Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan

Comment

Representation ID: 55934

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

It is proposed at this stage that the existing Ridgeons operation will remain on-site, however it
is allocated for residential led redevelopment in the draft AAP. If Ridgeons are to relocate from
the site, then a suitable alternative site should be identified within the AAP area to enable the
relocation of its existing operations. It is important to reiterate that Ridgeons would be
affected by the redevelopment of its existing site, and would welcome discussions with the Council
to find a suitable alternative viable site from which it can operate a building merchants and
release of value from their existing site to facilitate any move. It is disappointing that they
have not been included within the wider Masterplanning sessions for the AAP area which have taken
place to date.

It would not be necessary or appropriate for compulsory purchase to be used because the Ridgeons
site could be redeveloped in conjunction with Cambridge City Council for the proposed housing uses,
and designed to meet the policy requirements specified in the AAP and the existing builders
merchant could be relocated to Cowley Road Industrial Estate or elsewhere if the appropriate
support is given by the Councils to such relocation. As set out above, the design and layout of the
proposed residential uses at Nuffield Road Industrial Estate, and the design of the strategic
walking and cycling routes on Nuffield Road, should be integrated and compatible with the existing
builders merchant operations at the Ridgeons site. If that is not possible, then an alternative
site should be identified for the relocation of the Ridgeons operation, which is in close
proximity to Cambridge and existing customers.

Comment

Representation ID: 55935

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Ridgeons intends to remain at its existing site off Nuffield Road and to retain the existing
builders merchant operations at the site, in order to meet the needs of its customers. Policy 24b
sets out the approach for the relocation of existing uses which are incompatible with the delivery
of development at North East Cambridge. As set out above, proposed residential uses at the Nuffield
Road Industrial Estate site could be incompatible with the existing operations at the builders
merchant on the Ridgeons site in terms of potential noise generating activities. It is requested
that the design and layout of the proposed residential uses at Nuffield Road Industrial Estate, and
the design of the strategic walking and cycling routes on Nuffield Road, should be integrated and
compatible with the existing builders merchant operations at the Ridgeons site. If that is not
possible, then an alternative site should be identified for the relocation of the Ridgeons
operation either at Cowley Road Industrial Estate or a suitable site elsewhere should they decide
to leave Nuffield Road.

Comment

Representation ID: 55936

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Policy 25 seeks to ensure that environmental impacts are considered for development at North East Cambridge, and identifies criteria for development. The operations associated with a builders merchants could be incompatible with new residential uses on neighbouring sites. Therefore, the criteria in Policy 25 relating to noise and air quality to be assessed as part of
design and layout (criteria c), new sensitive uses to be integrated with existing businesses (criteria d), and to avoid unreasonable restrictions on existing business operations (criteria e) are supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 55937

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

Policy 27 sets out the purpose and approach to planning contributions for development within the
North East Cambridge Area. It is acknowledged that the policy contains some flexibility, in that
contributions will be assessed on a site by site basis and that viability will be assessed where
relevant. It is requested that the level of planning contributions and viability matters should
also take into account whether a development is related to the relocation of an existing business
or use within the AAP area and enable the delivery of wider aspirations and a coordinated strategy
for the area. For example, if Ridgeons decide to relocate its existing builders merchant operations
elsewhere within the AAP area, e.g. to Cowley Road Industrial Estate, then any planning
contributions and viability considerations should take these circumstances into account. 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: 55938

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

The grant of temporary consent for ‘meanwhile’ uses within North East Cambridge is broadly
supported. The ‘meanwhile’ uses could temporarily add to the range of facilities within the area
and could reuse empty or underused land and buildings. It is noted that Policy 28 includes a
requirement for ‘meanwhile’ uses to be subject to relevant amenity issues. As set out above, the
existing builders merchant operations at the Ridgeons site, are expected to continue. If
‘meanwhile’ uses occur at the Nuffield Road Industrial Estate site in advance of redevelopment for
residential uses, it is requested that any temporary uses are compatible with the activities
associated with a builders merchant on the adjacent site. It is requested that compatibility with
neighbouring uses is added to the list of criteria in Policy 28 for the approval of ‘meanwhile’
uses.

Comment

Representation ID: 55939

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

The employment, skills and training initiatives associated with development within North East Cambridge are supported.