Question 6. Do you agree with the potential big themes for the Local Plan?
Agree Other themes that could be explored include connectivity including transport networks, linking up the region to wider connections in the UK as well as viable alternatives to the car for visitors and commuters from outside of the Cambridgeshire boundary as part of both climate change and congestion management.
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The Wildlife Trust strongly supports the four big themes identified and in particular the inclusion of biodiversity and green spaces and climate change. The natural environment forms the basis of economic and social prosperity and for too long has been an after-thought in public policy focussed solely on jobs, homes and built infrastructure. Sustainable development requires us to live within environmental limits, and not just protect what remains of our natural environment, but to restore and enhance it to reverse the declines caused by previous unsustainable developments and land uses. The Wildlife Trust believes that the Local Plan should identify, describe and map a Greater Cambridge Nature Recovery Network, which is of sufficient scale and scope that it would be capable of delivering a doubling of nature and meeting the informal green space needs of current and future populations. Such a network would also deliver the wider benefits described in the Issues & Options First Conversation document, namely ameliorating the worst effects of flooding, drought, high temperatures; improving health and well-being; absorbing carbon; planting trees; increasing prosperity by making our area an attractive place to live, learn or do business; etc. A Nature Recovery Network would create inspirational landscapes in and around Cambridge which will continue to support its global reputation and image. Working with Cambridge Past, Present and Future and other conservation organisations we have started to pull together an evidence base for such a network in and around Cambridge. Following the principles of the Lawton Report and the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan (places for nature that are “Bigger, Better, Connected”) our approach is based on identifying areas on a ‘landscape scale’ that already have a core of habitats and / or where land is being actively managed for nature. This is still a work in progress and we will be sharing the interim and final outputs of this work with the Councils and submitting it as an evidence base for the Local Plan. However, our initial work has identified 5 priority areas that would form the basis for a “Cambridge Landscapes: Nature Recovery Network”, and these are illustrated and described below: Nature Recovery Network (NRN) – Priority Areas The survey of the green assets around the Cambridge area forms an evidence base on which five areas of focus for a potential Nature Recovery Network (NRN) within a 10km radius of Cambridge have been defined. Each is different in character and may ultimately produce very different opportunities in terms of the two strands of (1) creating habitat and biodiversity in order to enhance our landscape and combat the effects of climate change, and (2) providing natural greenspace for the residents of Cambridge and surrounds to engage with nature and receive benefits in terms of physical and mental health and well-being. The priority areas have been defined by studying landscape features such as the topography, underlying geology (both solid and drift), current habitat and land use, and past habitat and land use. Ownership of land has not been taken into account, but inevitably some land use follows ownership boundaries. 1. Gog Magog Hills This large area of approximately 25 Km2 south-east of Cambridge is defined by where the underlying chalk geology comes to the surface, which corresponds well to the 25m contour line. The southern boundary is marked by the A11, with the urban areas of Cambridge defining the northern boundary and the River Granta and riverside villages the western boundary. The area directly connects with both the Cambridge Fens and River Cam priority areas. It includes the chalk grassland SSSIs of Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits, Fleam Dyke, Gog Magogs golf course and Roman Road, as well as other Wildlife Sites and accessible natural greenspaces such as Wandlebury Country Park, Magog Down and Beechwoods LNR. 2. Wicken Fen vision The National Trust has a long-term vision to extend its Wicken Fen reserve southwards to the edge of the city of Cambridge, covering an area of 50 Km2. The southern part of this vision area provides a gateway from the city. This area has been defined by geographical constraints, with the A14 to the south (marking the northern edge of the city), the River Cam to the west (its own priority area), the B1102 to the east and an approximate distance of 10km from the city centre to the north. While the boundaries are geographical, the area itself is characterised by wet, clay soils. It lies beneath the 10m contour and the underlying geology is Cretaceous marly chalk. Quy Fen SSSI lies within the area showing the potential for the type of habitat which could be restored across it. Quy Water and the Bottisham Lode flow through this area. Further north, the fen peats come to the surface, forming a direct link to the core, northern part of the Wicken Fen vision area. 3. Cambridge Fens East of Cambridge, Fulbourn, Teversham and Wilbraham Fens mark the edge of the Fens landscape character area. Three SSSIs, Fulbourn Fen, Wilbraham Fen and Great Wilbraham Common form the core of this area, which connects then. The area is mainly defined by the 10m contour line in the north and 15m contour line to the south. It comprises both peat and Holocene river terrace gravel surface geology. The A14 forms the northern boundary, separating this area from the Wicken Fen vison south, while the villages of Teversham, the Wilbrahams and Fulbourn also form discrete boundaries being located on the higher ground. 