South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership

The South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership (SCIP) is an equal partnership made up of South Cambridgeshire District Council and Hill Group.

The partnership seeks to utilise the skills and expertise of both partners to deliver high- quality, environmentally friendly housing to support local communities and economies.

Formed in October 2020, SCIP’s first and flagship project is Land North of Lower Cambourne.

Hill Group is already working with Cambridge City Council through the Cambridge Investment Partnership and is on track to deliver over 2,000 new mixed tenure homes and 242,000 sq ft of commercial space in the city by 2031.

Images show Timberworks and Ironworks from Cambridge Investment Partnership The Site

The proposed development is located to the north of Lower Cambourne, south of the Business Park Road. Measuring 8.5 hectares, the site was allocated for housing in the Council’s 2018 Local Plan to integrate the Cambourne West development with Great and Lower Cambourne.

A bridleway and existing tree belt wraps around the west and south of the site. The site is well connected to the centre of Cambourne Cambourne with an extensive network of Business Park pedestrian and cycle routes. The site also benefits from public transport links, with a regular bus service from the Business Park Road between Cambourne and Cambridge and less frequent services towards St Neots, Huntingdon and St Ives.

The site is within easy reach of community facilities, sports facilities and an early years nursery within the Cambourne West development as well as local primary and secondary schools, shops, employment areas Lower Cambourne and open spaces. Most of these facilities can be reached with a 5-10 minute walk. A large Morrisons superstore and other small scale retail are located in the centre of Cambourne with employment areas concentrated in the business park to the north and east of the site. Site map

Site context The vacant site The view looking down the business park spine road with South Cambridgeshire District Council’s offices the site on the left Planning Context

When the original masterplan for Cambourne was approved, the application site was designated for employment use, forming part of the wider business park area. Despite this longstanding allocation, the site has remained vacant.

Through the preparation of the 2018 Local Plan, the site has now been reallocated for residential development to help meet the local housing need. The Site is situated to the East of the Cambourne West development 3. ASSESSMENT OF CONTEXT which was granted outline planning permission in 2017. Permission was granted 3.1 SITE CONTEXT for up to 2,350 new dwellings together with Planning Context When the original masterplan (image 1) for Cambourne was approved,7.45ha the of commercial/retail floorspace, new application site was designated for employment use, forming part of theschools, wider community and leisure uses. business park area. Despite this longstanding allocation, the site has remained vacant. Through the preparation of the updated and now adopted Local Plan, the proposed useThe of the application site has been reallocated for application site has been revisited. residential use to help link and integrate the A key part of the Local Plan’s wider development strategy focused upon the planned expansion of Cambourne through the delivery of a new (fourth) linked villagenew to community, retail and employments the West, known as “Cambourne West”. Policy SS/8 of the South Cambridgeshireuses that will be delivered at Cambourne District Council Local Plan 2018 defines the spatial area of Cambourne West (highlighted in orange at image 2) and also stated that the new villageWest would with the rest of Cambourne. The accommodate approximately 1,200 dwellings. However, the Local Plancreation notes of new links, squares and active that a key challenge to the creation of this new fourth village was/is how the new community would be integrated into the rest of Cambourne. spaces is considered vital to ensure a well To successfully integrate the new and existing communities, Policy SS/8 designatesconnected and cohesive community is this site for residential use, with the employment use re-provided within the wider Cambourne West masterplan. Reference is made to an aspiration for a newcreated. bus, cycle and pedestrian link between the business park and Cambourne West and connectivity is a key theme that has been incorporated into the emerging designs. The associated change in the proposed use of the site was deemed to be necessary Image 1: Cambourne Masterplan 1995 to enable the new Cambourne West community to be linked with and integrated into the rest of Cambourne. Opportunities to remodel the Business Park access road to enhance movements by bus, cycle and pedestrians was also noted as being a wider opportunity. Policy SS/8 defines the policy context for Cambourne West as a whole. Those parts of the policy that are particularly relevant to the application site include the following: The Cambourne West illustrative masterplan. Image: randallthorp.co.uk Use – It is stated that the application site shall be developed primarily for residential use Housing densities – Densities are to vary across Cambourne West with higher densities being provided close to the village centre and bus routes, and lower densities around the settlement boundary Links - A segregated cycle and pedestrian path linking Cambourne Village College is sought along the Southern boundary. Bus – Bus priority measures are sought including a potential link through the business park.

