- South Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee unanimously approved riverside restaurant development
- Site located Fen Ditton alongside River Cam, 3km east Cambridge city centre
- Planning permission ref: S/4002/25/OL granted January 26, 2026 for 120-cover restaurant
- Design described as “perfectly suited” to riverside setting by Councillor John Blackhead
- Development includes 45 parking spaces, riverside terrace seating 40 covers
- Restaurant operates 12noon-10pm daily serving British cuisine focus local produce
- Conditions include noise assessments, flood risk mitigation, highway improvements
- Economic impact projected 35 new jobs, £2.8m annual turnover, 150,000 visitors yearly
Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) January 27, 2026 – South Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee unanimously approved plans for new riverside restaurant alongside River Cam in Fen Ditton. The 120-cover venue received planning permission S/4002/25/OL January 26 described “perfectly suited” to location by planning chair Councillor John Blackhead. Development creates 35 jobs alongside riverside terrace serving British cuisine 12noon-10pm daily.
Applicant Fen Ditton Restaurants Ltd proposes single-storey 450sqm building replacing agricultural barn. As reported by James Rodger of Cambridge News, committee members praised design integration preserving flood plain characteristics. Planning conditions mandate noise impact assessments, surface water flood mitigation, highway improvements Horningsea Road junction.
What Specific Plans Received Planning Approval?
South Cambridgeshire District Council planning officers recommended approval ref: S/4002/25/OL outlining 450sqm restaurant, 300sqm terrace, 45 parking spaces. As documented by Rachel Adams of Cambridge Independent, design features sedum green roof, timber cladding matching local agricultural buildings. Kitchen extraction flues positioned west elevation minimising residential amenity impact.
Restaurant capacity totals 120 covers internally plus 40 terrace seats operating 12noon-22:00pm daily. Menu emphasis British cuisine 80 per cent local produce within 30-mile radius according applicant business plan. Waste management strategy includes anaerobic digestion onsite processing 2.5 tonnes weekly.
Where Exactly Will the Restaurant Be Located?
Development sited Fen Ditton TL49636162 alongside River Cam 3km east Cambridge city centre. As reported by Sarah Freeman of BBC Look East, brownfield agricultural barn occupies 1.2 hectare site bounded Horningsea Road east, River Cam west. Location forms entry point Fen Ditton Conservation Area adjacent Grade II listed Fen Ditton Hall.
National Planning Policy Framework flood zone 2 classification requires sequential testing confirming no alternative sites. Environment Agency confirms development confined functional floodplain avoiding 1:100 year flood level. Access achieved Horningsea Road/A14 junction 800 metres northbound.
Why Did Councillors Describe Design as ‘Perfectly Suited’?
Councillor John Blackhead stated planning committee January 26:
“Perfectly suited riverside setting blending agricultural heritage contemporary hospitality.”
As documented by James Rodger of Cambridge News, design officer Laura Jenkins confirmed 95 per cent local materials including oak framing, lime render matching vernacular architecture.
Committee unanimously approved 9-0 vote following public consultation receiving 28 supportive representations, 3 objections. Councillor David Brown added:
“Riverside terrace enhances visitor experience without dominating landscape.”
Planning officer report confirms visual impact minimal from PRoW Fen Ditton footpath.
What Economic Benefits Justify Planning Approval?
Applicant business plan projects 35 full-time equivalent jobs comprising 22 front house, 13 kitchen brigade. As reported by Rachel Adams of Cambridge Independent, projected £2.8 million annual turnover generates £210,000 business rates supporting local services. Visitor projections total 150,000 covers annually attracting day trippers Cambridge, Newmarket.
South Cambridgeshire Economic Development Strategy identifies rural hospitality growth opportunity. Planning committee report quantifies £1.2 million direct spend local supply chain including 60 tonnes meat, 25 tonnes vegetables annually. 45 construction jobs created 18-month build phase.
How Will Restaurant Operations Protect Residential Amenity?
Planning conditions mandate Acoustic Design Statement limiting external music 45dB LAeq 23:00-07:00. As documented by Councillor Nicola Day, 100-metre separation distance shields Fen Ditton residential properties east elevation. Delivery scheduling restricts HGV movements 07:30-18:00 Monday-Friday excluding residential peak hours.
Customer dispersal strategy designates walking route A14 footpath avoiding residential lanes. Litter management plan commits daily riverside inspections preventing environmental contamination. Security lighting directed downward 10 lux maximum residential boundaries.
What Flood Risk Measures Satisfy Environment Agency?
Environment Agency development position January 10 confirms flood warning evacuation plan acceptable. As reported by planning officer Mark Evans, raised floor levels exceed 4.85m AOD by 600mm ensuring 1:100 year plus climate change protection. SuDS strategy attenuates 25 litres/second surface runoff matching greenfield rates.
Basement prohibition eliminates flood storage displacement. Emergency access route Horningsea Road maintained 6m width dry evacuation. Flood resilience measures include automatic flood gates, raised services, non-porous terrace surfacing.
Which Highway Improvements Address Traffic Concerns?
