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Policy S/SCP: Policy areas in the rural southern cluster

Figure 40: Proposed development sites and special policy areas in the rural southern cluster
Figure 40: Proposed development sites and special policy areas in the rural southern cluster

What will this policy do?

Provide a context for one new and one existing policy areas within the rural southern cluster area.

Proposed policy direction

New policy area

S/SCP/WHD Whittlesford Parkway Station Area, Whittlesford Bridge

The policy will support a comprehensive approach to redevelopment opportunities in the Whittlesford Parkway Station Area to accommodate a transport hub, employment and housing, in line with the principles set out in work completed to date via the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Whittlesford Masterplanning Exercise.

Figure 41: Map showing boundary of proposed policy area
Figure 41: Map showing boundary of proposed Whittlesford Parkway Station Area

Continuing existing policy area

S/SCP/H/6 South of A1307, Linton

To maintain the policy approach in the South Cambridgeshire 2018 which restricts residential development in the area of Linton south of the A1307 to improvements to existing properties. (pdf)

 

Why is this policy needed?

Whittlesford Parkway Station Area, Whittlesford Bridge

Whittlesford Parkway Station has good connections to both Cambridge and London, is close to the southern cluster research and employment centres, and is predicted to see further growth in passengers in the coming years. The station area incorporates a range of existing uses including existing employment, a few homes, Whittlesford Highways Depot and Whittlesford Station Car Park.

In recent years, Partnership has explored potential transport infrastructure around the station and its surroundings to enable it to cater for future increased demand and to shift trips away from the car, via the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Whittlesford Masterplanning Exercise. This exercise also included considering the potential for new employment and homes in this area. At its meeting of 19 February 2020  the GCP Executive Board agreed to support a draft delivery plan for the Whittlesford Station Transport Investment Strategy as a basis for further engagement with key stakeholders.

Separately to the Masterplanning Exercise, a small site in the centre of the Whittlesford Parkway Station Area was submitted to the process for housing via the Call for Sites. We don’t think that developing this small site in isolation would be appropriate, and would prefer to see the whole area considered in a comprehensive manner, to ensure that redevelopment opportunities support the sustainable transport improvements included in the Whittlesford Station Transport Investment Strategy. The full area has not been submitted to the process and as such we don’t currently have evidence that a specific allocation would be deliverable, which is why we are proposing it as a policy area.

The Red Lion Inn and the Chapel of the Hospital of St John the Baptist Listed Buildings are located in the south west part of the proposed policy area, and the design of any development will need to protect and enhance their historic signifcance.

South of A1307, Linton

The southern part of Linton is severed from the rest of the village by the A1307, which provides a barrier to easy movement. The area is characterised by three distinct uses: employment, a sensitive residential area much of which lies within the , and the site of Linton Zoo. Its location means that whilst there is a pelican crossing providing a safe crossing point and access to a bus stop on the Cambridge facing side of the main road, the area generally has poor access to the village facilities and services.

What consultation have we done on this issue?

There was no specific consultation on these issues in the First Conversation consultation.

What alternatives did we consider?

Whittlesford Parkway Station Area, Whittlesford Bridge:

    • Not to include a policy – This is not the preferred approach as this would not support the redevelopment opportunity that exists in this location.
    • Allocate the area for specified development amounts and uses – This is not the preferred approach as we don’t currently have evidence that the whole area is available for development.

South of A1307, Linton: Not include a policy - Not considered a reasonable alternative  as it is necessary to set out within a policy that land south of the A1307 is not a suitable location for new residential development due to it being severed from the services and facilities within the village.

Supporting evidence studies and topic papers

  • : Topic paper 1: Strategy
  • Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Whittlesford Masterplanning Exercise

Existing policies in adopted 2018 Local Plans

South Cambridgeshire 2018

  • Policy H/6: South of A1307, Linton

Tell us what you think

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.