Draft Soham Masterplan Consultation Closes – Wednesday 31St March 2010

Appendix 2f – draft Soham Masterplan exhibition boards 1. Introduction Soham Masterplan Vision

East Cambridgeshire Issues – March 2009 District Council is preparing The draft Masterplan Vision has been prepared following substantial research a Masterplan for Soham and consultation with local residents, to help guide the future community groups and businesses. Options – September 2009 development of the town It builds on the two previous public consultation events on issues and options over the next 30 years. on 25th March and 4th / 5th September last year. Draft Plan – March 2010 Current Stage The options stage consultation in September 2009 set out the key ideas in the draft Masterplan Vision. The results Adoption – May 2010 of this consultation have been taken on board and have been reﬂ ected in the draft document. The Soham Masterplan Vision process

Results from the options stage public consultation in September are as follows:

78% of respondents felt that the key to Soham’s future was additional growth to support a wider choice of facilities.

81% of respondents would support the re-instatement of the rail station.

76% of respondents would support new leisure and sixth form facilities. The Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft Plan) was published in February 2010 75% of respondents believe that Downﬁ elds should have a new local centre and be reconnected to the town.

63% of respondents supported the concept of a new eastern gateway to the town centre from the A142.

61% of respondents would support a northern residential extension with key new facilities / employment

56% of respondents would support new local facilities to complement plans for new housing at Brook Street.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 1 04/03/2010 12:15:04 2. Vision for Soham Soham Masterplan Vision

Soham is setting out Overall Vision – How Soham could look in the future. We welcome your views on the overall vision bold and ambitious and the individual framework areas as set out proposals for its in boards 3-9. Please let us have your views on these future which will proposals. Questionnaires are available for help to complete you to complete and all comments received will be considered by the Council’s Strategic its transformation Development Committee. into a 21st Century If you have any questions on the exhibition Northern boards or draft Masterplan please ask a Cambridgeshire Residential member of the Soham Masterplan team Market Town. Extension for assistance. Eastern LDF Gateway Employment The draft Soham Masterplan Site brings together for the ﬁ rst time the economic and spatial aspects of growth in a place- Town Centre Western including Town shaping plan. This new plan Gateway Park / Backlands will require an integrated East and West approach to delivery, enabling sustainable growth alongside Brook Street strategic priorities such as housing, transport and employment.

South West The traditional north/south Downﬁ elds axis of the town will be complemented with a new east/west axis to transform the town’s linear structure into a cruciform structure. Reproduced on Reproduced on Page 47 of the Page 63 of the Soham Masterplan Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft) Vision (Draft) Four new gateways will establish Soham as a key development opportunity with the potential to play a signiﬁ cant role in the sustainable growth of the district.

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Oﬃ ce. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. East Cambridgeshire District Council Licence LA100023279.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 2 04/03/2010 12:15:19 3. Western Gateway Soham Masterplan Vision

Western Gateway Framework Elements

and Mereside (and 1. New Allotments/Recycling Centre/ Energy from Waste Centre. Angle Common) 2. Improved Back Angle Common. 3. New Rail Halt/Station/Parking. This area is currently an 4. New Station Retail/Business Centre. 5. New Mixed Use Station Quarter.

undeﬁ ned mix of light 6. Mere Visitor Centre/Farmpark. industrial uses and housing 7. Possible Golf Course Option. which is cut oﬀ from the site 8. Mill Leisure Centre (cycling?). of the Mere to the west by the 9. New Recreational Opportunities. rail line.

It has been identiﬁ ed for additional housing (150 units) in the District Council’s Local Development Framework.

The western edge of Soham has signiﬁ cant potential for a comprehensive development programme over the long- term.

Mereside is also a huge opportunity for Soham to re- integrate with the Mere and to rediscover this area as a mixed use residential and leisure led area.

Reproduced on Page 53 of the Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft) Re-opening and enhancement of

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Oﬃ ce. Crown Copyright. the rail station is Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. East Cambridgeshire District Council Licence LA100023279. a key priority.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 3 04/03/2010 12:15:45 4. Eastern Gateway Soham Masterplan Vision

Eastern Gateway Framework Elements

(and Qua Fen / East 1. Major New A142 Junction/fen Gateway. Fen Commons) 2. High Quality Landmark Buildings. 3. Green Link between Commons.

4. New Junction on Pratt Street. This area is currently 5. Amended A142 Junction. allotments and agricultural 6. Amended A142 Junction. land between the two 7. New Mixed Use Avenue. commons (Qua Fen 8. New High Quality Housing 9. Redeveloped Site, Possibly Leisure Use?

Common and East Fen 10. Enhanced Garden Centre. Common.) Access from the 11. New Lode Green Landmark. east through the commons 12. Local Landmark, Possibly a Hotel? Reproduced on 13. Improved Qua Fen Common. Page 51 of the is restricted which prevents Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft) the town centre from 14. Improved East Fen Common. beneﬁ ting from the passing trade along the A142.

The Masterplan proposes a new eastern gateway drawing the public into the town centre from the A142 supporting future growth and prosperity by boosting business, tourism and other activities.

A new access oﬀ the A142 connecting directly into

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Oﬃ ce. Crown Copyright. the town onto Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. East Cambridgeshire District Council Licence LA100023279. Pratt Street.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 4 04/03/2010 12:16:06 5. Brook Street Soham Masterplan Vision

Brook Street (and Framework Elements

Wet Horse Fen / 1. New Local Centre including community / Shops.

Soham Meadow) 2. New Green Space Linking to Lode.

3. New Access oﬀ Brook Street. A development area to the 4. New Green Park Near the Brook Dam. 5. New High Quality Residential Frontage north east of Brook Street Overlooking the East Fen Common. is currently the preferred 6. New Allotments. option for a housing 7. New Access into Greenhills.

8. Improved Lake and Facilities /Possible Reproduced on Page 59 of the allocation in the Local Camping / Caravan Option. Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft) Development Framework 9. Redeveloped Regal Lane Estate for Mixed Uses (400 units). and Residential.

It is therefore likely that this will be one of the next areas to undergo new housing development. As such, it needs to be sensitively designed and consider its relationship with the Brook Street area and wider town.

New local facilities and open space to be delivered along with housing.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 5 04/03/2010 12:16:27 6. South West Soham Masterplan Vision

South West (and Framework Elements South Horse Fen) 1. Possible Sixth Form College. 2. New College Green.

3. New Leisure facilities.

Proximity to Wicken Fen 4. Possible Camping/Caravan Option. should be a key driver 5. Cemetery Extension. for any uses in this area 6. Allotment Extension. of Soham linking in a 7. New Leisure Facilities (stables?). rediscovery of the Soham 8. South Horse Fen Visitor Centre. 9. Possible Golf Course Option.

Mere. 10. New High Quality Housing. The south west of Soham has remained relatively undeveloped over time due to its lack of accessibility. There is a major opportunity to utilise this area for recreational and leisure uses which recognise the history of the Commons and Horse Fen.

New sixth form college and leisure facilities.

Reproduced on Page 61 of the Soham Masterplan Vision (Draft)

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 6 04/03/2010 12:16:48 7. Northern Gateway Soham Masterplan Vision

Northern Framework Elements Gateway (and 1. New Primary School. 2. New Kingﬁ sher Centre.

Shade Common) 3. Extension to Sewage Works.

4. New Park. This area is currently 5. Redeveloped Northﬁ eld Business Park. dominated by housing and 6. New ‘Eco’ Business Park. 7. New Landmark Building.

needs to have a new local 8. New Allotments.

centre with mixed-use facilities. 9. New Employment Fronting A142. The northern gateway has the 10. Amended Junction on A142. potential to open up business 11. Improved Windmill. opportunities to provide new 12. Kingﬁ sher Drive employment. jobs within walking distance 13. Kingﬁ sher Drive leisure. 14. New High Quality Eco-Housing.

of residential areas and to be 15. Shade Common Protected. the location for a new primary 16. Possible Leisure Use for the North of town. school in the town. 17. New High Quality Housing.

The area from Julius Martin Lane northwards should be considered as a character area.

Shade Common and the existing sewage works will deﬁ ne the northern edge of the town, with no further development north of the A142 roundabout.

Reproduced on Page 55 of the Soham Masterplan Residential Vision (Draft) extension with new local centre

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Oﬃ ce. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. / employment East Cambridgeshire District Council Licence LA100023279. opportunities.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 7 04/03/2010 12:17:07 8. Downﬁ elds Soham Masterplan Vision

Southern Gateway Framework Elements and Downﬁ elds 1. Landmark on Roundabout. 2. New Energy or Food Education/Business Centre. This area is currently isolated 3. Improved Windmill. from the town centre and 4. New Local Retail Centre. needs both re-connecting to 5. New Downﬁ elds Park. 6. Town Edge Walk.

the town and the provision 7. New Downﬁ elds Play Area. of new facilities, given its 8. Downﬁ elds Centre, Community and Shops. distance from the town 9. New Leisure/Employment. centre. 10. New High Quality Housing.

Military Road and Wicken Road will be safeguarded as the town’s southern boundary. The area’s function as the entrance into the town from the south will be formalised as the Southern Gateway.

Mixed-use housing, employment

and community Reproduced on Page 57 of the Soham Masterplan facilities. Vision (Draft)

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 8 04/03/2010 12:17:27 9. Town Centre Soham Masterplan Vision

2. Recreation Ground (or New Park) 1. Northern Gateway (and New Town Square)

1. Scout Hut Removal/Redevelopment as Community Hub. 1. Market Street North Redevelopment and siting of 2. Pavilion Refurbishments/Redevelopment as Community Hub. Garages.

3. Park Improvements. 2. New Eastern Gateway Junction/ 4. Improved Pedestrian Link to Gardeners Lane. Arrival.

5. Improved Park Entrance and Re-use of Ambulance Station as a Visitor Centre. 3. New Northern Town Square.

6. Integration/Redevelopment of Car Park in Park Setting. 4. Competition for a New Landmark to the Future. 7. New St. Andrews Walk on Church Axis. 5. Kent’s Lane Pedestrian/Cycle 8. Removal of Fire Station to Eastern Gateway. Route.

9. Possible Future Connection to Clay Street. 6. Refurbish Former Grammar school for Civic Uses.

7. Churchgate Backlands East Redevelopment. 3. High Street (and New Fountain Square) 8. Churchgate Shop Front Renovations.

1. Market Street Improvements. 9. Churchgate Backlands West Redevelopment. 2. New direct Footpath Mews to Budgens. 10. Viva Centre Setting/External Space Improvements. 3. Lower High Street Streetscape Improvements.

4. Old Church Hall Site Redevelopment.

5. High Street Frontage Renovations/ Upgrade. 4. Backlands East (including Market Street) 6. New Fountain Square. 1. Market Street Frontage 7. High Street Mews/Alleyway Development. Renovations. 2. Paddock Street Connection. 8. New Central Square and Focal Point. 3. Major Retail / Car Parking Opportunity. 9. St. Andrews Church Conservation/ Maintenance. 4. Mews Connections to High Street. 10. Potential Civic Use in former Lloyds Pharmacy Building. 5. High Street Shops Rear Extensions.

6. New Staploe Square Behind 6. Southern Gateway Mews. (and Red Lion Square) 7. Staploe Mews Renovation/ Improvement. 5. Backlands West 8. Major Retail / Car Parking Opportunity.

(including Budgens) 9. Removal of Bungalow/ Redevelopment. 1. Budgens/High Street Connection/Entry Space. 10. Siting of Garages/New White 2. Improved Co-op Gateway. Hart Lane Connection.

3. Rationalised Co-op Servicing. 4. Red Lion Rear Area Improvements.

4. Major Floor Plate Opportunity. 5. New Pedestrian Connection from Red Lion to The Lode. 5. Post Oﬃ ce Servicing/Opportunity. 6. Siting of Garage to Eastern Gateway. 6. Potential New Units in Budgens Car Park. 7. Utilise The Lode Frontage and 7. Potential Corner Unit Gateway to Budgens. Make More Accessible. 1. Baptist Church Frontage Space/ 8. Improved Streetscape (Less Traﬃ c Dominated). Parking Improvements. 8. Southern Gateway.

9. Improved Clay Street edge to Car Park 2. Red Lion Square Conservation/ 9. Potential Linkage Opportunity to (Information Signs?). Maintenance. Rear of Telephone Exchange.

10. Facelift for Clay Street Frontage and Spaces on Library. 3. Enhancement/Conservation of 10. Major Floor Plate Opportunity to The Ship Public House. Rear of The Ship with River Connection.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 9 04/03/2010 12:17:49 10. Next Steps Soham Masterplan Vision

Growth for Soham Draft Soham Masterplan Consultation Closes – Wednesday 31st March 2010

Current rates of housing growth for Soham are set out in the Council’s Core Strategy as part of the Local Development Framework. This sets out a requirement for 1,100 homes Consideration of draft Masterplan responses to to be built in Soham to 2025 to Strategic Development Committee – Tuesday 20th April 2010. take the population of the town to approximately 12,000.

The Masterplan suggests the potential for longer-term growth in Soham of an additional 2,000 homes Adoption of the Masterplan by Full Council at ECDC – Tuesday 25th May 2010. from 2026 to 2040. This would help support the infrastructure and facilities aspired to by the town. If this level of housing growth were to be achieved, Soham’s population Once adopted as Council Policy, the Masterplan will become a material planning would rise to over 16,000 in the consideration and will feed into future Local Development Framework documents. longer-term.

Please take a few moments to complete the draft Soham Masterplan Vision questionnaire. The exhibition boards and questionnaire are also available to view and complete on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website – www.eastcambs.gov.uk.

