National Planning Policy: The Government Has Listened With One Ear

New planning rules, published today by the Government, are an improvement on the discredited draft produced last year but still represent a green light for developers – that’s the initial reaction of Cambridge Past, Present & Future (CambridgePPF), the charity that lobbies to positively influence local planning developments.

“The Government has listened with one ear,” said CambridgePPF Chairman, Robin Pellew. “It has selectively heard some of the criticisms of the original draft, but the overall bias in favour of development is still there.”

The team at CambridgePPF is reviewing the new framework in detail but listening to Greg Clark’s statement in the House of Commons, the team drew the following conclusions:

“We welcome a more balanced definition of sustainable development that includes consideration of social and environmental effects but the pro-growth distortion is still there.”

"Because of the economic situation, we are unlikely to see a tidal wave of speculative new schemes but there is no doubt the goal-posts have still been moved. Local communities, Residents Associations, and civic organisations such as CambridgePPF will need to be even more vigilant to ensure that development is located in the right places and of the highest quality. In time, we are likely to see more developers targeting sites that are inappropriate for building, for example in the Green Belt areas to the edge of the City, on playing fields, and in attractive open countryside areas. Local Authorities will be minded to refuse planning permission, but the new regulations may encourage developers to appeal against such refusals. This will mean that many large-scale, contentious schemes could ultimately be decided centrally by the government's Planning Inspectorate who, when applying the new rules, may be more likely to overturn the decision of the Local Authority. "Planning by Appeal" is not only contrary to local democracy, it also flies in the face of the government's drive for localism and giving local communities greater say in planning their future."

CambridgePPF welcomes the re-iteration of using brownfield land first, greater protection for heritage sites and the environment, and reducing the garden grabbing effect – all important aspects in Cambridge. It is also pleased that the purpose of the Green Belt to prevent urban sprawl has been endorsed. However, Local Authorities are encouraged to review the boundaries of their Green Belts as part of the local planning process. And CambridgePPF remains concerned that open countryside, not already designated for protection, still remains vulnerable to development.”

“Late last year we were concerned that the immediate imposition of these new rules would lead to a building free-for-all”, added Robin Pellew.  “We called on the Government to give a transition period sufficient for the new regulations to bed down, and they have now offered just one year. Local planning must involve extensive consultation with the people it effects, which inevitably takes time to achieve. Unfortunately Cambridge’s new Local Plan will not be ready in time.”

“By moving the goal-posts so directly in favour of development, local communities and CambridgePPF will need to be ever more vigilant in ensuring that future plans do serve the wider needs of the people. Obviously we need growth but not at any cost to the character, social fabric and natural environment of Cambridge and its immediate surrounding. Only time will tell if the NPPF will be clear and robust enough to protect our natural environment and open spaces and if it will balance development with enhanced sustainability, quality of the built and historic environment and biodiversity. We all need to make sure the Cambridge’s new Local Plan – currently in discussion – will ensure a quality environment we all can enjoy in the future.”

References:

National Planning Policy Framework 2012 - http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf

CambridgePPF –  past comments on Consultation Draft of NPPF and CambridgePPF's petition 

http://cambridgeppf.org/documents/nppf_6.10.11.pdf

Dr Robin Pellew submitting CambridgePPF's petition  to Government in October 2011

Planting of Jubilee Orchard commences at Coton Countryside Reserve

Last updated 12 March 2012 eve

On Friday 9 March 2012, Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF) has begun the planting a new orchard at its Coton Countryside Reserve, marking the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. 


At a special invitation only event at the 120 hectare site to the west of the city, the charity will be joined by representatives from South Cambridgeshire District Council; Cambridge City Council; and the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Awards for All’ – organisations that have helped get this important environmental project off the ground. 
Pupils from Coton Primary School have also taken part, learning how to plant trees and discovering interesting facts about traditional English orchard fruits:

Pupils from Coton Primary School are planting under the watchful eye of the CambridgePPF Ranger Team

Right above - Cllr Manning and Ecology Officer Rob 

Mungovan (SCDC) planting a Cambridge Gage

Below - Planting of Walnut Trees - spring 2011.

On Sunday 11 March 2012, a community planting day took place during warm spring weather.

