Policy S/RSC/FSS: Former Spicers Site, Sawston Business Park, Sawston

• Site area of 21.78 hectares.
• Capacity for approximately 40,000 square metres gross internal area of employment floorspace including research and development E(g)(ii) floorspace with the potential for additional floorspace in future phases subject to future exploration of capacity including evidence of suitable site access.

1.  Development proposals must demonstrate how they will meet the following requirements:

     a. Design-based mitigation is required to avoid potential adverse impacts on designated heritage assets. Informed by a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment and a more detailed Heritage Impact Assessment, including;
         i.   No development on of the parts of Borough Hill Scheduled Monument within the site, and robust landscape buffers and screening around the asset to reduce the effects of development on the asset;
        ii.   Development will only be acceptable within the area of previously developed land to the north of the access road located north of the monument to mitigate any impact on the Scheduled Monument and its setting (as shown on Figure 80); 
       iii.   Minimising building heights to avoid interrupting views between Borough Hill and Wandlebury Camp to the north;
       iv.   Careful consideration on the size, mass, height, and design of built form to ensure minimal visual harm on the Scheduled Monument and non-designated assets. This includes the use of landscape buffers and screening around the Scheduled Monument as required to reduce the effects of the development on the Scheduled Monument; 
       v.    Implementation of an archaeological management plan including interpretation and community outreach;
      vi.    Archaeological investigation should be undertaken in areas previously not subject to archaeological works, particularly to the west. Given the known significant potential for archaeological remains in this area, development proposals must be accompanied by an appropriate archaeological assessment, which includes information on the significance of the heritage asset, including the extent, character and condition of the archaeological resource and the likely impact of the development on the archaeological remains; and
     vii.   An Archaeological Management Plan and a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) must be prepared to agree the future management and maintenance of the Borough Hill Scheduled Monument and include the following which will need to be secured through a planning obligation (S106);
           1.  Take account of removing the monument out of arable cultivation and be planted with an appropriate wildflower mix; 
           2.  Draw upon the provisions made as part of the previous planning application for the site; and
           3.  Heritage interpretation, outreach and public access as well as provision for the ongoing maintenance of the monument.

2.  Safe and adequate road access into the site including junction improvements to the A1301 following engagement with the Highways Authority. This will include:

     a. A financial contribution to strategic public transport and active travel schemes, including improving pedestrian and cycle connections locally to facilitate access to the site from the eastern and western sides and to the wider cycle network connecting local villages, appropriate to the scale and nature of the development, including active travel links to Sawston, Shelford, Whittlesford and other nearby villages;

     b. Development must address known surface water flooding risks through a comprehensive water management plan;

     c. Sustainable drainage systems used on the site will need an additional treatment component or other equivalent protection as the site is located in groundwater Source Protection Zone 1;

     d. Development must ensure there are no adverse impacts to the River Granta or Dernford Fen SSSI, either through construction or occupation phases; 

     e. Trees on the site that are protected by a Tree Preservation Order must be retained and incorporated into the design and layout of any development proposal; and

     f. The on-site provision of employee amenities commensurate to the scale of the development.
 

Figure 79: Site Plan of S/RSC/FSS: Former Spicers Site, Sawston Business Park, Sawston.

Figure 80: Developable Area Permitted to minimise impact on Borough Hill Scheduled Monument.