Trumpington Road
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Cambridge Suburbs and Approaches: Trumpington Road Cambridge Suburbs and Approaches: Hills Road (including Babraham Road) Prepared by Beacon Planning Ltd For Cambridge City Council March 2012 Contents 1 Character Summary............................................................................................4 2 Introduction.........................................................................................................6 2.1 Background........................................................................................................6 2.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................6 2.3 Limitations..........................................................................................................6 3 Historical Development......................................................................................7 3.1 Brief overview of the development of Cambridge..............................................7 3.2 The development of Trumpington Road...........................................................8 3.3 Southern expansion of Cambridge..................................................................11 4 Character Assessment......................................................................................12 4.1 The Assessment Area......................................................................................13 4.2 Overall Character and Appearance..................................................................14 4.3 Character Area 1.............................................................................................17 4.4 Character Area 2.............................................................................................19 4.5 Character Area 3.............................................................................................23 4.6 Character Area 4.............................................................................................26 5 Significance Assessment.................................................................................30 5.1 Listed Buildings................................................................................................30 5.2 Buildings of Local Interest................................................................................34 6 References.........................................................................................................39 7 Maps..................................................................................................................40 Cambridge Suburbs and Approaches: Trumpington Road 3 1 Character Summary Trumpington Road has historically always been one of the primary routes into and out of Cambridge from the south and this is manifested in its character. Crucially, it was the preferred route to London and the Thames valley. It continues to play an important role in Cambridge’s transport infrastructure, providing a gateway to the city centre when travelling north and allowing easy access onto the M11 and London beyond when exiting the city. The importance of the road has long been established, dating back as far as the late Saxon period. Approaching from the south, the road (Hauxton Road at this point) crosses open fields before the Park & Ride and a 1970s development signal the entrance to the village. At this point the road undergoes a distinct change with the introduction of trees, green verges and green boundary treatments which become the prevailing character from this point onwards. The dominance of the mature landscape gives the road a sense of status as well as permanence, and is a common theme that unites all four character areas. Trumpington claims to be the only ‘village’ in Cambridge city. This close proximity to the city centre is reflected in its mixed character with both historic residential properties as well as large commercial developments of the second half of the 20th century. There is a range of architectural styles, form and grain of development along the High Street. Some properties sit tight to the back of the pavement and address the road while others are recessed and screened behind mature trees and property boundaries. The main Bidwells office at the corner with Maris Lane forms a landmark that, although bulky and alien to the historic character, has been softened by maturing trees to the front. Bidwells, the Shell Garage and the parade of shops opposite form a rather discordant ensemble that acts as a reminder of the arterial nature of the High Street and 20th century changes to the character of the village. Most buildings along the High Street are brick rather than rendered, with the use of gault and red brick. The earlier properties generally have thatch or clay tile roofs, whereas slate and tile are common on 19th century and 20th century developments. Cambridge City Council 4 Development along the stretch between Long Road and Brooklands Avenue is largely screened behind tree belts and green boundary treatments. The western side has remained agricultural fields, and Trumpington village has therefore largely managed to retain its identity as a discrete settlement separated from the city centre by a green wedge. North of Brooklands Avenue the character changes once again as the distinctive gault brick typical of Cambridge and used particularly throughout the New Town development introduces a more uniform palette of materials and building form. The well-treed character continues but in a more orderly and managed form as shown in the open spaces of New Bit and the Botanic Gardens, and in the gardens to the front of Brookside. The Leys School on the western side offers a pleasing contrast to the orderly terrace of Brookside, with its red brick gothic buildings and mature trees creating private enclosed spaces set behind a high boundary fence. The road ends at the busy roundabout with Fen Causeway, with the junction with Lensfield Road close by, signifying the arrival at the fringes of the city centre. Cambridge Suburbs and Approaches: Trumpington Road 5 2 Introduction 2.1 Background Beacon Planning Ltd was commissioned in July 2010 by Cambridge City Council to prepare a rapid assessment of Trumpington Road, from the Cambridge City boundary (where it is Hauxton Road) to the junction with Fen Causeway. The aim is to provide an assessment and understanding of this route’s ‘local distinctiveness’. The City Council has a programme of ‘Suburbs and Approaches Assessments’ and this Trumpington Road rapid appraisal is one of four in the second tranche of the programme. These projects form part of the Council’s pro-active Conservation programme which also includes Conservation Area Appraisals. The Trumpington Road assessment follows the review of the Conservation Area Appraisal for Trumpington in June 2010. 2.2 Methodology The assessment involved fieldwork, some desk research and analysis. Research was carried out at the County Record Office and in the building control records of the City Council. It consisted of a review of historic maps, and a more general review of works on the history of Cambridge, its architecture and development. Trumpington Road was physically assessed on foot in October 2010. The assessment is based on what could be seen from the public highway. 2.3 Limitations Beacon Planning Ltd. were commissioned to assess the architectural and historic character of Trumpington Road as part of a characterisation assessment, including the heritage significance of the area. The assessment is not in sufficient depth to support potential Conservation Area designation, although this assessment follows the recent appraisal of Trumpington Conservation Area and parts of the study area are proposed for inclusion within the Conservation Area. This assessment may also provide a useful basis for consideration for further designations. There are a number of additional lines of research which might produce additional historical information on the history and development of Trumpington Road such as rate books, insurance and building control records. Further research would provide greater detail and depth to an understanding of the development of the area. Cambridge City Council 6 3 Historical Development 3.1 Brief overview of the development of Cambridge The City of Cambridge lies at the intersection of four Roman roads. The Roman settlement developed on the west side of the Rver Cam in the present Castle Hill area. In Saxon times there was further settlement south of the river. After the Norman Conquest a castle was built north of the river and several churches and monastic foundations were in existence by the mid 13th century. The major growth of the town dates from the establishment of the University from the 13th century, and at the time of the Reformation there were 15 colleges. With the exception of some minor suburban development, Cambridge did not significantly develop beyond its medieval bounds until the early 1800s, following the Acts of Enclosure. New housing began to appear on the roads leading out of town, including Trumpington Road. With the arrival of the railway in the 1840s the town expanded as a market town and agricultural centre. Large new areas of housing were built throughout the second half of the 19th century, building off and connecting the historic routes radiating out from the centre. In the first half of the 20th century the town’s population grew from 40,000 to 90,000; outlying villages were connected and absorbed as ribbon development spread out from the centre. Early