1. Introduction

(5) 1.1 Purpose of this document

1.1.1 In Cambridge a need has been identified for 14,000 additional homes and 22,100 jobs between 2011 and 2031. This growth will result in increased pressure on local infrastructure, services and facilities, creating demand for new provision. The Council and developers have a responsibility, through the planning process, to manage the impact of this growth and ensure that any harm caused by development is mitigated and that the necessary infrastructure is provided. The Council expects new development to contribute to site related and other infrastructure needs.

1.1.2 The purpose of this document is to clearly set out the Council’s approach, policies and procedures in respect of the use of planning obligations. It has been prepared as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to support Policy 85: Infrastructure delivery, planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy of the Draft Cambridge Local Plan 2014. The full policy is set out at Appendix 1.

1.1.3 SPD’s provide greater detail on the Council’s policies set out in the Local Plan. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)(Paragraph 153) supports the production of SPD’s where they can help developers make successful applications or aid infrastructure delivery.

1.1.4 The Planning Obligations Strategy SPD supports the following proposed Local Plan strategic objectives to:

‘9. Assist in the creation and maintenance of inclusive, environmentally sustainable communities’;

’12. Promote social cohesion and sustainability and a high quality of life by maintaining and enhancing provision for open space, sports and recreation, community and leisure facilities, including arts and cultural venues that serve Cambridge and the Cambridge Sub-region’; and,

’14. Ensure appropriate and timely provision of environmentally sustainable forms of infrastructure to support the demands of the city, including digital and cultural infrastructure’.

1.1.5 The SPD will;

• Aid the smooth functioning of the planning application process by explaining the Council’s process and procedures for using planning obligations to local residents, developers and landowners;

• Clarify the relationship between planning conditions, planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL);

• Explain the circumstances under which the Council will collect planning obligations to mitigate the impacts of a development on the city’s infrastructure;

• Help ensure the timely provision of environmentally sustainable forms of infrastructure to support growth; and,

• Assist in securing both local and national objectives in respect of the provision of sustainable development in Cambridge

1.1.6 This SPD will replace the following adopted document:

• Cambridge City Council Planning Obligations Strategy SPD, March 2010

1.2 Status

1.2.1 This is the draft version of the Planning Obligations Strategy SPD 2014, agreed by the Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change at Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee on 25 March 2014.

1.2.2 This SPD (once adopted) will support Local Plan policies on delivering infrastructure and sustainable growth and will be a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications. The SPD itself has been prepared in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Act 2004 (as amended) and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework (paragraph 153) and the accompanying Planning Practice Guidance.

1.3 Consultation on the Planning Obligations Strategy SPD

1.3.1 The Draft SPD will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 28 March 2014 to support the examination of the Cambridge Community Infrastructure Levy. The Draft SPD will also be the subject of public consultation for a period of six weeks. The consultation for this SPD will run from:

9am on 2 June 2014 to 5pm on 14 July 2014

1.3.2 There are a variety of ways to respond to the consultation:

• Online by visiting: http://cambridge.jdiconsult.net/ldf/
• By filling in and returning a response form available from: www.cambridge.gov.uk/planning-obligations-strategy-spd
• By emailing a response form to: policysurveys@cambridge.gov.uk
• By posting a response form to: Planning Obligations Strategy SPD Consultation, Planning Policy, Cambridge City Council, PO Box 700, Cambridge, CB1 0JH

1.3.3 Following consultation the Draft Planning Obligations Strategy SPD will be updated to reflect comments received. The Planning Obligations Strategy SPD will be adopted by the Council on the same date as the CIL Charging Schedule (anticipated in early 2015) when it will become a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications. This Planning Obligations Strategy SPD will then supersede the Council’s existing Planning Obligations Strategy, March 2010.

1.3.4 The final version will be amended prior to adoption to reflect some or all of the following:

• Comments received on this draft document;

• Any amendments to the submission Draft CIL Charging Schedule;

• Any amendments to relevant policies in the adopted version of the Cambridge Local Plan 2014 submission version; and,

• Any governmental policy changes.

1.3.5 This document will be subject to final consideration and approval by the Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change at the City Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee before its adoption.

1.3.6 A Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report has been carried out and consulted upon for the emerging Cambridge Local Plan 2014, with consultation taking place between 19 July 2013 and 30 September 2013. These documents will also be made available to view during this consultation. As the draft SPD supports the Cambridge Local Plan, there is no further need to partake in a separate Sustainability Appraisal or Habitats Regulations Assessment for this document.

1.3.7 An Equalities Impact Assessment will also be made available.

1.4 Background

1.4.1 This document has been prepared by Cambridge City Council (the local planning authority). Throughout this document, when the words ‘we’ or ‘us’ are used, we are referring to Cambridge City Council.

1.4.2 To find out more about the Planning Obligations Strategy SPD or to respond to our consultation please visit: www.cambridge.gov.uk/planning-obligations-strategy-spd.

1.4.3 If you would like to contact us, please do so as follows:

• You can email us at policysurveys@cambridge.gov.uk – please ensure you refer to the Planning Obligations Strategy SPD.

• You can also write to us at: Planning Policy, Cambridge City Council, PO Box 700, Cambridge, CB1 0JH - please ensure you refer to the Planning Obligations Strategy SPD.

• You can call planning policy on: 01223 457000