Policy GP/HA: Conservation and enhancement of heritage assets

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

’s historic and natural environments define the character and setting of the City and rural areas, contributing significantly to quality of life and forming a very significant part of the backdrop to a successful and growing area. 

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

has a varied heritage, from the internationally recognised grandeur of King’s College Chapel to the vernacular buildings of villages in the varied landscapes on the South Cambridgeshire countryside. The number of conservation areas is high, as is the number of grade I and grade II* listed buildings. Within the Cambridge urban area there is an exceptional concentration of significant collegiate buildings around the arc of the River Cam. Open spaces such as the fens, commons, greens and The Backs are also key historic and green features of

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

. There are a number of registered parks and gardens of special historic interest, including estates such as Wimpole, college grounds, and the Botanic Garden. The policy is needed to ensure the quality of all of this is protected and to ensure that environmental objectives are attained in the delivery of sustainable development.

To support plan making a Strategic Historic Impact Assessment (SHIA) has been commissioned. This includes a baseline study of the setting of Cambridge, with a focus on identifying the key aspects of that setting and the character of the City that contribute to its significance as a historic place. This informed a strategic assessment of the growth strategy options considered which has informed the proposals in this consultation.

Consideration of heritage issues was an important criteria within the Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment where potential sites were tested. It is intended to carry out a full Heritage Impact Assessment of sites at the Draft

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

stage.

Other policy approaches proposed in this consultation will help maintain the significance of Cambridge as an historic city via protection and enhancement of landscape character of Cambridge and the River Cam; the approach to tall buildings; and progression of a Management Plan for the historic core.

Responses to the First Conversation highlighted the importance of the historic environment in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

, from the historic core of Cambridge through to village Conservation areas.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

could provide opportunities to enhance the historic environment, but also that it must be carefully considered to ensure impacts are fully assessed. A strategy for protecting and enhancing the historic environment should be an important part of the plan.

No policy, and relying on national guidance – Not considered a reasonable alternative due to the requirements to set out a strategy regarding heritage, and the need to respond to local issues.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 5: Great Places

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Strategic Heritage Impact Assessment (2021)

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy NH/14: Heritage Assets

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy 61: Conservation and enhancement of Cambridge’s historic environment
• Policy 62: Local heritage assets
• Policy 64: Shopfronts, signage and shop security measures

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.