Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan

Comment

Representation ID: 55924

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

The comprehensive approach towards development and regeneration at North East Cambridge is broadly
supported. Policy 1 expects the criteria in Policy 23 (Comprehensive and Coordinated Development)
to be addressed for development proposals. It is noted that Policy 23 requires applications for
major development to successfully integrate with the surrounding area. The Nuffield Road Industrial
Estate (where the Ridgeons site is located) is proposed to be redeveloped for residential use in
the AAP; comprising 4 to 5 storeys and a maximum of 6 storeys. However, it should be expected that
the existing builders merchant operations at the Ridgeons site would continue and therefore the
activities associated with that existing use could be incompatible with the proposed residential
use of neighbouring land particularly if tall buildings are provided adjacent to the Ridgeons site.
Therefore, and as set out in the representations to Policy 23, the parameters for residential
development at the Nuffield Road Industrial Estate site should be defined and adjusted to ensure
that those uses are integrated and compatible with the existing builders merchant operations at the
Ridgeons site on the basis that it remains. Should a residential use be progressed on the site,
this could not happen until a suitable alternative site for
the existing Ridgeons operation has been identified and approved.

Comment

Representation ID: 55925

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Figure 21 shows building heights for the proposed residential development at Nuffield Road
Industrial Estate (including the Ridgeons site) of 4 to 5 storeys and a maximum of 6 storeys..
Policy 9 defines criteria for the density, height, scale and massing of proposed buildings in the
North East Cambridge area. However, there is no reference in the criteria to the relationship
between taller buildings and existing uses. This needs to be considered further, however it is
relevant to note that at present there are residential uses present in close proximity to the site.

If Ridgeons are able to viably relocate its existing builders merchant operations as part of
delivery of the AAP then the redevelopment of the site for residential development of between 4 and 6
storeys in height is supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 55926

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Policy 11 sets out the housing design standards for residential development within North East
Cambridge. It is noted that criteria (b) includes a requirement for private outdoor space which can
be provided as private balconies. As set out above, it is anticipated that the proposed residential
uses at the Nuffield Road Industrial Estate site would include balconies for private outdoor space.
However, it is considered that the existing operations at the builders merchant on the Ridgeons
site could be incompatible with private balconies on building facades adjacent to this site, in
terms of potential noise generating activities.

Comment

Representation ID: 55927

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

A residential use is supported on the site with a higher value use necessary in order to generate
sufficient value to Ridgeons to make relocation viable either within the AAP area or elsewhere.
Ridgeons is an established Cambridge business that needs to be located in close proximity to
Cambridge and its existing customers. If Ridgeons is to relocate from its existing site, then an
alternative suitable site should be identified at either Cowley Road Industrial Estate or elsewhere
within the wider North East Cambridge AAP area or close by; criteria (b) and (c) of Policy 12b
supports such an approach but it would assist if an alternative site could be identified for
Ridgeons should they decide to relocate from Nuffield Road.

Policy 12b is broadly supported, although it may not be possible or appropriate for a builders
merchant operation to operate as part of a mixed use multi storey building, and as such some flexibility would be needed if Ridgeons decide to relocate into land within Cowley Road Industrial Estate or elsewhere within the AAP area.

Comment

Representation ID: 55928

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

The inclusion of additional social, community and cultural facilities within the North East
Cambridge area is supported provided it does not impact adversely on Ridgeon’s operations.

Comment

Representation ID: 55929

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

The inclusion of additional shops and local services, including a new district centre, within the
North East Cambridge area is supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 55930

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Figure 36 shows proposed strategic walking and cycling routes in the North East Cambridge
area, including a new route from Nuffield Road across the Cambridge Guided Busway to Cowley Road.
It is likely that the strategic walking and cycling route would continue south along Nuffield Road
beyond the AAP area. However, it should be noted that Ridgeons operate a builders merchant from a
site with the main vehicular access on to Nuffield Road, immediately adjacent to the southern
boundary of the AAP. There are delivery and customer vehicles, typically vans and HGVs, entering
and exiting the builders merchant throughout the day. Therefore, the design and layout of the
proposed strategic walking and cycling routes along Nuffield Road, including parts of Nuffield Road
beyond the AAP area, should avoid potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists and vehicles
accessing existing businesses include the builders merchants at the
Ridgeons site.

Comment

Representation ID: 55931

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to
neighbouring areas. As set out in the response to Policy 16, the design and layout of the proposed
strategic walking and cycling routes along Nuffield Road should avoid potential conflicts between
pedestrians and cyclists and vehicles accessing existing businesses which include the builders
merchants at the Ridgeons site.

The creation of new connections is broadly supported, provided potential conflicts between
different modes of transport can be avoided and that the existing access arrangements for
businesses that operate in the surrounding area are retained

Comment

Representation ID: 55932

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Policy 22 seeks to define a maximum vehicle trip budget for motorised vehicles across the North
East Cambridge area, in order to reduce travel by private car. However, the monitoring system for
the trip budget should be designed to exclude delivery and customer vehicles to businesses. For
example, if the existing builders merchant operation at the Ridgeons site is relocated to Cowley
Road Industrial Estate or another site within the AAP area, it would be unreasonable for the
vehicle movements associated with this type of business to be included within the trip budget,
since there are typically a high volume of delivery and customer vehicles visiting this type of use
during the day and sustainable modes of transport are an unrealistic option for the type of goods
sold. It is requested that the trip budget excludes delivery and customer vehicles to certain
specified types or character of businesses within the area to include builders merchant type uses.
Equally, if Ridgeons is able to relocate and release their site for development the existing
vehicular movements from the Ridgeons operations should be carried forward to the new use.

Comment

Representation ID: 55933

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Policy 23 seeks to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to development and
regeneration at North East Cambridge, which is broadly supported. Policy 23 requires applications
for major development to successfully integrate with the surrounding area and to successfully
mitigate environmental constraints – see criteria c(ii) and c(vii). Nuffield Road Industrial Estate
is proposed to be redeveloped for residential use in the AAP; comprising 4 to 5 storeys and a
maximum of 6 storeys. However, it is expected that the existing builders merchant operations at the
Ridgeons site would continue and therefore existing activities associated with the existing use
need to be considered. Therefore, the parameters for residential development at the Nuffield Road
Industrial Estate site should be defined and adjusted to ensure that those uses are integrated and
compatible with the existing builders merchant operations at the Ridgeons site, particularly in terms of potential noise and residential impacts.