Volunteer Planting on Sunday 11 March 12 -
are essential to ensure good tree growth

  




















Over the course of the two planting days, almost 100 trees will be established at three sites within the Coton Countryside Reserve. The prime orchard – named the Jubilee Orchard – will be close to the site’s visitor car park and Bin Brook. Representing a traditional orchard it will contain a mix of trees that bear fruit and nuts. Walnuts, Bramley apples and tall pears will be planted in tiers towards the south west of the site, with a wide variety of traditional and new apple varieties as well as crab apples. All the trees chosen will flower and fruit at different times, creating an extended growing season that stretches from spring into autumn and is pleasant to look at as well as valuable for local wildlife.

The western edge of the orchard will be planted with a fruit and nut rich hedge. Arranged to resemble a conventional countryside hedge, but with a much higher nutritional value, this natural border will enable foraging by humans and wildlife alike. A central glade will capture sunlight and be edged by ox-eye daisies and a wildlife flower mix, creating interest during the summer time. Other fruit trees will be planted in a more linear format, adjacent to grass tracks.

Carolin Göhler, CEO of CambridgePPF, said: “The latest planting scheme at Coton will help recreate the mosaic of orchards that once existed in countryside to the west of Cambridge. Nationally, well over 60% of orchards have been lost since the 1950s, and in Cambridgeshire, the percentage is even higher. Fruit trees – particularly old ones – aid biodiversity and create important habitats that support an array of insects, birds and mammals. Reinstating an orchard at Coton is an investment in the future well-being of local residents, who will now be assured of another countryside space to roam and explore, right on their doorstep. We’d like to thank everyone that has supported this project - our sponsors, CambridgePPF's Ranger Team as well as all the enthusiastic volunteers.”

Back - Cllr David Bard (Vice-Chair SCDC), Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith (Mayor of Cambridge), 

Cllr Ray Manning (Leader of SCDC)

Front - Sara Betsworth (Head of Region - The Big Lottery) and Carolin Göhler (CEO - CambridgePPF)

We are grateful for funding received from:

Enjoy the early spring flowers at Wandlebury Country Park - snowdrops and winter aconites now at their best

Now at their best - carpets of snowdrops and winter aconites up on the Gog Magog Hills at the heart of Wandlebury.

A new vantage point at Wandlebury Country Park - the Banyard Hide

On Friday 10 February 2012 we have officially opening a new observation hotspot at Wandlebury Country Park in memory of one of our dedicated volunteers and trustee - Michael Banyard.
It is a bird hide, shelter and look out which will add to Wandlebury's delights.


Donors, corporate supporters, patrons, staff and many volunteers and guests enjoy the new hide

Funded by charitable donations, corporate support and gifts in kind, the hide is the perfect place for sheltering from the winter weather and a great look out watching the natural inhabitants of Wandlebury go about their business.
CambridgePPF is grateful to all those who have supported this project and seen it through to fruition. An initial grant from Cambridge City Sustainable City Grant generated wide interest and local companies such as Mackays Ltd, Peter Saunders Builders Ltd, Scotsdale Nursery and Garden Centre, Cambridge Risk Ltd, many local donors helped to make the project a reality.
Conceived by Architect Sabin Anca of State of Design Ltd, Cambridge, together with international conservation organisation Forest Monitor, the structure started of as an exhibition feature as part of Architecture Week displaying global deforestation issues. Subsequently the structure was recycled in parts to make the bird observation hide. Sustainability issues have been at the heart of the initial structure - as an exhibition structure - and the theme has been continued at Wandlebury:

• some timber of the original structure has been re-used
• where possible local suppliers have been used
• cedar cladding and roof shigles will weather naturally - avoiding usage of timber reservatives and paints
• rainwater will be collected and used to top up a small wildlife drinking pool
• a green roof - using native species -  has been installed over the staircase - collecting water and creating further feeding and nesting places for insects and birds (the water impermeable liner has been donated by re-natur).



The Banyard Hide



The structure has its own niche within a shelterbelt and gives views to different wildlife areas. Species to spot include the green wood peckers, jackdaws and kestrels in around the pasture, robins, wrens, black birds in the coppice shelter belt and jays and pheasants in the field.

