STREET CAPACITY??? Congestion and traffic problems highlighted by Holford in 1950! Some improvements, but the problems keep growing More growth = more traffic = more congestion in overcrowded historic core Capacity of market town streets for city public transport Pollution / air quality issues LINKAGES vs ENVIRONMENT?? Historic Environment impacts of strategic proposals, not part of Local Plan, but required for growth. Cambridge East Transport Proposals, now City Deal Orbital bus route and Chisholm Trail Impacts on Leper Chapel & Ditton Meadows (similar issues with A428 route 1c and West Fields) Chisholm trail (1 st ) Orbital bus Chisholm trail (now) LANDSCAPE SETTING AT RISK? West Fields Grantchester Meadows Undesignated watermeadows and farmland, individual tall buildings on skyline, bulk of CB1 to come Stourbridge Common / Ditton Meadows Conservation Areas and setting of Grade I building(s?) threatened by busway and Chisholm trail DESIGNATIONS AND PROTECTION?? All City Conservation Areas now have Appraisals vital evidence base), but Local Plan lacks synthesis. Inadequate consideration of City wide significance, and of issues threatening significance. Contiguous conservation areas downstream, Grantchester meadows & West fields undesignated Cambridge is a city of major historic significance containing a large number of highly graded historic assets. Appreciation of the historic city is preserved by its compact form and its relationship to the surrounding landscape, particularly on the south and west sides. (English Heritage) THE LOCAL PLAN AND THE NPPF HISTORIC AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND DESIGN not yet considered at the Hearings HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT - UNSOUND IN ITS PRESENT FORM ! EVIDENCE BASE? adequate, up-to-date and relevant evidence? (NPPF 158 and 169) Inadequate evidence base, lacking synthesis; no analysis of impacts of growth etc since STRATEGY a positive and clear strategy for the conservation, enjoyment and enhancement of the historic environment (NPPF 126 and 157).. policies for local housing, retail and transport, for example, may need to be tailored to achieve the positive improvements in the historic environment that the NPPF expects (NPPF, Paragraph 8). Conservation is certainly not a stand-alone exercise satisfied by stand-alone policies that repeat the NPPF objectives. - The Historic Environment in Local Plans Historic England 2015) NO STRATEGY!! The key challenge facing the city, its business community, its strategic planning bodies, and its population: Managing and maintaining Cambridges future high-tech, knowledge based growth, whilst protecting its historic character State of the English Cities 2006 "Significant congestion in Cambridge and the surrounding area and serious capacity issues for historic Cambridge to accommodate growth in terms of physical space for new infrastructure and public transport as well as provision of suitable facilities and services are serious impediments to future growth. Cambridgeshire Development Study 2009 CONCLUSION CHALLENGES AND QUESTIONS SERIOUS CAPACITY ISSUES UNRESOLVED. Are these issues tackled in the revised sustainability appraisals? How, and to what extent, do the sustainability appraisals cover environmental capacity including the historic environment? Will the revised Inner Green Belt assessment prioritise protecting the historic environment of Cambridge? ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY ..? inadequately considered in strategies / visions for Cambridge not just the Local Plan, but City Deal, Cambridge Futures etc AND the Universities and Colleges own visions and projects how can everyone best work together for the common good?? WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SAVE THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG????? THANK YOU John Preston MA(Cantab) DipTP IHBC Artist Historic Environment Consultant Lecturer