You can also send us your views via e-mail to [email protected]

Or write to: Soham Masterplan, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Thank you The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EE. for your Telephone: 01353 665 555 time.

Reshaping Soham – a 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town

Exhibition v2.indd 10 04/03/2010 16:35:34 Appendix 2g – draft Soham Masterplan results Agenda Item () Appendix

Draft Soham Masterplan Consultation Results - April 2010 1. Results from Questionnaire

104 questionnaires on the draft Soham Masterplan Vision were returned. A summary of the results is provided below:

Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Are you answering this questionnaire as - (Please tick all boxes that apply to you) Response Answer Options Response Count Percent A resident of Soham 85.1% 86 An employee in Soham 10.9% 11 A resident of a local town/village/rural 1.0% 1 community within 5 miles of Soham An employee of a local town/village/rural 1.0% 1 community within 5 miles of Soham A visitor to Soham 0.0% 0 A local business 6.9% 7 A retailer 2.0% 2 A developer or agent of a local landowner 10.9% 11 An investor 2.0% 2 A representative of an organisation 8.9% 9 Other (please give details) 2 answered question 101 skipped question 3 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Town Framework Please rate in order of preference (1-6) how strongly you support the following ideas in the town framework. Rate your most preferred as 1 and least preferred as 6. For further details on the town framework ideas see pages 46-61 of the draft masterplan. Please rate in order of preference (1-6)

Answer Options 1 2 3 4 5 6 Response Count

North; Residential extension with new local 11 11 11 18 14 12 77 centre/employment facilities Downfields; New Local Centre and reconnecting 11 13 13 20 10 9 76 Downfields to the town Eastern Fen Gateway; New connection into the 15 13 11 7 10 22 78 town centre from the A142 via new roundabout Mereside; Re-instatement of the rail station and 37 14 8 8 8 5 80 mixed-use station quarter South West; New Leisure and Sixth Form 5 21 19 9 13 8 75 opportunities Brook Street; New local facilities and open space to support current 7 6 9 12 18 22 74 planning policy for new housing

Question Totals

Do you have any other comments on the above town framework? 33 answered question 84 skipped question 20 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Town Centre Framework Please rate in order of preference (1-6) how strongly you support the following ideas in the town centre framework. Rate your most preferred as 1 and least preferred as 6. For further details on the town centre framework ideas see pages 62-69 of the draft masterplan Please rate in order of preference (1-6) Response Answer Options 1 2 3 4 5 6 Count Northern Gateway; New Northern town square with a link 8 7 7 12 8 24 66 to the Eastern Gateway Recreation Ground; Upgrading the recreation ground 40 13 3 6 6 5 73 to a town park with new access and connections High Street; New Fountain Square 6 27 13 6 10 6 68 and improving the link to Budgens Backlands East (including Market Street); Bringing together small 7 10 12 12 18 6 65 pieces of land to enable retail extensions Backlands West (including Budgens); Bringing together small 6 7 17 17 6 12 65 pieces of land to enable retail extensions Southern Gateway (Red Lion Square); 10 6 11 13 12 15 67 Rediscover the link to the Lode

Question Totals Do you have any other comments on the above town centre framework? 22 answered question 76 skipped question 28 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Long-Term Vision

How strongly do you support or oppose the long-term vision for Soham set out in the Masterplan document? Response Response Answer Options Percent Count Strongly Support 33.7% 29 Support 32.6% 28 No View 9.3% 8 Oppose 7.0% 6 Strongly Oppose 17.4% 15 answered question 86 skipped question 18

Long-Term Vision How strongly do you support or oppose the long-term vision for Soham set out in the Masterplan document?

Strongly Support Support No View Oppose Strongly Oppose Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Growth for Soham

The draft masterplan sets out proposals for an additional 2,000 homes in Soham between 2026-2040 to support the range of facilities aspired to by the town. This would take the population of Soham to just over 16,000 over the long-term. How strongly do you support or oppose this level of growth for Soham?

Answer Response Percent Response Count Options Strongly 24.4% 21 Support Support 31.4% 27 No View 7.0% 6 Oppose 18.6% 16 Strongly 18.6% 16 Oppose answered question 86 skipped question 18 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Sex (Please tick the appropriate box)

Response Response Answer Options Percent Count Male 55.1% 43 Female 44.9% 35 answered question 78 skipped question 26

Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Status

Response Response Answer Options Percent Count Employee 53.8% 43 Self-employed 6.3% 5 Unemployed 1.3% 1 Homeworker 2.5% 2 Student 2.5% 2 Retired 33.8% 27 answered question 80 skipped question 24 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Age

Response Response Answer Options Percent Count 0-16 years 0.0% 0 17-24 0.0% 0 25-39 27.8% 22 40-49 20.3% 16 50-59 17.7% 14 60-74 25.3% 20 75-84 6.3% 5 85+ 2.5% 2 answered question 79 skipped question 25 Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Ethnic origin

Response Response Answer Options Percent Count White British 96.2% 75 White Irish 0.0% 0 White Other 2.6% 2 Traveller 0.0% 0 Mixed ethnicity 1.3% 1 Chinese 0.0% 0 Asian or Asian British (Indian) 0.0% 0 Asian or Asian British (Pakistani) 0.0% 0 Other Asian background 0.0% 0 Black or Black British (African) 0.0% 0 Black or Black British (Caribbean) 0.0% 0 Other Black background 0.0% 0 Other ethnic group (please specify) 0 answered question 78 skipped question 26

Draft Soham Masterplan Vision Public Consultation

Disability Under the Discrimination Act: ‘a person has a disability if he/she ‘has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.’ Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Response Response Answer Options Percent Count Yes 5.0% 4 No 95.0% 76 answered question 80 skipped question 24 2. Additional Comments from Questionnaire

A total of 42 general comments were submitted. A summary of the key issues raised is provided below;

Business

- Reduce business rates (or provide incentive) to encourage business growth now, then existing employers will re-locate to the planned areas. - Lots of small businesses/self employed here which need to be accommodated

Development

- Identifying locations for the inevitable additional housing and employment is sensible. - The Kingfisher Drive development shows how things easily go wrong. Road unfinished, footpaths blocked for over 2 years. No facilities for new houses and as its a long way from school/shops many people will use their cars, causing more traffic problems in the town. New housing needs to be near the shops if you want people to use them. Traffic to Ely is held up for long periods at the station already. Will these developments need to wait until the Ely Southern Bypass is built? - The Masterplan seems aimed at increasing the population of Soham which will ultimately become more of a dormitory town than it already is, ie Kingfisher Estate, for which the link road is still not open after 5 years.

Environment

- There is already congregation in open spaces at night, and one almost feels a sense of ghettoisation of areas may be a long-term consequence unless more is done. A much more coherent social planning policy than suggested by the Masterplan is required to prevent this from occurring. The document is too vague on this front, focusing predominantly on retail and housing. - Has flooding been taken into account? Dredging the existing lakes and ditches? Covering the land with concrete, although desirable, does not let the land drain properly. Look at Qua Fen Common at the moment. The filling in of the ditches has resulted in the common flooding. Eastern Gateway

- Our property currently overlooks the allotments (we live on Brew House Lane); our concerns are with the Eastern Gateway and the proposed road/street/lanes on the current allotment site, plus residential and employment proposals. - The new Eastern Gateway will bring in even more traffic, making lorries parking in the High Street even more of an issue. - I am worried about what sort of industry will come to the A142 by the Eastern Gateway. We don't want noisy, polluting, heavy industry that brings a lot of road traffic. The A142 is already very busy and industry usually increases traffic. - I moved to this area about ten years ago as part of my retirement programme. At that time a local search declared that the area of land between the two commons was green belt agricultural land that would not be developed. However, I now see on the draft plan that this area is to be opened up by providing a Gateway from the by-pass. How can the building of a roundabout in the middle of a fast moving road be anything but a disaster waiting to happen? In the past, vehicles have driven straight across the existing ones at either end. This is, and should remain, as a by-pass. Access to our town is by north and south with the possibility of a western access if and when the railway station is built. At the other end, the proposal to join with Pratt Street would be another hazard for school children. Already this area becomes gridlocked each morning at the school crossing without further traffic entering from the east. - This whole proposal of driving a road across lovely fields from the A142 to the rear of Brewhouse lane and building on these fields has made up our minds to leave Soham - I do not believe that we need to destroy good land between East Fen Common & Qua Fen Common for a road into Soham (and at the same time propose blocking off two existing roads). I would like an environmental impact survey to be carried out on both commons before any development is considered. - There will be a direct impact on the commons despite the fact that no building can occur on the commons. Blocking off the two roads to the by-pass will force even more cars into the centre of Soham and make it gridlocked. - This is not required. Access from each end of the bypass is perfectly adequate with the other existing accesses from the by-pass for local people. The appearance from the bypass would be appalling. This proposal appears to be no more than an opportunity to open up land for development. - Once an access has been driven across this underdeveloped land, a new and potentially busy and noisy road will have been made. The impact of light pollution at night across a hitherto unlit area needs to be considered. - Don’t believe that Eastern gateway will encourage people to increase footfall in town centre. What is there to come into Soham for?

Delivery

- Clearly funding is going to be an issue. Sadly, many of the proposals are never likely to see the light of day. Good, visionary, plan though - well done! - I can’t imagine how much it costs to produce the vision brochures. Surely a smaller document would do the job at much less expense. - I cannot see anything in the masterplan that will make any real difference- it is a white elephant. How much is this consultation costing during a time when we read about cuts in public services? - The questionnaire relating to the draft masterplan gives no idea of cost, timetable for implementation and what other things would have to be sacrificed if it were to be implemented, due to lack of funds. - With no idea about the implementation and dates to go on, and no idea what other things will suffer by putting money into this masterplan, how can a thinking person possibly make a reasonable decision? - I more or less agree with the masterplan. Well done, its quite and achievement. - Soham Masterplan Vision is a complete waste of time and money - I fully support the proposed masterplan - Where is the money coming from for this development, when we are facing major public spending cuts & severe recession after the general election? - Having read the draft consultation I was pleasantly surprised how much effort has gone into the production of this draft and you should be congratulated for a well thought out plan.

Town Centre

- I think the priority should be given to improve the town area, with additional parking for short-term shoppers, and to develop Market Street to the full before the site opposite the comrades club is built on. We would be able to encourage shoppers to what was a market town. I realise we are restricted to small shops in the high street due to the construction of the buildings but everything possible should be done to encourage further shops. - This town needs a heart- a market square combined with a community/ youth centre; - It needs to be broken up with squares where people can stop and have refreshments from local cafes etc. It's difficult to improve appearance because of conservation restrictions but the planners have done a good job. - Bring a market to Soham. Saturday antiques, one Sat French market, one Sat a car boot sale, and one Sat a farmers market. Put up signs, there would be lots of interest. - It’s no good in the draft masterplan to say that Newmarket & Ely have the shopping facilities. Soham is a town on its own merits. Haverhill in Suffolk had lots of housing without facilities; they now have a good balance with lots of new facilities. Things cannot get any worse than they currently are. The High Street is a depressing place. I will be moving away from Soham if things do not improve. - Small changes would be great for the time being, such as tidying the High Street up, welcoming new retail shops, have a market (close the High Street on a Saturday?), tidy up the old Grammar School area and the buildings next to Barclays. - Shopping in Soham will always be for odd bits, sadly. Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge have the pull of big names. With people having their own transport, there is no longer the need for people to stay in Soham. You may attract people to Soham if you have specialist shops, but the High Street must be made more appealing with more car parking. - Whilst seeing Soham as a commercial centre and retail outlet, it must not be forgotten that there are at the moment few premises in the High Street. - The town is too close to Ely or Newmarket to attract a large retailer and Soham struggles to keep our existing shops open for many months.

Transport

- Historically there have been traffic-calming measures to keep traffic from Soham streets and now you wish to attract more traffic to the area. - Support improvements for pedestrians, and horse and cycle riders, in particular the establishment of a link to the Wicken Fen spine route, with the possibility of a Soham railway station. - Support the train station re-opening. - The opening of the railway is an excellent idea. - The rail link is essential, no need for a fantastic station building just a platform and a large enough car park. In Fordham road please take out all the road humps, they are not necessary and I believe they stop people coming into town and using the shops. - I do not believe that re-opening the railway station will ever be viable. There is no direct link to anywhere useful and Ely and Newmarket are better served by buses. - One good idea- the station. - If you take out the bumps as you come into Soham, and provide more parking in the street you might make it good.

