Question 13. How do you think we should improve the green space network?

2.21. Green Infrastructure is intrinsic to good design and should be planned as part of all new developments. Evidence shows that small green spaces provided throughout development increase the amounts of physical activity that residents carry out and, and that these spaces are encourage social interaction. Support should be given to development opportunities which connect with the existing green space network.

4.13 This should come through from an up to date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network.

5.13 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network.

4.20 The councils need to have a flexible overall approach to green spaces and a wider interpretation of how land can contribute to green spaces and the associated uses that may be public or private areas. At present land is often defined by a line on the proposals map that accompanies a Local Plan, but this can lead to land for example being allocated as “countryside” but in reality, has no real beneficial use in its current state. Opportunities should also be taken to improve public access through pedestrian and cycle networks in existing settlements. 4.21 The current landowners have a variety of land with their ownership that could contribute to a number of community benefits, not just in relation to new housing/employment but using land that has little beneficial use to increase biodiversity and provide additional tree cover. This would allow a pro-active improvement that could take the form of connecting spaces, improving existing pedestrian/cycle routes to support healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

The NPPF, in Annex 2, defines green infrastructure as ‘a network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities’. Our client considers the provision of green infrastructure to be vital in ensuring healthy communities and a distinctive sense of place within our built environment. Land to the West of Dubbs Knoll Road is a potential site which is a unique opportunity to provide public open space as a central feature of a wider residential development. There is an opportunity for the open space to be well-related to the existing green infrastructure in this part of the village – creating a new ‘heart’ of green space for the village. Chapter 15 of the NPPF places great emphasis on the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and sets out that Plans should take ‘a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure’. In preparing Local Plans, it is our client’s view that local planning authorities should recognise the multifunctionality of green infrastructure and should recognise that it can be strengthened by development to provide a range of tangible benefits. These benefits in turn are linked to the higher level aims of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan around sustainability and health and well-being. Development can play a role in contributing to enhancing and protecting existing green infrastructure and providing new green infrastructure. Any future policy should recognise the contribution that sustainable greenfield sites, and infill sites, can have towards the goal of enhanced, accessible green infrastructure through effective layout and landscaping design. Though individual sites should not be expected to deliver green space improvements alone, and any future policy should recognise this fact, development of varying scales can deliver improvements to green infrastructure in the form of provision of or enhancements to existing habitats. The layout of housing sites can be considered to ensure the provision of gardens, inclusion of trees and shrubs which provide biodiversity value as well as maximising areas of green space to provide sustainable urban drainage systems and general open space. As such, the Plan should consider the flexibility and multi-functionality of the provision and should not underestimate the role of sustainable housing development. Summary of Comments: The Plan should ensure that sites which form part of the green infrastructure network deliver a variety of benefits to local communities. Development can deliver or enhance green infrastructure provision. Sites which are suitable for housing can also fall within the wider green infrastructure network to fulfil its multifunctional purpose.

To improve our environment within a generation and leave it in a better state than we found it will mean that in this area we contribute fully to the creation of a more resilient landscape, with enhanced tree cover, richer in plants and wildlife. This will not happen simply by protecting existing sites, but by identifying where our biodiversity assets and opportunities are; and to prioritise them in land-use planning. This is putting a planning process into a new paradigm, one in which we take an active view of the contribution which areas can make to an overall environmental gain, then to consider the development potential of nominated sites, with a requirement in each case for a net gain from the development proposed. We would welcome this Plan initiating a Cambridge -based Nature Recovery Network, drawing upon examples like the West of England Nature Recovery Network. In doing so the local plan should provide a clear framework and mechanism for new development to be able to contribute to any such District level initiative.

It is vital that the Plan should continue to protect gardens and green spaces, in particular the network of natural and semi natural green spaces including playing fields in public or private ownership whose existence enhance the natural environment within the urban environment of Cambridge. In West Cambridge where green spaces have been lost because of development (West Cambridge Site and North West Cambridge Site) the remaining green spaces should be protected from development.

4.17 This should come through from an up to date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities as part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network. 4.18 Public open space is proposed as part of the proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site. Public realm improvements including tree lined avenues and small pocket parks can contribute to the city’s green space network and contribute towards improving air quality.

3.21 Green spaces should have a rich biodiversity and wildlife offering. All residents should live close to green spaces both for health and wellbeing purposes. 3.22 With the River Cam and Country Park to the west and the open countryside of Cambridgeshire to the south, Trumpington South sits within a strong and established green infrastructure, with direct connections to a network of footpaths and cycle ways. Therefore, the site can commit to offering a landscape-led scheme and provide an extension to the Country Park, therefore improving the surrounding green space network. Green corridors and fingers can define the site and run through it, creating a strong east-west network of connected green spaces. 3.23 Grosvenor and USS’s commitment to car free areas within the development releases space to provide opportunities for increased wildlife and biodiversity within the pedestrian focused streets and network of routes. This is explained in the Vision document prepared by Terence O’Rourke. 3.24 Trumpington Meadows Country Park is now established, and through on site management provided by the Wildlife Trust, has delivered significant biodiversity gains. Trumpington South has the potential to create a further expansion to the country park. This could enhance the function of the remaining Green Belt, improving the setting and unique character of Cambridge while delivering significant compensatory improvements to the Green Belt.

4.18 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network. 4.19 Public open space is proposed as part of the proposed development of sites A and C at Papworth and there is potential to open up Site B for greater public access through the provision of new community space. Public realm improvements including tree lined avenues and small pocket parks can contribute to the Papworth’s green space network and contribute towards improving air quality.

