Question 25. What kind of business and industrial space do you think is most needed in the area?

A wide range of employment opportunities should be provided in a range of different locations to support different business needs. The new Local Plan should seek to allocate flexible employment space in locations which will support the rural economy. Furthermore, it should include policies which allow flexible growth of local businesses within the rural economy. The National Planning Policy Framework (2019) seeks to support a prosperous rural economy. Paragraph 83 (limb a) of the NPPF states that that planning policies and decisions should enable the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas. Furthermore, Paragraph 84 states that: “Planning policies and decisions should recognise that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing settlements, and in locations that are not well served by public transport. In these circumstances it will be important to ensure that development is sensitive to its surroundings, does not have an unacceptable impact on local roads and exploits any opportunities to make a location more sustainable (for example by improving the scope for access on foot, by cycling or by public transport). The use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist. both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings.”

Forecasts suggest that long-term Greater Cambridge could see job growth of up to around 3,500 per year under a transformational job scenario, with associated housing need for around 2,200-2,300 homes per year across Greater Cambridge. There is good reason for Greater Cambridge to consider delivery in excess of its standard method figure (of c.1,800 homes per year). This would be consistent with the NIC’s findings that housebuilding across the CaMKOx arc would need to roughly double compared with recent delivery levels to meet needs in full, including those from land constrained markets. It would also assist the area in meeting more of its affordable housing needs and deal with some of the pressure from unmet housing needs in London leading to in commuters from the capital, often with greater purchasing power than local residents. The edge of the city is likely to need to be the focus for future employment growth. To achieve the most sustainable commuting patterns, housing similarly needs to be located on the edge of the city. We know that the most common method of transport for those living in the city and fringe who also work there is by cycling or walking. These high levels of sustainable travel can be maintained with the co-location of housing and employment at the site, and potentially the number using cars to travel locally could be reduced if accessibility around the local area is improved as a result of the development.

4.40 A wide variety of employment space in terms of location, size, function and price, is most needed in Greater Cambridge, to support the growth of the economy, offer choice to meet occupier’s individual needs and strengthen opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. 4.41 There is a need to plan for flexible workspace and co-working hubs, providing shared facilities, which can adapt to fast-changing working practices. 4.42 The new Local Plan should therefore seek to allocate new employment land to provide local employment closer to home, diversify and enhance rural jobs, and help alleviate pressure for those who commute into the current employment hotspots.

WITH REFERENCE TO 4.5.3 The provision of high quality education supports economic development by providing the individual with the necessary skills to take advantage of the employment opportunities available. Equally, providing the right opportunities in terms of employment can also help to meet local needs, as well as provide opportunities for valuable and varied employment from further people travelling/relocating from further afield.A balance of the two key elements above is essential in achieving great places to live, work and learn.

2.42 In response to NEC specifically, the knowledge-based cluster around Cambridge Science Park, St John’s Innovation Park, and Cambridge Business Park is internationally recognised, and the significant economic role that it offers to NEC must be fully harnessed to encourage complementary industries (Artificial Intelligence, R+D and laboratories for smaller emerging businesses that need the cluster benefits, maker-space etc) and optimise further employment opportunities. We would therefore expect a range (in terms of use and size) of employment spaces across NEC, including Science, Research & Development and Technology-related employment. However, in advocating innovation throughout NEC, policy limitations should not be imposed that unduly restrict any particular use at this stage.

· Businesses and industrial spaces need to be connected to the high-quality cycling network, as well as public transport, in order to ensure that people have the opportunity to get to work without driving. · New developments should always include some space for adaptable businesses and light industrial uses, in order to provide employment in the community that is easily accessed on foot or bike, and a healthy mix of activities in new developments. · The Local Plan must not allow car-dependent 'dormitory estates' where everyone is forced to travel long distances to access everyday activities like jobs, schools, surgeries and shopping.

Please see section 6.0 and 7.0 of the accompanying representations document. Forecasts suggest that long-term Greater Cambridge could see job growth of up to around 3,500 per year under a transformational job scenario, with associated housing need for around 2,200-2,300 homes per year across Greater Cambridge. There is good reason for Greater Cambridge to consider delivery in excess of its standard method figure (of c.1,800 homes per year). This would be consistent with the NIC’s findings that housebuilding across the CaMKOx arc would need to roughly double compared with recent delivery levels to meet needs in full, including those from land constrained markets. It would also assist the area in meeting more of its affordable housing needs and deal with some of the pressure from unmet housing needs in London leading to in commuters from the capital, often with greater purchasing power than local residents. The edge of the city is likely to need to be the focus for future employment growth. To achieve the most sustainable commuting patterns, housing similarly needs to be located on the edge of the city. We know that the most common method of transport for those living in the city and fringe who also work there is by cycling or walking. These high levels of sustainable travel can be maintained with the co-location of housing and employment at the site, and potentially the number using cars to travel locally could be reduced if accessibility around the local area is improved as a result of the development.

