Queens' College Launches Appeal Over Refused Plans

Queens' College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, is seeking to challenge the decision that rejected its proposal for constructing additional student accommodation in Cambridge. The college intends to build four new residential buildings in Owlstone Close, providing housing for 60 postgraduate students.

The plans faced opposition from over 140 individuals who expressed apprehensions regarding the potential impact of the development on the nearby Paradise Nature Reserve.

The Cambridge City Council rejected the application at a meeting back in January. Councillors were presented with concerns that the proposed development would negatively affect the neighbourhood, leading the committee to unanimously refuse the plans.

Queens' College has taken the step of filing an appeal against the decision. In the appeal statement, the college emphasized the scheme would be "high quality, highly sustainable, landscape-led, well-designed and well-considered".

It further stated: "The provision of purpose-built student accommodation contributes to the city's supply of housing and means the college can reduce its reliance on the private rented sector, releasing such housing back onto the open market.

"Although the site itself is largely free from constraints, the college and design team were fully aware of the sensitivities of the surrounding area, and particularly the adjacent local nature reserve, from the outset. Ecological surveys, including the use of the site by bats and the impact particularly of lighting upon them, were carried out, expanded upon and developed in consultation with officers.

"The result of this iterative design process was to reduce light levels around the perimeter of the site to avoid harm to the possibly lone (or certainly low numbers) of light-sensitive barbastelle bats which have been recorded as flying over or close to the site."

A local community group, Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve, has begun fundraising to oppose the appeal. A letter on the group's website stated: "Last year your generous donations meant that we were able to support our objections with expert lawyers and consultants, and we would not have been successful without this financial support, together with your letters and attendance at the hearing."