CABE refuses to back Rogers over Cambridge masterplan
Richard Rogers Partnership's controversial masterplan for a key site near Cmabridge station came under fire last week from local residents at a meeting with the developer Ashwell. The first phase, which will include 1,400 new homes, a hotel and 10-storey buildings on the 8.5ha site, won planning permission, but the second is meeting opposition.
Now CABE's design review panel have also refused to back the £725 million regeneration scheme because of concerns about the height of the project and the possible overdevelopment of the site. A report from the design review panel states: ‘We are not convinced that the right building type has been chosen to provide high density at an appropriate scale.
‘While we accept the premise that high-density development is desirable at major transport hubs, we consider that the quantum, scale and massing of the development is too great for the character of the area.’ The report continues: ‘We are particularly concerned about the height of the proposed buildings opposite the station and feel the massing strategy of stepping up towards the station is not successful.’
However, CABE admitted the scheme should be applauded for its approach to landscape design and its urban structure. (from AJ, subscribers only)
Now CABE's design review panel have also refused to back the £725 million regeneration scheme because of concerns about the height of the project and the possible overdevelopment of the site. A report from the design review panel states: ‘We are not convinced that the right building type has been chosen to provide high density at an appropriate scale.
‘While we accept the premise that high-density development is desirable at major transport hubs, we consider that the quantum, scale and massing of the development is too great for the character of the area.’ The report continues: ‘We are particularly concerned about the height of the proposed buildings opposite the station and feel the massing strategy of stepping up towards the station is not successful.’
However, CABE admitted the scheme should be applauded for its approach to landscape design and its urban structure. (from AJ, subscribers only)
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