 Updating the Village Design Statement
The original Cottenham Village Design Statement was prepared during 1994. Over the following years, both the village and the planning framework within which the document sits have evolved, with the result that the original Statement became less relevant than when it was first written.
To ensure that the Design Statement remained an effective tool for guiding development within the village, the Cottenham Village Design Group carried out the process of revising the Design Statement during 2007. The 1994 document was thoroughly reviewed and brought up-to-date. Additional material was included based on the experiences of using the Design Statement to comment on planning applications over the preceding period. Further changes were made to comply with the requirements for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document within the Local Development Framework for South Cambridgeshire.
Community Involvement
The process of updating the Design Statement was coordinated by the Cottenham Village Design Group, with contributions supplied by the Cottenham Environment Audit Group, the Cottenham Footpath Group, the Cottenham Wildlife Group, Cottenham Parish Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and Natural England.
Early drafts of the Design Statement were also circulated to other key stakeholders to seek their opinions. These included South Cambridgeshire District Council, the Government Office for the East of England, Cambridgeshire Horizons, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, Cottenham Village Society, Fen Edge Community Association, and representatives of the Traveller community at Smithy Fen.
The draft Cottenham Village Design Statement was then published for public consultation from 20th July to 31st August 2007, providing the opportunity for individuals and organisations to consider the descriptions and guidelines put forward. Copies were distributed to all households in Cottenham and two public open meetings were held. Feedback from the consultation was then carefully considered and a number of amendments to the draft were made. A detailed Public Participation Report was also prepared.
Finally, an amended draft was submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council for consideration in October 2007 and the revised Cottenham Village Design Statement was finally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document by the Council on 14th November 2007.
Sustainability Appraisal
The new government regulations require sustainable development to be considered when preparing Local Development Documents. At the heart of sustainable development is the simple idea of maintaining and improving the quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. The four aims for sustainable development in this country are:
1. social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
2. effective protection of the environment;
3. the prudent use of natural resources; and
4. maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
The Design Statement was subject to a Sustainability Appraisal to assess its proposed guidelines in terms of their social, environmental and economic impact.
Habitats Directive Assessment
The revised Statement was also subject to a Habitats Directive Assessment to ensure that it had no negative impact on any sites of importance for nature conservation nearby.
Supporting Documentation
Electronic copies of the original Design Statement, the consultation draft, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Directive Assessment, Public Participation Report and other relevant documentation may be downloaded below:
Original Cottenham Village Design Statement (1994)
1Mb .pdf
Consultation draft of the revised Cottenham Village Design Statement (2007)
2.3Mb .pdf
Public Participation Report
1.2Mb .pdf
South Cambridgeshire Adoption Statement
84kb .pdf
SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL
SEA Screening Statement
76kb .pdf
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
356kb .pdf
Sustainability Appraisal Report
1.3Mb .pdf
HABITATS DIRECTIVE
Habitats Directive Assessment
2.2Mb .pdf
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Funding
Funding for the Design Statement update has been generously provided by Cottenham Parish Council (£698) and Awards for All (£6,282).
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