Infrastructure/ Facilities

- It is unlikely that your visions will be met with reality. Whilst builders will flock to build, it is unlikely that the infrastructure / school / medical facilities on your wish list will ever materialise - I would only strongly support so long as the facilities are there as well. - Infrastructure must be in place before expansion of population e.g. new/bigger schools, more doctors etc. - I think this will work the other way around in practice. The developers will move in, take their profit and leave the town with an overburdened and underdeveloped infrastructure. The record of our local councils in the recent development in the north of the town has been lamentable and I would want to see robust enforceable agreements put in place before agreeing to any substantial development. - As before we must do infrastructure too - absolutely critical. - There seems to be little point in expanding homes further; already there is insufficient infrastructure to support the population. In particular there is an absolute dearth of leisure facilities and activities for mid-teens, and young people in general. - No infrastructure for us living here already. - Schools, doctors and policing are all major concerns. - I support the level of growth in housing so long as the infrastructure is in place and we get benefits with the growth and not just the housing - How about a cricket pitch for the town? - The community that already exists in Soham needs to be given something before you start to build more houses and roads. The community needs another junior school and senior school because there are not enough places. If you had done a survey to see how many children travel outside Soham to school you would see. As with the senior school, children come from all over Isleham, Wicken, Fordham, Ely etc. Places are limited, so if you build more houses, where are the senior children going to go? - The community needs a community centre for the young and old. Bring in youth clubs like army air sea cadets, have a youth club where children can hang out like a snooker club, a computer games club. - The old people - give them a bingo hall. These facilities can be in the same building where the old and the young can meet, maybe in a cafe in the centre. I’m sure Costa Coffee would come in and run it. - Sadly I think the town must expand to survive but you must have services available to the public from the start. - Our young people are being neglected. A cinema would be great, just like the one at the Maltings. Maybe on a Saturday morning. More meeting places for the young. It must be cheap as kids don't have much money, but they want to meet their friends and have fun. I would have liked to have seen more consultation with the two primary schools and the College. Maybe you have asked the children for their thoughts but it does not come across in the draft. They are the future of Soham. - One thing the Town Council should consider, is having an office where people can come for advice. I believe there is no Citizens Advice Bureau in Soham now. If we are to have the increase of population we need such services in Soham not Ely. - More houses mean more people. Facilities must increase to keep pace. - cycle path beside A142 to Ely would be good. The cycle track along the river is fine in daylight but no good in the dark. - Idea- Buy old Church hall plot and make a car park. Save recreation ground. Clean up Old Grammar School-looks awful. - Infrastructure does not seem to have been taken into account (health centre, dentists etc). No provision for a major supermarket therefore Ely and Newmarket will benefit from this plan

Housing

- As for the building of more houses, again, an area of more problems; one only has to visit the Barley Fields area to see what a mess that is. With open drainage ditches full of rubbish and roads and play areas not completed. When the houses are built as in our case, the roads are not wide enough and the garages too small to house the average car, consequently people parked on the road and on the pavements making it very difficult for delivery lorries and refuse lorries to turn around. - I support the need for additional housing in the future as long as the investment in infrastructure & services is there to support town's population. - There will be the need for more housing. This needs to be affordable, but also eco-friendly. Why worry what central government thinks? Lets get on with our own eco-friendly buildings, by insisting that all new houses and industrial units have solar panels etc. The wind turbine at Fordham seems to be turning well whenever we see it from the by-pass. I don't know what electricity it produces but maybe a few more could be encouraged to be put up in the Soham area? - It is my hope that housing will not be centred to the town and amenities pushed further out. A general mix is required. - The new housing proposed on Brook Street is on land liable to flood and the access down Tanner’s Lane and Regal Lane is poor. - Don't forget to join up Downfields with Soham with houses with space for cars- build quality houses.

Proposed Document Amendments

- There are inaccuracies in this document which lessen its authority. For example, a retail anchor store at the point at which Brook Street and Paddock Street meet seems to be almost in a private garden (pg 63); footpaths etc go through St Andrew's Vicarage (page63)

Noted (see recommendation on Backlands East and West)

- It appears that the one major development that is being presented as the most necessary is the Eastern Gateway. I do not know how essential this is but I think that the wording on page 50 of the draft document should be considered very carefully - 1. How is possible to build a street that is 'not traffic dominated'? 2. If the street is to be 'not traffic dominated' and therefore little used, what is the point of building it?

Noted and text will be amended in final document (see recommendation on Eastern Gateway) 3. Town Framework- comments

33 additional comments were received on the town framework section of the questionnaire. A summary of these comments is provided below;

Transport

- Please lets have a rail station, but serious consideration should be taken into how the traffic would be getting to the station? Access via Fountain Lane, Clay Street and the new estate would be insufficient- Fountain Lane & Clay Street are already incredibly busy and dangerous. - Improve public transport links, bring a rail link back to the town. - We need safer cycle routes. These would encourage more cyclists and fewer cars on the roads. - The High Street is too narrow. When lorries park outside shops (on the yellow lines) it is dangerous to pass them. Same for parked buses. There is plenty of room behind shops to deliver goods and park cars. This idea is not in the above framework. Improved access to Soham is of little use if it is too blocked up by parked vehicles. Build an access road to the area behind the shops and enforce no parking in the High Street.

Eastern Gateway

- I do not support the logic behind an Eastern Gateway; there is currently no barrier to access into the centre of town using the current gateways - as a priority it would seem far more cost-effective to improve the frontage on existing routes rather than building new ones. All the traffic that currently uses the A142 has plenty of opportunity to come into Soham, building a new road will simply lead to the other roads being used less. I understand the land that would form the Eastern gateway is owned by CCC, and it would be worth substantially more as development land than agricultural. However, to replace the current open space with a new road would be very damaging to the town. The proposal to surround the eastern commons with development may be complying with the letter of the law but would destroy the spirit of the area. I would urge you to consider very carefully the sustainability of such a move. There are a great many people in Soham who use the eastern green spaces and view them as vital to the character of the town. To cover this area in development would be a desecration. It will be opposed vigorously. - A green link (e.g. 30ft wide drove with verge and flanking hedgerows) should be kept between Qua Fen Common and East Fen Common for both wildlife and horse riders, cyclists and walkers. Allotments would be a second best option, provided there was access between the commons. - Do not understand the thinking on bringing the only access from the A142 out right next to a busy primary school - I have real concerns about building a new road and its environmental impact. I am not convinced it will bring real benefit. - I believe that shutting down the roads off the commons will cause more congestion. - The new A142 junction is a waste of money. Any cash would be better spent creating a new town centre/square/market- combined with a community centre. This would regenerate and focus the whole town. - Why are you proposing to block off the existing road that runs down Bushel Lane & across the commons from the bypass? If you do, you will provide an ideal location for travellers to congregate. - The vision for the Eastern Gateway is wholly supported. New housing and employment opportunities are important to the growth and sustainability of Soham. - With so much potential development land available, it seems illogical and unsustainable to develop extensive areas outside the bypass on land in open countryside without any natural landscape boundaries. Our support for the eastern gateway is therefore only for land inside the bypass (A142). - Difficult to see from plans what is existing at the moment; what about footpaths/allotments being built over on the Eastern Gateway plan which does not seem to lead anywhere and limited parking only? - The Eastern Fen gateway will destroy the open areas on this side of the town. An industrial development and housing estate is hardly likely to attract passing trade.

Infrastructure/facilities

- The most important thing is to ensure that when houses are being built the supporting infrastructure is done at the same time. Beware of areas which flood, but which may not be fully recognised on the flood maps. - The Old Grammar School site on Churchgate needs an urgent resolution. It would make a useful civic building as per your item on the northern gateway map. Or use it for a crafts centre. - Its still a long way from Shade to town centre. Needs good local bus service

Development

- The joining of Downfields to the main body of Soham would be so good for the town and has been needed for too many years. - Downfields is a part of Soham that has been neglected and a satellite area that needs to be joined and included with the rest of Soham. - More development at Downfields to bring it together with the town and into the 21st century. - We support the provision of a new local centre in northern Soham to provide a mix of community uses including retail, leisure and employment. - Do not extend Downfields- Join up to Soham. Business

- Who covers cost of relocation of businesses for Mereside and Regal Lane? - Should improve and utilise the existing industrial site. Decent shopping centre e.g Asda, Morrisons, Argos, and a retail park like Bar Hill at the north.

Housing

- Totally oppose more housing in Brook Street area- The road will not accommodate extra traffic. - Housing behind Brook St is a flood area. - I believe that the Shade should have more housing on the western side- or a new superstore. - No more houses in Soham, only to join up Downfields to Soham

Delivery

- How will you make your decision on what to progress with first? When will you present it to the town? - Needs to better fit with LDF process 4. Town Centre Framework Comments

22 comments were received on the Town Centre Framework in the questionnaire. A summary of these responses is provided below.

Transport

- Have put the Southern Gateway as 5 in my priorities- as a resident of Clay Street, I would not favour more traffic on the already narrow road. Although I favour the idea of a new road being built from the South, can only see that Clay Street would be an excellent cut through for the rest of Soham to avoid the speed bumps- perhaps the Draft masterplan should also suggest making streets such as Clay Street one way? - Northern gateway will cause congestion where it meets High Street. - I do not understand how you can widen the roads running through Soham (as houses/shops are on the existing roadside). As for linking pieces of land and creating new roads within Soham - how? Most of this runs through people’s valuable gardens. - Don't get rid of car parks in the town, people won't walk.

Town Centre

- Are there sufficient parking facilities for people using the town centre? - Money would be better spent on improving local public transport links. Bringing new retail units to Soham will deplete the already poor facilities at Newmarket and Ely, which are only 6 miles away. The community can only sustain so many businesses without the detriment of reducing capacity at other local locations. - Are you convinced retailers want to open shops in the High Street? What incentives are in place to encourage new shops and businesses to set up? - All of the proposals are supported and will add to the vitality and viability of the town centre and the overall strength and character of the town. - Make the town centre a more attractive place to attract the public and to improve Soham's image before worrying about retail opportunities. With Ely and Newmarket close by & the increasing use of internet shopping, Soham's town centre will never again be what it was 20+ years ago. - - A grant to property/business owners of Soham town centre to help maintain properties. - There are many shops closed and empty in the town centre. I suggest these should be surveyed to find out why?

Leisure

- I feel that making much more of the Lode and its links to the commons is important and especially linking the Lode into the town more so that a stroll along it could be part of a lunchtime break for workers etc - Our children need and deserve a modern outdoor play space- like the lovely facilities in Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall and Newmarket. - Where's the swimming pool and cinema? - No mention of swimming pool. Given the use from the college as well as the primary schools this would enhance the town’s attractions as well as employment. - In Spain each village or neighbourhood within a town has a focal point built around a play area, a water feature and seats for the older community. Cafes and restaurants then cluster around these mini town squares. - Recreation ground needs to be 1st on the list. The children of Soham need a new park. I've been here 10 years and the park hasn't changed. We drive to Ely or Bottisham to play in a park. - Don't over develop the recreation ground

Delivery

- The extent of redevelopment shown in Backlands East is always likely to be uneconomic for retail or other business uses given the need to promote these uses in the High Street first. The variety and extent of land ownerships will also be a major constraint to site assembly, unless the Council uses its CPO powers. Whilst a footpath/cycle link through to Paddock Street might be useful, a new road would not be, as it would prevent sites being developed to their full extent. The new road is also shown as going through existing housing and across listed buildings and is totally unrealistic.

Infrastructure/Facilities

- Why isn’t a police station referred to? Could be combined with the fire station. 5. Additional comments from Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties

33 additional comments were received via letter or e-mail. The subject areas and comments are summarised below.

Respondent On Behalf of Site Comments ECDC Response 1.Paul Sutton, Mr C J 1.76 ha of land The site is indicated in the Masterplan Sites and individual uses will Head of Murfitt on the north- as a potential use for new local retail be allocated through the Planning- east of the centre and this is supported. Council’s site allocations Cheffins Shade process as part of the Local Development Framework.

2.Paul Sutton, Executors of 1.96 ha of land This site is indicated for use as a new Sites and individual uses will Head of S W Bates on the north- park in the Soham Masterplan Vision be allocated through the Planning- Esq east side of the document and this allocation is Council’s site allocations Cheffins Shade opposed. process as part of the Local Development Framework. The site is well placed to provide residential development in close proximity to the suggested local retail centre and primary school.

A more suitable site for a park would be on the land on the east side of Northfield Road which is already bisected by public footpaths and would be surrounded by existing and proposed residential development. 3.Paul Sutton, Mr P Simpson 2 ha of land Site A-The site is indicated for leisure Sites and individual uses will Head of south of the use in the Soham Masterplan Vision be allocated through the Planning- Cherry Tree document. Residential uses would be Council’s site allocations Cheffins public house in more appropriate due to proximity of process as part of the Local Fordham Road potential new local retail centre and new Development Framework. (site A) and 1.4 local park. If residential uses on this site ha of land north are not appropriate then consideration of Wicken should be given to commercial leisure Road, uses such as; hotel, restaurant, bar and Downfield (site golf clubhouse B) Site B- This site is indicated for a potential golf course as part of a substantial proposal covering most of the land between Cheery Tree Lane and Wicken Road. This use is generally supported, however, since the area would include sites within different ownerships, any uplift in land value should be distributed between those owners on a land equalisation basis. 4.Paul Sutton, Bishop Various sites- 1. Brook Street- Allotments. Sites and individual uses will Head of Laney’s East side of Suggested land use opposed, in that the be allocated through the Planning, Charity Soham between areas shown in the Masterplan are Council’s site allocations Cheffins Longmere Lane indicative only; the precise site process as part of the Local and Blackberry boundaries and land uses should be Development Framework. Lane. determined through the preparation of Land south of Development Briefs or Concept Precise site boundaries will be Longmere Lane Statements for each area. determined through the and east of preparation of Development Fordham Road. briefs or Concept Statements Land north of Where the areas to be developed cover for individual areas. the Weatheralls. land in more than one ownership, any Sites off Cherry uplift in land value (after allowing for Tree Lane any justified infrastructure and planning contributions should be distributed on a land equalisation basis.

2. Brook Street- Residential. Suggested land use supported.

3.Brook Street- Residential. Suggested land use supported.

This area forms a logical extension to the Brook Street area and would enjoy good access from existing roads. The A142 Soham bypass also forms a physical boundary to the expansion of the town in this location.

4. Brook Street- Residential and Allotments. Suggested land use supported.

See comments under 3.

5. South West (and south Horse Fen) Leisure. The land that includes this site adjoins the area to the west shown as a potential golf course, and is shown as leisure. Access to this area would logically be taken from Fordham Road (through site 21). The incorporation of a landmark building (as shown at the south-east corner of the site) would help to improve the image and legibility of the town and is supported. Possible leisure uses should include golf clubhouse, bar/restaurant and hotel.

