Question 23. How do you think we could ensure that new development is as well-designed as possible?

Design We strongly encourage provision for the historic environment throughout the plan, not solely within heritage focused policies. Most particularly, we seek a specific requirement for consideration of the historic environment within the design policies of the local plan which should seek to draw on opportunities offered by the historic environment and reflect local character and distinctiveness. This should not stymie contemporary development but should require an appreciation of the significance and character of the historic environment in producing a high standard of design. We highlight the recent publication Building Better Building Beautiful Commission report which may help shape your policy in this area. Tall Buildings and the Historic Environment We would also welcome this in relation to tall buildings policy that may come forward as part of the plan. See our comments above in relation to tall buildings evidence.

There is an urgent need to review successes and failures, and to learn lessons from them. CB1 is an example where historic environment considerations were given lower priority than claimed public benefits, which have not been delivered. Lessons need to be learned from past successes and failures. The Plan should use the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission’s report “Living with Beauty” as a basis for securing better quality design. The criterion – “does this scheme meet the standards set out in the Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth?” – should be applied as the basis for assessments. Compliance monitoring and enforcement are vital in securing delivery of design and construction quality ambitions. Post-approval cost-cutting and/or change of architects frequently diminish design quality. Poor construction quality has undermined delivery of Quality Charter aims. Inadequate investment has been made in quality assurance.

5.26 New development can achieve a high quality design by responding to the site’s context and characteristics. An illustrative masterplan is enclosed which shows how Gas Field, Madingley Road can sensitively respond to the context of the site, by including notable new public open space and focusing the proposed development on the eastern side of the site, which adjoins Madingley Road Park and Ride.

Employ expert architects with a good track record. Do not accept standard designs from quantity housebuilders.

A design policy should promote Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit to maximise opportunities within the design of the development to provide sufficient area of high quality multi-functional green infrastructure, including sustainable drainage (SuDS) to deliver net gain for biodiversity, landscape and accessible open space to meet people’s recreational and health needs. Sufficient high quality multi-functional green infrastructure, connected to the wider GI network, should form the framework for the built development, Appropriately designed and managed green infrastructure can also provide significant climate change mitigation including urban cooling and a wide range of other environmental services including wildlife habits, SUDS, high quality landscape, food production. Developers should be encouraged to follow Natural England’s Accessible Natural Greenspace Guidance detailed in 'Nature Nearby'.

4.36 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.37 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities, so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

4.28 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.29 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

4.36 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. Page 13 This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.37 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

Our comments include but are not limited to the following: • A large part of the Greater Cambridge area relies on managed artificial drainage infrastructure, therefore, flooding can occur if the capacity of such infrastructure is exceeded, whether through the discharge of surface, ground or treated foul effluent water flows. Therefore, all relevant development proposals must be discussed with the relevant RMA including the appropriate Internal Drainage Board at the earliest opportunity, preferably at the pre-application stage. • In addition to the requirements of the NPPF and associated technical guide, all applications for relevant developments must include a drainage strategy to demonstrate both during and following completion of the development stage that: (a) Suitable consideration has been given to the disposal of surface, ground and treated foul effluent water flows and should detail any mitigation required; (b) Appropriate arrangements have been made for developments adjacent to watercourses; and (c) Issues of long-term ownership, funding and maintenance of the water level and flood risk management system are addressed. • On-site open watercourses should be retained in the developments design. • Adequate maintenance strips should be provided for on-site open watercourses; protected watercourses i.e. Board's Drains and Main Rivers; Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and other parts of the water level and flood risk management systems to enable ready access in an emergency and to enable suitable spoil disposal, as required. • All proposals should have regard to the guidance and byelaws of the relevant RMA including the Internal Drainage Boards. Where appropriate the contents of hydraulic models and studies must be considered. • The retention and improvement of the waterways, their settings and associated corridors in the Greater Cambridge area for navigation, environmental, leisure and tourism through the provision of related facilities. See also the additional relevant items discussed elsewhere in this response.

No response proposed.

4.32 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.33 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

2.33. The National Planning Policy Framework and National Design Guide reiterate the importance of good design. There are various opportunities throughout the development process to shape design ranging from preapplication consultation to detailed material considerations. 2.34. Where applicants have taken to the time to seek pre-application advice it is crucial that the advice provided is aspirational but pragmatic to enable the timely delivery of development.

Pigeon fully supports the aspiration in NPPF Chapter 12, to secure a high quality of design in new developments and create attractive, sustainable and useable places. The two Councils have a strong track record in securing high-quality, well-designed developments which is underpinned by a range of SPDs providing extensive guidance on design-related matters and providing clarity with regard to the two Councils’ expectations. This approach is commended but it will be important that this guidance is subject to an early review of current SPDs within the two Councils to achieve a consolidated and consistent approach across the Joint Plan area, as well as with the County Council on matters such as highway and drainage design and adoption standards. Achievement of good design at whatever scale of development is being considered, is reliant on positive discussions and engagement with the local planning authority and the Councils must ensure they have adequate and suitably qualified staffing resources to support this work if they are to have a positive effect in effectively implementing the Local Plan policies and guidance.

4.37 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.38 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities, so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

4.34 Design is always subjective and whilst it is important to have guidelines, this should not be so restrictive that it prevents innovation. There is an increasing variety of guidance and advice that in some cases conflicts. Any policies and guidance should be provided in clear and simple manner that acknowledges how technology and innovation may change the way we live and work during the plan period.

4.33 Design is always subjective and whilst it is important to have guidelines, this should not be so restrictive that it prevents innovation. There is an increasing variety of guidance and advice that in some cases conflicts. Any policies and guidance should be provided in clear and simple manner that acknowledges how technology and innovation may change the way we live and work during the plan period.