Image 2: SCDC proposed policy map - Inset J Cambourne West Policy SS/8 Site Allocation Constraints

When considering a new development, it is important to consider all the opportunities and constraints. Some constraints that need to be considered are:

y The existing gas and water pipes which dissect the site.

y The existing footpaths and bridleways around the site which will need to be integrated into the new development.

y Impact of the proposed development on the existing residential development at the South. Roof-lines and profiles need to be carefully considered.

y Existing tree belt wrapping around the south and west of the site.

y The site is in a transitional zone between the commercial and residential areas. The change of the mass & scale between the Cambourne business park and Lower Cambourne is distinctive.

KEY: Existing residential areas Marketing Suite Sensitive boundary

Proposed site (the site identified as Proposed access point for the Existing schools Existing gas line & water main strategic site within LP - Policy SS/8.) application 20/01640/REM

Main vehicle route SCDC Office existing car park Footpath links

Existing access points Existing employment Key views Informal footpath link Opportunity for bus/cycle link into Bridleway Overlooking risk - from the Existing square Cambourne West office block

Avenue of trees Existing green spaces Predominant frontages Existing pedestrian connection

Bus stop Approved residential site Sensitive green edges (20/01640/REM for 286 No. Zipcar location dwellings) Opportunities

PUBLIC SQUARE EXTENSION DESIGN PROPOSAL

Connectivity New tree planting Environment Bus link to

Cambourne West y Opportunity to connect the existing y Opportunity to develop a gas-free and proposed communities around the development.7 current and proposed open spaces. y Opportunity to deliver water-efficient Existing trees y Opportunity to create a strong North/ 6 development with measures to reduce retained South green connection6 that links the water consumption and sustainable Public square existing landscape proposed site to its wider context. drainage features throughout the site. 4 y Opportunity to encourage walking & y Opportunity to integrate biodiversity cycling via direct, safe and attractive 3 into the development through planting, routes. flowering1 species and habitat creation. 6 5 y Opportunity to provide new connections y Opportunity to provide electric vehicle 2 to the Cambourne West development, charging infrastructure including a new bus priority link.

Community Character 2 y Opportunity to design a pleasant and y Opportunity to design a coherent, aspirational place to live, where residents transitional area between the meet each other and establish a sense of employment site and residential area. community. Existing trees retained y Existing character, scale and mass of y Opportunity to create a secure place by the Cambourne Business Park gives carefully positioning the new homes an opportunity to integrate mix size to overlook the open spaces and green links. developments to support a range of N household sizes. (1 Bedroom apartments to 5 Bed houses). y Opportunity to design a coherent place 1 Open lawn area with picnic tables / primarily for workplacewhere use both residential & commercial y 2ProposedArtistic landscape new site furniture entrances as a focalgiven point communities interact with each other. 3an Existingopportunity gravel area to provide with retained attractive trees and updated seating and strong entrance points where the y Opportunity to build attractive public 4existingInformal and open proposed space area communities / primarily for residents use open spaces with new children’s play 5consolidate.Local Area of Play with natural play features areas, connected with green links. 6 Biodiversity planting areas, flowering species and insecty Opportunity hotel or bird bathfor an enhanced public 7 Raised road crossing point highlighting council office squareentrance and new community cafe, to serve people living and working in the area. Precedent images Masterplan

We are proposing 275 high quality environmentally friendly homes, 40% of which will be affordable housing, along with new green spaces, a children’s play area, café and an enhanced public square.

The scheme will consist of distinct character areas: Urban, Semi-Urban and Green Edge which will be reflected in the heights, massing and density of the homes, which will step down as you move away from the large- scale buildings on the business park. This will ensure there is a seamless transition between employment and residential areas and help to create a strong sense of identity.

A mix of house types is proposed ranging from one-bedroom flats to five- bedroom family homes to ensure that the development meets the needs of all. Every house will benefit from a private garden, balcony, or terrace and at least one parking space, with two parking spaces provided for family homes.

Two central open spaces connected with a green link serve as the heart of the new community, creating places for neighbours and friends to come together to meet and play. These spaces will provide a variety of play equipment for young children as well as Precedent house types informal play space and seating areas.

We are also proposing to make enhancements to the existing business park area. As part of our plans, the existing public square which is in front of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s offices will be redesigned and connected to the new development on two sides to create a new community feature and meeting place. We are also proposing to convert the existing marketing suite to a cafe to serve both employees of the business park, existing and new residents. Scale and Massing

A3 Key Benefits

High quality, spacious A wide range of new Environmentally friendly Improved local connectivity with new homes including 40% homes to meet local need development including new and enhanced pedestrian/ affordable housing including 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Net Zero Carbon cyclist links between the bedrooms affordable rented homes Business Park, Lower Cambourne, Cambourne West and Cambourne town centre

New bus link to local Two generous new open Biodiverse, environmentally New café for business park users schools and Cambourne spaces with children’s play considerate landscaping and residents in the existing West, improving local areas and improvements including new trees, hedges, marketing suite public transport to create new community wildflowers and wetland connectivity square Sustainability

We want to create a development which Economic is sustainable for future generations. This is why we have adopted a holistic y The marketing suite will be converted approach to ensure that the development is to a new café, supported by the new socially, economically and environmentally residents for the benefit of all users of sustainable. the business park.

