Support

Representation ID: 6058

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs V Bates

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Our client supports the proposed growth along the A421 corridor. This accords with the Government’s strategy of delivering a growth corridor between Oxford and Cambridge which includes the building of one million high quality new homes, and over one million new jobs across the corridor by 2050, in order to maximise the areas economic potential.

However, although the four growth options being consulted upon all include the A421 corridor, only Option 2d includes the eastern parishes and fully explores the potential for smaller development in this corridor and its settlements to accommodate growth. We contend that the eastern parishes should be included in the selected growth strategy otherwise an important part of the Oxford To Cambridge arc, namely the villages around the Black Cat interchange, will be left out. The eastern area of the corridor includes several sustainable settlements including Key Service Centres, all with good links onto the A421 and the A1. Allocations should be made across the entire corridor to ensure its economic potential is maximised.

Our client supports preferred growth options 2b, 2c and 2d which include at least one new settlement. In particular, our client supports the proposed inclusion of Dennybrook Garden Village, which they have an interest in, (a new settlement west of Wyboston) which is being promoted through the Call for Sites process (Site 977) by Taylor Wimpey. This new settlement proposal could deliver 2500 dwellings in the identified plan period, and bearing in mind the requirements of paragraph 22 of the Framework, it offers the Council the opportunity to build its 30-year vision on the delivery of up to 10,000 dwellings and associated employment and social infrastructure at this strategically important location.

We would also argue that if Dennybrook is not allocated, there is significant capacity in the eastern parishes to accommodate future growth. With particular reference to the growth proposed in Option 2d, and the lack of growth proposed in options 2a, 2b and 2c for the east of the Borough; it is disappointing that the opportunities in the eastern parishes and in particular in respect of sites in Chawston, are not being taken advantage of. With regards to our client’s site in Chawston, while not part of the Dennybrook proposal, it sits separately and will be served by the introduction of a new relief road that will be constructed shortly as part of the Black Cat proposals. The relief road will provide a high-quality access back to the Roxton Road due south of this location.

Finally, within the various options, the sustainability merits of growth being located in and around the urban area are recognised, but there are questions as to whether the identified level of growth can be delivered. A better balance could be achieved by elevating the numbers to be identified in the eastern area, and delivering growth in and around the A421/A1 interchange (the Black Cat).