Protecting Cambridge Landscapes and green spaces Planning Watchdog We monitor and review planning policies and planning applications. We respond when we are concerned about their impact on heritage, landscape, environment and quality of life. In 2017 we responded formally to 45 applications, plans or proposals. We do not have sufficient resources to submit written responses to all the development proposals that we review, and so we do not usually respond to proposals when we have no major concerns or significant comments to make about them. Click on the links below to read our latest responses and find out what we said, the most recent is at the top. 2019-20 Responses Rupert Brooke pub, Grantchester the pub has built a new low wall to create an outside garden area, but it does not accord with the approved plans in height or materials. We have raised this concern due to its visual impact on the setting and character of the conservation area. Conversion of Bolton's Warehouse a building that our Heritage Watch group put forward and got designated as a Building of Local Interest (BLI). Proposal to convert from business space to single residence. Our main concern is for the retention of the building and its historic fabric. Read how we feel turning it into a single residential dwelling might actually be positive for the building and its setting. Barrington Cement Works EIA a major development at the former cement works in Barrington. We argue that an environmental impact assessment is required. Carpenters Arms pub, Great Wilbraham our response to the demolition of the existing extension and building a new larger extension. The proposed new extension will have a larger footprint and seek to physically connect the listed outbuilding to the listed pub building. In doing so, it will result in the loss of historic context and relationship of the buildings to each other and the site. In addition, we have serious concerns about the feasibility of the proposed extension in structural terms. Cambridge South East Busway Consultation Greater Cambridge Partnership consultation on a proposed busway and park/ride between Cambridge and the A11 to the south of the city. We do not support these proposals for numerous reasons, including harm and impact to the open countryside as well as failure to serve the villages the route goes through due to the distance to the stop from the centre of the village. Netherhall Farm, land north of Worts Causeway EIA Scoping Opinion our response to an application for an Environment Impact Assessment on the proposed development of land north of Wort's Causeway. There was an application earlier in the year for a Screening Opinion and the Council's conclusion was the they needed an EIA. However, instead of submitting one, they have asked for another opinion. It is unclear why and we have raised this as suspicious. In addition, the documents fail to include net gain on biodiversity, climate change, etc. 15-16_Emmmanuel_Road, Cambridge our response to the demolition of Buildings of Local Interest, mainly on the grounds of lack of maintenance and neglect. We object to the demolition on these grounds and without any attempt to try and incorporate the existing buildings into the scheme. In addition, we object to the pastiche replacement proposed for such a prominent site - in a Conservation Area and adjacent to numerous heritage assets. Renovating the existing toilet facilities at Silver Street bridge this is an application to upgrade and improve the existing toilet provisions at the Silver Street Bridge in Cambridge. Since the toilets are located within the bridge (except for the disabled toilet) there have been problems with flooding and drainage. This is an opportunity to enhance the facilities and hopefully enhance the street level public realm. GCP Bottisham/Swaffham/Horningsea Greenways public consultation In principle we support the concept of Greenways in order to increase the number of journeys made by cyclists and pedestrians in order to benefit the environment and public health and as a means of reducing traffic congestion. The location and design of these routes must consider their impact on the natural and built environment and on the local landscape – especially if they are to be able to proceed through the planning system. We object to one of the options due to ecological impact. Developers consultation on phase 2/3 of housing development at Darwin Green, northwest Cambridge we have been involved with this development since before the last local plan and attended the event to start the next phases. Whilst the information was limited, we still shared our comments on these final phases. Public consultation Meadows Centre and Buchan Street recreation grounds redevelopment CambridgePPF responded to the first consultation for redeveloping the recreation ground and community centre at Meadows and Buchan in the Arbury area. This second