University welcomes North West Cambridge report as consultation begins

The Planning Inspectors’ report on the North West Cambridge Area Action Plan supports the range of uses proposed for the site jointly by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The Area Action Plan now gives the University, as the land owner, the scope to develop its plans for the site, which include market housing and key worker homes for University staff; new academic and commercial research buildings; student accommodation; community facilities and significant public spaces.
 

The publication of the report also signals the start of a consultation programme that will seek the views of parties interested in the proposals.

Roger Taylor, director of the University’s North West Cambridge project, said the consultation process had been and will continue to be a key activity for the project team. “At every stage, we will consult widely with individuals and organisations with an interest in the scheme so that we can learn about and address all of the issues that are important to the people of Cambridge.
 

“As plans for the site progress over the years ahead, we will put together a full public engagement programme, which will provide plenty of opportunities for people to become involved in the proposals.
 

“The project will provide some of the new facilities that are required to maintain the world-class reputation that the University enjoys, but it is also important to us that our consultation process for the project is as comprehensive as it can be.”
 

The consultation programme also includes the launch of a new website, linked above right, which will carry more information about the scheme as the plans progress.
 

The next stage of the plans will see the review and updating of an earlier master plan for the site through the rest of 2009, ahead of an application for outline planning permission in late 2010.