• Requirements for green-space to provide multi-functional benefits including flood storage, SuDS, biodiversity net gain and health and wellbeing benefits. • Requirements to plan for multi-functional green space earlier on, rather than planning greenspace around proposed site layouts. Green space and SuDS proposals should be considered earlier on in the planning process to maximise multi-functional benefits. • Requirements to incorporate water into green space. • Green space standards (e.g. taking into consideration the outputs coming out of the Natural England GI Standards project and from Future Parks Accelerator) • Undertake an assessment of the current usage of green space network within the Local Plan area and identify potential issues resulting from the Local Plan, including additional recreational pressure on sensitive wildlife sites, to identify where and how much green space is required to avoid these pressures. • Strategic tree and hedgerow planting requirements based on location/ provision of habitat corridors rather than just number of trees. Consideration must also be given to the long-term management of both existing and new tree stock, for both their biodiversity interest and maximising carbon storage opportunities. WITH REFERENCE TO 4.2.3 A healthy and biodiverse environment is important for the wellbeing of all people who live, work and study within Cambridge. The provision of green spaces allows for a diverse range of learning opportunities, to enhance the curriculum offer and enable the school to offer a wider range of extra-curricular activities. It is also important for informal use and to promote the social and emotional development of pupils.

3.21 Green spaces should have a rich biodiversity and wildlife offering. All residents should live close to green spaces both for health and wellbeing purposes. 3.22 With the River Cam and Country Park to the west and the open countryside of Cambridgeshire to the south, Trumpington South sits within a strong and established green infrastructure, with direct connections to a network of footpaths and cycle ways. Therefore, the site can commit to offering a landscape-led scheme and provide an extension to the Country Park, therefore improving the surrounding green space network. Green corridors and fingers can define the site and run through it, creating a strong east-west network of connected green spaces. 3.23 Grosvenor and USS’s commitment to car free areas within the development releases space to provide opportunities for increased wildlife and biodiversity within the pedestrian focused streets and network of routes. This is explained in the Vision document prepared by Terence O’Rourke. 3.24 Trumpington Meadows Country Park is now established, and through on site management provided by the Wildlife Trust, has delivered significant biodiversity gains. Trumpington South has the potential to create a further expansion to the country park. This could enhance the function of the remaining Green Belt, improving the setting and unique character of Cambridge while delivering significant compensatory improvements to the Green Belt.

Green spaces should have a rich biodiversity and wildlife offering. All residents should live within a short distance of green spaces. The proposals for Whittlesford would commit to offering a landscape-led scheme through a strong framework of green infrastructure and enhancement to surrounding green space network. Green corridors and fingers can define the site and run through it, creating a strong network of connected green spaces.

Please see section 4.0 of the accompanying representations document. This a site whereby a net biodiversity gain is attainable and also offers up an opportunity to take the pressure of other local nature reserves close to the site including Beechwoods Nature Reserve through provision of a substantial country park.

4.18 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities, as part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements which can be used to improve the wider green space network.

Green space network can be improved in the ways proposed by the Local Plan options documents as well as: + Establishing a strategic green infrastructure network plan, identifying opportunities for developments to contribute to enhancements beyond their boundary (in line with off-site opportunities within BREEAM 2018) and through greening of developments to strenghten links across the urban fabric. + Encouraging managed green infrastructure. + Ensuring that new green infrastructure is adapted and resilient to climate change. + For urban green spaces ensuring that the spaces are accessible and inclusive, free of pollutants, comfortable and safe, possibly through demonstration (e.g. simulation)

2.21 It is considered that one approach to improve the green space network is to create new green spaces within strategic developments. The selection of suitable strategic sites within emerging GCLP provides an opportunity to create new green spaces that connect with existing spaces and the surrounding countryside; new spaces would provide alternatives to existing green spaces and divert recreational pressure from those spaces.

· Parks should be linked up with safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to each other and to all the residential neighbourhoods surrounding them. · Giving people access to green spaces will increase their connection with nature and desire to protect it as well as improving health and wellbeing. Cycling access to these areas is one way to improve public access to the natural environment. · Reducing the amount of road and parking space needed for cars will provide more space for greenery and green corridors in our region.

Please see section 4.0 of the accompanying representations document. This a site whereby a net biodiversity gain is attainable and also offers up an opportunity to take the pressure of other local nature reserves close to the site including Beechwoods Nature Reserve through provision of a substantial country park.

4.17 This should come through from an up to date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities as part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network. 4.18 Public open space is proposed as part of the proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site. Public realm improvements including tree lined avenues and small pocket parks can contribute to the city’s green space network and contribute towards improving air quality.

4.8.1 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain, enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network.

4.12 This should come through from an up to date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network.

Green spaces should have a rich biodiversity and wildlife offering. All residents should live close to green spaces both for health and wellbeing purposes. With the River Cam and Country Park to the west and the open countryside of Cambridgeshire to the south, Trumpington South sits within a strong and established green infrastructure, with direct connections to a network of footpaths and cycle ways. Therefore, the site can commit to offering a landscape-led scheme and provide an extension to the Country Park, therefore improving the surrounding green space network. Green corridors and fingers can define the site and run through it, creating a strong east-west network of connected green spaces. Grosvenor and USS’s commitment to car free areas within the development releases space to provide opportunities for increased wildlife and biodiversity within the pedestrian focused streets and network of routes. This is explained in the Vision document prepared by Terence O’Rourke. Trumpington Meadows Country Park is now established, and through on site management provided by the Wildlife Trust, has delivered significant biodiversity gains. Trumpington South has the potential to create a further expansion to the country park. This could enhance the function of the remaining Green Belt, improving the setting and unique character of Cambridge while delivering significant compensatory improvements to the Green Belt