Eastern Gate Planning Success
November 2011
Perseverance and patience has paid off for the Januarys planning team after a long running project to redevelop a section of Newmarket Road in Cambridge received it's final planning permission.
As Director of Planning Colin Brown explains, the two schemes involved required a good deal of hard work to bring them to a successful conclusion.
“The land in question, which is between the Coldham's Lane and Elizabeth Way junctions on Newmarket Road, was originally allocated for a mixed use development and we submitted plans on behalf of our client – Eastern Gate – for a mixture of offices, residential, commercial and retail premises.
“Problems with land assembly and then the onset of the recession meant that that scheme never came to fruition and eventually a deal was signed with Travelodge to build a 229 room hotel. Planning permission was granted earlier on this year and work should start in 2012.
“In the meantime, we undertook planning work on another section of the site which the client wished to develop for residential use. After a good deal of listening by everyone involved, the scheme, for 75 flats, 30 of which will be used for social housing, was finally approved in November.
“I am delighted with both schemes for a number of reasons. Firstly, I'm delighted with the way that everyone involved in the schemes have worked constructively to reach an agreement that everyone is happy with.
“I am particularly pleased that we were able to put our considerable technical knowledge to good use and that our team was professional and diligent throughout what has been an extremely long drawn out process.
“Perhaps most importantly of all, however, the agreed scheme will immeasurably improve Newmarket Road, bring significant environmental benefits with tree-planting, and deliver much-needed housing. It is an area of Cambridge that was in very serious need of regeneration and I believe that this scheme will be an appropriate and indeed fitting redevelopment of the site.
“With the right professional support and good will on all sides, most planning issues can be overcome. That has certainly been the case here.”