Planning Committee, 2 September 2026, 10am Part 2

The Cambridge City Council Planning Committee meeting on September 2, 2026, focused extensively on the Market Square redevelopment, including heritage impacts, listed building consent, and public realm improvements. Key procurement-related discussions involved the installation of 43 new market kiosks, the lifting and relaying of historic cobblestone sets with modifications to improve accessibility and safety, and repairs to the Grade II listed fountain. The committee debated the heritage harm versus public benefits, with officers concluding that the public benefits outweighed the identified harm. Conditions and informatives were proposed to address concerns such as gate design, accessibility for the visually impaired, and ongoing collaboration with market stall traders. The committee approved the Market Square redevelopment and listed building consent with amendments to conditions and informatives. Additionally, the meeting addressed a planning application for Fitzwilliam College sports ground improvements, including new student accommodation, pavilion extensions, and a relocated squash court. Discussions covered biodiversity net gain, noise mitigation, student management plans, and safety buffers for the rugby pitch. The committee agreed to approve this application subject to a Section 106 agreement and amendments to conditions, including enhanced student management and exploration of solar panel installation. Several agenda items were deferred to a future meeting due to time constraints.