Cottenham Village Design Group Village Views and Cottenham Village Design Statement It was in 1993 that the then two videos, one called “Village Countryside Commission (later Design” and the other video called became the Countryside Agency “Village Views: making local and recently Natural England) character count in new started an initiative to improve rural development”. (This is now design. A key part of that was the available on line at initiation of Village Design http://cvdg.blip.tv – have a look Statements. They chose three you may enjoy the nostalgia and may villages in England to pilot this well see yourself or someone you approach and one of these was know! If you would like to borrow Cottenham. the video please contact CVDG.) Consultants led the first few This video focussed substantially on meetings and walks, which were two of the first villages to have a attended by fifty plus Cottenham Design Statement Cartmel in people, to observe and describe the Cumbria and Cottenham, their wonderful features of the village features and some of their residents. that makes it Cottenham – we all, This along with Cottenham’s Design learned a great deal. They then Statement was used for the national passed the reins to us. People publicity campaign. Over 100 contributed their views verbally and villages followed suit and wrote a in writing at some length and these design statement for their village. were compiled and re-ordered and In 2007 the statement was re- re-arranged and gradually views written, updated and improved, were reconciled. A draft of the adopted as a Supplementary statement was circulated to every Planning Document (SPD) by house in the village and every SCDC and delivered to each house comment considered in detail by the in Cottenham. Very few other ever-increasing committee (as villages have updated their people were anxious to be involved statement so ours is again and play a part). Eventually the exceptional. It has been discussed statement with guidelines under with our twin town, Avrillé in the each heading materialised and it was Loire valley and has been of with great excitement that we heard significant influence on a Taiwanese in late 1994 that it had been student’s PhD thesis when working accepted as Supplementary Planning in Japan. Guidance by South Cambridgeshire The impact of the statement was District Council (SCDC, the keenly felt on the design for planning authority for Cottenham). Tenison Manor as it was being A copy of the statement was drafted at the same time as the delivered to each house in the overall plan for that development. village. But it did not end there as the The Countryside Commission with Cottenham Village Design Group the support of the Housebuilders (CVDG) has continued and Federation, in 1996, commissioned (continues on next page) Cottenham Village Design Group Newsletter Issue 7 - October 2009 (cont.) flourished. It, as well as the Parish Cycleway Improvements Coming Our Way – Soon council, which is a statutory consultee, comments on all planning contributed to this process. The applications in Cottenham and on plans at this time were lacking larger relevant applications nearby detail, being little more than a thick blue line drawn on existing and also on regional strategies. The maps, but were sufficient to show CVDG comments are made directly where work was proposed and to from considering the planning trigger debate about possible application in the light of the alternatives. Design Statement. The proposed scheme received a Mike was at a meeting on lot of positive support from the 29th September about “Rural Cambs: local community. Along with Ensuring a Vibrant Future” when a other cycleway improvements in number of people were suggesting South Cambridgeshire, the that the planners did not listen to scheme has recently been given local views and were inconsistent the go-ahead by the County Council meaning that detailed with their decisions. He suggested The Cycle Cambridge initiative design work can commence, that Cottenham might have fewer has already delivered many further liaison with stakeholders issues partly as a result of local small improvements that are can take place and negotiation to people having, in effect, written the helping to encourage more of acquire the necessary small strips planning guidance for Cottenham us to cycle – we heard about of land can move forward. on behalf of and for the planners. some of these during a talk It is still uncertain when we will As Garth Hanlan of SCDC said on given to CVDG members and see work start on the ground; it the 1996 video “it is a bonus for us guests earlier this year by Mike has been suggested by the County as a Local Authority”. Certainly the Davies, Cycle Cambridge Council that this could be as issues which were raised are directly Programme Manager, soon as January 2010 but with dealt with in the CVDS by clear Cambridgeshire County land to be acquired and details of Council. However, few of these the scheme still to be firmed-up guidelines and do not seem to have improvements have directly become issues here. – and knowing how long other changed things for Cottenham transport schemes have taken Influencing strategies, plans and residents considering a commute – it seems to me more likely views early and in general can avoid or other trip into Cambridge. that a start in the spring or even problems later in particular The good news is that a summer of 2010 is most likely. instances. significant upgrade to the Whatever the timescale, it does CVDG monitors planning decisions cycleway linking Cottenham to finally seem that we are to get Histon and also to the route against its comments. It is a high quality link to through Histon & Impington to Cambridge. It will not be interesting that over the years, as the A14 is planned – the article by developers as well as planners have perfect given constraints on Nicholas Wilson in the last issue of the ground but hopefully it come to understand its guidelines, this newsletter outlined the the decisions accord more closely will be good enough to tempt proposal. There has been the author and many other with the comments. For more significant progress recently with a Cottenham residents to use information visit number of exhibition events our cycles rather more often http://www.cvdg.org. arranged by the County Council than we do currently. (including one at Cottenham Village Mike Smith College) where the proposed plans Steven Poole Chair were shown and an opportunity was Planning Comments Coordinator provided to discuss the proposals Key and provide feedback. CVDG 2.75m combined cycle/footway (includes 0.5m safety margin) View the video at http://cvdg.blip.tv Committee members of course © Crown Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Licence Number 100023205 2009 Cottenham Village Design Group Newsletter Issue 7 - October 2009 (cont.)
Become a Member Housing Growth to 2031 FEFF Quiz Prize Winner The Cottenham Village Design The East of England Regional The winner of the group’s FEFF Group was formed in 1993, with Assembly (EERA) is undertaking a competition is shown below assistance from the Countryside review of the East of England Plan receiving her prize. The group Commission, to give local people a to extend its guidance until 2031. would like to thank Richard Heeps voice in helping to protect and Four scenarios for housing and job Photography and County Frames of enhance the Village and its growth in the region have been Cottenham for their support. environment in the face of change analysed, ranging from 3,608 to and expansion. 4,559 new dwellings each year in If you would like to show your Cambridgeshire. This compares to support for the group then please an average of 3,372 since 2001. join using the form below. A variety Respond to EERA’s consultation on of interesting visits are organised how fast the region should grow for members, with the next one and broadly where that growth expected to be to Accordia – winner should be by 24th November 2009: of the 2007 RIBA Stirling Prize. http://eera-consult.limehouse.co.uk If you are already a member then Cambridgeshire County Council take this opportunity to renew your think that Option 1 (3,600 homes From left to right: membership for another year. every year until 2031) will meet the Mrs Sue Heavens, Mike Smith (chair), area’s needs. Let them know your Henry Le Brecht and Clare Le Brecht. Only opinion on this and other related issues by 31st October 2009: Email [email protected] £4 http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Web www.cvdg.org
Cottenham Village Design Group Membership 2010
Membership of the group is available for an annual subscription of £4 (make cheques payable to the Cottenham Village Design Group). Please complete this form and return to: Alan Leeks, Membership Secretary, 25 Dunstal Field, Cottenham, CB24 8UH
Note: The membership year ends on 28th February 2011.
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