Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach A10 Transport Corridor Constraints Studies July 2012 A 17 Minster Precincts Peterborough PE1 1XX United Kingdom T +44 (0) 1733 310 471 F +44 (0) 1733 553 661 W www.lda-design.co.uk LDA Design Consulting LLP Registered No: OC307725 17 Minster Precincts, Peterborough PE1 1XX 3321_constraints July 2012 Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Appraisals ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Landscape and visual ................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2. Heritage ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.3. Ecology .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Appendices..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Appendix 1. Capita Symonds drawings identifying study zones ........................... 1 Appendix 2. Drawing 3321_603_A Landscape Notes ................................................ 2 Appendix 3. Cultural Heritage Appraisal of the A10 Transport Options ........... 3 Appendix 4. Ecological Appraisal of the A10 Transport Corridor ......................... 4 Appendix 5. Drawing 3321_604_A Summary of Principal Landscape, Heritage, and Ecology Constraints ....................................................................................... 5 Version: 1.3 Version date: 18 September 2012 Comment Final This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with ISO 9001:2000. 3321_constraints July 2012 Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach 1.0 Introduction This report brings together work addressing the key potential landscape, heritage and ecology constraints that may influence the design of new transport routes between the proposed new settlement at Denny St Francis, Waterbeach and the A14 Cambridge Bypass. Two proposals are under consideration: Realignment of the A10 between the proposed new settlement at Denny St Francis and the A14 Creation of a guided busway between the proposed new settlement at Denny St Francis and the A14 The study area comprises the zones shown on the following two plans provided by Capita Symonds (see Appendix 1): Drawing number CS 00182/T/009 Waterbeach New Settlement Limit of Deviation A. (This relates to the A10 road realignment.) Figure 2 Proposed busway corridor The studies have been carried out at a high level using desk based research and brief site visits, viewing the land from publicly accessible locations. Further research and detailed survey will be needed as the project develops. The results of the three studies are presented in separate appendices: Appendix 2 - Landscape notes Appendix 3 - Cultural Heritage Appraisal of the A10 Transport Options Corridor Appendix 4 - Ecological Appraisal of the A10 Transport Corridor This report summarises the main potential constraints identified by each study in order to inform the selection of preferred routes. The perceived level of constraint is defined as follows: High – Avoid. Likely to be a significant constraint. Medium – Avoid if possible. Low – Potential constraint but likely to be resolvable. The main constraints from the three studies are summarised in sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 below, and on drawing 3321_604_A in Appendix 5. 3321_constraints 1 July 2012 Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach 2.0 Appraisals 2.1. Landscape and visual Landscape and visual assessments of three proposed A10 upgrade route options were undertaken by LDA Design in 2005, summarising landscape character, heritage, conservation and visual constraints. Landscape notes based on GIS data, Tree Preservation Order (TPO) information provided by South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and a site visit in 2012 are given on drawing number 3321_603_A in Appendix 2. The plan also identifies some potential constraints that do not strictly relate to landscape or visual issues, including land uses such as a cemetery, allotments and a golf course. The main constraint to development is the Green Belt which extends from Waterbeach to the A14. Section 9 of the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government's policy on Green Belts. This superseded Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts (1995) (PPG2) but the fundamental aim and five purposes of Green Belts set out in PPG2 remain unchanged. The NPPF states that: ‘The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.’ The road and guided busway have potential to affect the openness of the Green Belt. It is not possible for the routes to avoid the Green Belt and it is considered to be a Medium level constraint. Other constraints include: Many dwellings, which are shown on drawing 3321_604_A which should be avoided if possible. They are identified as being a Medium level constraint if they are directly physically affected. Effects on residential amenity due to changes to views would be addressed in a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, although this is considered to be a Low level constraint. Public footpaths running between Waterbeach and the A10. If directly affected, measures would be required to divert or maintain access along these paths. Effects on views from the paths would be addressed in a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. This is considered to be a Low level constraint. The cemetery pr0vides a constraint to be avoided if possible (Medium level constraint). If it is to be directly affected research would be required to identify how to mitigate effects or move the cemetery. The village of Landbeach is a discrete settlement set within arable farmland and effects on its setting should be considered as part of development proposals. This is considered to be a Low level of constraint. SCDC has confirmed that there are two TPOs within the study area (C/11/17/58/1 at Manor House, Waterbeach Road and SC/3/76 at Cambridge Road, Waterbeach). Although these have been identified as Low level constraints they should be avoided if possible. Other landscape / visual constraints are considered to be Low level. 3321_constraints 2 July 2012 Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach 2.2. Heritage The heritage study undertaken by Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd is provided in Appendix 3. The main potential constraints identified in the report and summarised on drawing 3321_604_A are: Three Milestones on the A10 (Listed Grade II) - Level of Constraint: High Landbeach Conservation Area, Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monument - Level of Constraint: Medium to low (depending on route) Waterbeach Conservation Area - Level of Constraint: Low Car Dyke - Level of constraint: Low 2.3. Ecology The ecology study undertaken by LDA Design is provided in Appendix 4. The main potential constraint identified in the report and summarised on drawing 3321_604_A is: Cambridge Road Willow Pollards County Wildlife Site - Level of Constraint: Medium The report identifies the potential for protected species within the study area including European Protected Species (EPS) and the need for further surveys. The presence and location of protected species would need to be identified by further survey. Protected species are considered to be Low level constraints because they can be readily be dealt with by design, subject to issues such as land availability if re-location or alternative habitat is required. EPS are also considered to be Low level constraints in this context as it is considered that solutions to address impacts are likely to be readily determined, but EPS will require a greater input into mitigation design than other protected species. 3321_constraints 3 July 2012 Denny St Francis New Settlement, Waterbeach 3.0 Conclusion None of the landscape, heritage and ecology constraints identified are ‘show stoppers’ to realignment of the A10 and creation of a guided busway between the proposed new settlement at Denny St Francis and the A14. This work can be used to help identify preferred routes, taking into account the constraints identified. Further more detailed survey and analysis work will be needed as the design progresses, to help inform detailed design and mitigation proposals. 3321_constraints 4 July 2012 Denny St Francis Appendices Appendix 1. Capita Symonds drawings identifying study zones Drawing number CS 00182/T/009 Waterbeach New Settlement Limit of Deviation A Figure 2 Proposed busway corridor 3321_constraints 1 July 2012 Denny St Francis Appendix 2. Drawing 3321_603_A Landscape Notes 3321_constraints 2 LEGEND The Site Area encompassing potential A10 transport infrastructure options Area of flooded former mineral workings Additional land controlled by RLW Estates enclosed by vegetation