Date published: 2006/05/08
The Cambridge Evening News says:
Hundreds of flats and a new school could be built in Cambridge.
Developers David Wilson Homes want to build around 1,800 homes on land between Histon Road and Huntingdon Road, known as the NIAB site.
The scheme would include affordable housing, public open space, a primary school and community facilities.
David Wilson Homes hopes to apply for planning permission in the autumn and is now asking residents what they would like to see in the area.
Fritz Graves, of David Wilson Homes, said: "We very much value the input of local people, many of whom have lived in the area for many years and understand the needs of the community. It is our aim to provide a development which can be sustainably integrated into the existing community and provide the level of services and facilities required to serve this urban quarter of Cambridge."
The site was allocated for housing by Cambridge City Council in its Local Plan and David Wilson Estates has been appointed by a consortium of landowners including NIAB, Chivers Family, Chivers Farms Ltd, Christ's, St Catharine's and Sidney Sussex Colleges to deliver the project.
Another disaster in the making. Exactly the same kind of procedure happened at Arbury Camp (now renamed as Arbury Park). The "local" community (i.e. the usual suspects) were involved in various events, but at the end of the day the developer can do pretty much as they want. And in any case the local people make even stupider requests than the developer. In particular the locals almost always put their own interests above the interests of the new community. So (surprise) the number one request is that no cars be allowed. So it is ok for the rich people of Huntingdon Road and Windsor Road to have cars, but heaven forbid the new residents of the NIAB site being allowed to have any (even though they are further from town). And along the same line, you can guarantee that the road links into the site will be dreadful. This site provides a golden opportunity to put a link road between Histon Road and Huntingdon Road, but there is no way that will ever happen. And on the housing front, given the current planning rules, the new housing will all be high density and rubbish. Welcome to the slums of the 21st century, brought to you by the Cambridge ruling elite.
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