Question 24. How important do you think continuing economic growth is for the next Local Plan?

Very important

Very important. A Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment has been prepared by Iceni Projects Ltd on behalf of North BRLOG and is submitted with these representations. Paragraph 6.3 provides a summary of the local economy and states: “The Greater Cambridge area is at the heart of the UK’s knowledge economy. It is an economy which has been growing rapidly over a sustained period and has further growth potential, focused in particular on some key sectors such as bioscience, digital/ IT and AI. The success and growth potential of the area is underpinned by the concentration of high-tech, knowledge-based businesses; the universities and research institutes based in Cambridge; an unrivalled skills base, with 60% of the workforce having degree level skills; an enterprise culture; and an ability to capture foreign direct investment and venture capital.” The National Infrastructure Commission, the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership also acknowledge and support the economic growth potential of the Greater Cambridge area. The Cambridge and Peterborough Devolution Deal commits the authorities in the area to planning to double economic output by 2040. The Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) considered that “the aim of doubling GVA in this area by 2040 is realistic, and will be achieved in part by attracting knowledge-intensive businesses which would not locate elsewhere in the UK. Success here is of national significance. But it will only be attained if there is more ambition with regard to the development of new housing, and a careful prioritisation of infrastructure projects.” (CPIER Final Report, September 2018, Preface) Therefore, Greater Cambridge is experiencing strong economic growth which is expected to continue into the future. The growth potential of the area is acknowledged at a national and regional level. There is already a commitment to substantially increase economic output. Therefore, it will be very important for the emerging GCLP to support economic growth in Greater Cambridge. In turn this will improve the life chances of those residing in the Greater Cambridge Area.

Neither important nor unimportant

We must be careful not to overheat our local economy. Greater Cambridge already has significant pressures on hospitals, schools and transport etc. We urgently need significant investment if economic growth is to continue at the current rate. Many would prefer a somewhat lower rate.

Somewhat unimportant

Less important than avoiding climate disaster.

Very important

Continuing growth will have a massive impact on the local area, which is why the local plan is so important to ensure the city's identity is not compromised, nor the Green Belt, and to ensure that growth improves equality in the area.

Somewhat important

Economic growth is important, but the scale intended by the GCP surely places a question mark over its sustainability. For instance, siting major commercial developments on greenfield agricultural land can hardly be portrayed as supporting a prosperous rural economy. At some point, the rural element is diminished to the point where it is lost forever. Cambridge City and the area to the south of Cambridge is prosperous and has low employment, so growth on the scale envisaged can only happen with significant inward migration by employees for the new commercial developments, which increases the need for housing and infrastructure to support everything. There is the risk that a vicious cycle is being created that will change the nature of South Cambridgeshire out of all recognition. It cannot be assumed that the success of the local economy over the last few decades will simply continue or be enhanced by drawing in more and more development. We are already seeing that inequality is increasing because the fruits of prosperity are not being distributed. It is not clear how simply having more development could change that trend.

Neither important nor unimportant

Ever increasing growth makes the city a victim of its own success. The benefits seem questionable, the costs are obvious. The cumulative impact of current growth ambitions must be evidence assessed before credible decisions can be made.

Somewhat important

People need jobs but the mirage of continuous economic growth without enormous growth in consumption which is totally unsustainable.

Neither important nor unimportant

I think the Local Plan should look primarily at improving the living standard of those who are already here, or at the very least make sure that living standards are not degraded by the massive influx of businesses and people that are due to come. As someone who grew up in central Cambridge, my main concern is to be able to continue living in cambridge once i have a family. This is currently looking impossible because the economic growth is bringing in very rich people who are pushing Cambridge residents out of the city.

Neither important nor unimportant

Economic growth consumes more resources, so it can only be justified if the local environment can sustain that growth in resource consumption, particularly water. As it seems even the current numbers of houses are consuming too much water, planned economic growth should be set to zero.

Not at all important

You cannot have infinite growth on a finite planet. Let's start talking about sustainability. And check out 'doughnut economics' by Kate Raworth. Get with the times!

Not at all important

Stop this dash for Growth now.

Very important

It is very important if the levels of growth contemplated are to be achieved. There is no point in planning for high levels of job growth if there is not a related level of proximate housebuilding.

