British Horse Society Access Strategy:

- Ensuring there is a presumption in favour of including provision for equestrian access automatically alongside access for walkers and cyclists in (i) all Local Development Plans and Local Transport Plans, (ii) when roads are created or improved, and (iii) when new developments are planned, unless there is a strong evidence reason why this would not be possible.

-Ensuring that horse riders have access to active travel routes. Horse riders, like walkers and cyclists, are vulnerable road users. Currently horse riders are often excluded from these routes leaving them to ride on roads that are not considered safe for walkers and cyclists to use. The key is the presumption in favour of including provision for all vulnerable road users.

Comment

Representation ID: 200649

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

Future proofing is needed which could bring about a joined-up PROW network in the area.

1. The CSET busway design includes a grass bridleway within the transport corridor.
2. The Sawston Greenway includes equestrian access.
3. A DMMO Application has been submitted for a bridleway off Haverhill Road in Stapleford.
4. A bridleway is included in the plans for the Babraham Road Development which will deliver part of the route to link up to the Roman Road byway.
5. Permissive bridleway access part way up to the rear of the Roman Road.
6. A peripheral bridleway.
7. A designated bridleway where the route is now a cycling and walking route only.
8. A safe off road NMU path from Cambridge to Magog Down which has been recognised on the 'wish list' for decades.

Comment

Representation ID: 200650

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

Connectivity and movement - Not only do these proposals not consider ‘all feasible options’ to link to the rights of way network, none are even considered. Cyclists are mostly male. Horse riders and carriage drivers are mostly female meaning that inclusion of cycling with total exclusion of equestrians does not meet Equality policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 200651

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

The public realm and wellbeing - No attempt whatsoever despite the requirements of the two policies: Policy 73: Community, sports and leisure facilities and Policy NH/6: Green infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 200652

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: British Horse Society

Lack of rights of way provision in the Plan is very disappointing given the acknowledgement in paragraph 3.26.