Following and initial idea by CambridgePPF's Ranger Team and in discussion with the committee the rangers together with volunteers have constructed the hide and the interpretation panels - depicting sponsors as well as the delightful green wood pecker -  were also done in-house.

 
 



Architect Sabin Anca



Ranger Team on the lookout!

observing the wildlife within the nearby tree belt



enjoying the view from the first floor



glimpses of the interior







interpratation panels and benches designed in-house



Consultations you should be aware of

City Council Consultations

Important Consultations which will decide on the future of the general envrionemnt of our major roads and Conservation Areas - make your voice heard:

• Riverside and Stourbridge Common Conservation Area Consultation — until 23 January
• New Town and Glisson Road Conservation Area Appraisal Consultation — until 3 February
• Hills Road Suburbs and Approaches Study Consultation — until  3 February
• Trumpington Road Suburbs and Approaches Consulktation — until 3 February
• Long Road Suburbs and Approach Consultation — until 7 February

Local Residents' Petition

Garden House Hotel - extension planned is further to the right

RAON’s petition against the extension to the Hilton Doubletree Hotel (old Garden House Hotel) adjacent to the River Cam and Coe Fen/ Sheep's Green - for details please click here. If you wish to contact Residents' Association of Old Newnham (RAON) there is a link to follow on the petition itself.

CambridgePPF have opposed the submitted planning application in September 2011 - for details click here.

 

Review of Cambridge Local Plan

The City Council is undertaking a stakeholder worksshop and has invited CambridgePPF to join one of them.

Similarly key landowners, organisations, businesses and other stakeholders in the City will be consulted to talk about their aspirations for the future.

Please let us know of any changes you wish to make in view of the Local Plan - how it should be updated and guide development of the City covering a plan period up to 2031. How can planning policies be better phrased and what is missing or should be added to make our environment - natural or built - better for all.

Please send us your thoughts to this CambridgePPF contact e-mail by 23 January 2012 at the latest so that we can prepare in time for the meeting.



Our Chair - Dr Robin Pellew submitting the petition to Government



CambridgePPF Petition to Government

(regarding the National Planning Policy Framework)

To date we have not yet had any feedback nor acknowledgement from Government.

Our original submission can be viewed here, article published by Cambridge News can be viewed here.

We are keeping an eye on all and will update you asap.

CambridgePPF welcomes MPs recommendation to change draft planning framework

Two months after submitting a petition to Government reflecting local concerns about changes to the planning system, Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF) has welcomed a constructive report made by the Parliament's Select Committee reporting on the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

The report states that a default answer of 'yes' to development should be removed from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Carolin Göhler, CEO of CambridgePPF said: “CambridgePPF welcomes the constructive report made by the Select Committee set up to review the draft National Planning Policy Framework - in particular that environmental and social needs require better integration to truly achieve "sustainable design" for future developments. It is in line with concerns raised and submitted to the Government. In Cambridge we clearly understand that balancing an attractive natural environment with a community’s social needs is important in making a successful, high-quality city that is attractive and functions for everyone, including local business.”

Representatives from CambridgePPF originally travelled to London on 17 October to hand a petition in to Government, signed by more than 1000 local residents.

Useful References:

NPPF - DCLG's Select Committee Report out today - click here for details.

CambridgePPF past comments - click here for details. 

CambridgePPF petition - click here for details.

Civic Voice - for today's comments  click here.

Carter Jonas have become CambridgePPF’s latest corporate member



Tim Jones (Carter Jonas) and Carolin Göhler (CambridgePPF) at the Coton Countryside Reserve



Tim Jones, Head of the Rural Division and of Carter Jonas  ’Cambridge office said:

“With Cambridge roots going back over a hundred years Carter Jonas is delighted to become a corporate partner, supporting the work of well established charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future in working to keep Cambridge special. Their efforts to look after and manage green spaces and historic buildings together with providing environmental education are invaluable to Cambridge and its surroundings.”

If you would like to find out more about becoming a CambridgePPF Corporate Partner contact us or telephone Mary Nealon on 01223 243830 or e-mail us.

Carter Jonas are also based in Cambridge - for their office at Hills Road -
please click here.