North Ely DevelopmentFramework A Framework for the Future Development of an Urban Extension for Ely QUALITY EXEMPLAR SUSTAINABILITY th Ely ign, e. ful riverside f the city is the it is a challenge – that is founded upon strong principles ofenvironmental high sustainability quality and urban a des balanced community. The scheme will become an exemplar fordevelopment sustainable in Cambridgeshire. setting, Ely is a special place tolast live. opportunity The for area large to scale the growth northand on o a the responsibility Isle to of cherish Ely and respond to this special plac The District Council is committed to creating development at Nor An exemplar development With its spectacular cathedral, gentle pace of life, and delight North Ely Development Framework 2 North Ely Development Framework 3 s that are vision for cess. The the fen lightful riverside s finest ’ North Ely and to define the keyCouncil elements will that only are support needed development for that suc meetsset the out requirement in this document. landscape. Ely has a unique identitysetting with and its exceptional rail historic links. core, de The aim of this development framework is to set a comprehensive Ely is a very special place.cathedrals, a It charismatic is landmark home visible to for one many of miles the across country Foreword North Ely Development Framework 4 It is not surprising given of the community’s needs extension to the Ely Ely’s high quality of life or the City’s heritage. Country Park. that a significant number of people have moved to The Ely Masterplan The Council intends to the City in recent years. identified the north of Ely adopt the North Ely Between 2001 and 2010 as a key development Development Framework the population of Ely area. as interim policy so that parish grew from just planning applications can under 15,000 to nearly North Ely represents a be properly assessed as 19,000. once in a generation they come forward. opportunity to add a major It is clear that despite the new neighbourhood to Ely. The Development current economic Framework will be challenges facing the Our vision is for an finalised alongside the country, these long-term exemplar development District Council’s Core growth pressures will not that will be a nationally Strategy Review – this will go away. Indeed the significant example of best be renamed as the East population is expected to practice. We will not Cambridgeshire Local reach 27,000 in 2031. accept a ‘standard housing Plan. development’ concept. The Ely Masterplan set out proposals to manage this The development will be growth effectively and expected to deliver a high avoid ad-hoc quality living environment, development taking place a significant number of without full consideration local jobs, major transport enhancements and a large N o r t h Councillor Peter Moakes E l y Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council D e v Chairman of Development and Transport Sub-committee e l o Autumn 2011 p m e n t F r a m e w o r k 5 Contents The Framework at a glance 8 Introduction 10 Development context 10 Purpose of the Development Framework 10 Status of the Development Framework 10 Core Strategy Review 11 Format of the Development Framework 11 Preparation of the Development Framework 11 Appreciating the Context 12 Site location 12 Site description 13 Site appraisal 13 Setting the Vision 14 Development of the vision for North Ely 14 Key Development Principles 15 The community’s vision 16 Key development components 17 N o r t h Creating a Green Structure 18 E l y D e High quality environment 18 v e l o Ely Country Park 19 p m e Green edge 19 n t F r Green network 19 a m e Biodiversity 20 w o r k Overall green infrastructure approach 21 6 Building a Balanced Community 22 Housing 23 Main Street 25 Job creation 27 Community uses 29 Education 31 Making the Connections 32 Walking & cycling 32 Public transport 33 Route structure & hierarchy 34 Strategic transport network 35 Car Parking 35 Setting High Environmental Standards 36 Code for Sustainable Homes & BREEAM 32 Energy strategy & sustainable buildings 33 Renewable energy 34 Waste strategy 35 Water strategy 35 Detailing the Place 40 N o r t h Character & local distinctiveness 40 E l y Important views 42 D e v e l Landmarks & legibility 42 o p m Character areas 43 e n t F r a m e Implementation & Delivery 48 w o r k Glossary & Background Documents 53 7 preted to produce this Indicative Plan. t of an exemplar community at North The advice included in this DevelopmentAs Framework has the been document inter sets out the broadEly, principles it for is the open developmen to interpretation. The Framework at a glance North ElyDevelopment Framework 8 North Ely Development Framework 9 Key rmission wn ingdonshire s Stationery ’ of Ordnance Survey on behalf ofOffice. Crown the copyright. Controller