Consultation launches on Cambridge’s Grafton area development

Views are being sought on initial proposals for the future development of Cambridge’s Grafton area.A new draft supplementary planning document (SPD) published by Cambridge City Council sets out a masterplan and guidance for development of the area covered by Fitzroy Street, Burleigh Street and The Grafton shopping centre.Future development, outlined in the ‘Grafton Area of Major Change – Masterplan and Guidance SPD’, could include additional retail and leisure facilities as well as some residential and student accommodation.Key proposals include:Adapting and redeveloping the service areas to The Grafton shopping centre to better integrate the site with surrounding areas and provide effective, efficient servicing;Reviewing the car parking requirement and considering the redevelopment of the Grafton West Car Park;Securing opportunities to increase retail and leisure space with new residential and student accommodation on upper floors;A series of sites along East Road to generate more activity and create a new boulevard;Redeveloping sites surrounding The Grafton on an appropriate scale;Improving and coordinating the public realm along Burleigh Street and Fitzroy Street, integrating existing trees and enhancing the sense of arrival;Creating a better environment along East Road that is no longer dominated by traffic.The SPD envisages a phased approach to ensure the area continues to perform as an important city centre retail location while ensuring phased improvement.The consultation started on 25 September and continues until on 6 November.