Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

More than 300 homes approved for Darwin Green development




Plans for more than 300 homes as part of the Darwin Green development on the edge of Cambridge have been approved.

Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125951)
Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125951)

The decision comes after a previous application for the site was refused in December last year.

Councillors from both Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council met earlier today (Wednesday, July 20) at a joint development control committee meeting.

The reserved matters application was submitted by Barratt David Wilson Homes, asking for approval of plans to build 323 homes on land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road.

The homes will form part of the Darwin Green development, which is planned to be made up of more than 1,500 homes once complete.

Outline approval for the wider site had previously been approved, the new application was for approval for more detailed plans for how the development would look, as well as plans for access, internal roads, landscaping and open space.

While councillors approved the majority of the application, they did not approve all of the specific conditions, including the details regarding the hard and soft landscaping. The developer will still need to gain permission for these.

Councillors said they were pleased the developer had tried to address the concerns they had raised when refusing the previous application.

This included changing the layout of some of the homes and house types to ensure that all met the required internal space standards.

A representative of the developer also highlighted other changes such as increasing the outside private space for some homes.

They said they felt they had addressed the reasons given for refusal and said they welcomed the planning officer’s recommendation for approval.

Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125949)
Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125949)

Cllr Katie Thornburrow, executive councillor for planning and infrastructure at the city council, said there had been some “really positive changes” made to the new application.

She said: “Clearly the decision of the committee not to accept the design resulted in a much better application, which will benefit the current residents moving in and the future residents.”

However, councillors said they did still have some concerns, including that four of the flats on the site were proposed to have no private outdoor space.

Cllr Katie Porrer (Lib Dem, Market) said: “The big concern I still have is that four flats still do not have outside amenity space and for me that is a sticking point.

“I appreciate the site context, but if this was coming in as just four new flats we would refuse it.”

Cllr Thornburrow (Lab, Petersfield) said she was also concerned about this saying that even small balconies would help with things such as drying laundry.

Council officers explained that the flats in question were proposed to be built near to areas of public open space.

They added that similar flats had previously been approved, and that there was no requirement in the outline planning permission for outdoor private amenity space.

Cllr Simon Smith (Lab, Castle) said he had some concerns about the proposed layout of a children’s play area and public space of the Pavilion Green.

Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125947)
Illustrative image of what the proposed Darwin Green development could look like. Image taken from planning documents. Picture: Barratt David Wilson Homes. (58125947)

He highlighted the potential in the design of desire lines – an unplanned route created by people across an area in preference to a planned path – that if used by motorised two wheelers, or scooters, could pose danger to children in the play area.

The planning officers said discussions had taken place about this issue and said further amendments to the area could be made.

Cllr Smith said he did not believe the risk could be reduced and that the solution was to “remove it entirely”.

He said: “This is a play area, children run around randomly, that is the joy of being a child. It is the problem for parents making sure they do not run into something.

“I think it needs to be the safest place for children and I suggest it goes back to the drawing board.”

Officers suggested that by not approving the condition for hard and soft landscaping, this issue could be looked at further and approved at a later date.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More