Northstowe Area Action Plan given green light

The planning framework for the new town of Northstowe has been set by a Planning Inspectorate report into South Cambridgeshire District Council's (SCDC) Northstowe Area Action Plan (AAP).

The Northstowe AAP provides the planning policy framework to determine any planning applications for the new town.

Following a public examination of SCDC's draft AAP in December 2006, the Inspectors have made changes to the AAP, which are binding on the council. In the report, the Inspectors refer to Government statements highlighting the importance of Northstowe.

The main thrust of the changes are the removal of some detailed policy guidance in the interests of providing flexibility. The Inspectors have laid great importance on the Northstowe masterplanning process, which they state is the more appropriate place for deciding the detail about the new town.

SCDC is disappointed at the level of changes and the loss of some detailed aspects of the AAP, which were intended to help provide certainty and speed up the planning application process. However, the council takes comfort in the Inspectors' comments on many issues that leave the door open for details to be resolved during the planning application process.

SCDC welcomes support for its vision of Northstowe as a twenty-first century innovative, sustainable town that will not be a pastiche of the past but should draw upon the traditions of fen-edge market towns as one of the inspirations for its character.

Following an earlier statement from the Inspectors, the binding AAP confirms that Northstowe:

• will have a target of 10,000 homes
• will be bounded by the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway and the village frameworks of Longstanton and Oakington
• land will be safeguarded west of Station Road, Longstanton to help meet the homes target or for longer term development.

The Inspectors also state that:

• Northstowe should not be constrained below 10,000 homes because of the continuing pressure for development in the Cambridge Sub-Region
• the AAP area is capable of more intensive development while providing a sustainable environment
• the precise number of homes will be agreed at the masterplanning stage.

SCDC welcomes the conclusion that Northstowe must aim to include 40 per cent or more affordable housing. However, the Inspectors recognise that this is subject to economic viability in recognition of the new town's complex nature and the wide range of requirements being placed on it.

The principle of green separation between Northstowe and the nearest villages of Longstanton and Oakington is supported, but:

• defined areas are rejected
• green separation can include uses such as playing fields and allotments
• any separation will not be Green Belt, as the principle of Green Belt extension around Northstowe was rejected in a separate report
• detailed boundaries will be decided during the masterplanning process.

The inspectors also conclude that:

• country parks should not be a requirement but the layout and nature of open space will be decided during masterplanning
• there may or may not be a country park in the southern part of Northstowe, but the area offers the opportunity for leisure activities and biodiversity enhancement as proposed by SCDC, whether or not it is designated as country park
• a sustainable drainage system that allows for the affects of climate change is required and there must be no worsening of the situation for nearby villages
• opportunities to reduce overall flood risk should be taken but cannot be required.

SCDC welcomes the strengthened requirement for Northstowe to set sustainable development standards and to include challenging targets for energy and water efficiency. The council included simil

Last Updated: 09 May 2007  09:25