Question 26. Do you think we should be protecting existing business and industrial space?

Absolutely YES.

It is important that policy enables a dynamic business and industrial environment - protection could be counter-productive and accelerate rates of decline. in many villages and locations, there are also existing businesses and industries (e.g., distribution centres, builders merchants, building contractors, etc) that are inappropriate and place great pressure on the sense of place through incremental traffic, noise, visual blight, etc. As our villages have developed in terms of size and prosperity, some of these businesses have remained in the village cores, creating significant negative impacts for residents. Redevelopment of these sites for other commercial or residential usage should be supported. We should categorise and distinguish the characteristics of businesses that are appropriate for the cores of our medium sized and larger villages and what businesses are better located on the periphery of villages or adjacent to major infrastructure.

Yes we should. They may not always be attractive but these businesses provide a valuable service.

Yes

Artificial protection of today’s industrial and business space is unhelpful.

Only if needed and current spaces are used efficiently and environmentally appropriately. Local, small and start up businesses should be encouraged over big businesses just out to make even more money with little consideration for the human and environmental impact.

Yes, there is no point having lots of houses and schools if there aren’t jobs for the people living in them.

Generally yes, but the retail sheds south of Newmarket Road between Coldhams Lane and Coldhams Common, along with the Beehive centre are relics from a past age of car based shopping trips – the retail sheds should all go and be replaced by housing, which would be within easy reach by cycling and walking from the City Centre and the new Chisholm Trail.

Yes where this is viable.

Yes, if you develop it replace it elsewhere within say 2 miles. You are creating a homogenous dull tech and science suburb which is unrepresentative and makes it difficult for people who live here and don’t have those skills to find a role. It is also very challenging to run a business here. There are loads of sectors needed to support the acts of living and it is hard for many of those to function here.

USS supports the protection of existing business and industrial space but it also considers that the protection of such space should be assessed on a site by site basis. This is in respect of the changing market conditions for this type of space. This approach was taken by CCC within the existing site allocation for a mixed use development at this location.

No comment.

A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people.

A ‘blanket approach’ to the protection of existing business and industrial space would be inappropriate and conflict with the NPPF which clearly identifies circumstances where employment land or premises that is not allocated for such purposes might be better utilised for other purposes (paragraph 121). Rather, in preparation of the GCLP, the plan-making authorities should objectively assess existing, available and planned employment land, to identify those sites that are most suited to continuing employment use to meet the needs of the GCLP area in meeting ambitions for economic growth. Where a site is located within a built-up area of Cambridge or in one of the villages there may be several reasons why its redevelopment should be considered appropriate such as: The business is creating environmental impacts which are detrimental to residents (Noise, traffic etc)  If in single use, the business has no room to expand and needs to move to a larger site.  The site forms part of a larger more strategic site. Where these situations occur these types of site should be identified as an appropriate allocation in the new plan. We would suggest that planning polices in the new Local Plan should be seeking to assist in helping businesses to relocate. No restrictions should be placed on these businesses to have to market the site or provide any other justification for them to move. Other employment sites which do not have such 'issues' should be protected from redevelopment and be clearly identified in the local Plan as protected employment sites where redevelopment will not be permitted other than for appropriate employment uses to be identified in the new Local Plan.

A ‘blanket approach’ to the protection of existing business and industrial space would be inappropriate and conflict with the NPPF which clearly identifies circumstances where employment land or premises that is not allocated for such purposes might be better utilised for other purposes (paragraph 121). Rather, in preparation of the GCLP, the plan-making authorities should objectively assess existing, available and planned employment land, to identify those sites that are most suited to continuing employment use to meet the needs of the GCLP area in meeting ambitions for economic growth. Where a site is located within a built-up area of Cambridge or in one of the villages there may be several reasons why its redevelopment should be considered appropriate such as: The business is creating environmental impacts which are detrimental to residents (Noise, traffic etc)  If in single use, the business has no room to expand and needs to move to a larger site.  The site forms part of a larger more strategic site. Where these situations occur these types of site should be identified as an appropriate allocation in the new plan. We would suggest that planning polices in the new Local Plan should be seeking to assist in helping businesses to relocate. No restrictions should be placed on these businesses to have to market the site or provide any other justification for them to move. Other employment sites which do not have such 'issues' should be protected from redevelopment and be clearly identified in the local Plan as protected employment sites where redevelopment will not be permitted other than for appropriate employment uses to be identified in the new Local Plan.