The Local Plan needs to ensure that there is sufficient land for business uses, in the right places and to suit different business types and specific business clusters. The Local Plan should recognise that employers come in a range of sizes, from start-ups with a few individuals to major firms with hundreds of employees, and the area needs to have the right range of premises to support these varied needs. As recognised in the Issues and Options consultation document, while technology is important to the local economy, other types of industry and agriculture also play an important role and ensure a variety of jobs for local people. To ensure a broad economic basis, it is essential that a range of business and industrial space is provided. This should include space for start ups (for those business in the early stage of a new business), Incubator (providing start-up and scale-up space for companies, including support and services) and grow-on space (premises suitable for small growing businesses). The plan should be flexible to adapt to changing working practices and respond quickly to opportunities for specialist space.

The Local Plan needs to ensure that there is enough industrial space to accommodate B2, General Industrial use, on sites that will not be hampered by surrounding land uses. DB Group operate in Bourn and their site is in close proximity to the Bourn Airfield New Village. The following operations and processes are undertaken on site: - Sand grading – filtering sand to provide different levels of fineness; - Production of additives used in concrete mixes – blending of powders from silo storage; -Warehousing – receipt and dispatch of goods either manufactured or purchased off site for resale. The blending and grading processes undertaken on site generates external noise, particularly in respect of the extraction system used to capture and recycle dust particles from the manufacturing processes to maintain air quality. The site is also serviced by an average of 2 incoming and 3 outgoing HGV movements a day. The company currently employs 21 full time staff on site with a further 40 being primarily field based and visiting the site approximately once a week. DB Group are currently exploring a number of expansion opportunities. One of these is a volumetric truck operator to supply concrete directly to customers. Activity at their existing site at Bourn associated with this operation would be external and would entail filling the various hoppers on the vehicle. This would require at least one further silo on site and the use of a mechanical loader to take aggregates and sand from external storage bays. These operations have the potential to increase the level of noise generated at the site and would also increase HGV movements. A further opportunity exists in the production, cutting and finishing of precast concrete products. This would require concrete mixing equipment, supplied from bagged and/ or additional bulk silo stocks, as well as the use of stone-cutting saws. In light of the above, it is essential that the proposed Bourn Airfield New Village takes full account of DB Group’s existing operations and will not hamper future expansion plans to make Bourn a source of low carbon construction materials and technology for wider environmental benefit. This will require particular consideration being given to adequate distance separation from noise sources, site and building layout / orientation, provision of acoustic barriers as deemed necessary as a result of detailed assessments, particularly with regard to noise and air quality. This accords with the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) which states: “How can the risk of conflict between new development and existing businesses or facilities be addressed? Development proposed in the vicinity of existing businesses, community facilities or other activities may need to put suitable mitigation measures in place to avoid those activities having a significant adverse effect on residents or users of the proposed scheme. In these circumstances the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) will need to clearly identify the effects of existing businesses that may cause a nuisance (including noise, but also dust, odours, vibration and other sources of pollution) and the likelihood that they could have a significant adverse effect on new residents/users. In doing so, the agent of change will need to take into account not only the current activities that may cause a nuisance, but also those activities that businesses or other facilities are permitted to carry out, even if they are not occurring at the time of the application being made. The agent of change will also need to define clearly the mitigation being proposed to address any potential significant adverse effects that are identified. Adopting this approach may not prevent all complaints from the new residents/users about noise or other effects, but can help to achieve a satisfactory living or working environment, and help to mitigate the risk of a statutory nuisance being found if the new development is used as designed (for example, keeping windows closed and using alternative ventilation systems when the noise or other effects are occurring).” Paragraph: 009 Reference ID: 30-009-20190722 Revision date: 22 07 2019

5.4 A wide variety of business and industrial space is most needed in Greater Cambridge, in terms of location, size, function and price, in order to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage4. 5.5 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas supports the growth of local business and strengthens opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. 5.6 The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. Alongside, it is important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on longdistance travel to service the area with goods and services. Further prime office floorspace in high quality developments is also needed to consolidate and expand the world class facilities which have recently put CB1 on the international property investment map. 5.7 All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times and improve the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants contribute significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38

5.2.1 A wide variety of space by location, size, function and price needs to be available to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage1. 5.2.2 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas to support growth of local businesses and strengthen opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. 5.2.3 The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. 5.2.4 Notwithstanding this, alongside it is vitally important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on long-distance travel to service the area with goods and services. 5.2.5 Cambridge lacks a distribution hub where goods are consolidated into loads for last mile (5 mile) delivery, thereby reducing the volume of HGVs moving in and through the city and reducing air pollution. Sites along the main distribution arteries, such as the A14 and A428, should be considered to avoid local HGV diversion and disruption to local communities. Delivering firstmile- last-mile connections across the Arc is a strategic priority of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 and recognised in CPIER: “improving the “last mile” – the ability to move around within the city of Cambridge – is of a higher immediate priority than [these] inter-city links, as their effectiveness will be severely blunted without this” CPIER p80. 5.2.6 New communities and urban extensions require flexible space that can be used by local people as need arises for local business growth, provide affordable and temporary space for start-ups and to physically support homeworkers. 5.2.7 All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times, improves the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants, contributing significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38

5.4 A wide variety of business and industrial space is most needed in Greater Cambridge, in terms of location, size, function and price, in order to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage1. 5.5 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas supports the growth of local business and strengthens opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. 5.6 The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. Alongside, it is important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on longdistance travel to service the area with goods and services. Further prime office floorspace in high quality developments is also needed to consolidate and expand the world class facilities which have recently put CB1 on the international property investment map. 5.7 All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times and improve the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants contribute significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38