The Joint Development Control Committee of Cambridgeshire Council met on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, to discuss various planning applications and updates. Key decisions included the approval of reserved matters for a significant residential development in North Cherry Hinton and the discharge of conditions for the Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements project. The committee also received several pre-application presentations for future developments.

Land North of Cherry Hinton, Coldham's Lane, Cambridge

The committee approved the reserved matters application for 136 residential units on land north of Cherry Hinton, Coldham's Lane, Cambridge. The application included details on appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, along with associated car and cycle parking. The Planning Consultant for Strategic Sites Team highlighted several updates, including the discharge of condition 20 and the non-discharge of condition 30 in relation to RM44.

Active Travel England and the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste team raised no objections following clarifications. Despite one unit falling short of the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS), officers deemed the overall development acceptable under Policy 50 of the Cambridge Local Plan (2018). The committee resolved (11 votes to 1) to approve the application, subject to conditions and informatives.

West Anglia Main Line Land Adjacent to Cambridge Biomedical Campus

The committee approved the discharge of condition 29 (Hard and Soft Landscape) for the Network Rail (Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements) Order 2022. Elliot Stamp from Network Rail addressed the committee, confirming that maintenance standards negated the need for additional litter-prevention measures. The committee also discussed the absence of electric scooter parking due to space constraints and safety concerns. The discharge of condition 29 was approved unanimously for both applications 21/02957/COND29A and 21/03035/COND29.

Cambridge Science Park

Developer representatives presented a pre-application briefing for the redevelopment of 210-240 Cambridge Science Park. Members raised questions about year-round accessibility of open spaces, shading, public accessibility of changing places toilets, and traffic calming measures. Concerns were also expressed about the sustainability of green walls and the integration of landscaping plans with neighbouring developments.

Land North of Newmarket Road, Cambridge

A pre-application presentation was given for the B2 land north of Newmarket Road, Cambridge. Members inquired about the site's frontage onto Newmarket Road, cargo bike parking, and the maintenance of green walls. The height of the stairwell and its compliance with parameter plans for the multistorey car park were also discussed.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus Phase 2

The committee received a pre-application briefing for Phase 2 of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Questions were raised about NHS involvement, maintenance of green spaces, safety of bike stores, and the sustainability of materials used. Members also discussed the need for e-scooter parking and public transport connectivity to Cambridge South Station.

For further details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack for the meeting.