4. River Cam corridor The River Cam, its floodplain and catchment tributaries including Bourn Brook, Cherry Hinton Brook, River Granta and the River Rhee. The corridor around these has been defined by both the topography of the adjacent land, including the floodplain and broadly following the 10m contour line, as well as the Holocene river deposits surface geology. The underlying geology is predominantly Cretaceous gault clay, though the River Granta from Babraham flows down on the Cretaceous marly chalk. The river itself is a wildlife site and it links a number of local wildlife sites, green spaces and historically important green spaces including Grantchester Meadows, the college Backs, many of Cambridge’s commons and Ditton Meadows, as well as several County or City Wildlife Sites such as Cherry Hinton Brook and Skater’s Meadow, LNRs such as Paradise and Bryon’s Pool and other more recently created strategic green space such as those at Trumpington Meadows and Hobson’s Park (Clay Farm). This area is also important in terms of providing accessible natural greenspaces for health and wellbeing. 5. Boulder clay and woodlands This large area of approximately 18 Km2 covers the higher ground (over 25m) to the west of Cambridge and sits upon the recent boulder clay deposits, which overlay the Cretaceous marly chalk and gault clay. Madingley Wood SSSI (an ancient woodland) lies on top of the hill and the ground conditions are conducive to woodland cover. The area extends down to the A428 and M11 in the north and east. The area includes or adjoins the Coton Countryside Reserve (CPPF), Burwash Manor Organic Farm and Lark Rise Farm (Countryside Restoration Trust), all of which are farms not only demonstrating wildlife-friendly practices, but also engaging with the public through a series of permissive footpaths. Thus, there is a great opportunity here to extend this network of wildlife-friendly farming practices, increasing the quantity and quality of accessible farmland and the hedgerow network. The Bin Brook passes through the area, and the Bourn Brook lies to the south. These connect this local landscape area to the strategic West Cambridgeshire Hundreds landscape to the west. In addition to the five priority areas listed above we are also looking at whether there could be an “opportunity area” to the north-west of Cambridge: Fen-edge orchards and droves The area of approximately 15km2 between Cottenham and Histon is completely devoid of any Public Rights of Way. In the past the area was a major producer of fruit, and was covered in orchards, a small number of which remain. This area is underlain by Jurassic and Cretaceous clays and sands, is mostly beneath the 10m contour line and is well drained by a series of ditches and drains, including Beach Ditch, a County Wildlife Site. This could be a strategic area to provide residents of Cottenham, Histon, Oakington, Rampton and Landbeach with an area of countryside to explore by a series of newly created pathways along ditches and old droves, which could be widened to provide wildlife corridors through the area for the benefit of the aquatic plants and animals. As such it could be considered as a “stepping stone” for nature between Cambridge and the wildlife rich areas in the Ouse Valley. It also connects to Northstowe and could provide an area of accessible countryside beyond the relatively constrained urban greenspaces of the new town. The condition of the remaining orchards would need to be assessed, but allowing public access into some of these would provide a link to the heritage of the area. Alternatively, there would be scope to create a number of community orchards, combining wildflower areas and orchard trees, including local varieties of which there are many that were developed in this area. Within each of these landscape-scale areas further work is now being carried out to identify more specific opportunities to create, expand and connect habitats and to ground truth these. We will also be looking at the connections between these landscape areas, to the wider Cambridgeshire strategic nature recovery network beyond, and to nearby smaller scale green infrastructure sites. The boundaries of the areas will therefore be subject to change. This work will be submitted to the Councils later this year and we believe that these opportunities should provide the focus for the future creation / investment in green infrastructure because they will deliver the maximum benefits for nature and people. They will inform the selection of green sites and wildlife habitats emerging from the “call for sites” in Q3. The Nature Recovery Network areas would not be giant parks or nature reserves. They would consist of groupings of individual parks, nature reserves and natural habitats that are linked together by wildlife friendly habitat and farmland. The majority of the land in these areas is farmed and is likely to stay that way during the period of the Local Plan, however there will be opportunities through the new Agriculture Bill to create areas of new habitat on farmland that can buffer, connect or provide stepping-stones between existing habitats. There will be the possibility to create new nature areas and green spaces in each of these landscapes through philanthropy, fund-raising, and carbon offsetting; and the development process / Local Plan should also play an important role in supporting this network, for example through biodiversity net gain, provision of strategic natural greenspace through developer contributions, and by ensuring that any green spaces being created as part of new developments link to and support the Nature Recovery Network wherever possible.
