Councillors to determine Girton College plans for 405 student rooms
An outline application for 405 student rooms in the green belt in Girton will be discussed by councillors.
Girton College has applied to South Cambridgeshire District Council to build the new accommodation off Huntingdon Road.
The University of Cambridge college says the plans are based on an assessment of its student accommodation for the next 25 to 30 years.
The plans also include a new sports pitch and the relocation of tennis courts. A new vehicle access is proposed from Girton Road.
A similar outline application was approved by the district council in 2016 but the permission lapsed after more detailed follow-up plans were not submitted in time.
In documents submitted as part of the new planning application, the college explained: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been significant and effectively stopped all actions in progressing the masterplan development.
“At the start of the pandemic the college was about to launch an architectural competition for the first building.
“However, the college funding priorities had to be revised significantly in the short term to focus on the welfare of staff and students and subsequently to making appropriate arrangements for future operation of the college.”
Council officers have recommended that the planning committee approves the plans when they meet on Wednesday (June 14).
A report to councillors said the proposals were “inappropriate development within the green belt” but there were enough “very special circumstances” to outweigh this harm.
It said: “These circumstances arise due to the uniqueness of the applicant, lack of appropriate alternative sites as well as the role of Cambridge University in the local, regional and national economy and need for the college to contribute to the objective of the university remaining a world class institution.”
Some concerns have been raised by members of the public, including over the potential for more traffic on Girton Road and the feeling that the plans could change the character of the area and “dramatically decrease the quality of life” for neighbours.
Cllr Tom Bygott has also objected to the plans, arguing the application conflicts with a number of the council’s policies, including that it “will not sustain or enhance the special character and distinctiveness of Girton’s historic environment”.
No objections were raised by statutory authorities, and Girton Parish Council has said it supports the plans, but asked for the college to continue to communicate with the village to get feedback as the plans progress.