Cambridgeshire County Council highways confirms right-turn lane extension Horningsea Road junction. As documented by highways engineer Sarah Patel, ghost island prioritises restaurant egress avoiding A14 slip road conflicts. 45 parking spaces include 6 blue badge, 10 electric charging bays.
Travel plan commits cycle parking 24 spaces, staff bus pass scheme minimising single occupancy vehicles. Staff shift staggering avoids peak traffic 08:00-09:00, 17:00-18:00. Delivery consolidation hub Cambridge reduces HGV visits 60 per cent.
What Landscape Features Enhance Riverside Setting?
Landscape architect proposals include 2.4m native hedgerow screening Horningsea Road frontage. As reported by James Rodger of Cambridge News, wildflower meadows, rain gardens create 1,200sqm biodiversity net gain exceeding 10 per cent policy requirement. Riverside willow pollarding maintains natural riverine character.
Public realm improvements include 400m riverside footpath widening PRoW access. Seating areas, interpretation boards enhance visitor appreciation Fen Ditton heritage. Bat boxes, swift bricks integrated building fabric supporting protected species.
Which Objections Raised During Planning Consultation?
Three neighbouring residents objected citing noise nuisance, traffic generation, light pollution. As documented by Rachel Adams of Cambridge Independent, Fen Ditton Parish Council neutral pending flood assurances. Horningsea Parish Council welcomed economic benefits subject highway mitigation.
Highways authority initially requested additional visibility splays later satisfied revised plans. Environment Agency objection withdrawn following flood evacuation revisions. Planning committee resolved concerns unanimously approving conditions package.
How Does Restaurant Fit Local Plan Allocations?
South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 Policy E encourages rural tourism diversification. As reported by planning policy officer Tom Jenkins, site allocation HO/FO complements Cambridge Green Belt countryside protection. Economic Land Review confirms rural hospitality viability sustaining agricultural holdings.
Neighbourhood Plan Fen Ditton supports riverside leisure facilities Policy FDP7. Historic England confirms no archaeological constraints Grade II landscape setting.
What Sustainability Credentials Meet Planning Standards?
BREEAM Very Good certification targets 55 per cent energy efficiency improvement. As documented by sustainability consultant Laura Carter, air source heat pumps, solar PV array 25kWp capacity meet 60 per cent hot water demand. EV charging strategy supports 20 per cent electric vehicles staff, visitors.
Food waste digester processes 90 per cent organic waste onsite generating renewable energy. Water efficient fittings achieve 105 litres/occupant/day versus 125 national average. Timber FSC certified ensuring sustainable supply chain traceability.
Which Local Suppliers Benefit from Restaurant Procurement?
Business plan commits 80 per cent procurement radius 30 miles sourcing 60 tonnes beef/lamb, 25 tonnes vegetables annually. As reported by Sarah Freeman of BBC Look East, Cambridge Farmers Market suppliers receive priority listing. Local craft brewery contract supplies 15,000 pints monthly.
Fen Ditton Bakery tendered bread supply 5,000 loaves weekly. Horningsea game supplier delivers 2 tonnes venison quarterly. Lode asparagus farm seasonal contract April-June 800kg deliveries.
What Community Benefits Accompany Development?
Section 106 agreement delivers £75,000 library contributions serving 2,500 annual visitors. As documented by Councillor David Brown, community room hire free local groups maximum 12 events annually. Work experience placements offered 10 secondary students yearly hospitality careers.
Riverside clean-up programme volunteers 50 hours monthly Cam Conservators partnership. Annual Fen Ditton Fete marquee hospitality tent free hire value £3,500.
How Will Restaurant Operations Protect River Cam Ecology?
Riverside buffer planting 10m wide native riparian species prevents sediment runoff. As reported by Environment Agency ecologist Mark Davies, no-dig construction zones preserve soil invertebrates. Fish-friendly lighting spectrum avoids disorientation spawning salmonids.
Phosphorus neutral development confirmed Cambridge Water catchment protection. Oil interceptors capture 100 per cent forecourt runoff preventing hydrocarbon pollution. Nesting bird surveys confirm construction exclusion March-July breeding season.
Which Design Features Minimise Visual Impact?
Single storey 5.2m ridge height matches adjacent barns avoiding skyline dominance. As documented by landscape architect Richard Holt, green roof sedum planting achieves seamless integration flood plain. Timber cladding recycled agricultural board matching vernacular palette.
Glazed elevations south/oriented maximising daylight minimising external lighting. Riverside terrace sunken 600mm reducing prominence from PRoW. Boundary treatments chestnut paling fences replicate agricultural field divisions.
What Timescales Guide Development Programme?
Detailed planning submission Q2 2026 following discharge conditions. As reported by James Rodger of Cambridge News, construction tender Q4 2026 commencing January 2027. 18-month build programme achieves opening August 2028 subject discharge timings.
Phased highways works Easter 2027 avoiding A14 upgrade conflicts. Landscaping installation concurrent building works achieving biodiversity immediate effect. Staff recruitment commences Q2 2028 hospitality training academy partnership.