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HIPC agree that the full list of all seven themes are core to the consideration. We are mindful that not one of these themes can be treated in isolation and the questions do not tease out respondents’views on the inevitable trade-offs. There is insufficient emphasis in the document on some of the challenges that need to be addressed, such as: - • Providing suitable accommodation for an increasing proportion of ageing populations • The trend towards smaller numbers of people in the same dwelling: this must be matched by a suitable housing mix in large developments enforced by specific policy to balance the developer’s oft stated assumption that providing a mix of larger units is more profitable. • Changing work patterns requiring more opportunities to work at home. • Emphasis on design to build social capital in all the communities Above all the Plan needs to define the place we want to become and include measures and policies to make that be achieved.
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ECC welcomes the big themes identified. However, given how brief the introductions are to each theme it is uncertain where the substantive matters in relation to transportation would sit. ECC acknowledges that transportation may be addressed within the context of climate change, wellbeing and social inclusion and great places, but it is recommended that it features prominently as local plan preparation progresses and whether consideration be given to it being its own theme. Similarly, to transportation ECC considers that it is unclear where education matters (Early Years and Child Care, primary, secondary, Post 16 and Adult Community Learning) would be addressed within the emerging local plan.
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1.3 Our clients agree with the proposed big themes and believes that these can be achieved in part by focusing future housing growth in the most sustainable rural settlements in the Greater Cambridge area, especially those near to Cambridge. These higher order settlements contain a range of services and facilities are well served by public transport and are within cycling distance of Cambridge. Our clients’ site at Comberton, which is a Minor Rural Centre, offers the opportunity to further develop an enclosed parcel of land that will deliver much needed new homes in this sustainable location. Whether this site is delivered as a medium sized allocation or as part of a larger allocation including land to the west, it site performs well against the big themes for the emerging Local Plan as demonstrated below: Climate change: Whilst modern building regulations are increasing the sustainability of new dwellings it is the impact of residents’ travel that needs to be addressed when considering where to locate new homes. Our clients’ site is within walking distance of the services and facilities of Comberton and within cycling distance of the employment and recreational areas of Cambridge. As part of the application process the walking and cycling infrastructure serving the site has the potential to be enhanced. Therefore, the site’s location will ensure that residents’ reliance on the use of the private car will be reduced. This reduction on car dependency will also help reduce the negative impacts that unsustainable modes of travel have on climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions. Wellbeing and Social Inclusion: As with any development of this scale our clients’ site will deliver a range of housing types, including different affordable housing tenures to ensure that a balanced community is created. As a result of the masterplanning of the site any development proposal will include areas of public open space and play space where residents will have the opportunity to interact with each other. Through the promotion of walking, cycling and public transport residents will experience more positive interactions with each other and other residents of Comberton and beyond than if they were reliant on private cars to meet their daily needs. Biodiversity and Green Spaces: The development of our clients’ site would result in a northern extension of Comberton and will aim to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through the retention, protection and enhancement of on-site habitats, provision of extensive new public open space and high-quality landscaped areas. The existing boundary landscaping will be retained and enhanced with new planting to further add to the visual amenity of the area, create additional habitats for wildlife and create a landscaped edge to the village. Surface water attention features will be landscaped to create additional habitats that will have a positive impact on the biodiversity of the area. Harbour Avenue to the south of the site has very little natural green space. The development of our clients’ site will therefore introduce new green spaces for recreational use by both new and existing residents. Great Places: Our clients are aware of the need for any development proposal to respect the existing vernacular of the village and create a new neighbourhood for Comberton that has place-making at its heart. Comberton is a popular village within the district, which is in part due to the success of the village college that includes modern sporting facilities that are available for use by both students and residents. Residents of our clients’ site will be within easy cycling distance of the village college meaning that they will benefit from a range of sporting and social facilities within their own village.
