LAND OFF BEACH ROAD
Cottenham, Cambridgeshire

Welcome to Manor Oak Homes’ public consultation website for our proposed residential development of the parcel of land on the corner of Beach Road and Long Drove, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.

Your views are important to us and we thank you for your time today. We would be pleased to receive any feedback that you are happy to provide and this will be considered prior to the submission of any planning application.

You can provide your thoughts by email using the address below by Friday 8th May:

Our Vision:

Manor Oak Homes are pleased to announce we are preparing a scheme for a residential development of up to 50 dwellings on the parcel of land on the corner of Beach Road and Long Drove, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire. 

• Provision of 50 new homes in a sustainable location.
• Proposed footpaths to improve walkability, decreasing dependence on cars
• 40% (20) affordable homes
• Plots to feature a “Fabric-First” design approach to reduce energy consumption.
• Plot orientations allow for passive heating, cooling, and lighting
• Potential for sustainable technology, including solar panels and air source heat pumps.
• Existing boundary hedgerows to remain
• Biodiversity net gain via the introduction of wildflower meadows, new tree planting, and natural green spaces
• Sustainable urban drainage features with potential wildlife habitats

Planning:

The site is located on the western edge of the village of Cottenham, on the northern side of Beach Road. Whilst the site is outside the development framework for Cottenham, it is located adjacent to the built up edge of the settlement which extends beyond the site to the northeast on the opposite side of Long Drove. The surrounding built form to the north/northwest is characterised by low-rise residential development.

The site is bound by Beach Road to the west, beyond which lie agricultural fields which form part of the Cambridge Green Belt. The site is bound by further open agricultural fields to the east and south east, although these are located outside of the Green Belt.

Cottenham is identified as a Minor Rural Centre within the adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan.  Minor Rural Centres are regarded as the larger and more sustainable settlements in South Cambridgeshire, and are recognised for their role in providing services to the wider rural hinterland. Whilst the application site lies outside the development framework boundary for Cottenham, it is connected to the settlement via a lit footpath which commences from the Beach Road and Long Drove junction. This provides a high degree of accessibility to key local services and facilities within Cottenham including education, health, retail, and employment via sustainable means of transport.

There is a bus stop located approximately 450m from the site. The bus stop is served by the Stage Coach Bus 8 route which offers regular services to Histon, Impington, and Cambridge where the wider needs of residents can be met, including employment.

The site is relatively unconstrained. It is not within the setting of any listed building or scheduled ancient monuments, or within a designated conservation area. It does not fall within the Cambridge Green Belt, and is located within Flood Zone 1 as defined by the Environment Agency’s online mapping facility and therefore has a less than 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river or sea flooding.  

The application site extends to approximately 1.98 hectares and comprises an area of agricultural field. The site is generally flat. Established mixed native hedgerows with mature hedgerow trees are present along the boundaries of the site.

Outline planning permission is sought for the erection of up to 50 dwellings (use class C3) with all matters reserved except for access. The illustrative Masterplan demonstrates how 50no. units could be comfortably accommodated on the site whilst respecting the site constraints and the character and appearance of the surrounding area. The Illustrative Masterplan shows how generous levels of new open space can be provided, which, together with new and retained landscape features, would ensure a good level of amenity for future residents and allow the site to integrate with the landscape setting in an acceptable manner.

Landscape:

The landscape strategy for the site focusses on retaining and enhancing existing natural features, whilst introducing new planting to create an attractive setting to the development and appropriate interface with the wider countryside.

Existing hedgerows along the northern and western edges of the site will be retained and managed to maintain their ecological value. Small openings will be created only where needed to provide access. The existing row of trees beyond the southern boundary will also be retained, with a new native hedgerow and hedgerow trees planted within the site to strengthen this existing edge. A further native hedgerow with hedgerow trees will be introduced along the eastern boundary, improving ecological connectivity.

A new play area will be located within the north-west corner of the site, providing access to play close to home for both new and existing residents. The play space will use natural materials such as timber and will be designed to create an attractive and welcoming environment at the gateway to the site. Further natural play opportunities will be located across the site to encourage creative play in nature.

A community orchard is proposed in the southern part of the site, which would re-introduce local fruit varieties. This would be a shared community asset which also supports biodiversity.

A sustainable drainage (SuDS) basin will be located within the south-western corner of the site. This will manage surface water in a natural and sustainable way, whilst also forming an attractive landscape feature at the entrance to the development which is well-overlooked by adjacent homes. The basin will provide an important space for wildlife to be left undisturbed.

Street trees will be provided across the site’s road network, providing an attractive setting to adjacent properties.

Highways/ Site Access:

The proposed development will have a vehicular access off Beach Road, as shown on the drawing. Visibility splays of 120m are demonstrated appropriate for vehicle speeds of up to 44mph.  Pedestrian access will be provided to the north via Long Drove and ultimately connecting via a new footway to the existing footway provision on Beach Road

Internally roads it is expected roads will comprise of 5.5m wide carriageway with 2m wide footways for the main access road. From this shared surfaces and shared private drives will facilitate access for the rest of the site.

A development of 50 dwelling will generate a relatively small number of vehicle trips on the highway network which will not result in a significant adverse impact.

Drainage:

Surface water drainage will incorporate a range of SuDS features. Upstream features will include rainwater butts for garden irrigation, permeable paving and rain gardens for water quality treatment and to help manage the first 5mm of rainfall. Downstream the discharge rate will be restricted to ensure that the rate of runoff into the watercourse does not increase as a result of the proposed development. To store additional volumes of water a detention basin is provided which has been designed to accommodate a 1% plus climate change event.