consultation does show the Council is listening, but we still have concerns about the quantum of development and reduction in amenity to existing residents in an area with lower than average open space. Newbury Farm outline application on GB2 (land south of Wort's Causeway) We acknowledge the land was removed from the green belt during the last round of local plans so can now be developed upon, however, we are very concerned about the quality of this outline application that only addresses access into the site. CambridgePPF met with the developers for both GB1 and GB2 to encourage them to create a masterplan for both sites to ensure cohesion, cross working and enable the community to understand the totality of development - to date this has not happened. CambridgePPF response to Making Space for People public consultation the City Council held a public consultation on assessing the wider public realm in and around the city centre, including some of Hills Road and Mill Lane. It will inform an SPD - or supplementary planning document - which planning officers will use when assessing applications. We are supportive of this work but we queried the document's 'vision' and challenged the City to be braver in their aspirations and aims. GCP Foxton Travel Hub park and rail public consultation Our response to a public consultation for a 750 space car park adjacent to the Foxton train station. It is unclear if this is to be a park and rail site or if, as we recommend, the GCP could consider a wider scope for the site to include buses, cycles, etc. This may also take the pressure off of a proposed new park and ride at Junction 11 M11. In addition, we query the rationale behind the proposal and challenge the financial case. Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document for City and South Cambs CambridgePPF strongly supports this document and its provisions to encourage more sustainable forms of development. We provided some comments regarding water usage, biodiversity and sustainable drainage. Proposed new Greenway between Cambridge and Royston, serving Sawston and Melbourn In principle we support the concept of Greenways in order to increase the number of journeys made by cyclists and pedestrians in order to benefit the environment and public health and as a means of reducing traffic congestion. The location and design of these routes must consider their impact on the natural and built environment and on the local landscape – especially if they are to be able to proceed through the planning system. We have raised concerns about the overly “centric” nature of some of the proposed routes and the need for Greenways to better connect with employment centres. We are therefore pleased to see two routes come forward that will connect with Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). Cambridegshire & Peterborough Local_Transport_Plan_Consultation In our view the LTP is too focused on large public transport engineering schemes. These schemes will be expensive to deliver and to operate and will have significant impacts on local communities, the environment and heritage. The entire plan for Greater Cambridge hinges on a Cambridge Metro, without any ‘Plan B’. Park Street Car Park redevelopment, Cambriddge ref 191159FUL in principle we are supportive of the redevelopment of this site as it is of no architectural or historic significance. However, being located within a Conservation Area and adjacent to numerous listed buildings, we raised some concerns, including the height proposed and amount of underground car parking. Chesterton Mill redevelopment, Cambridge our response to the reworking of the mill buildings off of Frenchs Road. Overall, bringing this jumble of buildings into the 21st century presents a variety of challenges for the architects and developer. We judge this to be a well-considered set of proposals which should breathe new life into this currently run-down complex. 104-112 Hills Road, Cambridge comments on the consultation to alter the original planning consent for the area adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Mills and Reeve building. One of the main issues is the retention of the Flying Pig Pub, in its current historic building and with its current pub use. In addition, there are opportunities to create an imaginative and creative mixed use site and we suggest touring the area to see what developments have been successful and examples of what not to do. 25 Portugal Place, Cambridge our response to the proposals to make alterations to a listed building within a conservation area. The application is lacking sufficient information to properly assess it and the information it does contain shows a lack of understanding towards working with a historically built structure, its needs and the implications of doing works to it. Whittlesford Parkway Station redevelopment proposal by Greater Cambridge Partnership our response to