Concerns that proposals for a new development of 200 homes in Cambridge will be car-heavy - but still lack visitor parking spaces - have prompted councillors to delay their decision on them.
They argued that the Cala Homes (North Homes Counties) Limited development at Netherhall Farm, off Wort’s Causeway in the south of the city, was not conducive to cycling and have asked the developer to look again at the plans.
Outline planning permission was approved in 2022 for up to 200 new homes, including 76 one and two-bedroom flats, 22 two-bedroom houses, 51 three-bedroom houses, 49 four-bedroom houses and two five-bedroom houses.
Of these, 80 homes will be deemed ‘affordable housing’, with a mixture of social and affordable rented homes, and shared ownership properties.
Simon Hoskin, for the developer, told a city council planning committee last Wednesday (24 April), said: “Extensive open space has been provided and includes a 30-metre wide landscaped area along the site’s eastern edge, which will help to create an appropriate buffer between the development and the green belt.
“The proposals comprise a mix of one, two, three, four, and five-bedroom dwellings with 40 per cent of these new homes to be affordable in compliance with the council’s policies.”
The gas free development, which will use air source heat pumps, was recommended for approval by planning officers.
Cllr Katie Porrer (Lib Dem, Markt) said the outline approval “tied their hands” on some issues.
She was concerned it would be a “car heavy development” which, she said, “goes against everything we are trying to achieve”.
Cllr Katie Thornburrow (Lab, Petersfield) said: “This site does not encourage active travel, as you have to go on Wort’s Causeway. I, as a parent, would not want my children doing that.
“Because of the access, this is a site for cars. There will mainly be people using cars here. People cannot cycle to local shops easily, cycle to schools easily, cycle to medical facilities easily - all will be using cars.
“Because of that I do not think the focus on cars is good enough. There is not adequate delivery space and I think the lack of visitor parking is a problem as well.”
Cllr Sam Carling (Lab, West Chesterton) was “extremely concerned” about the lack of visitor parking.
He said: “My understanding is there is meant to be one space required for every four units. That would be 50 spaces and we have got eight - that is quite a dramatic violation of policy.
“50 spaces would be excessive but we need more than eight, otherwise we will get parking everywhere.”
Cllr Martin Smart said it was “unfortunate” that 15 per cent of the homes were due to be single aspect, meaning only one side of the property had windows
Many of these are among those to be made available as affordable housing.
Cllr Thornburrow said it was “unacceptable” that the “poorest in society” would have to deal with living in the single aspect homes.
Officer noted that the council did not have a specific policy regarding single aspect homes in its Local Plan.
The councillors deferred their decision to ask the developer to look again at the plans.
The application is expected to be presented again to them in future.
