Please note this article remains published here for archive purposes only, and is no longer relevant.
In late May 2012, Cambridge City Council’s Planning Services Department informed a number of local residents of a proposal to redevelop the EF Language School, situated on the corner of Cavendish Avenue and Hills Road in Cambridge. Initial plans had been presented a few months before to the residents and staff of the site’s two immediate neighbouring properties, St John the Evangelist Church on Hills Road and Lady Jane Court on Cavendish Avenue.
Here’s the complete documentation for the proposal, on the council website.
The summary of the proposal is as follows: “Demolition of the existing non residential language school (Use Class D1 – Non-residential Education and Training Centres) and replacement with a new purpose built language school with on site accommodation for students (Use Class C2 – Residential Schools and Colleges).” EF, which describes itself as “the world’s largest private educational company”, is planning to replace its existing Hills Road building with a new, four storey block, which will add student accommodation to the teaching facilities. In its Design Report from its architects, EF explains that is has been operating from Hills Road for 35 years, and that “the existing building is an unremarkable, brick-built two and three storey building that was designed and built as a family house by the original owner in the early 1900?s. Since becoming a language school a number of ad-hoc extensions have been added to compensate for the functional inadequacies of the house, including a two-storey wing added in the 1980?s to the south of the original building.”
This website aims to document the development and to provide a place where local residents can keep up to date with its progress.
How to make your comments on the plans.
21 July 2012: Please note that the statutory consultation period for making representations on this application has ended. However, it may still be possible to make a representation if the application is still pending consideration.
1. See the latest information on the Council Website. It’s slightly tortuous to add your comments, as you have to register first, but at least you know they will have been received directly. Visit the relevant page about the development on the council website and click “Make a Public Comment”. It will take you through the registration process before you can post your comments.
2. Email the case officer at the Council. Her name is Sophie Pain, and her email address is sophie.pain@cambridge.gov.uk.
3. Post your comments using conventional mail. The address is:
Miss Sophie Pain
Planning Officer
Cambridge City Council
PO Box 700
Cambridge CB1 0JH
You may wish to make reference to planning application reference 12/0616/FUL. It might be worth looking at the objections already on the Council website – you’ll find them under both the “Comments” and “Documents” heading.