the initial consultation reviewing significant changes to the Whittlesford Train Station area. We highlighted the two heritage assets within the site and cited that this is an opportunity to preserve, enhance and improve the setting and character of the Duxford Chapel and Red Lion Pub. We are supportive of most of the proposed improvements, however, there are several concerns about the impact to the assets and recommendations on how to address them. Response to Lilac Court redevelopment Cherry Hinton residents contacted us to support them in raising concerns about this development. It would result in loss of amenity and play space, the height proposed is imposing and would impact neighbours, etc. There has been a lot of issues with this proposal and many have responded sharing their thoughts, including Cllr Lewis Herbert, leader of the City Council. Netherhall Farm, Wort's Causeway GB1 our response to a consultation by the developer on their plans for a new housing estate on former Greenbelt land on the south of Cambridge. We object to their plans to build on a meadow and we offered advice on how their plans could be revised in order to improve their development for ecology, landscape and community. CambridgePPF_resp_Spicers_S-2122-19-FL.pdf the redevelopment of the Spicers site in Sawston, which is considered a brownfield site, is in principle supported. However, there is insufficient information in the application to properly assess it and there are serious concerns about the impact to the adjacent Green Belt, ecology and Scheduled Ancient Monument. There is also a serious flood risk as they propose two below ground levels. CambridgePPF_resp_Guildhall_lav_windows.pdf the Guildhall in Market Square is a Listed Building and is within a Conservation Area. The proposal is small, but significant, as it seeks to replace original historic glass with modern and insert plastic air vents within the glass to improve the bathrooms within the building. We offer a more historically and sensitive solution to retain the fabric. CambridgePPF_resp_M11_J11_0719.pdf our response to the GCP proposal to build a new park and ride west of the M11 at Junction 11, which is located in the Green Belt. We raise numerous concerns about the impact to the environment and ecology and raise the issue that the land take has increased significantly compared to the initial proposals. CambridgePPF_resp_to_relocation_of_police_station_090719.pdf response to the proposal to relocate the Cambridge Police Station out into the green belt adjacent to the Milton Park and Ride. We met with the Police Commissioner directly to find out more before we responded to their proposals. CambridgePPF_resp_42_Rathmore_Road.pdf our response to an application to raise the ridge height on a house in the middle of a 19th Century terrace where very little has changed over time. This proposal would interrupt the continuous roof line and change the uniformity. The buildings are not listed, nor are they in a conservation area. However, they are undesignated heritage assets and this proposal could result in harm to the visual appearance and local distinctive character. CambridgePPF_resp_Foxton_S-1616-19.pdf our response to the proposal to redevelop the former school house and former chapel site in Foxton within the conservation area CambridgePPF_resp_to_open_space_development.pdf our response concerning proposals to provide housing in the middle of two public green spaces in Arbury, not in the local plan CambridgePPF_resp_EIA_Worts_Causeway_190770SCRE.pdf our response to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the CEG proposals to develop at GB1. CambridgePPF_resp_Cambridge_Rugby_lights.pdf the Rugby Club wants to alter their pitches and upgrade their lighting. CambridgePPF_resp_Stapleford__Great_Shelford_Neighbourhood_Plan_2019a.pdf our response to the village neighbourhood plans, which had to be submitted online, so this is a copy of our comments from the online form. CambridgePPF_resp_23_Barrow_Road.pdf our response to a proposal that conflicts with the requirements to comply with development within the conservation area. CambridgePPF_resp_48-50_High_St_Chesterton.pdf our response to the proposed works to partially demolish the site and add four- 1 bed flats. We considered it over-development and supported the comments made by the Conservation Team at the City. CambridgePPF_response_19-0560-FUL_New_Square.pdf our response to the demolition of the existing garages and replacement with new homes in a very sensitive location. CambridgePPF_response_19-0242-FUL_18_Chesterton_Rd.pdf we are supportive of the principle in general, but query the materials and their appropriateness. CambridgePPF_resp_amend_Wellcome_resp_280519.pdf our response to the amendments to the outline application to expand the campus across the A1301. We are supportive of the adjacent Parish Council responses as