6. Southern Gateway and Downfields. Employment. Suggested land use supported.

This site forms part of a larger area shown for employment uses, south of Longmere Lane. The area would have good access from the A142 and is close to existing employment sites at Regal Lane.

7.Eastern Gateway (and Qua Fen/ east Fen Commons). Allotments. Suggested land use opposed.

Oppose suggested land use- unless this site is included within a comprehensive development scheme for the Eastern Gateway area which will distribute any uplift in land values on a land equalisation basis.This land should be considered for residential use before other land further to the east (towards the bypass). Alternative uses should also be considered such as: residential care home, retirement village etc. 8. South West (and South Horse Fen). No use shown. This small site adjoins the area shown for leisure uses and should be included within that land use notation so that all the land south of Cherrytree Lane (including the existing public house) is shown for leisure purposes.

9. South West (and south Horse Fen). Education. It is not clear from the plan if this small strip of land is included within the area shown for educational purposes (possible Sixth Form College).

See comments above on land equalisation.

5.Adam N/A General Town Framework (page 47) and Ireland, response Western Gateway (page 53). A new Principal rail halt/ station/parking may be an Noted and flood risk would be Planning inappropriate development in an area of assessed within any proposed Officer flood risk. Whilst a nearby area (to the rail station feasibility study. Environment west of Mereside) was able to be Agency allocated in the LDF for housing, this was based on the receipt and acceptance of a Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment and this would be required for any other development proposals in the area. Infrastructure Delivery (Page 73) There may also be the requirement for water infrastructure provision. This Noted. should be assessed through the on-going East Cambs DC and Fenland DC Water Cycle Study.

6.Julian Sutton, Mr J James- Existing Infrastructure (Page 16) Noted and text will be Signet Planning James Graven Budgens Store, James Graven and Sons objects to the amended to reflect this. and Sons Ltd Clay Street and wording regarding the existing general sewerage treatment facilities in Soham. response It should be made clear that existing proposals already connected to the main sewer would not be affected by the restrictions by Anglian Water for new Greenfield sites.

Retail (page 24)

Specific reference should be made Noted and text will be within the text that some of the existing amended to reflect this. key town centre anchors such as Budgens Store have the potential to significantly enhance their retail offer.

Additional Supermarket (Page 38)

There seems to be the suggestion that Text currently states that any new retail floor space in Soham can following further residential only be accommodated through a new development further supermarket and this is an erroneous convenience retail services will assumption. The Budgens Store has the be required. Principles of PPS6 capability to accommodate all of the and sequential testing is identified forthcoming convenience referred to. floor space needed and can deliver this quickly.

It would be inappropriate for any Proposals in the masterplan are significant retail development in the for small neighbourhood shops north of the town whilst opportunities only exist within the town centre. Any new retail development in the north of the town should be limited to a local top-up shopping facility to reflect national planning guidance. The same should apply for proposals at Mereside ( Page 52), Southern Gateway and Downfields (Page 56), and Brook Street and Wet Horse Fen/ Soham Meadow (Page 58)

High Street and New Fountain Square (Page 66)

If this site is to be used for alternative Site currently has planning uses it should preferably be used for permission for residential comparison retail floor space given that development. this is currently lacking in Soham

Backlands East and West (Pages 67 and 68) and Southern Gateway and Red Lion Square (Page 69)

Any new retail development brought Noted and will be assessed forward through Backland site through appropriate planning extensions and the Southern Gateway should be aimed at comparison goods. policies.

James Graven and Sons is currently investigating the floor plate opportunity Noted (see recommendation to the rear of the existing store. re backlands East and West) However, it is understood that there is likely to be conservation objections to such proposals and any new access road alongside the store and these problems should be recognised. However, we are actively looking at ways in which the linkage between Budgens and the High Street can be enhanced.

7.Adrian Tofts, Growth and General It should be made clear whether the The Soham Masterplan Vision Development Environment response proposals for development within the is a long-term visioning Strategy Policy Masterplan which are not currently document that will inform the Manager, Development identified in the adopted Core Strategy Council’s response to the Cambridgeshire Group will be published for inclusion in the emerging RSS review. County Council Site Specific Proposals Plan to be published later this year, or whether they would have to come forward following a review of the Core Strategy.

With the exception of the existing housing and employment sites identified Precise details will be in the Core Strategy, no indication is determined through the given of the likely scale of development preparation of Development at the sites identified in the Area briefs or Concept Statements Frameworks. It is considered there is a for individual areas. need to clarify how the likely scale and distribution of housing, employment, retail and leisure development will be established and whether this will be the subject of further technical work.

Noted and this will be The County Council has fundamental amended in the final concerns about the statement in the document to address these Masterplan that “transforming the role concerns. of the bypass will be a major component of the framework”. Any framework that The Framework only proposes proposes a significant change in the role to change the bypass via an of such a strategic route would not be additional roundabout on the supported by the County Council. A142 to facilitate the new Eastern Gateway into the town which seems to be supported in principle (subject to the closure of existing junctions to the north and south and a limit to four arms maximum.)

There should be a much greater focus Noted (see recommendation ) on high quality cycling and walking provision within the town. This should include cycle routes linking residential areas to key destinations such as schools, shops, employment sites and leisure facilities. Cycle parking should also form part of the Masterplan.

The Masterplan should emphasise that Noted and will be Soham benefits from an extensive rights incorporated into the final of way network and that reference document. should be made to the use of bridleways (see recommendation) for equestrians and the connectivity between different types of route.

Eastern Gateway Precise details will be There is a need for further investigation determined through the to establish that the proposals for the preparation of a detailed Eastern Gateway can be successfully masterplan and development delivered without any harm to Qua Fen brief for the Eastern Gateway. and East Fen Commons. Particular care needs to be given to the design of the new access road off the A142 and the junction at Pratt Street, considering the constraints around the Weatheralls school and health centre.

Western Gateway and Mereside (and Angle Common Noted and will be assessed Consideration needs to be given to during any rail station parking management in the surrounding feasibility study. area and the provision of high quality walking and cycling links. As a minimum there must be adequate room at the new railway station to meet needs for a taxi rank, bus stop, cycle parking and disabled parking.

Northern Gateway Noted and will be Cambridgeshire County Council is incorporated into the final currently working with East document. Cambridgeshire DC to identify a site for an additional primary school in Soham to meet the level of housing growth identified in the adopted Core Strategy for inclusion in the Site Specific Proposals document. It is therefore suggested that the Soham Masterplan should be amended to this effect.

Infrastructure Delivery

The scale of housing growth identified Any additional need for a in the Soham Masterplan will require primary school will be the provision of two primary schools allocated through the District rather than one additional school as Council’s Site Allocations suggested in the Area Framework for process once housing figures the Northern Gateway. The masterplan are finalised through RSS should therefore be amended to refer to review. the need for two primary schools and that sites for this purpose will have to be identified through the Site Specific Proposals Plan in the first instance. Framework Priorities and approach to phasing Noted and key will be The proposed parking areas for the new amended in the final plan. Eastern Gateway should be made clearer in the plan.

See letter dated 31st March 2010 for detailed comments and appendix. 8.Keith Scotsdales Land in the The masterplan should not prejudice The masterplan is a visioning Hutchinson, proposed implementation of the adopted policies document that will help inform Taylor Vinters Eastern of the Core Strategy or the forthcoming the Council’s response to the Gateway allocations DPD RSS Review.

Concerns over sewage treatment works Discussed at Strategic extension required and the need for Development Committee on lobbying. the 19th January 2010.

Concerns over the feasibility of the Detailed work currently being Eastern Gateway due to timescales and undertaken by the County feasibility of Pratt Street entrance. Council on the feasibility of Closing access on the A142 at Bushell this entrance. Lane/Hasse Road and East Fen Common/ East Fen Drove would funnel traffic into the town centre.

A new roundabout should be Concerns from the County constructed at the East Fen Council on the number of Common/East Fen Drove junction in roundabouts on the A142 and accordance with previous proposals put the role and strategic function to the Council to provide early of the bypass if the Eastern implementation of the garden centre, Gateway proceeds. access to the employment area identified in the Core Strategy and resolve a dangerous crossroads junction on the A142.

9.Keith Day family Various See comments above re Eastern Hutchinson, Gateway Taylor Vinters Brook Street

Plans on page 59 of the Soham Agreed. Plan is conceptual. Masterplan Vision can only be considered as broad indications in terms of size and location. New local centre will need to be assessed in terms of scale and viability given the distance from the town centre.

Northfield Road

Support identification of land for Sites will be allocated through possible residential purposes but forthcoming Site Allocations concerned over the viability of a leisure DPD. use on part of the site. Leisure use would be better located on a site closer to the town centre and the whole of the Northfield Road site developed in the future for residential purposes. 10. Chris N/A Brook Street Strongly supports pro-active approach, Comments noted. Sites and Smith, Hopkins area, north east suggests it is important to determine how individual uses will be Homes of Fordham masterplan sits alongside LDF – does allocated through the Council’s Road/north- not currently tally with existing defined site allocations process as part west of the settlement boundaries and allocations of of the Local Development Regal Lane the Development Plan. Vast majority of Framework. Industrial area suggestions are supported in principle, particularly the re-opening of the railway station. Welcomes focus on Brook Street area – proposal sits in accordance with Hopkins Homes’ intentions for redevelopment of land in company’s control. Expresses concern/note of caution regarding the suggestion proposed within the document that existing Regal Lane Industrial Estate should be redeveloped as residentially based mixed-use development. Logistics are immense, benefits appear limited.

11.Andrew Land owner 30 Churchgate Concerns that plan shows a road/street See recommendation re Gilbert Street, Soham through his property, which he would Backlands East and West object to. Would be a congregation point for anti-social members of the Confirmed that the Old public, and suggests that knocking down Grammar School is covered in perfectly good houses is not high on a the masterplan document. list to do given immense shortfall in funds. Also comments on Old Grammar School, suggests this needs work 12.Katie Child, Forward General Comments provided in her capacity as a Principal Planning, professional planning officer – Forward ECDC Planning Officer Concern that the vision is not Numerous potential “employment led” and should be more employment areas shown in strategic. Sparse information on the vision in addition to the infrastructure requirements and delivery LDF Core Strategy Allocation and the level of traffic likely to be on the eastern side of the generated. bypass. Masterplan is a visionary framework for the future development of the town. Information on infrastructure requirements and delivery to be delivered through detailed development briefs.

Need to amend pages 16 & 24 & 38 to Agreed and will be amended reflect 550m2 of convenience floospace in final document. up to 2025 (not 600m2 of comparison floorspace.)

Need for a buffer area for development Noted. Larger buffer area to on the edge of the bypass. be shown on town framework map to screen development.

Amendments required to page 38 to Agreed and will be amended reflect small local convenience store in in final document. north of town not supermarket Page 43 should refer to the existence of Noted and will be the conservation area and listed incorporated into final buildings. document.

Page 46 should refer to the need to To be added to final allocate an additional 480 dwellings via document. the site allocations/Ely AAP.

Need to amend page 69 - area 10 is Agreed. Will be amended in shown as a floorplate opportunity but is the final document. an existing residential area.

Eastern Gateway/ Northern Maps are indicative and will be Gateway/Southern Gateway/South-West revised following detailed and town-centre maps are too detailed at development briefs. this stage and further work is required

Sixth form needs to referenced as a Will be added to final text. community aspiration on page 73

Page 56. Two retail centres are shown Agreed and will be amended and only 1 is numbered and needs to be in final document made clear that this is a small convenience store.

Backlands East and West- many of the See recommendation on proposed links and floorplate Backlands East and West opportunities are undeliverable due to highways accessibility/ existing premises. Western Gateway. LDF housing site is Yes. Text and map to be shown incorrectly on page 53 and amended in final document. proposal for retail should be a small station shop only.

Land to west of railway is not easily Further work and detailed accessed and further work with studies will be required on all Highways required to explore framework areas to assess opportunities for golf/ farm park. viability and delivery.

Need to include infrastructure Noted and will be added to requirements of growth up to 2025 from text the Core Strategy and reference to RSS housing targets on page 72 when talking about longer-term development beyond 2025.

Town Priorities- Incorporate LDF Yes. Will be added to final Housing Site and Station Redevelopment document under Mereside Level 2 and amend wording for opening paragraph of Level 3 for Northern area and Downfields to reflect longer-term aspirations.

Need to reference Anglian Water Yes. Will be added to text. restriction on development before 2016 sewage upgrade in phasing approach page 72.

Refer to risk of RSS review, Eastern Noted and will be Gateway not being included in the Site incorporated into final allocations DPD and the infrastructure document constraints on page74

Page 74- Housing growth not matched Agreed and will be amended by infrastructure growth should be listed in final document. as high likelihood.

