The adverse environmental effects of the off-road scheme have been significantly underplayed and the advantages exaggerated.
We are indisputably in a deepening environmental crisis, which means that unnecessary destruction of green spaces is now unconscionable. And in Cambridgeshire, the most nature-depleted county in the UK, these are losses that we cannot afford. The GCP claims that compensation measures will deliver 20% Biodiversity Net gain, but the fragmentation and resulting destruction of Coton Orchard in particular cannot be compensated for in this way.
* The GCP’s Environmental Impact Statement estimates 29,130 tCO2e infrastructure carbon associated with the off‑road route (not including the loss of carbon sequestration in the soil and vegetation or end‑of‑life), with a forecast reduction in private vehicle use of 1.25m km annually, amounting to 516 tCO2e. On this basis, the off‑road route would take 57 years to break even on carbon. By contrast, the CPPF in-road highway scheme would have a very small fraction of the infrastructure carbon associated with the off-road scheme.
- The construction of the GCPs off-road scheme, including a bridge over the M11 and a new Park & Ride, will produce significant carbon emissions. By the GCP’s own calculations, it will take nearly 60 years to break even on carbon emissions from the reduction of private-vehicle use. This is likely an underestimate, given that they do not include the loss of carbon sequestration in the soil and vegetation, or end‑of‑life costs in their figures.*
- The proposed new Park & Ride site encourages, rather than discourages, car journeys – so resulting in increased emissions.
- Much of Coton Orchard – the largest, traditional orchard in the county, a Priority Habitat and County Wildlife site – will be tarmacked over, effectively destroying the site and removing valuable habitat for many species.
- Huge numbers of trees will be felled and significant areas of scrub destroyed.
We are indisputably in a deepening environmental crisis, which means that unnecessary destruction of green spaces is now unconscionable. And in Cambridgeshire, the most nature-depleted county in the UK, these are losses that we cannot afford. The GCP claims that compensation measures will deliver 20% Biodiversity Net gain, but the fragmentation and resulting destruction of Coton Orchard in particular cannot be compensated for in this way.
* The GCP’s Environmental Impact Statement estimates 29,130 tCO2e infrastructure carbon associated with the off‑road route (not including the loss of carbon sequestration in the soil and vegetation or end‑of‑life), with a forecast reduction in private vehicle use of 1.25m km annually, amounting to 516 tCO2e. On this basis, the off‑road route would take 57 years to break even on carbon. By contrast, the CPPF in-road highway scheme would have a very small fraction of the infrastructure carbon associated with the off-road scheme.
Loss of habitat
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For background information, more of the detail behind the argument, and links to key documents, see our longer briefing document
Loss of Green Belt and heritage assets
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”. |
For background information, more of the detail behind the argument, and links to key documents, see our longer briefing document