Plans to build hundreds of homes, and student flats and other developments across Cambridge were debated at the city council’s planning committee on Tuesday (May 11).

Ridgeons site set for a new lease of life

The largest development, for 295 homes in Cromwell Road, on the old Ridgeons site, was unanimously approved. The development, proposed by the council’s Cambridge Investment Partnership, includes a nursery and community facility, two, three and four-bedroom houses, as well as one and two-bedroom flats, with 258 parking spaces and 635 cycle spaces.

Executive councillor for housing at the city council, Richard Johnson, said he was “delighted”.

He said: “The decision today is a giant step forward in meeting our bold target of building at least 500 new council homes by 2022 – council homes that are desperately needed for Cambridge families.

“Furthermore, the development meets the highest sustainability standards and will provide new community facilities, benefitting residents and the wider Romsey area.”

Hills Road apartments with underground parking

More flats will be built in Hills Road

 

Also approved were plans for to demolish 291 Hills Road, and build 14 homes with an underground car park. Three Labour councillors voted against: Dave Baigent, Katie Thornburrow, Kelley Green.

The three raised a number of issues, but affordable housing was the biggest sticking point.

The application had been approved by committee once before, in August last year, but owing to guidance on affordable homes issued in the Local Plan on the same day as the decision, the committee was asked to look again.

Despite questioning from the councillors that the applicant, Gibson Developments, was going to make a profit, the council’s delivery manager for development management, Nigel Blazeby said he was “absolutely satisfied” with the viability assessment, which concluded it would not be economically viable to include affordable housing.

Student flats deferred to another day

King’s College London’s plans for 60 graduate rooms and 24 apartments in Barton Road were deferred to another day.

The proposal was initially recommended for approval, but the definition of “student accommodation” was questioned by councillors Dave Baigent and Mike Sargeant, and the officers will now look at that issue in more detail.

The site would have accommodated college fellows as well as graduate students, with the councillors pushing for affordable house provision if university employees will be living there.

New apartments on Chesterton Road

File picture of Chesterton Road

 

Plans for 46 serviced apartments on the site of the former Hamilton Lodge Hotel, in Chesterton Road, were approved, with three councillors voting for, one against, and three abstentions.

A council officer described the usage of the serviced apartments as “more akin to a hotel than residential,” with a maximum tenancy of three months. Colin Brown, speaking for his client, the applicant Neil Robinson, gave an example of the type of resident as someone on a short-term contract to work in the city.

A fresh look for Mill Lane

Shops and restaurants along the riverfront by Mill Lane
Shops and restaurants along the riverfront by Mill Lane

 

A proposal by Pembroke College to redevelop part of Mill Lane was unanimously approved.

Cllr Damien Tunnacliffe noted the application is “extremely complicated”. It would see a number of the college’s buildings on Mill Lane and Trumpington Street demolished. 94 student residential units would be constructed, as well as teaching and retail space.

The master of Pembroke College, the Lord Smith, said it “it will be the biggest change physically for Pembroke College in its 670 year history – it will transform the education facilities and opportunities that we can offer future generations of students. We also believe it has the chance to bring back to life a neglected area of central Cambridge.”

He said afterwards he was “delighted” with the decision, and was looking forward to working with residents and the city council.