Amend page 54 from ‘extension of Yes. sewage works’ to ‘state to Soham WWTW’s’

See letter dated 17th March for detailed comments 13.Tony Soham Town Comments on Cycling – Bridleway via Bracks Drove Comments noted – wording Hinsley Council specific to Wicken is suggested on page 20, for and maps to be changed in wording in upgrading to all weather surface, but not final document document shown on map on page 21. Commons – wording is inaccurate and gives wrong information, better wording would be “the town has unique large areas of open land including the commons (Qua Fen, East Fen and Angle), the Horse Fens which are also commons (North, South and West) and the Charity land. These were all set aside for the people of Soham by court action in the seventeenth century. All the commons are registered and no development is allowed on them”. What can be achieved – maps on pages 47 and 53 do not show Front Angle Common as a common 14.Nigel Resident Comments on wording - Inside the cover Comments noted – wording Driver, (p2) is referred to as an ‘expanding to be changed in final member of village’ – this is totally incorrect, we are document Soham Town a town Council Next page refers to a Town park – we have a recreation ground and are well known for it. 15.Martin Greater General Welcomes involvement in the Comments noted. Testing will Garratt, Cambridge development of the Masterplan, and be undertaken as part of Director Partnership being given the opportunity to comment. detailed development briefs for GCP supports the high aspirations, but the individual framework considers that the scale of the proposed areas. development should be market tested and checked to ensure development will be matched by growth in jobs, services and public transport. There is a need to clarify how the likely scale and distribution of housing, employment, retail and leisure development will be established. Of particular interest: Economy and Tourism – welcomes the approach to set aside land for employment and to encourage more tourism. Urban and Townscape – GCP supports the Masterplan’s aim to regenerate Soham town centre. Supports re- opening of the railway station in principle. Important that there is sufficient employment to support housing. Need to ensure related transport infrastructure and the required developer contributions are in place in time for any new development. 16.Amie Lill, Anglian Water East General advice on their duties – Comments noted and lobbying Planning Cambridgeshire currently carrying out a water cycle re sewage works will continue. Liaison study which will identify constraints and Manager requirements, based on development figures set out in Core Strategy. Water treatment works – improvements would be implemented in 2016 at the earliest. Reference to the need to improve the Waste Water Treatment works is consistent within Anglian Water’s comments made at the Core strategy consultation stage. No planned works for 2010-2015. Page 54 – please rephrase point 3 in the Masterplan to state ‘Improvements to Soham WWTWs’. A maintenance scheme has been produced and is initially planned to be implemented post 2011. Page 72 – The long term figures of an additional 2000 homes will need to be reviewed for delivery, in order to develop a strategy for serving the development with water and wastewater services. Page 73 – Agrees with second para stating the need for further investigation into the feasibility of extending the sewerage system to the north, and the importance of SUDS. Welcomes this inclusion in the masterplan. Overall, supports the general principles and proposals

17.Tim Alban The Vicarage Objects to an element of the proposals See recommendation re Jones for the Northern gateway and the New Backlands East and West Town Square (page 64). Buildings earmarked for demolition are listed, as is Vicarage boundary wall. Suggest proposed new entrance on the Town Square/Churchgate Street be removed from the plan altogether 18.Stephen Inland Waterways – Pleased to note that the potential for Comments noted Foote, Waterways Soham Lode development of Soham Lode (page 20), Chairman, Association has been recognised and promoted. Cambridge Most encouraging – waterway is only branch navigable by the very smallest of craft at present 19.Mr and Mrs Pelican Lodge, Representation relates to page 64, See recommendation re S Johnson 16 Bury Road, proposals for the northern gateway. Backlands East and West Newmarket Agree that Churchgate Street is ‘a fading town centre’, but object to proposals to create a Churchgate Backlands West Redevelopment - fanciful and impractical. Any road would sever town from its connection with land to the west. Also, roadway would result in the creation of tiny land parcels if plan measured to scale – not viable. Would be better to encourage development of individual backland plots with access taken from Churchgate Street where possible. Proposals for east side of Churchgate Street appear sensible. Suggest plan is amended on page 64 to identify individual parcels for development on the west side of Churchgate Street, and do not attempt to create an artificial link road which would cause demonstrable harm. 20.Chris Chairman of General - Scant provision made to preserve and Comments Noted. Public Turnbull Soham footpaths improve public rights of way. For rights of way will be Footpaths example the only paths shown on the considered as part of detailed Society Eastern Gateway proposal are 50, 51, 52 development brief for Eastern and 64. 60, 61, 62, 63 and 66 appear to Gateway. have been wiped out – this is a situation which Soham Footpaths Society will not accept. ‘We trust we will be fully consulted before any planning permissions are sought. We would confirm that we will object to any proposed closures and will only agree to diversions that we consider reasonable’. 21.Brian Residents 67 Fordham Concerned that their property is not Comments Noted and a Johnson and Road, Soham included in the plan. Sits where a blue response sent outlining overall Alison Randall shaded area is (nos 4 and 9) which purpose of the Vision and Site believe to be leisure areas opposite Allocations Process. Centre Road in Downfields. Row of houses not shown – proposed road on it! 22.Ross Middle Fen & Sewage works Board is concerned that the treatment More research will be required Chilvers, Mere Internal works is extended to accommodate any on flood levels/drainage and Engineer Drainage proposed housing growth. Operates to water supply where areas to be Board capacity at present. Water quality is a developed. concern. Infrastructure – significant areas of land are needed within or close to development areas to allow for attenuation of surface water. Much of the western side of Soham drains to and is influenced by Soham Lode – responsibility of Environment Agency. Other areas also shed water into district. Eastern Gateway – important drain runs alongside the main road of the proposed new Eastern Gateway – takes existing water from the town, also supplies water to the fen from Soham Lode. New impermeable areas will require surface water accommodation. All other areas will need to take into account water drainage and supply. Detailed consideration of flood risk should be undertaken at an early stage.

23.Louise MOD Scale of Concern with respect to development to Height considerations will Dale, Assistant development ensure structures, particularly tall need to be taken into account Safeguarding buildings, do not cause obstruction to air in any future development Officer traffic movement or compromise operation of air navigational transmitter facilities. Can confirm that according to document, this area falls within the height consultation zone surrounding Cambridge airfield. No safeguarding concerns provided development does not exceed 45.7m above ground level. If open water bodies to be created, MOD would need to be consulted. 24.Kevin and Residents General Disagree with proposal for 400 houses Comments noted. Brook Street Debbie Beeton response behind Brook Street. Proposed road will proposals will be considered as create more traffic – increase would be part of Site Allocations DPD. detrimental. Proposal to close two access road from the bypass and create a Issues on Eastern Gateway will new one, bringing traffic in by school is be considered as part of madness, area already congested. It is detailed feasibility study. important to be sensitive to residents. Want improvement in certain areas, but why can’t some improvement happen now? Industrial area on the outskirts of Soham good idea. – Regal Lane could then be housing. Support the opening of train station with correct infrastructure for parking. 25.Ian Smith, Smiths Gore General area Comments relate to the amount of Any additional sites for Partner housing which may be proposed in housing will be identified Soham in the future. Believe the through the Site Allocations proposals in the vision are ambitious in DPD. terms of the realistic level of housing that should be planned for Soham. The appropriate way to identify the location of additional 483 dwellings required by the Core Strategy Inspector is through the Site allocations DPD process. 26.John Boyd, Landowner Land behind Generally supports plan, but has Will need to be amended in Director existing concerns over the way in which Client’s Framework map on pages JB Planning properties on land has been represented, refer to pages 52-53. Need to add to any the western 52-53. Land is currently identified as future events, and on mailing side of Mere residential development - LDF housing lists Side, between site, but southern quarter is shown on Spencer Drove diagram as employment use. The whole and Station of the Client’s land has been promoted Road for residential use, and this remains their aim. Whole of site should be identified for residential use as is required to meet the Core Strategy’s housing requirement. It is inappropriate for this document to suggest alternative sites are developed. Notes that a potential residential area identified is to the north of Spencer Drove and Client’s land – would not meet the town’s short term needs – new serviced employment land and premises would be required. Supports proposal for a new station, and recognises and supports the need to protect key views over Soham Mere. As a key stakeholder, expresses surprise that not invited to attend various workshops 27.Colin Mr and Mrs The Seekings, Property is located alongside the Lode Keen to have the opportunity Brown, Challis 95 Paddock with an open aspect onto the Brook to discuss concerns with any Januarys Street, Soham Street LDF site, which is the preferred developers in due course. option for a housing allocation in the Note details for future LDF. Clients would prefer land not to reference be developed, although they appreciate this may be necessary. Would seek assurance that their standard of existence be taken into account. Concerned about flooding potential, and seeks assurance that the Flood Risk Assessment is entirely up to date, and recent flood events be noted. Concerned about creation of green park adjacent to property, with additional footfall and public access. 28.Les Morris National Grid General General advice on the supply of Comments noted. Add details electricity and gas, and the need for to database if not already listed developers to consult with them. Specifically comment on the Western Gateway and Mereside development framework area which is crossed by high voltage overhead electricity transmission line. This area identified as recreation corridor. Comments regarding the need to consider their right to access, and to note the location and nature of existing equipment when planning developments. 29.Paul Bryant, EERA General The Regional Planning Panel Standing Noted. Assistant Committee considered the report by the Planning Regional Secretariat on the Soham Officer Masterplan Vision before it endorsed the Strategy and recommendation that the document is in Implementation general conformity with East of England plan. 30.Rohan Sustrans General Overall document well presented and Comments noted. Text to be Wilson, Area easy to understand. Would suggest amended in final document. Manager some changes to the wording of the cycling section (pg 20), the addition of a route to the map, and would like to add comments about the need to increase vitality without motor traffic growth, and for early planning and provision for greater pedestrian and cycle use and facilities. Suggests changing the wording in several areas. Town framework – Sustrans welcomes the introduction of an east-west axis to Soham’s structure, in which the railway station and its hinterland will play an important role. Welcome proposals to improve access to Commons and the historic Soham Mere. Impressed with the amount of thought gone into proposals for town centre – agree that need to improve flow of people, but important that motor traffic should not increase. Although roads generally good for cycling, scope for improvement. Keen to promote cycling and walking 31.Natalie EEDA General EEDA welcomes the overall approach as Comments noted. Blaken, Head comments set out in the masterplan as responding of Planning positively to the RES and providing meaningful solutions to the local issues identified. The provision of additional employment land at the identified gateways to the town seems logical, and should ensure a more outward facing approach. It is important that Council is clear about the markets being sought, and how these relate to the offer of Cambridge, and Ely Masterplan proposals. There is some 4,600m2 of available floorspace – masterplan is not very clear about the approach to this land. EEDA agrees that education in the town is very important, and supports the aspirations as set out. EEDA welcomes the approach that the masterplan has taken to preserving and improving the character and environment in the town. In particular the town centre framework which delivers new gateways, redevelopment sites and enhanced public realm will have a positive impact in meeting the above RES aspirations. 32.Janet Natural General Generally satisfied with overall vision. Comments noted and issues Nuttall, England Welcome the proposals for enhancing will be considered within Planning and landscape open space and green individual development briefs. Conservation infrastructure. Fully supports the vision Adviser of protecting and enhancing the commons and Soham Mere and improving footpath and cycle linkages. Concerned that there are enough open green spaces for additional proposed housing – should be integral part of the creation of sustainable communities. Natural England is disappointed that the plan does not appear to recognise the requirements to protect and enhance designated sites and sites of wider biodiversity. Sites of Special scientific interest within the town have not been fully considered, plus a number of additional sites in close proximity. Due consideration will need to be given to the likely significant effect of the plan on these site. Natural England is particularly concerned with proposals for the development of allotments and caravan and camping sites on, or near, Wet Horse Fen SSSI. Masterplan does not appear to make any reference to the presence of locally designated sites of wildlife importance within Soham, and there is very little mention of the natural environment throughout the document. Would expect to see designated sites included on all relevant maps. 33. Neil Pembroke Various sites in Pembroke College supports the overall Useful details of landowners – Waterson College, and around Vision and Principles of the Masterplan. keen to work with Council on Planning Cambridge Soham, Overall vision to create a sustainable future developments. Associate, particularly community with ready access to jobs, Bidwells around the opportunities and facilities is fully southern supported. fringes Southern Gateway and Down Fields – fully supports its identification for potential development. The college would be happy to work with the Council to explore the potential of this land. Brook Street and Wet Horse Fen – also has various landholdings within this area, and supports the identification of this site for a mixture of residential development and associated green space. Considers this area can make a significant and important contribution towards meeting Soham’s future growth needs. Again, the college would be happy to work with the Council and other stakeholders in exploring the potential of this area Appendix 2h – draft Soham Masterplan framework areas Framework Area Detailed Descriptions

This document sets out more detail on the frameworks contained within the main Soham Masterplan and should be read in conjunction with this.

Town Framework

The Town Framework is presented in this section. This shows the overall spatial direction of the town of Soham set within the opportunities and constraints highlighted within the Masterplan. The Town Framework co-ordinates approaches to the town centre, the four town gateways, the towns edges and enhancement of existing neighbourhood areas.

The following sections break down the overall town framework into its major component areas in order to begin to demonstrate what actions need to happen within each area.

North (and Shade Common)

This area is currently predominantly housing and needs to have a new local centre with mixed use facilities created in a central location. New opportunities for jobs within walking distance which utilise the northern gateway into the town should be exploited.

Role:

Northern gateway to the town and Ely end of the eastern business corridor.

Overall long term housing, medium term employment linked to gateway, with short-term focus on the primary school and local centre.

Framework Assumptions:

area from Julius Martin Lane northwards to be considered as a character area;

no new built development north of the A142 roundabout using Shade Common and the existing sewage works to define the northern edge of the town;

new development to address the lack of facilities including community, leisure and employment in this northern residential dominated area; and

celebrating and defining the northern entrance into the town as the northern gateway. Framework Elements:

Short Term: 1. New Primary School. A new primary school on the eastern side of The Shade.

2. New Kingfisher Centre. Create a new neighbourhood centre at the junction of Kingfisher Drive with The Shade utilising land immediately north of Kingfisher Drive for facilities including a local shop and community centre.

3. Extension to Sewage Works. Extend the sewage works to ensure capacity in the future for growth of the town.

Medium Term: 4. New Park. A new park to the rear of Northfield Park.

5. Redeveloped Northfield Business Park. Redevelop the existing Northfield Business Park for mixed uses.

6. New ‘Eco’ Business Park. New employment opportunities utilising the frontage on The Shade from the new local centre to the A142 roundabout.