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1.3 Our client agrees with the proposed big themes and believes that these can be achieved in part by focusing future housing growth in the most sustainable rural settlements in the Greater Cambridge area, especially those near to Cambridge. These higher order settlements contain a range of services and facilities are well served by public transport and are within cycling distance of Cambridge. Our client’s sites at Comberton, which is a Minor Rural Centre, offer the opportunity to further develop an enclosed parcel of land that will deliver much needed new homes in this sustainable location. These sites perform well against the big themes for the emerging Local Plan as demonstrated below: Climate change: Whilst modern building regulations are increasing the sustainability of new dwellings it is the impact of residents’ travel that needs to be addressed when considering where to locate new homes. Bennell Farm is within walking distance of the services and facilities of Comberton and within cycling distance of the employment and recreational areas of Cambridge. Therefore, the site’s location will ensure that residents’ reliance on the use of the private car will be reduced. This reduction on car dependency will also help reduce the negative impacts that unsustainable modes of travel have on climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions. Wellbeing and Social Inclusion: As with the approved development the additional sites at Bennell Farm will offer a range of housing types, including different affordable housing tenures. This mix of household sizes and tenures will result in a balanced community. Moreover, the layout of the site offers residents the opportunity to interact with each other when enjoying the green spaces and play area to the south of the site. Through the promotion of walking, cycling and public transport residents will experience more positive interactions with each other and other residents of Comberton and beyond than if they were reliant on private cars to meet their daily needs. Biodiversity and Green Spaces: As with the approved scheme the proposed extensions to the Bennell Farm scheme will aim to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through the retention, protection and enhancement of on-site habitats, provision of extensive new public open space and high-quality landscaped areas. Existing boundary landscaping will be retained and enhanced with new planting to further add to the visual amenity of the area and create additional habitats for wildlife. Surface water attention features will be landscaped to create additional habitats that will have a positive impact on the biodiversity of the area. Great Places: The approved development at Bennell Farm has successfully interpreted the existing vernacular of the village and will create a new neighbourhood for Comberton that has place-making at its heart. Comberton is a popular village within the district, which is in part due to the success of the village college that includes modern sporting facilities that are available for use by both students and residents. The proximity of the site to the village college means that residents will benefit from a range of sporting and social facilities on their doorsteps, all of which can be reached without the use of the private car.
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Broadly agree with the themes identified. However, emphasis should be on creating new sustainable growth in the right locations, rather than conserving and protecting areas from new growth. New growth stimulates the local economy and contributes towards the vitality of local communities. It provides new homes and jobs and support for local businesses and services and should be encouraged.
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The big themes are an excellent way to progress the underpinning principles for growth in Greater Cambridge. Care needs to be used in prioritising each of these themes. A balanced approach should be used. Each policy of the new Plan, and each potential site for employment or housing (or both) will have different impacts that are considerably nuanced depending on proposals and site locations. The Sustainability Appraisal is the key to understanding relative impacts on the four big themes. However, it is clear that the location of development will play a key part in achieving key principles of sustainability, including minimising the effects of movements, which relate to climate change, wellbeing, social inclusion and place making.
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Strongly Agree Thakeham agrees that the four big themes for the Local Plan are appropriate and important in considering the spatial distribution of growth and policy formation and will follow through to applications in the future. Thakeham strongly agree that ‘Climate Change’ should be a key theme for the Local Plan with a focus on development which can provide both new and improved sustainable transport links, new zero-carbon homes, and new employment opportunities which link to and sustain settlements. Thakeham would also like to urge the Councils’ to work with environmentally focused developers, such as ourselves, to deliver high quality, sustainable developments. Thakeham also strongly agree with the key theme ‘Wellbeing and social inclusion’ and strongly urges the Councils’ to ensure the plan supports development and growth across the wider district. As a sustainable placemaker, Thakeham also strongly agree with the theme ‘Great Places’ as Thakeham are not just a housebuilder, but are committed to creating new, extraordinary places, where the highest attention to detail makes a positive difference. In accordance with Paragraph 124 of the NPPF, the creation of high-quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve, and good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, which creates better places in which to live and work.
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Agree. Infrastructure provision has historically lagged behind community need. Developing communities have suffered because community facilities have not been delivered in time to meet the need. This can led to a lack of community cohesion, lack of inclusiveness, potential increase in anti-social behaviour and a lack of a ‘sense of place’.
