We are pleased to present this book which showcases ... - WSP Group

64 In July 2005, a major planning application was submitted for the
development of a new town, Northstowe, to the north-west of
TRANSPORT/INFRASTRUCTURE
Northstowe New Town, UK
PLANNING A NEW TOWN IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Client:
Gallagher Longstanton Ltd
Project team:
Master planners: David Lock Associates
Planners:Arup Associates
Urban designers: John Thompson and Partners
Project value:
£1000M
Project size:
600 ha
8000 houses
120 000 sq m commercial use
38 000 sq m retail use
WSP services:
Transport planning
Flooding and drainage advice
Infrastructure design
Highway engineering
Environmental consultancy
Cambridge. Northstowe will eventually be home to about 18 000
people, with 8000 houses, a town centre, five local centres with
primary schools and a secondary school. It is anticipated that around
7000 jobs will be created for local people, whilst a comprehensive
public transport network will link Northstowe with the nearest
towns of Huntingdon and Cambridge.
The application, by developer Gallagher Longstanton Ltd, follows
many years of planning and consultations with the community and
other stakeholders.WSP has been involved since 1999, initially helping
to identify and promote the site and providing advice on strategic
transport and infrastructure requirements for the area, then advising
the client through all the necessary stages up to the planning
submission.This included the preparation of a strategic masterplan
in association with the master planners and urban designers, and
providing support in public participation exercises to promote the
site locally.
A key area of work was to provide a transport strategy for the new
town.This included a highway network with a suitable interface with
the existing and possible future A14 road alignment, public transport
proposals, and facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.WSP
also assisted in the promotion of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway
scheme as an integrated and high quality public transport system for
the town.
To resolve issues relating to flooding,WSP liaised with the
Environment Agency and other local drainage authorities to produce
a flooding and drainage strategy.As part of the solution, significant
landscaping will include water features which also assist with drainage
of the site. Other environmental aspects dealt with by WSP in
preparing the environmental assessment for the planning application
included ecology, archaeology, noise and vibration, ground conditions
and air quality.
The project’s progress to date can largely be attributed to
good relationships at all levels.WSP’s successful liaison with
Cambridgeshire County Council, the Department for Transport,
the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency ensured that their
plans for the area were compatible with the requirements of the new
town.Within the WSP team itself, coordinated work amongst the
different disciplines contributed to the provision of an effective
masterplan along with a transport and drainage strategy to be
implemented in stages in line with the construction programme
which is due to commence in 2006.
Masterplan for new UK town: 18 000
people, 8000 homes, 7000 jobs, town
centre, five local centres and schools