Very important

The Trumpington Residents’ Association accepts that continued economic growth is 'very important', but the key factor in the development of the Local Plan should be the level of growth that is supported. We argue that there should be a full assessment as part of the Plan of the impact and consequences of different levels of economic growth, including the implications of these levels on the allocation of land for businesses and homes, the need for infrastructure, and the environment/climate change. This assessment should be published and the public consulted on the level of overall growth to be provided for in the Local Plan in light of its findings. The current consultation document has limited information about these options and we are very concerned that the higher projections of growth will be detrimental to Greater Cambridge as a whole as well as our area. “The First Conversation” reads as though the overall level of growth planned for will - in practice - be determined by market-led growth in the number of jobs, with “flexibility” in the additional number of homes to match this. We do not support such an approach. The overall level of growth to be provided for should give weight to all of the themes, and not be determined wholly by economic growth. We recognise the importance to the local and national economy of our neighbour, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), where many local residents work, and we all benefit from its hospitals and research. We support the considerable level of growth that has already been planned on the CBC site (although we do not think the additional extension into the fields near Nine Wells was justified), but we will object strongly to any further growth at that location. We will also strongly object to any plans for a science park on the land to the south of Addenbrooke's Road, between the M11 and the west side of Shelford Road.

Somewhat unimportant

• Continued economic growth must not be at the expense of the environment (both natural and built) and social cohesion (Cambridge is already one of the most unequal societies in the UK). The proposed doubling of total economic output appears to be related to the combined Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area, but there is no clear indication of how this might relate to the Greater Cambridge area (City and South Cambs). This doubling of economic output (even if desirable, which is doubtful) could take place to some extent outside the Greater Cambridge area, limiting (but not totally avoiding) impact on the Local Plan. No mention is made of the possibility for economic growth to be achieved through increased productivity, rather than a doubling of the population and employment sites. • But what is the vision for Cambridge? – is it to remain a compact city surrounded by Green Belt, or is it to expand, both into the Green Belt and with considerable densification on the outer edges of the city. We believe that the popular desire is for the former vision, a compact city. • We support the provision of employment land in the new settlements to provide opportunities for residents, but also lower cost sites and premises for businesses. But without the necessary infrastructure in place, growth aspirations need to be reduced. The impact of these developments on central Cambridge must also be considered – the new settlements are not far from Cambridge, which will be a magnet for shopping, leisure and social interaction. • Our village, Fulbourn, already has a much above average number of employment premises and opportunities, as has been identified in the writing of the Neighbourhood Plan. This has impacted on the road network and the wider infrastructure, meaning that further growth in this sector is unlikely to be sustainable.

Very important

But not at the expense of community cohesion and wellbeing of residents.

Somewhat important

Economic growth is important, but the scale intended by the GCP surely places a question mark over its sustainability. For instance, siting major commercial developments on greenfield agricultural land can hardly be portrayed as supporting a prosperous rural economy. At some point, the rural element is diminished to the point where it is lost forever. Cambridge City and the area to the south of Cambridge is prosperous and has low employment, so growth on the scale envisaged can only happen with significant inward migration by employees for the new commercial developments, which increases the need for housing and infrastructure to support everything. There is the risk that a vicious cycle is being created that will change the nature of South Cambridgeshire out of all recognition. It cannot be assumed that the success of the local economy over the last few decades will simply continue or be enhanced by drawing in more and more development. We are already seeing that inequality is increasing because the fruits of prosperity are not being distributed. It is not clear how simply having more development could change that trend.

Neither important nor unimportant

(1) An effective transportation system is fundamental to sustaining economic growth, indeed it cannot be achieved without adequate transport infrastructure to serve the labour market. The relationship between traffic congestion and productivity is well established. Congestion imposes a huge costs on the economy, with the cumulative cost of congestion in the UK is estimated to be £307 billion, equivalent to 18% of GDP. * (2) Of all journeys undertaken, it is commuting that has by far the greatest effect on productivity and growth. (3) The Councils state that they have committed to a goal of doubling the total economic output of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area over 25 years. Any attempts to increase output will be negated by increased journey times for commuting households. (4) The main clusters of economic activity in the Greater Cambridge area are, and will continue to be, the city centre, Biomedical Campus and Science Park. These centres will be the focuses for further employment and innovation. CBRR has shown how all three economic centres can be served by the East West Rail line providing a fast, direct, high capacity heavy rail link to commuting satellite settlements at Cambourne, Northstowe and Bourn Airfield, and St. Neots and Bedford. (5) Continued economic growth will be unworkable unless existing congestion is tackled and efficient public transport systems are designed at the outset into all major development in the area. (6) Central and local Government agencies opine that they wish to increase the productivity of the Oxford-Milton Keynes- Cambridge Arc. If the East West Railway is going to have the greatest impact on productivity and economic growth it must be focused primarily towards reducing commuting journey times, with reduction in long distance travel time being a secondary objective. EWR can achieve this by providing local station stops near the larger new settlements, both existing and proposed, relieving commuter journeys to Cambridge city: such as is proposed by CBRR’s Route (and failed by EWR Co’s Option E.) * https://inrix.com/press-releases/traffic-congestion-to-cost-the-uk-economy-more-than-300-billion-over-the-next-16-years/

Not at all important

HALTING economic growth is essential to the plan. Continuing economic growth is suicide. Gross National Wellbeing is the target we need, not GDP. And growth does not lead to wellbeing, it leads to pollution, mass extinction, floods, wildfires, crop failures and starvation.