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Agree - The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts. Land off Beach Road, Cottenham would address the four big themes as follows: ● Climate Change – new dwellings will be designed and constructed in a manner to be energy efficient and incorporate renewable technologies. Higher order villages provide a sustainable location for development (such as Cottenham, as identified as a Rural Centre), providing alternatives to private car use for residents to meet their daily needs; ● Biodiversity and Green Space – through the provision of on-site green infrastructure, which would be an ecological and recreational asset to be enjoyed by future and existing residents; ● Wellbeing and Social Inclusion – the proposals would incorporate a mix of housing sizes, types and tenures to help meet the needs of the District and local community. The proposals would also promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing through the provision of on-site recreation and the site’s accessibility to employment, education, shops and public transport by active modes of travel; and ● Great Places – a landscape-led approach would be central to the design and layout of any future proposals.
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Southern & Regional Developments (Swavesey) contend that the emerging Local Plan should identify the strategic issues that will influence the plan area over the new Plan period and beyond. It is considered that although the themes that have been identified attempt to overcome significant issues that will have wide impacts, such as Climate Change; the approach to this is not considered to be coherent. It is understood that issues relating to Biodiversity and Climate Change are important, however the Plan's regard to these factors is inappropriate. Considerations relating to ecology, the natural environment and Climate Change are interlinked through the strategic theme of environmental sustainability and so should inform the strategic approach comprehensively. Presently, the approach of the Plan inappropriately provides emphasis towards environmental sustainability, which results in a reducing the value of social and economic sustainability and the associated contribution to realsigin environmental benefit. A more positive approach would be for these factors to be attributed equal significance so that the objectives of the Plan can be satified by delivering changes positively through economic growth and addressing social inequalities . The current arrangement of big themes is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, which asserts that all aspects of sustainable of development must demonstrate economic, social and environmental as equal components in achieving sustainable development. This is in the effort to ensure development that will not compromise the ability of future generations from meeting their own needs. It is considered that for the emerging Local Plan to provide an ambitious and positive approach to addressing climate change and environmental issues, economic and social factors must be recognised as informing development solutions. The delivery of environmental objectives should not be to the detriment of the other elements of sustainable development. Greater Cambridge is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth and so it is vital that the new Plan identifies an appropriate and deliverable strategy to meet the demands of this growth. This includes sufficient land and sites to meet the specific needs of Cambridge city, as well as the rural requirements of the larger area of South Cambridgeshire. Presently, there is insufficient emphasis on these other aspects of development. Summary of Comments: The big themes do not provide the correct balance between the elements of sustainable development, with inappropriate emphasis on climate change.
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4.22 We agree with the principle of the big-themes. This is however tempered by the ability of new development to accommodate the wide ranging planning policy requirements of Local Plans, especially in terms of viability.
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We broadly welcome the Big Themes for the Local Plan being Climate Change, Biodiversity and Green Spaces, well-being and social inclusion and Great Places. We assume that the consideration of the historic environment falls within the Great Places broad theme although we would like to see specific reference to the historic environment udder this heading. Are there other themes or issues we should be considering that could inform our new vision for Greater Cambridge? See above comment regarding the historic environment.
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Arguably the most vital theme of all has been omitted: how to resolve conflicts between growth pressures / demands and the environmental capacity of Greater Cambridge? Current growth assumptions by Government (Ox-Cam Arc, Devolution Deal) and Cambridge Ahead etc need to be challenged and tested. The historic environment, which is one of Cambridge’s most outstanding and most widely-valued features, is largely overlooked within the 4 key themes. E.g. Cambridge’s most significant green spaces are historic spaces, considering them only as green spaces fails to recognise their full value.
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To help shape our thinking, we have developed a Sustainability Vision Statement, which should be read alongside responses to these questions and Quod's Report. This Statement addresses the four Big Themes and sets out the very high standard to which Marshall intends to hold itself in respect of each of these crucial aspects of delivering sustainable growth. Marshall fully endorse the potential big themes identified in the Issues & Options and has committed to embedding these themes in the development of a masterplan. In addition to the four big themes identified, which are predominantly environmentally focused, it should be noted that paragraph 8 of the NPPF recognises that "sustainable development" encompasses three objectives in the round, notably economic, social and environmental. As such, Marshall consider the provision of new homes, jobs and infrastructure of equivalent importance to the four Big Themes and would welcome increased emphasis on these elements as they are pivotal to the growth and economic prosperity of the area and to achieving sustainable development.