7. New Landmark Building. A special high quality landmark building facing the roundabout to welcome people to the town. Consider a sensitive high quality public art installation or significant landmark specimen tree for the northern roundabout.

8. New Allotments Provide new allotments within walking distance of the housing in the area and as a buffer to Shade Common and the sewage works.

9. New Employment Fronting A142. Further new employment opportunities utilising the frontage on the A142 to the east with improved roundabout access at Northfield Road and long-term redevelopment of the Northfield Business Park. Qua Fen Common to the southeast ends this character area and the interface with this needs careful consideration. Extend and enhance existing Millennium Walks and Arts Trail and PRoW network to provide a series of circular/ orbital pedestrian and cyclist network around Soham; taking in points of interest such as Northfield Windmill and North Horse Fen.

10. Amended Junction on A142.New access arrangement onto the A142 to support the business uses anticipated in the area.

Long term:

11. Improved Windmill. Improve the landscape around the Windmill to the north of the A142 to improve viability to help define this northern gateway. Possibly renovate the mill to working order and produce flour or local Soham product.

12. Kingfisher Drive employment. Use Kingfisher Drive as the main east to west spine through the area along which new centrally positioned facilities can be placed within walking distance of most houses in the surrounding area.

13. Kingfisher Drive leisure. Provide new leisure opportunities at the western end of Kingfisher Drive close to the Mereside area. 14. New High Quality Eco-Housing. New housing opportunities to the north of the mixed use Kingfisher Drive spine but must deliver a distinctive character with active streets to give strength and definition to the town’s northern edge. Possible area for eco-housing to set the standard for other housing across the town.

15. Shade Common Protected Shade Common defined, safeguarded and integrated into the town’s edge with other green uses such as allotments on the land between the sewage works and Soham Coates. Possibility here for a recycling and waste centre promoting new ‘green’ businesses to the town. Develop Shade Common, currently not a Registered Common as a green space within a local Green Infrastructure Network and enhance links to existing Green Infrastructure Corridor along Soham Lode.

16. Possible Leisure Use for the North of Town. Possible new leisure use accessed from the A142 for the north of the town.

17. New High Quality Housing. New housing and leisure facilities along Northfield Road to the rear of Bancroft Lane connecting to the lane and St. Felix Close. Downfields

This area is currently somewhat isolated from the main town and needs both re-connecting to the town and the provision of new facilities locally given its distance from the town centre.

Role:

Southern gateway to the town and Newmarket end of the eastern business corridor.

Overall medium/long term, some medium term actions on the gateway and interface areas.

Framework Assumptions:

public consultation unanimously requested Downfields is developed to link to the town better and is given local facilities;

the areas function as the entrance into the town from the south is formalised and expressed as the southern gateway; and

no new development south of Military Road or Wicken Road. This will be safeguarded as the town’s southern boundary.

Framework Elements:

Medium term: 1. Landmark on Roundabout. Consider a sensitive high quality public art installation or significant landmark specimen tree for the Downfields roundabout.

2. New Energy or Food Education/Business Centre. Provision of mixed facilities and employment opportunities to counter balance the current housing dominated area with a new landmark use close to the Downfields Roundabout and highly visible from the A142. Possibly an innovation or eco centre based on green energy/food production or linked to the rural context of the town

3. Improved Windmill. Renovate the Downfields Windmill as a key landmark feature for Downfields and part of the definition of the southern gateway. Possibly renovate the mill to working order and produce flour or local Soham product.

4. New Local Retail Centre. New local centre to serve the new employment areas as well as the existing residential areas.

5. New Downfields Park. Possible new park using the woodland area south of the existing Regal Lane estate to provide an interface between Downfields and the adjoining Brook Street character area.

6. Town Edge Walk Links out to the town edge green park along the western edge of the A142. Provide a high quality edge that protects and enhances the setting of Soham within the surrounding landscape.

7. New Downfields Play Area. New Downfields play area for children set within new housing which overlooks the green for natural surveillance. 8. Downfields Centre, Community and Shops. New local centre for the area including a local shop and possible community centre.

Long term: 9. New Leisure/Employment. Employment and business area using frontage onto both the A142 and Fordham Road. Existing footpath linkages from Orchard Row and Mistral Close connecting to a new business centre with walks out to the east and the Wet Horse Fen area.

10. New High Quality Housing. New housing opportunities to the east of Orchard Row consisting of well connected streets and a high quality and well defined edge along Wicken Road and the connecting street to Orchard Row. Local landmark building on the junction of the connecting street and Wicken Road to mark the urban edge of the town. Eastern Fen Gateway (and Qua Fen/East Fen Commons)

This area is currently allotments and agricultural land between the two Commons which are Soham’s jewel in the crown. The access from the east through the Commons is restricted which is not enabling the town centre to benefit from this passing trade along the A142. A new connection to the town centre from the A142 is the main element of this area of the framework.

Role:

Eastern gateway to the town and central point within the eastern business corridor.

Overall short to medium term.

Framework Assumptions:

Definition of a new development area for Soham to the east placed sensitively between Qua Fen Common to the north and East Fen Common to the south. Both Commons are therefore important to include in this area to ensure the eastern edge of Soham balances new access and development opportunities with retention and enhancement of these key open spaces.

Major new access off the A142 to connect directly into the heart of the town onto Pratt Street and onto the High Street. It is important to ensure this is not traffic dominated and instead delivers a new high quality street for Soham with as much character and strength as its core historic streets and lanes.

A new eastern gateway into the town utilising the large numbers of people passing the town along the A142 and attracting them into the town’s centre for business, tourism and leisure activity to support the town’s future growth and prosperity.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Major New A142 Junction/fen Gateway. A new Fen Gateway area may possibly be considered on the east of the A142 using the town’s new gateway entrance and providing an education/interpretation centre opportunity for linkages to the wider Fen landscape and heritage.

2. High Quality Landmark Buildings. A major new roundabout on the A142 at the mid-point between Qua Fen Common and East Fen Common. This should match the scale of the northern and southern roundabouts and have a public art installation to announce this as the main way into the town centre. Views to St. Andrews Church tower should be visible from here and will draw people to the town centre. New landmark gateway buildings should be built to define and enclose the gateway and set the quality standard for the town.

3. Green Link between Commons. Protect and enhance Qua Fen Common and East Fen Common through the implementation of several green links and a new public open space that provides an attractive high quality edge along the A142. This should help to maintain a green corridor between the commons and provides for public access including pedestrian and cyclist access. Use the potential for a garden centre here to link to agricultural businesses, (greenhouses for example,) themed around high tech ecological food production.

4. New Junction on Pratt Street. Improved junction onto Pratt Street to enable the significant traffic movement expected from the A142 into the town centre.

5. Amended A142 Junction (Short term). Improved or altered Qua Fen junction across the A142 from the east.

6. Amended A142 Junction (Short term). Improved or altered East Fen junction onto the A142 to enable easier access from the villages to the east including Isleham.

Medium term:

7. New Mixed Use Avenue. A new and well-defined street or avenue from the new A142 access should use the frontage along this new corridor to support mixed uses including business, retail, employment and leisure. New facilities which would not fit within the town’s historic core may be best placed here. Relocated facilities from the town centre such as the fire station and car showrooms could also be positively integrated into the avenue accordingly.

8. New High Quality Housing. New housing needs to be integrated with the above possibly using three or four storey buildings on the new street or avenue. New residential streets should be to the rear of the main street or avenue which face onto and define the edge of the adjoining protected and enhanced Commons areas. Existing allotments between Weatheralls Close and Kent’s Lane will need to be re-located and extended perhaps near Bushel Lane as a soft interface with Qua Fen Common to the north and east. New footway and cycleway connections will pick up existing routes in the area and tie these together to make a network of paths such as the connection to Brewhouse Lane.

9. Redeveloped Site. Redeveloped brownfield site next to the A142 and Qua Fen Common, possibly for a leisure use which respects the setting of the Common.

10. Enhanced Garden Centre. Opportunities to tie in the proposed Garden centre in this area through links to the Commons.

11. New Lode Green Landmark Provide a route for pedestrians and cyclists along Soham Lode from central Soham to Wet Horse Fen, existing area of accessible Green Infrastructure, Registered Common and SSSi land, through bridging A142, underpass favoured. This will enhance existing pedestrian and cyclist access along the length Soham Lode and promote its development and management as a key Green Infrastructure Corridor both within Soham and within the strategic network.

12. Local Landmark, Possibly a Hotel? (Medium term). The new street or avenue will need to swing around the rear of the primary school and its playing field to go parallel to Ten Bell Lane and connect onto Pratt Street with a new improved junction capable of accommodating the anticipated volume of traffic from the east into the town centre.

13. Improved Qua Fen Common Protect and enhance the setting of Qua Fen, East Fen and Wet Horse Fen, Registered Commons through the prevention of development within the commons and the introduction of development within the surrounding area that is both sensitive to, and enhances, their essential character . This can be achieved through development control and the implementation of a Vision and Management Plan by Soham Town Council.

14. Improved East Fen Common Protect the rural character of the commons from intrusive ‘urban’ development, buildings and infrastructure, through the location of appropriate development within the immediate surroundings and implementation of screen planting where appropriate. Develop a Vision for the Commons and a long-lasting solution for each common that may be sustained and well managed into the future through the development of a Management Plan based on good practice and shared knowledge. Mereside (and Angle Common)

This area is currently an undefined mix of light industrial uses and housing which is cut off from the site of the mere to the west by the rail line and which does not form a destination within the structure of the town. Reinstatement of the rail station is a key element of the framework in this area together with associated uses and improved connections.

Role:

Western gateway to the town and centre of the western recreation corridor.

Short term housing with medium term changes in employment uses to facilitate medium/long term station.

Framework Assumptions:

The western edge of Soham along Mereside has significant potential for a comprehensive redevelopment programme over the long term.

This will involve multiple landowners and require co-ordination and buy-in from these stakeholders to replace uses currently in Mereside to locations in new opportunity areas within Soham’s more accessible edge locations.

Mereside is a huge opportunity for Soham to re-integrate with the long lost historic alignment of the Soham Mere and re-discover this area as a mixed use residential and leisure-led area. This could be as part of a wider concept of the western edge of Soham being leisure-led using its access to the range of countryside activities to best advantage.

Framework Elements:

Medium term: 1. New allotments/recycling centre/energy from waste centre. North of Kingfisher Drive, Mereside becomes Broad Piece and it is envisaged this area retains its more rural character. The land opposite the existing houses there could be used for allotments up to the Great Drove Bridge which should define the edge of the town in this area along with Shade Common to the north. Explore the possibility of recycling and energy from waste facilities along the western edge of the town. Possibly use to provide power to public services e.g. street lighting, council buildings and amenities and obtain some revenue and return from the grid. Link to green energy education centre at Downfields.

2. Improved Angle Common. Protect and enhance the setting of Angle Common, through the prevention of development and the introduction of development to the east that is both sensitive to, and enhances, the essential character of the historic commons of Soham. This can be achieved through development control and the implementation of a Management Plan by Soham Town Council. Development and management proposals should protect the rural character of the common from intrusive urban development, buildings and infrastructure, through the location of appropriate development within the immediate surroundings and the implementation of screen planting where appropriate. Retain and enhance open views of the wider countryside to the west of the common. Provide a new circular pedestrian and cycle route around Soham Mere linking the existing Millennium Walks and Arts Trail with Angle Common, Wicken, Wicken Fen, Spinney Abbey and South Horse Fen. This will provide greater connectivity to points of interest within the locality and improve the Green Infrastructure network though the creation of a local link to the ‘Wicken - Chippenham’ Green Infrastructure Corridor.

3. New Rail Halt/Station Use the new rail halt location as a southern anchor for this area possibly with a “station quarter” to develop the overall character of the Mereside area. Development of employment land around the station. This would initially include small commercial units supporting satellite offices for businesses attracted by the town’s links to Cambridge and the surrounding area. In later phases of development a hotel could be constructed in this area to support tourists/business visitors wishing to travel to the area by train. There will be an element of demand for parking in the station area to accommodate commuters and a small convenience store could be created to support commuters and the surrounding offices. The potential to develop facilities for freight transportation should be considered within plans for reopening Soham’s train station. Increasing freight transport in the area would support sustainability objectives and could support agricultural and manufacturing activity within Soham.

4. New Station Retail/Business Centre This should use the strip of land to the west of the rail-line and east of The Lode as a special place on the Mere to tie Soham Mere firmly into the fabric of the town again as a major part of the recreational opportunity to the west.

5. New Mixed Use Station Quarter Strategy for the removal of haphazard light industrial uses scattered through the area to more appropriate, and accessible business locations on the eastern edge of Soham utilising the A142 corridor.

6. Mere Visitor Centre/Farmpark Potential new visitor centre within the Mere to act as a focal point for this important historic landscape. Possibly link to a farm park and other rural visitor attractions.

7. Possible Golf Course Option A golf club and hotel could be located in proximity to a new station, supported by sustainable transport links to Cambridge and Ely. This would help to develop and widen Soham’s tourism offer.

8. Mill Leisure Centre (cycling?) This area could potentially support a cycling centre, based at the Fen Gateway site or Soham Mere, which would act as a base for those on cycling holidays in Soham or undertaking national cycling tracks. The centre would provide overnight accommodation, restaurants/cafes and specialist shops. Look at the feasibility of dredging the Lode to make it navigable near the old mill and creating moorings and slipway, in liaison with the Environment Agency. Consider a small development of Pub cafe gardens overlooking the moorings/basin. Long term:

9. Mill Leisure Centre (cycling) The Spencers Drove industrial park should be considered for possible relocation to the east and the site integrated into a new mixed-use leisure and residential area. This could then use the Mereside location and proximity to the navigable section of The Lode with links north via water and cycle to Ely. The termination of Julius Martin Lane is an important mid-point along Mereside and a direct connection over the rail-line to The Lode and Mere should be established here. This will tie Mereside back into the movement network of the northern part of Soham and so support the leisure uses to the west. Town Centre (and Town Park)

This area is the subject of a town centre framework given the amount of potential improvement and development which could take place. This section highlights the main structural elements only.