We commend the format of the CDF’s recent workshop as a mechanism for engaging the community with stakeholders and decision- makers; this will include presentations, but also small group discussions and open discussions with an independent moderator. The design workshop result was described in an article by our Chair, and this is attached to our accompanying email. One key process issue was to agree a design guide which is not overly prescriptive and not to produce highly duplicators or, worse, contradictory levels of prescription in the design guide and the planning conditions.

4.37 The proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site can achieve a high quality design by responding to the site’s context and characteristics. Not only is site layout key to achieving a positive design, ensuring that the proposed employment buildings are built to a high standard in terms of sustainability, achieving an energy efficient design.

4.47 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.48 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

3.42 Well-designed developments should take the opportunity for improving the character and quality of an area, be properly served by infrastructure and contribute to the needs of the wider community. Individual buildings, their immediate surroundings and where they sit within the wider landscape, should all be carefully considered when designing new developments. 3.43 Grosvenor’s commitments to developing high quality places is reflected through Trumpington Meadows. The scheme mirrors principles of good design and high quality place-making, which made it an award-winning scheme. These would be extended to Trumpington South. If the site were allocated, a Design Code would be prepared as part of an outline planning application. The Design Code would secure the delivery of a high quality sustainable scheme.

3.42 Well-designed developments should take the opportunity for improving the character and quality of an area, be properly served by infrastructure and contribute to the needs of the wider community. Individual buildings, their immediate surroundings and where they sit within the wider landscape, should all be carefully considered when designing new developments. 3.43 Grosvenor’s commitments to developing high quality places is reflected through Trumpington Meadows. The scheme mirrors principles of good design and high quality place-making, which made it an award-winning scheme. These would be extended to Trumpington South. If the site were allocated, a Design Code would be prepared as part of an outline planning application. The Design Code would secure the delivery of a high quality sustainable scheme.

Grosvenor fully endorse the Building Beautiful Commission’s Report ‘Creating space for beauty : interim report’ and is committed to developing high quality places was reflected through Trumpington Meadows. The scheme mirrors principles of good design and high quality place-making, which made it an award-winning scheme. These would be extended to both Trumpington South and Whittlesford. If the Whittlesford site were allocated, a Masterplan and Design Code would be prepared as part of an outline planning application, reflecting on the localised character of Whittlesford and the South Cambridge villages. The Masterplan and Design Code would assist in the securing the delivery of a high quality sustainable scheme, and would be developed with local residents to ensure aspects of local value were meaningfully reflected in designs moving forward..

2.36 The NPPF and PPG provides guidance on design. Paragraph 124 stresses the importance of design in built development. Paragraph 127 identifies some aspirations for the design of new development. Paragraph 006 (Id.26) of the PPG provides further information on design in the planning process. 2.37 Creating a strong vision with key, deliverable commitments are the first step towards designing and delivering positive, welcoming and well-designed developments in which people can live, work and play. High quality developments that deliver strong placemaking are underpinned by a high quality masterplan that favours mix uses as well as residential, including work, education and leisure, all designed over a framework that favours and encourages walking, cycling and the use of public transport where the private motor vehicle is a guest and not the guest of honour. Developments that are well-designed are therefore focused on having pedestrianpriority and that are set in abundantly green spaces, connecting neighbourhoods and providing character. Moreover understanding the values, benefits and principles of designing for child-friendly neighbourhoods can, in turn, also offer well-designed developments that meet intergenerational and accessibility/inclusivity criteria too. Developments that positively respond to the challenges set by Climate Change and are designed accordingly in order to adapt, mitigate and limit its affect will offer the opportunity not only to deliver resilient developments but also to offer creative and well-designed spaces and places, using – for example – green and blue infrastructure to enhance these. 2.38 It is suggested that the design policies in the emerging GCLP reflect this national guidance. In addition, there are a number of design tools already in existence in Greater Cambridge e.g. Design and Conservation Panel, Design Enabling Panel and Design Workshops, and it is normal for design codes to be prepared for strategic sites. It is suggested that the existing approach towards assessing design matters for developments should continue.

· New developments must follow design standards for high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure that is accessible for people of all ages and abilities. · The design of new developments must be led by a requirement to achieve a fully-permeable, high-quality, first-class cycling and walking network, including safe and attractive surroundings, along with direct and convenient public transport routes. · Where new developments or changes touch existing cycle routes, those cycle routes must be protected and must maintain their quality, priority and accessibility. If diverted, the diversion must be of high-quality and fully accessible to people of all abilities throughout the construction process. Any damage to the original cycle route must be fixed once it is reopened. · Cycling infrastructure should be separate from walking facilities. Walking, cycling and motor vehicles all have significantly different speeds and must not be mixed together – this is unsatisfactory (and unsafe) for all modes. See Parkin "Designing for Cycle traffic" https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/isbn/9780727763495

‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

4.37 The proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site can achieve a high quality design by responding to the site’s context and characteristics. Not only is site layout key to achieving a positive design, ensuring that the proposed employment buildings are built to a high standard in terms of sustainability, achieving an energy efficient design.

4.32 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.33 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

Well -designed developments should take the opportunity for improving the character and quality of an area, be properly served by infrastructure and contribute to the needs of the wider community. Individual buildings, their immediate surroundings and where they sit within the wider landscape, should all be carefully considered when designing new developments. Grosvenor’s commitments to developing high quality places is reflected through Trumpington Meadows. The scheme mirrors principles of good design and high quality place-making, which made it an award-winning scheme. These would be extended to Trumpington South. If the site were allocated, a Design Code would be prepared as part of an outline planning application. The Design Code would secure the delivery of a high quality sustainable scheme.