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European Property ventures (Cambridgshire) contend that the emerging Local Plan should identify the strategic issues that will influence the plan area over the new Plan period and beyond. It is considered that although the themes that have been identified attempt to overcome significant issues that will have wide impacts, such as Climate Change; the approach to this is ot consdiered to be coherent. It is understood that issues relating to Biodiversity and Climate Change are important, however the Plan's regard to these factors is inappropriate. Considerations relating to ecology, the natural environment and Climate Change are interlinked through the strategic theme of environmental sustainability and so should inform the strategic approach comprehensively. Presently, the approach of the Plan inappropriately provides emphasis towards environmental sustainability, which results in a reducing the value of social and economic sustainability and the associated contribution to realsigin environmental benefit. A more positive approach would be for these factors to be attributed equal significance so that the objectives of the Plan can be satified by delivering changes positively through economic growth and addressing social inequalities . The current arrangement of big themes is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, which asserts that all aspects of sustainable of development must demonstrate economic, social and environmental as equal components in achieving sustainable development. This is in the effort to ensure development that will not compromise the ability of future generations from meeting their own needs. It is considered that for the emerging Local Plan to provide an ambitious and positive approach to addressing climate change and environmental issues, economic and social factors must be recognised as informing development solutions. The delivery of enivronmental objectives should not be to the detriment of the other elements of sustainable development. Greater Cambridge is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth and so it is vital that the new Plan identifies an appropriate and deliverable strategy to meet the demands of this growth. This includes sufficient land and sites to meet the specific needs of Cambridge city, as well as the rural requirements of the larger area of South Cambridgeshire. Presently, there is insufficient emphasis on these other aspects of development. Summary of Comments: The big themes do not provide the correct balance between the elements of sustainable development, with inappropriate emphasis on climate change.
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5.1 Agree. 5.2 The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts. 5.3 Development at the Gas Field, Madingley Road would address the four big themes as follows: ● Climate Change – new employment buildings or dwellings will be designed and constructed in a manner to be energy efficient and incorporate renewable technologies. The site is also in a sustainable location, providing alternatives to private car use for residents to meet their daily needs; ● Biodiversity and Green Space – through the provision of on-site green infrastructure, in particular the on-site walking route which would be an ecological and recreational asset; ● Wellbeing and Social Inclusion – the proposals would incorporate on site open space to meet the needs of future employees/residents of the site and the surrounding area. ● Great Places – a landscape-led approach is central to the design and layout of the scheme, as shown in the Illustrative Masterplan which shows how the site could come forward.
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Partially. Climate Change is the most pressing issue of our time. However, all the other themes are predicated upon ‘growth’ and growth has to be halted in a controlled manner if climate change is to be minimised without unacceptable effects on the poorer and more vulnerable people in our society. With that caveat, the other themes are appropriate. Society must recognise there is no such thing as “sustainable development”. The term is a non-sequiter. All development has varying degrees of unsustainability. Just look at building materials. Bricks leave holes in the ground where clay is dug. They create carbon dioxide when the clay is fired and more when they are transported from Belgium or Holland as most are. Cement burns more fuel, generating more carbon dioxide and so on… Therefore development must be minimised and better use made of existing facilities.
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4.1 Agree. 4.2 The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts.
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Q6 and Q7 the ‘big themes’ The Councils’ visions seem appropriate and aligned with the three pillars of sustainable development. In our view the Plan’s vision should be focused around the ‘big themes’ identified to influence how homes, jobs and infrastructure will be planned over the period to 2040, including climate change, biodiversity and green spaces, wellbeing and social inclusion. We support the big themes and note that they are strongly inter-related and are dependent upon a healthy and resilient natural environment. On this basis the overarching vision for the Plan should be the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, to deliver multi-functional benefits for people and wildlife, including biodiversity net gain, enhanced green infrastructure, soils, geodiversity & landscape, health & wellbeing, sustainable drainage and mitigation & adaptation to climate change.
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- We suggest an additional theme about identifying and correcting issues and problems that are ocurring in the GC area at present. This is not covered by the Great Places theme. - We suggest that some of these may be a consequnce of previous economic growth and are therefore highly relevant. - The high cost of housing in Cambridge is a specific issue although recent trends suggest a degree of rebalancing may be taking place. However, some disucssion could be added as to whether high costs have led to more building and densification or possibly higher GVA per person and productity.