Role:

The heart of Soham providing community and retail uses.

Short/medium and long-term actions.

Framework Assumptions:

The town centre is the heart of Soham and as such needs significant focus and attention to tackle the numerous opportunities in a co-ordinated and integrated manner.

The town centre is complex and needs a finer grain of detail to be defined to steer and guide its future development. As such, a town centre framework is proposed alongside the main town framework.

The strategic elements of the town centre are in this section, backed up by the more specific details in the town centre framework.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. New Eastern Gateway Junction/Northern Town Square The strength and success of the High Street in Soham is reliant on the strength and success of connections to it. As such, the existing linear connections from the north and south need to be looked at in terms of serving the neighbourhood communities and supporting the town centre. To unlock this, new connections from the east and west should be pursued. Namely, a new road access from the A142 to the east and a new rail halt or station to the west. Both these new connections will support better access to the centre via a cruciform support structure as opposed to its current linear support. This should increase footfall and demand in the centre and so support the range of improvements in the town centre framework. The definition of the town centre needs to include the possible new connection from the east at Pratt Street to the north and the possible new frontage onto the Lode to the south. Long term, the rail halt or station may be implemented which would support further change of use along Clay Street, Fountain Lane and Station Road utilising the station as an anchor for the town centre to the west.

2. Improved High Street. The High Street needs both shop front and rear area connection improvements and importantly, a new central connection west to Budgens to enable the High Street and the supermarket to support each other more effectively.

3. Redeveloped Pavilion Centre. The Pavilion should be redeveloped and improved to perform its town hall and community centre function more effectively.

Medium term: 4. Eastern Backlands Improvements To the east, the High Street needs to improve backlands areas and so should define its edge as Paddock Street.

5. Western Backlands Improvements To the west of the High Street needs to improve backlands areas and integrate the supermarkets better.

6. Rejuvenated Town Park To the west, the town centre should include the Recreation Ground redeveloped as a Recreation Park as the town’s central green space. This is underway with the refurbishment and extension of the Pavilion. Enhanced links for pedestrians and cyclists from The Park to Soham Lode (along Gardner’s Lane/Mill Corner, College Road and the High Street) and Angle Common (Gardeners Lane/Mill Corner) through signage, improved surfacing and the creation of new access onto the central town section of the Lode.

7. New Improved Park Access An improved access to the park from the west should encourage more movement east to west including to any potential future rail station.

8. Improved Churchgate Street Churchgate Street needs to have its shop fronts upgraded and connections to rear areas improved.

9. Southern Gateway Improvements The southern gateway into the town needs better definition and the opportunity to replace some of the uses there should be taken. Promote the development and management of Soham Lode as a key Green Infrastructure Corridor both within Soham and within the strategic network.

10. Fire Station Relocated to Eastern Gateway The Fire Station should be removed to the eastern gateway and replaced with either a better access and approach to the Pavilion or an extension and redevelopment of the Pavilion towards Fountain Lane. South West (and South Horse Fen)

This area is currently an agricultural edge to the town given its inaccessible nature. Utilising the Fen and Mere interface with a focus on leisure and educational facilities are the main elements of the framework in this area.

Role:

Southern end of the western recreation corridor with links to Wicken.

Overall medium to long-term projects.

Framework Assumptions:

The South West of Soham has remained relatively undeveloped over time due to its lack of accessibility. This should be seen as a major opportunity touse this area for recreational and large scaled leisure uses which are not achievable or appropriate in other parts of Soham.

Proximity to Wicken and The National Trust’s Wicken Fen should be a key driver for any uses in this area of Soham, linking in a re-discovery of the Soham Mere and its edge to tie in new and existing routes and linkages.

The potential to link from the southern gateway to the rail halt/station exists and will avoid traffic on the Fordham Road and associated neighbourhood areas. This should however be sensitively and carefully considered in terms of the effect on the structure of the town and its centre of gravity. A link consisting of Lane scaled roads would allow the surrounding villages (Wicken, Fordham, Isleham etc) to easily access the station without drawing too much traffic away from the potential new eastern fen gateway connection to the town centre which is essential to support the vibrancy of the centre.

Framework Elements:

Medium term: 1. Possible Sixth Form College A potential site for a Sixth Form College or a new residential area with local facilities to the rear of The Butts exists. Soham Village College could use the distinctly rural character of the area and The Moat, SVC school fields and South Horse Fen to define its edges.

2. New College Green Potential for a new college green to add to the network of open spaces on this western edge of town.

3. New Leisure facilities New leisure uses might be placed to the west of Soham Village College including any potential new swimming pool linked to a Sixth Form College.

4. Possible Camping/Caravan Option The triangle of land to the north of South Horse Fen could be used as a Camping or Caravan site perhaps on the Mereside between the Fens. Cherry Tree Lane terminates in the west at the rail-line and could easily be connected to the west across the rail-line on the north side of South Horse Fen to Mill Drove. This then already links up to the Mill Quarter, Angle Common and onto the potential station area. 5. Cemetery Extension The urban character area north of Cherry Tree Lane could then be completed with an extended Cemetery.

6. Allotment Extension Cherry Tree Lane is an existing edge to the built area around the strong character area of The Butts. This could be re-connected eastwards to Fordham Road to form a defined southern edge to The Butts character area and maintain distinction between Downfields. An allotment area could be extended with new residential frontages onto Cherry Tree Lane from Fordham Road to The Butts broken by the allotments.

7. New Leisure Facilities (stables?) A new link lane could connect alongside the rail-line north and south from Cherry Tree Lane to Wicken Road and Mill Drove facilitating a low-key western station access.

8. South Horse Fen Visitor Centre South Horse Fen could become a visitor focal point as part of the strategy for the leisure corridor along Soham’s western edge, using the triangle of land between the Fen and the rail-line for any potential buildings or parking. Protect and enhance the setting South Horse Fen (Registered Common) through the prevention of development within the common and the introduction of development in the surrounding area that is both sensitive to, and enhances the historic commons.. This can be achieved through development control and the implementation of a ‘Management Plan’ by Soham Town Council. Development and management proposals should protect the rural character and setting of the common from intrusive urban development, buildings and infrastructure, through the location of appropriate development within the immediate surroundings and the implementation of screen planting where appropriate.

9 Possible Golf Course Option The south-western edge of Soham might support a golf course. This could straddle both sides of the rail line from South Horse Fen and Cherry Tree Lane down to Wicken Road and would be a southern anchor for the western leisure corridor. Provide pedestrian and cyclist links between South Horse Fen and Wicken Fen that will improve Green Infrastructure network.

Long term:

10 New High Quality Housing. Small amount of new housing potentially to the south of The Butts to complete this residential area. 4.2.7 Brook Street (and Wet Horse Fen/Soham Meadow)

This area is identified in the Local Development Framework as the next phase of new housing for Soham. New local facilities and open space to be delivered along with the housing form the main elements of the framework in this area.

Role:

Southern neighbourhood area.

Short term housing with local facilities and open space.

Framework Assumptions:

A development area to the north east of Brook Street is currently the Preferred Option for a housing allocation in the Local Development Framework. It is therefore likely that this will be one of the first areas to undergo new housing development. As such it needs to understand the quality of that development and its relationship with the Brook Street area and wider town.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. New Local Centre including Community/Shops. Brook Street itself already forms a main street connection to Fordham Road via Tanners Lane, Staples Lane and Regal Lane. It is a residential dominated area with few facilities and amenities apart from a small local newsagents, a Motel and a public house. Delivering a new local centre will be key to the success and vibrancy of the area. This might be accessibly located on the current site of farm buildings just to the rear of Brook Street, just north of Staples Lane. It would likely contain local shops, community centre and other local facilities.

2. New Green Space Linking to Lode. Green links and open space from this local centre should link to The Lode to the north and ideally a new footbridge over to East Fen Common and the existing houses there so they can share access to the facilities. A green link should front onto The Lode on its southern edge linking the Brook Dam area, around the Brook Street area to the east and fishing lake and beyond.

3. New Access off Brook Street. A new main access off Brook Street to the north will be needed and should provide a visual connection towards the Lode.

4. New Green Park Near the Brook Dam. A pedestrian and cycle link should connect the existing northern end of Brook Street behind The Causeway to Brook Dam Lane as a direct route to the town centre. This route should be overlooked by new properties to ensure safety and active use.

5. New High Quality Residential Frontage Overlooking the East Fen Common. New residential development to the rear of Brook Street should place the backs of new houses against the existing backs of properties and ensure that new houses face onto The Lode. This new face of Soham should be distinctive and of a high quality architecturally, making the most of views across East Fen Common. 6. New Allotments. The southern edge of the Brook Street area should be formed with new residential properties facing an improved woodland park opposite the junction of Fordham Road and Orchard Row. This should define the area and keep a distinction between Brook Street and the adjoining Downfields area.

Medium term:

7. New Access into Greenhills. The eastern end of Brook Street should have a new residential development behind Greenhills which again faces onto The Lode and a new edge park along the A142 with a possible new small roundabout on the A142 at an existing junction.

8. Improved Lake and Facilities/Possible Camping/Caravan Option. The current Soham By-pass Lake should be enhanced as a leisure facility with potential for a camping or caravan site close by.

9. Redeveloped Regal Lane Estate for Mixed Uses and Residential. The Regal Lane industrial area should be redeveloped over time with businesses being dispersed and removed to more suitable and more accessible locations in Soham such as within the Northern, Eastern or Downfields areas. The site can then be redeveloped with mixed community and leisure facilities centrally on Brook Street and some business uses at the potential new Cherry Tree Lane junction. The Estate is currently dominated by a blue tower which generally detracts from the site’s aesthetic quality. Works are required to, as a minimum, screen the Estate and improve its appearance. Town Centre Framework

The Town Centre Framework sets out the strategic approach to unlocking the obstacles to halting the centres decline, and realising the transition to a fully functioning town centre. The following sections breakdown the overall town centre framework into its major component areas in order to begin to demonstrate what actions need to happen within each area.

Northern gateway (and New Town Square)

This area currently lacks definition with the town centre fading out northwards along Churchgate Street. Key elements of the framework in this area are provision of a new northern town square and the important new link to the eastern gateway.

Framework Assumptions:

A new eastern access from the A142 connecting to Pratt Street would support and strengthen the definition of the northern end of the town centre on Churchgate Street. If this new connection was not to happen, the northern gateway to the centre could still be defined and implemented but would not be as strong.

Short-term access improvements with medium term use improvements.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Market Street North Redevelopment and Replacement of Garages. The rear area of Churchgate Street to the east combined with the Market Street north area offers a potentially large floorplate for the re-establishment of the town’s market.. The existing garage could be relocated elsewhere within the eastern town framework.

2. New Eastern Gateway Junction/Arrival. New avenue or street connecting Pratt Street to the A142. This would require work to the junction on Pratt Street and widening of the road currently serving the primary school access. The junction improvements should enable the necessary traffic movements but not be traffic dominated by excessive highways infrastructure (signage etc). This is the first part of the arrival point in the town centre and needs to set the quality standard. The creation of a larger junction in this area will increase traffic movement. A parking area is required in this area to support north south pedestrian movement through the town centre and serve the shops to the north of the High Street.

3. New Northern Town Square. Looking left from the new Pratt Street junction towards the Manse on the junction of Paddock street and Churchgate Street there is a need to define this space as a new town square to draw visitors to the centre. All buildings fronting onto this new square would need a facelift and bringing into full and active use to give the square vibrancy.

4. Landmark/Monument. It would be appropriate to have a new monument/landmark here to mark the space and give it some significance in the structure of the town. Perhaps a monument to the future could counter-balance the war and rail explosion memorials in Red Lion Square in the south of the town centre.

5. Kent’s Lane Pedestrian/Cycle Route. Kent’s Lane would become a major pedestrian and cycle route out to the new eastern area and would connect to the town centre at the new town square. This should mark the edge of the square and define the end of Paddock Street.

6. Refurbish Former Grammar school for Civic Uses. An anchor for the Town Centre should be created at this Northern Gateway site in order to increase north south movement in the town centre. The Old Grammar School would be part of this and is a key opportunity to place new community uses, as an anchor for this new northern square. Public sector occupants should initially be considered at the Old Grammar School, in order to provide a dependable source of revenue funding. Once a key, public tenant has been identified, further commercial space could be offered to the private sector.

7. Churchgate Backlands East Redevelopment. Two new pedestrian routes may be made possible to feed into the new square from the backlands areas to the east and west of Churchgate Street. The western link would terminate at the Old Grammar school as an appropriate destination point to drive use of this route and the eastern link would terminate directly in the new square, again opposite the Old Grammar School encouraging a connection across Churchgate Street.

Medium term:

8. Churchgate Shop Front Renovations. Churchgate Street needs to have its shop fronts renovated and improved. Potential to also improve the streetscape with new paving.

9. Churchgate Backlands West Redevelopment. Potential new development to the backlands area west of Churchgate Street. This could be extensions to the rear of shops on Churchgate or a comprehensive redevelopment to maximise the floor area. Recreation Park (or New Park)

This area is currently a recreation area which needs to be enhanced to perform its role as a town park. The key elements of the framework in this area include improving access and connections and enhancing the Pavilion as the parks key building.

