Securing Arbury Court's Future as a Thriving Community Hub motion, July 2025

This Council notes

The vital role Arbury Court plays as a community hub serving North Cambridge residents.
The ongoing 'Shaping North Cambridge' consultation and the positive engagement between officers, local businesses, and the community regarding future redevelopment plans.
The constructive approach taken by officers in engaging with local businesses and residents during the consultation process.
Current uncertainty facing existing businesses due to lease arrangements ending in 2030.
The strong preference expressed by local businesses for replacement retail facilities to be built before existing premises are redeveloped, avoiding the need for temporary accommodation.
That issues raised during the engagement period will be given careful consideration before being presented to Cabinet as soon as possible, in October 2025.
That, if a recommendation for investment in the North Cambridge Framework for Change work is approved by Cabinet, there will be further consultation with the public on the specific proposals for the area.

Local businesses and residents deserve to be involved in and informed about ongoing discussion on Arbury Court's future and their role in it.
The continuation of the positive collaborative approach between officers and the community is vital to the success of this project.
Any redevelopment must enhance rather than diminish Arbury Court's function as a community retail hub, including, as far as possible, retaining and enhancing independent shops.

That any development proposal for Arbury Court will prioritise, as far as practicable, the construction of replacement retail facilities before existing businesses are displaced.
To seek to maintain business continuity in any proposed redevelopment, allowing, as far as possible, the current retail offer to continue, and to support shopkeepers and existing businesses through the consultation process and any future development process.
To ensure that, if any redevelopment of Arbury Court goes ahead, it enhances retail provision and community facilities rather than diminishing them.
To bring forward proposals that will establish principles that align with those set out in this motion, to guide any development work carried out at Arbury Court as part of the North Cambridge Framework for Change project.