1,000 new homes at Darwin Green in Cambridge will be gas-free, say developers

The next 1,000 homes at Darwin Green on the edge of Cambridge will be gas-free and the development will benefit from green corridors, councillors have been told.

Barratt David Wilson Homes and the North West Cambridge Consortium of Landowners won an appeal last year, granting approval for outline plans for the next two phases of the development.

The Environment Agency had opposed the application, arguing the development should not go ahead while there was not a sustainable way to supply the new homes with water.

The developers responded that the new homes would not be built for a few years, by which point the issue could be resolved.

Following a planning inquiry, the government confirmed it was granting outline permission for up to 1,000 homes, along with a new primary school and secondary school, shop, community facilities and a country park.

Representatives of the developer met with councillors from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council last Wednesday (June 18), to brief them on progress to create a design code by the end of October to guide the next two phases.

This must be approved before detailed plans can be submitted.

Mike Jamieson, design director at Tate Hindle architects, said styles would vary across the development to make sure “there is real variation of places”, with “landmark buildings” on the main corners and plants and trees throughout, so that “everyone has a view towards either a tree or green space”.

Matt Jarvis, landscape architect from Rural Solutions, explained there would be three main green “spine corridors” and landscaping throughout.

He said: “We feel there is an opportunity here to provide space for nature through planting, habitat creation and also providing opportunities for local residents to engage with that green space, and to experience that nature, while also encouraging movement through those green routes, helping to support healthy lifestyles for residents.”

A range of methods are proposed to deal with surface water drainage, including an “element of a pumping solution”, but Mr Jarvis said they were working on minimising reliance on this.

Mr Jamieson spoke about sustainability of the gas-free development, with air source heat pumps and solar panels planned.

He said: “We want to ensure the buildings we are designing are working hard to reduce bills for occupiers.”

He confirmed that the developer would maximise the number of dual aspect homes - meaning at least two sides have windows facing the outside. These would be “in the right place and not oversized” as overheating concerns become “more of an issue”.

The developer is also exploring how to “promote active travel and reduce the requirement for the car”, highlighting plans for car club spaces to enable car sharing.

Cllr Katie Porrer (Lib Dem, Market) said the plan to be gas-free was “fantastic” and welcomed car club spaces.

Cllr Porrer stressed that the council is “keen not to encourage” single aspect flats.

Cllr Simon Smith (Lab, Castle) recalled a disastrous earlier phase of development at Darwin Green, when the wrong foundations were put in, leading to dozens of newly-built homes having to be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of millions.

He said he therefore had concerns about developers mentioning deregulation of the design code, but he acknowledged that there had been a “sea change by the developer”, since the previous issues, which was “welcome and very positive”.

Cllr Smith agreed that in future there would be less car ownership and more sharing, and developers “need to be planning for that future”.

Cllr Richard Stobart (Lib Dem, Girton) said planning for fewer cars was “not just aspiration, it is a necessity”, as it would create a “much less threatening environment”.

A representative of the developer said deregulation of the design code would ensure it is “adaptable going forward” to respond to policy changes, adding that the “foundations were a unique situation” and so he did “not think we need to dwell on that”.

Cllr Peter Fane (Lib Dem, Shelford) highlighted that the development “will form a sensitive northern edge to Cambridge” and plans showing the impact on views will be important when applications are submitted.