Agenda item

To receive a report by the Head of Planning Services on the Draft Urban Design Framework for land at Bearscroft Farm, Godmanchester.

(Councillor N J Guyatt, Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, was in attendance for this Item.)

Councillor N J Guyatt introduced a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Draft Urban Design Framework (UDF) for land at Bearscroft Farm, Godmanchester.  The UDF was intended to provide constructive guidance to future developers of the area to the maximum advantage and minimum disadvantage to local residents.

Councillor C R Hyams expressed the view that Godmanchester did not have the infrastructure to serve a large scale development.  Further to this, the A1198 could be negatively affected by the proposed development.  Councillor Hyams further expressed the view that the proposals submitted were not sustainable and did not represent good design.  In response, Councillor N J Guyatt assured the Panel that the UDF represented the best design options for development in Godmanchester and, as such, would ensure integration between the new development and the existing town. 

Members noted that the UDF was the subject of consultation which had enabled residents to have input to the design of development.  Councillor M G Baker advised the Panel that he had received criticism regarding the lack of consultation with Godmanchester residents, which was a matter that needed to be addressed.  In response, it was reported that the preparation of the UDF had been informed by a Working Group consisting of appropriate elected Councillors from Godmanchester Town Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.  Further to this, two well attended consultation events had been held.  As a result, the UDF proposed ideas that would bring benefits to the area.  Having noted that an outline planning application had been received from the owners of the site, Members were advised that this and subsequent applications would need to be determined regardless of whether the UDF was approved. 

In considering the options identified within the UDF, several Members expressed a preference for Idea 5 which proposed that a new road was constructed around the southern edge of the development.  This would allow for a greater developed area and enable the football pitch and other green spaces to be completely integrated with the rest of the development.  However, Members expressed concern at the UDFs lack of provision of a secondary school and highlighted the need to ensure there was a safe route for pupils to take to their chosen secondary school. 

During discussions on the report’s recommendation, Councillor M G Baker suggested that the outcomes of the consultation exercise should be circulated before authorisation was given to finalise and approve the UDF.  In response, Members were reminded that representatives of the Town, District and County Councils had been involved in the preparation of the UDF.  Furthermore, residents had been acquainted with the content of the UDF, the aim of which was to meet the aspirations expressed during the consultation process.  Councillor J D Ablewhite addressed the Panel during its deliberations and emphasised that the principle of development of the site had already been accepted by the Council and that Members were charged with ensuring that the right decisions were made for the District.  In addition, the Chairman stated that approval of the UDF would give planning officers more opportunities to influence decisions on potential planning applications.  Having concluded their discussions, the Panel

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to authorise the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Development Management Panel and the Head of Planning Services, to finalise and approve the Draft Urban Design Framework for Bearscroft Farm, Godmanchester to inform Council policy and Development Management decisions on potential planning applications.