Date set for inquiry over 425 homes on land near Cambridge North station

A date had been set for an inquiry over plans to build 425 new homes on the edge of Cambridge which objectors say will “create a giant wall of development”.

Councillors have said they want to see the plans to redevelop land north of Cambridge North station refused.

However, a final decision will be made by the planning inspectorate, after the developer lodged an appeal due to non-determination.

An inquiry is due to be held on Tuesday, June 6 and could last for up to 12 days. Both sides will put forward their arguments before a planning inspector decides whether the development can go ahead.

Plans were submitted by Brookgate Land Ltd on behalf of The Chesterton Partnership to build 425 homes and five new commercial buildings, offering offices and laboratory space, on land off Milton Avenue.

A total of 155 homes are proposed to be put up for sale on the open market, and 270 are designated as build-to-rent.

The new development was proposed to be “almost car fee” with 22 car parking spaces proposed for disabled parking and visitor spaces. Additional basement parking was proposed for the commercial buildings.

Councillors from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council at a joint development control committee earlier this year said they were “disappointed” by the plans and would like to see them refused.

The district council has put forward eight reasons for why it believes the plans should be refused, including the impact on the landscape and character of the area, as well as the impact on heritage assets.

It also said that not enough information had been given to show how protected species would be safeguarded, and how flood risk would be managed.

The authority said the developer chose to submit the appeal against non-determination two days after a consultation period ended on a “large amount of new information”.

The statement said that in doing so the developer “lost the opportunity to work constructively” with the council to address the issues raised.

The district council said: “It is the council’s position that the appeal scheme would result in landscape and visual harm through the creation of an abrupt, hard edge that fails to enhance or preserve the character of the area, and is not sympathetic to or in keeping with the site’s context in the wider landscape, including the setting of the city.

“It would result in an overbearing impact on existing development due to its height and massing.”

The developer has argued that the site is a “vast untapped resource”. In its statement to the planning inspectorate, it said: “It is hard to imagine a scheme, site or city that better lends itself to meeting the government’s economic aspirations.

“Despite this, the appellant has met significant resistance from the local planning authority.

“It has failed to grasp the opportunity and look at the benefits of the scheme for Cambridge, but also that wider UK economy.”

The developer added that the plans would create a “healthy, inclusive, walkable, low-carbon development”, which they said would offer a “vibrant mix” of homes, workplaces, as well as services and social spaces.

They argued the development would result in “less than substantial harm” to heritage assets, and said the application should be approved “without delay”.