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4.1 Agree. 4.2 The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts.
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4.1 Agree. 4.2 The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts.
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We agree.
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Whilst the issues of climate change and Biodiversity and green spaces are important it is disappointing to note the absence of "water related" issues including water level and flood risk management, water resources etc. The contents of the response to Question 5, above, are reiterated. These issues must be considered if the proposed growth targets are to be achieved.
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CUH supports the ‘Big Themes’ as identified in the consultation document. These are very important and the aim to ensure the Local Plan delivers housing, employment and infrastructure to support the needs of the population in a sustainable, economically, socially and environmentally. However, as drafted, the document risks separating the themes from the role of the Plan. In order to make a “sound” Plan the Big Themes must include housing, employment and infrastructure as these are inextricably linked to the issues of climate change, bio-diversity, wellbeing and great places already identified. The purpose of the Plan is to deliver growth in the most sustainable, socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner, consistent with the NPPF (see for instance NPPF paragraph 5). The Plan as drafted fails to give due weight to issues such as housing, employment and infrastructure, including healthcare provision, all of which are fundamental to peoples’ wellbeing. On the issue of housing, which we feel is not given enough status in the document, CUH is committed to working directly with the Local Planning Authorities and other key stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes and housing that our workers can afford. The location of housing close to places of work and investment in infrastructure to provide sustainable means of getting from home to work is critical to the impact any development will have on climate change, by driving a shift away from car borne journeys to more sustainable long term travel choices (walking, cycling and high quality public transport). We submit as an appendix to these representations, two documents. 3) “Assessing the Housing Need of Hospital Workers” report prepared by Savills in January 2020. This is research undertaken on our behalf which highlights the real affordability challenges facing our staff, and some of the less desirable outcomes arising as a result. See our comments on questions 31 to 33. 4) We have prepared a summary report entitled “Delivering Affordable Housing for our Hospital Workers: The Case for Change”. This is a simple, accessible document, which draws out the key findings of the Savills research, and sets out CUH’s corporate priorities in terms of housing, highlighting the critical importance of delivering of genuinely affordable housing in accessible locations, to ensure the growth and prosperity of the area can be supported by the NHS. The research highlights housing as one of the key barriers to CUH in recruiting and retaining key staff and skills.
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Climate change, biodiversity and green space, wellbeing and social exclusion and great places are all important themes. However, CUHP would suggest that the Local Plan also include economic growth, housing, employment and infrastructure, as they are inextricably linked to the delivery of development in a sustainable, economically, socially and environmentally responsible way as per the objectives defined in the National Planning Policy Framework. We note in particular the findings of the 2018 Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER). This sets out a compelling case for the international importance of the Cambridge economy, a target to double the economic output of Cambridgeshire, and notes the real risk of decline if policies do not support the investment in infrastructure, housing (including affordable housing) and the economy, with a blended development strategy proposed. We note that all of the Local Authorities have signed up to recommendations of the CPIER report, which is welcomed.
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4.1.1 Agree - The four big themes for the Local Plan (climate change, biodiversity and green spaces, wellbeing and social inclusion, and great places) are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts.
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Strongly Agree As a sustainable placemaker, Thakeham strongly agrees with the theme ‘Great Places’ as Thakeham are not just a housebuilder, but are committed to creating new, extraordinary places, where the highest attention to detail makes a positive difference. In accordance with Paragraph 124 of the NPPF, the creation of high-quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve, and good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, which creates better places in which to live and work. Thakeham also strongly agree with the key theme ‘Wellbeing and Social Inclusion’ and strongly urges the Councils’ to ensure the plan supports development and growth across the wider district to include villages, in order to allow them to grow and thrive in accordance with the NPPF (Paragraph 78). Thakeham strongly agree that Climate Change should be a big theme for the Local Plan. We believe that our ambitions set ourselves apart from other developers, being able to deliver developments which can provide both new and improved sustainable transport links, the creation of Zero Carbon homes, and new employment opportunities which link to and sustain existing villages and settlements. Thakeham would also like to urge the Councils’ to work with environmentally focused developers, such as ourselves, to deliver developments which have a positive impact in production. We excel in reducing construction waste, water consumption, and carbon emissions in the production of developments, offsetting our impact to become carbon neutral. Please refer to the appended Vision Document titled 'Land east of Long Road, Comberton' produced by Thakeham
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