Tall buildings in Cambridge

A summary of the views of CambridgePPF is:

  • Provided it is in the right location, a tall building can enhance an approach to the City, the sense of place in a neighbourhood, and the skyline.
  • It will be acceptable only if it provides significant enhancement.
  • If it redefines the character of the surrounding area it must do so in a beneficial way
  • Among the issues that must be considered are
    The building must be elegant
    Its mass must be appropriate for its surroundings
    It should provide enhancement to the nearby community
  • A tall building must not
    Adversely affect nearby green spaces
    Cause significant additional transport problems
    Adversely affect the nearby microclimate
  • There should be a presumption against any proposal for a tall building in the Historic Core, as defined by the Central Conservation Area, unless an exceptionally strong case is made

It is a mistake to define how tall a building might be acceptable and in what location, for fear that it will encourage developers freely to make proposals in all the locations and up to the stated limits. It will also distort land values. Although the skyline is important, much more so is the impact of a tall building on its immediate neighbourhood

 

Cambridge Past, Present & Future

www.cambridgeppf.org