Residents, businesses and organisations have a final opportunity to comment on the proposed planning framework that will shape future development in the village over the next 20 years.
Cambridgeshire City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council are finalising the latest version of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan which sets out where new homes, jobs, community and infrastructure projects will be located.
For Histon and Impington, the key proposals include the regeneration of the area around the H&I Busway stop and further development around Compass House and Chivers Way in Histon.
The consultation closes at 5pm tomorrow (25 September), with members of the public invited to comment on whether the proposed plan is “sound” under national planning rules. The plan will then be submitted for independent examination by the government.
Background
The Local Plan process first began in 2020, with initial proposals published in December 2021. The proposals have since evolved following public consultation and the final versions are due to be submitted before the end of the year.
For the regeneration of the area around the station area, planners say in the consultation documents that they are keen “to create an attractive and vibrant gateway to the settlements from the Guided Busway”.
In response to concerns about the proposed lack of parking, the consultation documents argue that the location is “in close proximity to public transport and close to residential areas, and therefore a low parking plan is suitable”.
At Compass House, the landowner supported proposals for additional office and research space but requested that residential use also be permitted. However, planners have not incorporated the request, and the site will remain designated for employment use.
Requests to include Cambridge Science Park North in the draft Local Plan were also considered. But planners said there were no “exceptional circumstances” to justify releasing the land from the green belt.
‘Significant changes’
Cambridge City Council leader Cllr Katie Thornburrow previously said the area faces “significant changes”, including meeting housing needs, supporting economic growth, tackling climate change and providing the necessary infrastructure.
“This [Local] Plan sets out how we see those changes being addressed,” she said.
To view the proposed submission and share your views, visit the consultation platform on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website. The consultation closes at 5pm tomorrow (25 September).
READ MORE: Planners reject call to add Science Park to planning strategy; New vision revealed for station area; Concerns over ‘sheer lack of parking’ in Kendal Court proposals
Why no notices to lical people via a leaflet drop. Why no meetings in the village. First I have heaed of it so what has your Customer Service and Publicity people been hiding ftom the general public. What will the village gain by creating jobs for daily commuters. Will your bus service reach and help more people in the village except the few. The T2 goes past several houses but the bus stop is a 15minute walk away? What advantage is all this going to be to the locals besides disruption and road closures?