well. CambridgePPF_resp_Village_Design_Statements.pdf our comments on the various Village Design Statements proposed in several villages in South Cambs. We are very supportive of the principle and hope that the natural environment benefits as well. CambridgePPF_response_Newbury_Farm_GB2_proposal.pdf our comments on the recent consultation for the development of GB2- the section of green belt released in the latest local plan. Proposal for new housing development. CambridgePPF_resp_54-56_High_St_Trumpington.pdf our response regarding the demolition of buildings that are of no architectural or historic interest and its replacement. The principle of replacing the buildings is supported, but the proposed design and materials have been questioned, especially in relation to the adjacent thatched listed building. CambridgePPF_response_Cambourne-Cambridge_Phase_2_consultation.pdf our response to consultation on Phase 2 of Cambourne-Cambridge busway. We have strongly objected to proposals to build a car park on a valuable ecological site on top of one of the few hills in Cambridge. We support those options that are least damaging to ecology and landscape. CambridgePPF_response_190340FUL_Honda_Garage_redevelopment_April19.pdf our response to a planning application to redevelop the Honda Garage on Newmarket Road into student flats. We are concerned about the impact on the setting of the Grade 1 listed Leper Chapel which is nearby. CPPF response Waste & Minerals Plan consultation April19.pdf our response to the latest consultation on the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Waste & Minerals Plan. CPPF_response_former_Ridgeons_Site_April19.pdf our response to a planning application to redevelop the former Ridgeons site in the Romsey area of Cambridge. We were disappointed with the level of affordable housing and the bland nature of the architecture. 2018-19 Responses CambridgePPF_resp_East_West_Rail_consult_Mar19.pdf our response to the East-West Rail consultation for the Bedford to Cambridge section of the Arc. CambridgePPF_resp_EIA_Worts_Causeway.pdf our response to whether or not the proposal for 260 homes on former green belt land requires an Environmental Impact Assessment to review and assess the potential for harm from the development. CambridgePPF_resp_Kings_Parade_paving.pdf response to the repaving works, relocation of listed post box and upgrading of services to King's College entrance. CambridgePPF_resp_Kings_Parade_barrier_proposal.pdf our letter to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Cambridge City Joint Area Committee in advance of their meeting to discuss the proposed trial of a terrorism style barrier on King's Parade. CambridgePPF_resp_19_0057_LBC_and_19_0068_FUL.pdf application for works to Ridley Hall CambridgePPF_resp_India_House_amend_250319.pdf our response to the amendments submitted on India House at Newnham Mill CambridgePPF_resp_to_Hauxton_House_redev.pdf the first application to bring back the mill and its buildings into a new use. The Old Mill House was converted into offices in 1975 from residential. The proposal is to keep it offices, but introduce two new clean lab spaces. CambridgePPF_resp_Mill_Lane_Pembroke_app_080219.pdf the response is to the first applications for the Old Press Mill Lane redevelopment site (both listed building and planning). Focusing on the South side, this development will increase the size of Pembroke College. It is about heritage, context, listed buildings, conservation areas, transport and more. CambridgePPF_resp_to_Clerk_Maxwell_Rd.pdf a new residential development on Clerk Maxwell Road on the former tennis club grounds, which is a designated protected open space. CambridgePPF_resp_to_Land_adj_to_Newnham_Mill.pdf a proposal for a new residential development in the car park behind the Listed Mill building. CambridgePPF_resp_to_Romsey_Labour_Club_310119.pdf the third attempt at partial demolition and new build no longer for students, but serviced apartments with some community provision. CambridgePPF_resp_India_House_app_240119.pdf the existing building destroyed by fire is to be demolished and there are concerns about the replacement building. CambridgePPF_resp_Housing_Strategy_240119.pdf we have reviewed and commented on the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy draft document from 2019-2023. FINAL_CPPF_Hinxton_Hall_Wellcome_resp_230119sw.pdf our response to the proposed expansion of the Genome Campus for Wellcome Trust across the A1301 with an entire new mixed use campus. CambridgePPF_response_to_Croft_Garden_app220119.pdf our response to the redevelopment of the Croft Gardens site on Barton Road for Kings College. It has evolved over the last few years and the agent has listened to most of our concerns. FINAL_CambridgePPF_resp_M11J11_consult_Dec18sw.pdf response to the GCP consultation on either creating a new park and ride at the M11 junction 11 or increasing capacity at the existing