Very important

Very important – see our response to question 6. We agree with the following statements contained in the CPIER Final Report (September 2018): "Cambridge is at a decisive moment in its history where it must choose whether it wants to once again reshape itself for growth, or let itself stagnate and potentially wither. We believe the latter would be disastrous for its people and the UK economy. Therefore, we conclude that improvements in infrastructure, and further development, must start in and around Cambridge. (Executive Summary, Page 9)" "The UK Government should adopt a ‘Cambridge or overseas’ mentality towards knowledge-intensive (KI) business in this area, recognising that in an era of international connectivity and footloose labour, many high-value companies will need to relocate abroad if this area no longer meets their needs. Ensuring that Cambridge continues to deliver for KI businesses should be considered a nationally strategic priority. (KEY RECOMMENDATION #3)"

Neither important nor unimportant

The infrastructure cannot sustain further development which continuing economic growth will require.

Very important

It is critical that the local plan supports economic growth. It is important for the local area that such growth is facilitated. It is important for the UK economy. Greater Cambridge is a world leading centre for science and technology and is at the forefront of scientific discoveries and has seen some of the world’s most significant scientific breakthroughs. If solutions are to be found to issues such as climate change, cancer and feeding the world’s ever growing population it is vital that the area’s science and technology based economy is fostered and new and emerging clusters are supported.

Very important

The amount and distribution of employment growth proposed through the Local Plan should recognise the need to strike a balance between economic growth within Greater Cambridge and the aspirations for boosting growth within surrounding market towns through the Combined Authority’s Prospectuses for Growth programme. The commitment to doubling economic growth has clear implications for the level of housing requirement within Greater Cambridge. Consideration should be given to the implications of this for the wider Cambridgeshire housing market.

Somewhat important

Controlled growth is OK. But the rate of growth in Cambridgeshire is too fast right now. I run a small technology based business and cannot get staff as it is too expensive to live here. Let other parts of the UK share in future growth - we dont want to be a mini-London type bubble.

Very important

No answer given

Somewhat important

Following the signing of the City Deal in 2014, the growth agenda and economic direction for Greater Cambridge is confirmed. However, to ensure the Greater Cambridge area is able to meet the demands that will result, it is vital the necessary infrastructure is in place to support this economic strategy. To this end, whilst economic growth is important, equally so is the strategy for housing delivery (the number and where these are located).

Somewhat important

Economic growth is not an end in its own right and needs to be balanced against the negative impact. More jobs and more houses will not deliver overall community benefit per se. Supporting economic growth is important (because the opposite of low growth or no growth will eventually result in a decline in living standards.) but the key issue is the planning around the negative consequences of the growth and how they are managed effectively.

Very important

The CPIER notes that the wider Cambridge region is committed to doubling its economic output over the next 25 years which is a strategy that Grosvenor and USS would endorse. On this basis, continuing economic growth should be captured and addressed in the next Plan. However, this economic growth should be captured in an appropriate spatial strategy which balances employment growth with housing development. Cambridge already has a significant range of key employment areas, many of them in South Cambridge. Many of those employment areas have expansion plans and therefore it is the sustainable option to direct housing development in close proximity to them. The location of new employment opportunities and housing needs need to be considered in the context of their relationship to sustainable transport links.

Neither important nor unimportant

Economic growth should not be placed above the wellbeing and flourishing of the people who live in Greater Cambridge, or above the issue of climate change. All growth needs to address, rather than entrench, inequalities in the region and help the area transition to a low-carbon, high-happiness society with high levels of employment and low levels of poor mental health.

Very important

Within the Issues and Options consultation document the Authorities acknowledge the importance of the Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review both in terms of ensuring the economy is fit for tomorrow’s world as well as providing evidence for the level of housing growth that will be required to support it. This includes the goal to double economic output by 2040. In planning for high levels of job and economic growth it is vital that the forthcoming local plan facilitates the level of housing growth needed to support such aspirations and contribute to their success. We consider that key rural villages such as Linton, due to its proximity to local employment and key transport corridors including the Linton Greenway, should play a role in accommodating some of the future housing and economic growth through appropriate residential land allocations.

Very important

Economic growth is extremely important to the Local Plan given the current political climate and economic uncertainty. Economic growth provides the means by which people can improve their quality of life and helps them to make more sustainable choices be that in terms of energy, food or transport decisions.