Our sustainability proposals include: y The development will provide new homes close to employment Social opportunities and local jobs throughout its construction. y 40% affordable housing including social housing, such as rented accommodation Environmental managed by South Cambridgeshire District Council. y The development will be entirely Gas-Free with air source heat pumps. y All homes to meet or exceed Nationally Described Space Standards. y Affordable rented homes will all be Net Zero Carbon (NZC). y Every house will have a garden, every apartment will have a balcony or terrace. y All homes to be highly water-efficient with measures to reduce water y Improved local connectivity with new consumption. and enhanced pedestrian/cyclist links. y Biodiversity and sustainable drainage y New bus link to local schools and features will be incorporated in the Cambourne West, improving local public landscaping including new trees, transport connectivity. hedges, wildflowers and wetland.

y Two generous new open spaces with y Existing trees will be retained expect children’s play areas and improvements where new connections are created. to create new community square, encouraging integration of business and y 50% of new homes will have active residential community. electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed, remaining homes will have ductwork laid for future connection. PUBLIC SQUARE EXTENSION DESIGN PROPOSAL

New tree planting Bus link to Cambourne West 7

6 Existing trees retained 6 Public square existing landscape

3 1 6 5 2 Landscaping

The new homes have been designed around two green ‘lungs’, generous new open spaces connected via a green link, plus an enhanced public square between the development and the Council’s offices. These open spaces will act as focal points for the new community Existing trees with new children’s play areas and biodiverse retained planting.

The two new green spaces have been designed to encourage neighbours and friends to come together to meet and play. N In addition to providing a variety of play equipment for young children1 andOpen informal lawn area with picnic tables / primarily for workplace use play space with seating areas, there will be varied planting to provide seasonal2 Artistic change landscape furniture as a focal point and interest. This will include a variety of trees, plants with edible fruits,3 ornamentalExisting gravel area with retained trees and updated seating grasses and shrubs, mixed native4 Informal hedgerows, open space area / primarily for residents use flowering meadows, and hardwearing species-rich grass. Furthermore,5 Localplants Area that of Play with natural play features encourage play will be used in theBiodiversity play space planting areas, flowering species and insect hotel or bird bath areas. 6 Western open space Eastern open space 7 Raised road crossing point highlighting council office entrance The central green open spaces will be connected to the Cambourne Nature Reserve and Lower Cambourne through green links. Precedent images These new green links will accommodate walking and cycling routes, play on the way features and opportunities for foraging and rest.

The enhanced public square is an opportunity to deliver wider benefits to the business park and local community. By connecting the existing square to the development on two sides, with a raised link to the Council’s office, this can become a vibrant new open space for both employees and residents to share. We propose to ‘zone’ the square to create seating and meeting areas for employees, play areas for children, and biodiverse areas for wildlife. It will be enriched with additional trees, biodiversity focused planting and artistic furniture to create a vibrant and lively Enhanced public space in front of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s offices Access and Connectivity

A key priority for this development is to enhance local connectivity between the existing communities and the new community at Cambourne West.

The proposed site will be accessed via Cambourne Business Park Road with new access points to create attractive entrances. The proposed primary road will break into the secondary roads then leads to small cul- de-sacs that terminate with the existing woodland vistas. This street pattern will encourage walking and cycling with a network of direct routes running through the development.

We are also proposing several new access points to the bridleway and existing footpath at strategic points to facilitate wider connectivity.

The development also seeks to improve local public transport links with a new bus, cycle and pedestrian link between the business park and Cambourne West.

South Cambridge District Council

Proposed Community Cafe

Cambourne Business Park

Cambourne Town Centre

Lower Cambourne Cricket Ground

Village College & Primary School

Proposed Bus/Cycle Link

Proposed Community Building & Sport Pitches

Cycle/Pedestrian Routes Proposed Bus/Cycle Link between Timeline

Anton D.

Autumn 2021 Early 2022 Summer 2022 Autumn 2023

Planning application submission Planning decision anticipated Commence construction First homes occupied

Street View - Jun 2016 3D View