Site ID: 807

Object

Representation ID: 4028

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Keith Turner

At risk of flooding

Object

Representation ID: 8079

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Howbury Hall Estate

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Site ID: 807 - Address: Land south of St Neots Road (A428)

The following clarifications and additional information is provided in response to the Call for Sites Assessment proformas.

Ecology (2a, 2c and 2d)

The assessment suggests that the site is considered to be within or adjoining a site of nature conservation importance.

DEFRA’s Magic map and the current Policies Map do not identify any sites of nature conservation within or immediately adjoining the site other than a County Wildlife site to the west.

The indicative Masterplan for the site, as previously submitted indicates that development of the site would be limited to the northern part with the southern part retained as a water meadow with public access.

This would provide very clear opportunities for ecological enhancement and net gains to biodiversity.

Heritage (4a)

It is suggested that “The proposal has the potential to cause harm to heritage assets” and goes on to identify that this harm may range from ‘low to high’. This is a generic comment which seems to apply to the majority of submitted sites.

A review of Historic England’s Heritage Map for England and the Policies Map identify no heritage assets within or adjoining the site.

The nearest heritage asset is Howbury Hall to the North and Great Dairy farmhouse across the A421 to the south. Both would be separated from the site by mature trees and a significant distance such that visually development here would not harm the setting of either.

Employment (5a)

The site is promoted as an ‘employment site’ which could provide up to 21,000 sq ft of floorspace. Accordingly, it is considered clear that it is likely that the site would provide economic and employment opportunities.

Highways(15e and 15f)

The assessment queries whether the site can be accessed from the highway without constraint.

As set out in the original submission, the site benefits from a frontage onto and would be accessed via St Neots Road.

An additional plan is also now included with this submission showing the location of the site relative to a number of existing footpaths and cycleways and existing bus services in the area. As will be noted good quality connections already existing between the site and existing walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure.



Conclusions

The submitted site offers substantial potential for allocation as a ‘Green’ employment site and deliver access to an enhanced riverside recreation area.

The emerging local plan strategy seeks to focus development along the A421 corridor. This site benefits from good access to the A421 corridor. It’s allocation would fit squarely with this emerging strategy.

There are no technical constraints to the development of the land.

The site is owned and controlled by the Howbury Hall Estate. No third party land or agreements are required to facilitate the development as proposed.

Deliverability can therefore be readily assumed.

Should the Council have any further questions or queries regarding this site please do not hesitate to contact us.