Unauthorised of reproduction Her infringescopyright Majesty Cro and may lead toDistrict prosecution or Council civil Licence proceedings. HDC100022322. Hunt This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the pe Introduction Space for photograph Figure 1. Illustrative diagram contained in the Ely Masterplan Ely Masterplan The principle of developing an urban extension at North Ely was The purpose of this document is established in the Ely Masterplan (2010), which is adopted as to: Council policy. The Masterplan sets out a long-term vision for the area including a series of illustrative proposals. • Form the basis for future masterplans to be produced by developers North Ely Development context • Set out the vision for taking East Cambridgeshire is a Ely continues to be a focus for North Ely forward as an predominantly rural district located growth within the district; the exemplar development to the north-east of Cambridge. concept of a growth area to the • Establish clear development The cathedral city of Ely is the north of Ely was first introduced in and urban design principles to largest settlement with a the Ely Masterplan. ensure that the design and population of around 17,560. quality of development The Masterplan vision requires the achieves the highest standards Ely is a thriving historic market development of up to 3,000 • Reflect the views and values of town, with a cathedral and homes in North Ely by 2031. It is the local community and key attractive riverside. Ely is the hoped that this growth will stakeholders district’s main shopping, provide a ‘critical mass’ to support • Explain the next steps that are employment and commercial a comprehensive range of services expected in the planning and centre, and is also an important and facilities; enhance the level of design of the site N employment self-sufficiency in o tourist destination. r t h Ely; and enable the city to develop Status of the Document E Ely has good rail connections to l sustainably. y D London, the north and the rest of The North Ely Development e v East Anglia, and is connected to Framework will initially be e Purpose of the document l o Cambridge via the A10. p The North Ely Development adopted as Council policy but m will later gain Supplementary e Framework establishes the n Focus for growth t Planning Document (SPD) F principles that will guide the r a Ely has experienced rapid growth status. m development of an urban e in recent years, with development w extension to Ely. The document The document will be a material o of new housing to the north and r should be read in conjunction with k west, and new business parks near consideration in the the policies of the Local determination of any future the station and at Lancaster Way. Development Framework (LDF). planning application within the 10 site. Core Strategy Review – Local Plan Another key document in the development of the site is the Core Strategy (2009). This document is currently under review with a draft Local Plan expected in Spring 2012. It will be important to ensure that the development of North Ely is integrated into the physical and social fabric of the wider city of Ely and takes account of wider planned improvements which will be outlined in the revised local plan for East Cambridgeshire. These include: • Regeneration of the station and riverside area • Expansion of the town centre • Expansion and development of Ely Country Park • The proposed Leisure Village. Figure 3. Early stakeholder engagement. Core Strategy DPD In addition, assistance in masterplanning and design was North Ely Development provided at various stages in the Framework process by the landowners and their consulting teams, BDP, and Huntingdonshire District Council. Outline Planning Comments on emerging proposals Comprehensive Masterplans Application(s) were also sought from the Cambridgeshire Quality Panel – 12 Design Codes (each phase / Detailed Planning experts in design, renewable energy character area) Application(s) and development. Their role is to review major growth sites across Figure 2. How the North Ely Development Framework will sit with the county and provide independent other key documents. advice with the aim of improving the quality of the development Format of the document being proposed. The Development Framework sets out key principles for the development of North Ely, but allows a degree of flexibility for Consultation Events • Stakeholder workshop: issues & N developers to develop these ideas with greater precision in o r options (April 2010) t subsequent masterplans. h • Stakeholder workshop: E l y infrastructure, transport and D Preparation of the document e v connectivity (October 2010) e l The North Ely Development Framework has been developed o • Stakeholder workshop: design, p inclusively over an 18-24 month period.