Framework Assumptions:

Soham’s green heart needs to be considered as a key part of the town centre. It has evolved from a village recreation area to now demand the function of a town park. A strategy for this transformation needs to be in place to manage this change as opportunities to implement sections of the park arise over time.

Short-term actions on the Pavilion with medium term improvements to the park and removal of the fire station.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Scout Hut Removal/Redevelopment as Community Hub. The existing scout huts within the park are planned to be redeveloped and should co-ordinate with the Pavilion redevelopment to the north.

2. Pavilion Refurbishments/Redevelopment as Community Hub. Comprehensive redevelopment of The Walter Gidney Pavilion as a visitor and community centre including the provision of dedicated staff and disabled car parking within the building curtilege. Possible new connection to the north if the fire station is removed. The existing ambulance station will be removed to improve the entrance area and car parking.

3. Town Park Improvements. The enhancement and creation of new park infrastructure (access points, footpaths, cycle paths, seating, signage, lighting, essential car parking and boundary treatment etc). The provision of contemporary town park facilities that reflect its history (a former ‘gentleman’s estate’) and act as focal points for the wider community (such as play areas, chill out zone, skate park, events area, market stalls, horticultural and other landscape features etc).

4. Improved Pedestrian Link to Gardeners Lane. Existing access into the park is from Gardeners Lane near the scout huts (inc. vehicles) and Fountain Lane (inc. vehicles) which are poorly positioned (limited natural surveillance and unattractive). Access into the park should be improved and increased through the development of the Town Park Vision which could highlight both short-term and long-term initiatives.

Medium term:

5. Improved Park Entrance and Re-use of Ambulance Station as a Visitor Centre. Relocate existing car park and provide a new civic space or urban square on Fountain Lane creating a new attractive gateway into the park and reinforce the heart of Soham. The small former ambulance station building could easily be converted into a tourist information kiosk or small museum to provide a focal point at the entrance to the park. 6. Integration/Redevelopment of Car Park in Park Setting Integrate a new car park into the park itself using landscape features to avoid a car dominated parking area.

7. New St. Andrews Walk on Church Axis Enhance the use of the park and the role of St. Andrews Church as a key central landmark through improving pedestrian accessibility through the church grounds between Churchgate Street and ‘The Park’ and from the new Fountain Square.

8. Removal of Fire Station to Eastern Gateway. The fire station on Fountain Lane to the north of the Pavilion could be removed to the eastern development area nearer to the A142. This would enable better access to the Pavilion and other facilities in the park and offer the possibility of new modern buildings extending from the Pavilion to Fountain Lane.

Long term:

9. Possible Future Connection to Clay Street. Improve park security and use through the provision of active edges, and the location of new built form fronting onto the Park and all access points. High Street (and New Fountain Square)

This area is currently the heart of the town but is failing to meet is potential. Significant structural improvements can be made to enable the High Street to deliver the retail offer required and enhance the shopping experience by increasing variety and choice.

Framework Assumptions:

High Street defined from The Ship Public House and bridge over The Lode to the south, including Churchgate Street to the possible new town square to the north. This is the main focus for retail and commercial uses in the town.

Short and medium term actions as a priority for the town to have a vibrant centre.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Market Street Improvements. Market Street’s public realm should be improved to enable a market to take place once more. This will support the High Street as a major connection off the new Fountain Square.

2. New direct Footpath Mews to Budgens. The centre of the High Street has an opportunity opposite Staploe Mews for a major new pedestrian connection to Budgens between the former Lloyds pharmacy and the new Lloyds pharmacy villas. This should be marked on the High Street, perhaps with an iron archway sign between the Lloyds pharmacy buildings and paving crossing the High Street. Staploe Mews could then connect to any backlands redevelopment with a new mews square. This would importantly tie Budgens into the High Street to increase footfall. Methods of increasing retail footprints through joining buildings should be considered in order to attract larger store occupiers or provide premises for larger independent shops, including storage areas. This is also applicable to the Backlands areas.

3. Lower High Street Streetscape Improvements. Streetscape improvement to the lower High Street should be enhanced further to integrate bus stops and seating areas.

4. Old Church Hall Site Redevelopment. The disused church hall site is the only opportunity for a major connection on the High Street into the backlands areas to the east. Opportunities to maximise this connection and replace with a high quality contemporary frontage should be pursued. This should be sympathetic to the surrounding heritage and hold a community use or mix of retail and community uses, possibly with residential above. This site would terminate any route from behind the Co-op and should mark this key connection point.

5. High Street Frontage Renovations/Upgrade. Shop front improvement schemes are required to provide a co-ordinated appearance and increase aesthetic quality of the High Street.

6. New Fountain Square. Potential to define a new town square, Fountain Square, outside the Fountain Public House at the junction of Fountain Lane, Market Street, Churchgate Street and High Street. This is a major intersection and needs defining to provide an anchor point in Market Street, High Street and Churchgate Street.

7. High Street Mews/Alleyway Renovations. There are approximately 12 mews opportunities along the High Street to be improved and drive connections to backland opportunity areas. Development of these areas would significantly increase the richness and diversity of the High Street. It would also allow opportunities for increasing floor areas in some shops by extending to the rear and using the mews frontages for more shop window space.

8. New Central Square and Focal Point. A new central square at the potential new link across to the Budgens supermarket should be formed to give the central part of the High Street some character and definition.

9. St. Andrews Church Conservation/Maintenance. St. Andrews Church and Churchyard should be protected as a key feature of the town and focal point of the town centre.

Medium term:

10. New Central Civic Anchor Use in Villa Buildings. The former Lloyd’s pharmacy and current Lloyd’s pharmacy buildings are two key villa buildings at the centre of the High Street with potential to have access on all sides and as such perform a key role in terms of frontage and interest. Backlands East (inc. Market Street)

This area is currently a series of privately and separately owned rear garden and service areas which on the whole are under-utilised and wasted space within the town centre. The key elements of the framework in this area are to comprehensivel y bring together all these small pieces of land to enable a new series of mews and backland development opportunities to be realised, which will both compliment the High Street and add variety and interest to the town centre.

Framework Assumptions:

There will be a significant number of multiple ownerships to co-ordinate in order to achieve the potential for a fully linked and developed backlands area. This is ambitious to pull together, but the benefits to supporting the High Street and town centre as a whole appear to justify pursuing this complex initiative.

Full connectivity might not be achievable. However, the framework is only a guide and if only some of the mews and backlands developments seem achievable, they should be implemented so as not to discount any future connections as land ownerships change over time.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Market Street Frontage Development Aspiration to connect a new pedestrian mews route from the new town square in the north, behind Churchgate Street, across Market Street and White Hart Lane, to Staploe Mews and on to Paddock Street and Brook Dam Lane. This will then connect back into Churchgate Street and the High Street at multiple points, offering a wealth of new retail opportunities and a richness of experience for the visitor. Market Street is a major opportunity and anchor point to act as a catalyst for this backlands redevelopment. There is a disused derelict site to the south and a garage to the north which might be removed to a better location in the new eastern area. These two sites combined give a significant floor area for a major new component in Soham. This could be a site for a new ‘market square’ as an option for a market location.

2. Paddock Street Connection. There seems to be a large site opportunity onto Paddock Street but the frontage here should most likely remain as residential, however linkages could be sensitively built in.

3. Major Floor Plate/Car Parking Opportunity. This links to the next major opportunity site of the former Village Hall and a large piece of land to the rear. Again, a major opportunity for a large floor plate and/or car parking use here and possible anchor for this piece of the re-development.

4. Mews Connections to High Street. (Mews connections onto the High Street to be significantly enhanced.

5. High Street Shops Rear Extensions. Rear extensions to shops on the High Street will be possible to increase their floorspace and increase frontage opportunities with the development of mews connections. 6. New Staploe Square Behind Mews. Potential new Staploe Square as a focal point for the extensive rear mews area.

7. Staploe Mews Renovation/Improvement. Staploe Mews already exists as a private residential mews but display opportunities to connect to this and the Budgens link opposite, could become a key location behind the High Street.

Medium term:

8. Major Floor Plate Opportunity. Connection to Brook Dam Lane may be achievable through existing private mews or side areas.

9. Removal of Bungalow/Redevelopment. There is a major obstacle to the south of Market Street in the form of a bungalow developed in the backlands area. The owners will need to be approached and opportunities discussed.

10. Removal of Garages/New White Hart Lane Connection. The connection across White Hart Lane is also tight but just achievable with removal of garages. Backlands West (inc. Budgen’s)

This area has previously been partially developed to provide the Budgens supermarket but this was not connected into the High Street or surroundings well. As a result, the key elements of the framework in this area involve re-connecting the area and utilising the under used backland areas for more productive uses.

Framework Assumptions:

 There will be a significant number of multiple ownerships to co-ordinate in order to achieve the potential for a fully linked and developed backlands area. This is ambitious to pull together, but the benefits to supporting the High Street and town centre as a whole appear to justify pursuing this complex initiative.

 Full connectivity might not be achievable. However, the framework is only a guide and if only some of the mews and backlands developments seem achievable, they should be implemented so as not to discount any future connections as land ownerships change over time.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Budgens/High Street Connection/Entry Space. The key new connection from the High Street to Budgens would tie in this route and offer new frontage opportunities and create a safe and direct route to the High Street.

2. Improved Co-op Gateway. The current parking area north of the Co-op would need some paving improvements. There is an opportunity site to front this space to the rear of St. Andrews Church.

3. Rationalised Co-op Servicing. The Co-op serving area would need slightly re- configuring to enable a route round.

4. Major Floor Plate Opportunity. The western backlands areas to the rear of the High Street has potential to use Budgens as a key anchor for the town centre, tied to the Co-op and releasing a new large site for a new store.

5. Post Office Servicing/Opportunity. This would then connect to the rear of the post office with servicing enclosed and new mews connections back to the High Street. Opportunities to extend to the rear properties on the High Street could be explored.

6. Potential New Units in Budgens Car Park. Budgens car park is a useful resource and pedestrian routes across it may be improved to get to the Library on Clay Street for example. The green space in the centre of the car park could be a development opportunity for another small unit.. The rear of the Red Lion Public House, Methodist Hall and adjoining properties could be also be opened up and improved to create a destination in this corner linking back to the High Street and Red Lion Square. 7. Potential Corner Unit Gateway to Budgens. The entrance to Budgen’s could be improved for pedestrian users by a new development on the corner of Clay Street between the supermarket and the Library.

8. Improved Streetscape (Less Traffic Dominated). The currently traffic dominated double-roundabout access into Budgens could be removed and replaced with a pedestrian dominated square to better link the supermarket with the Library.

9. Improved Clay Street edge to Car Park (Information Signs?) The northern edge of the public car park onto Clay Street needs improvement in terms of either landscaping or some active use.

10. Facelift for Clay Street Frontage and Spaces on Library. The Library could have a facelift onto Clay Street and have the space in front of the main entrance improved and updated. Southern Gateway (and Red Lion Square)

This area currently fulfils a role as the southern gateway into the town centre but needs improving in order to raise the quality of the arrival experience for the visitor and users of the town centre. The key elements of the framework in this area are therefore recognising the quality spaces and enhancing those areas needing improvement.

Framework Assumptions:

This area has one of Soham’s best defined spaces and locations in Red Lion Square. This should be recognised, conserved and enhanced.

The major opportunity for the town centre to the south is to rediscover the link to The Lode, which defines its southern boundary but has been lost in piecemeal development over time. This will bolster Red Lion Square and give strength to the southern gateway into the town centre which needs to be able to draw people down the High Street.

Framework Elements:

Short term: 1. Baptist Chapel Frontage Space/Parking Improvements. Improvements to the front of the Baptist Chapel should improve the frontage of Clay Street in this link across to the Library.

2. Red Lion Square Conservation/Maintenance. Red Lion Square is already well defined and should be retained and maintained. Recognising Red Lion Square as a major attribute to the town centre and ensuring all frontages looking onto the square remain active and vibrant with appropriate signage and windows to support its high quality environment.

3. Enhancement/Conservation of the Ship Inn. The Ship Inn is a key landmark feature and should be enhanced and improved to maximise this role.

Medium term:

4. Red Lion Inn Rear Area Improvements. The rear of the Red Lion public house is a major opportunity to link into the backlands redevelopment near Budgens.

5. New Pedestrian Connection from Red Lion to The Lode. Consider the development of an evening economy cluster based upon the current concentration of leisure facilities in this area, e.g. Red Lion, Italian, Indian restaurant and Portuguese cafe, which could be supported through a lighting Strategy.

6. Removal of Garage to Eastern Gateway. Explore opportunities with the owner of the car showroom land for a joint venture with The Ship Public House to develop a new anchor location or additional car parking opportunities.

7. Utilise The Lode Frontage and Make More Accessible. Any new replacement development here will need to safeguard access to The Lode with new footpath access and any new buildings fronting the river. 8. Southern Gateway. Look at the potential to rationalise signage at this entry point to both improve the appearance of the space and maximise the ‘welcome’ to Soham’s centre. Expressing the bridge over The Lode, perhaps with new lighting might prove beneficial.

9. Potential Linkage Opportunity to Rear of Telephone Exchange. This should be explored as part of a wider scheme to improve access to The Lode and the landowners should be contacted to explore what the opportunities might be in the short, medium and long term. Exploration of a possible footbridge over The Lode connecting to The ship should be explored.

10. Major Floor Plate Opportunity to Rear of The Ship with River. If the garage opposite is relocated and the site improved, an opportunity might also exist to improve the use of the rear of the Ship public house with new development including a link to the Lode.