Trumpington P&R. CambridgePPF_resp_Gonville_Hotel_exp.pdf response to the latest application to extend the Gonville Hotel further including new pool. CambridgePPF_resp_to_Ridgeons_redevelopment_Dec18.pdf response to the latest proposal for the former Ridgeon's site for new homes since site was bought by City Council. CambridgePPF_resp_Greenways_Comberton.pdf response to the proposed Greenways cycle and pedestrian path from Comberton to the City. CambridgePPF_resp_Greenways_Fulbourn_consult.pdf response to the proposed Greenways cycle and pedestrian path from Fulbourn to the city. CambridgePPF_resp_Greenways_Waterbeach1218.pdf response to the proposed Greenways cycle and pedestrian path from Waterbeach to the city. CambridgePPF_resp_East_House_S-4000-18-LB.pdf response to an application for a garden room extension to a listed building within Wandlebury. We worked with the owners and agreed details in advance. CambridgePPF_response_to_Croft_Garden_public_consult.pdf- our response to the public consultation for the redevelopment of the Croft Gardens site on Barton Road for King's College. CambridgePPF_response_to_Bourn_Airfieldjl.pdf- response to application for redevelopment of the former Bourn Airfield. It is included in the Local Plan. CambridgePPF_resp_158_homes_land_north_of_Babraham_Road.pdf- an application for 158 homes that will extend the village of Sawston heading towards Babraham. This is included in the recently adopted Local Plan, but it is outside the village framework and within the Green Belt, so we object to it on principle. CambridgePPF_resp_Pembroke_South_Mill_Lane_public_consult_171018.pdf- a response to the public consultation on the development for Pembroke College to expand over Trumpington Street into the Mill Lane site. CambridgePPF_response_Waterbeach_SPD_231018.pdf- our response to the Supplementary Planning Document outlining the Council's expectations for the new town at Waterbeach. Concerns about the timing as applications have already been received, when the SPD should be used to inform them prior to submission. App_development_in_walled_garden_Whittlesford.pdf- this is an application for several new homes within an existing walled garden adjacent to the Listed Church in Whittlesford. Concerns about lack of information over significance of walled garden and impact to setting and context. GCP_Greenways_consult_Barton_and_Haslingfield.pdf- our response to the GCP consultation for a Greenway in Barton and Haslingfield. Lion_Yard_demo_and_redevelopment_adj_St_Andrews_Church.pdf- application for demolition of existing structures and redevelopment of site around St Andrews Church, including new restaurants and entrance to Lion Yard. 103_Mill_Road_second_application.pdf- second application for the redevelopment of the former Mickey Flynn site Outline_app_RLW_Waterbeach_new_town_east.pdf- east side of new town at Waterbeach by developer RLW outline application Wellcome_Trust_Genome_Campus_environ_assessment_app.pdf- Wellcome Trust environment assessment of proposals to expand the campus across the A1301 prior to more formal application Cambs_Pboro_Minerals_Waste_Plan_consult.pdf- public consultation on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste proposals Lion_Yard_change_of_use_to_hotel__new_nightclub.pdf- application for change of use from offices to budget hotel and relocation of nightclub to basement at Lion Yard. Amendments_to_UandC_application_New_Town_Waterbeach.pdf- Amendments were submitted to the original and still undecided outline application for the new town at Waterbeach west. Trumpington_PandR_extension_to_car_park.pdf- application for proposed extension to the existing park and ride at Trumpington. Consult_on_CPIER.pdf- consultation response to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review. East_House_Wandlebury_gate_in_garden_wall.pdf- application for listed building consent to insert new gate/door in existing listed garden wall. Government_consult_NPPF_revisions.pdf- national consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. Outline_application_Land_north_of_Cherry_Hinton.pdf- response to outline planning application for new development at land north of Cherry Hinton. 292_Hills_Road_demolition.pdf- proposed demolition of 292 Hills Road, unlisted building and not within a conservation area. GCP_Cambourne_to_Cambridge_public_consult.pdf- our response to GCP proposals for Cambourne to Cambridge bus way public consultation. Public_consult_Old_Press_Mill_Lane_redevelopment.pdf- our response to the public consultation on the redevelopment of the Old Press/Mill Lane area in Cambridge within a conservation area and containing several listed buildings. 103_Mill_Road_redevelopment.pdf- first application for the redevelopment of 103 Mill Road former Mickey Flynn site. GCP_A1307_corridor_proposals.pdf- our response to the GCP proposals for the A1307 corridor between Haverhill and Cambridge.