We are indisputably in a deepening environmental crisis, which means that unnecessary destruction of green spaces is now unconscionable. The proposed off-road scheme will have a far, far greater impact on the environment than the off-road alternative.

• The construction of the GCPs offf-road scheme, including a bridge over the M11 and a new Park and Ride, will produce significant carbon emissions.
• The new Park and Ride site will encourage car journeys and so also result in increased emissions.
• Huge numbers of trees will be felled and significant areas of scrub  destroyed, removing valuable habitat for many species
  
• Much of Coton Orchard – a Priority Habitat and County Wildlife site – will be tarmacked over.
  

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Loss of habitat

The off-road route between Madingley and the M11 would go through Green Belt land with restrictive covenants in favour of The National Trust, as well as two County Wildlife Sites (at Coton Orchard and on the east side of the M11). The area includes scrub, meadows, hedgerows and mature trees – which surveys have shown to be important habitats for some key species, including:

• Birds – 61 species (winter) of which 31 are on at least one conservation priority list
• Brown hares – a UK BAP priority species and included in the BAPs for Cambridgeshire
• Bats – several species, including the rare Nathusius Pipistrelle and Barbastelle (an IUCN red list species)

Critically, the off-road route bisects green corridors and ecological networks. These are vital for wildlife recovery in any locality, and nowhere more than Cambridgeshire, one of the most  nature-depleted counties in the UK. The council-backed Cambridge Nature Network is working to link remnants of high-value habitats, with many projects based in and around Coton. It makes no sense for the city and county councils to back this initiative on the one hand, whilst barricading areas of countryside with concrete and tarmac on the other.

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and Cambridgeshire is one of the most nature-depleted counties in the country. We cannot afford this loss of habitat.

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Loss of Green Belt and heritage assets

WALKERS ON RED MEADOW HILL

VIEW FROM AMERICAN CEMETARY ENTANCE

The off-road route would run through Green Belt to the west of Cambridge and across fields that are protected by National Trust covenants. This Green Belt land and “the Coton Conservation Area” is identified in the LDA Cambridge Greenbelt Study (see GCP Planning Appraisal) as a “heritage asset” that is: “critical to preserving the the setting and historic character of the city” and as requiring “very special circumstances” to permit its removal.” (3.2.2, 1.7)

Areas of the Green Belt that could be released under clearly defined “exceptional circumstances” are identified in the Greater Cambridge Green Belt Assessment 2021 (1.7, 2.56) but they do not include the land to the west of Cambridge. The National Trust has stated that the area is: “a valued landscape which has intrinsic visual, historic and cultural significance” and that: “the impacts to Green Belt have not been fully addressed”. (Letter, pp.2, 3)

There is no evidence to support the claim that the C2C busway scheme qualifies as an “exceptional circumstance” which warrants removal of Green Belt land.

The American Cemetery
The American Cemetery is a world-renowned monument and a Grade 1 listed landscape. The site was chosen for its peaceful setting, and on the understanding that it would be protected from encroaching development.  Addressing a meeting of the GCP, Matthew Browne said, "We are concerned that the GCP’s proposal to build a bus route across the south side of the hill would irreparably damage this unique and precious landscape, compromising the setting of the American Military Cemetary … and paving the way for further urban encroachment in its vicinity." He then asked the GCP to reconsider and to “properly assess the alternatives, using existing infrastructure”.