A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in both urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. Changes to Permitted Development Rights in recent years and the values associated with residential development has resulted in many employment spaces being lost to other uses. A range of employment sites is required to ensure the new Local Plan meets economic needs of the area.

5.9 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people.

6.7 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in both urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. Changes to Permitted Development Rights in recent years and the values associated with residential development has resulted in many employment spaces being lost to other uses. A range of employment sites is required to ensure the new Local Plan meets economic needs of the area.

As a result of the constraints it faces, there is a significant shortage of both residential and commercial floorspace across Greater Cambridge. The excess demand for both use types has clearly resulted in increased pressure upon existing business and industrial space. The conversion of existing commercial space to residential development has only exacerbated this problem and will continue to do so with the existing allocations for residential in the current plan being zoned for residential uses. The business and industrial space within Greater Cambridge is a significant source of employment for local residents and plays a key role in drawing commercial activity to the area. A lack of sufficient business and industrial space has the potential to increase rental rates and drive businesses out of the area, Cambridgeshire and the UK altogether. High residential land values and a scarcity of developable land in Cambridge mean that there will be a continuing pressure on employment floorspace from other uses. Space for skilled manufacturing and development is a key part of the Greater Cambridge economy, and is identified as essential for the UK economy as a whole. However, this type of employment space is being pushed out of Cambridge, either allocated for housing or higher value employment space. As a key element of the Greater Cambridge economy these uses will need to find new homes. With specific reference to skilled manufacturing associated with science and technology research and development this needs to be in close proximity to Cambridge, the innovation clusters, employees and research. The Local Plan should not only seek to ensure that existing business and industrial space is protected in planning policy but should seek the provision of additional floorspace wherever possible in order to maximise the economic growth it can facilitate.

55. Existing employment and business locations within Rural Centres and Minor Rural Centres should be protected to ensure they maintain the level of services and employment in these sustainable village locations. 56. A number of employment sites in rural centres have already been lost to housing allocations which in turn can reduce the sustainability of such villages. Further loss should be prevented by considering alternative options for new housing such as redrawing the village boundaries and allocating edge of village sites.

5.7 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people and which employment areas should be actively supported, such as the burgeoning Cambridge Station Area.

CambridgePPF would support the protection of industrial sites unless they are poorly located in terms of their impacts on the environment and provision of public transport. • The major shifts in the retail sector may make it appropriate, in certain locations, to allow redevelopment of retail sites and premises for a mix of other uses.

In order to achieve sustainable development and secure local jobs near to local homes, it is important to protect existing business and industrial space in Greater Cambridgeshire, safeguarding space for jobs where it is appropriate to do so.

In Histon & Impington employment space was lost through 2005 to 2018 such that the number of local jobs (and those not requiring employees to fly a desk so offering choice and diversity). The developers underwent a “marketing” campaign to show no take up but there was no option to evaluate the campaign and its adequacy. A policy to require an agency nominated by the DC to properly market the site might provide some protection. Unfortunately, changing from employment to housing is too profitable for the developers. Maybe an SPD that includes a payment for each job lost on the site might reset the balance? Ensure that we are clear as to where demand for different types of industries should be located in the village by consulting with front-line Parish Council and residents. Local businesses should be encouraged to improve their carbon footprint under the Climate Emergency that has been called out by the local councils. Information and grants to allow this to happen should be made available and given transparency by Councillors and/or Climate Change experts attending local businesses and giving talks.

MGH will await the further evidence base and technical studies that are to be provided as part of the Local Plan consultation process. Research to date in the CPIER and elsewhere* shows that there is a very large demand for employment in the area and a great opportunity for Greater Cambridge to diversify the range of employment offered in order to deliver a robust economy that is beneficial to all elements of society not just those in a particular location or employed in a specific sector. *Cambridge, A city state of mind, Savills, 2018 and The Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Arc, Savills, 2019

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and new allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel. Locations which deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people should be given important consideration. In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and new allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel. Locations which deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people should be given important consideration. In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Yes, designate it for a period of time so that it can only be used for that purpose after which, if unoccupied for that time, it can be used for other purposes. Alternately, other land could be swapped by developers for prime-site industrial land.

4.75 Existing business space should be protected where continued demand exists and where the premises are of a specification and layout that meets demand. 4.76 As highlighted in supporting assessments contained within Appendices 3 and 4, it is considered that there is significant shortfall of suitable premises in the B1c, B2 and B8 use classes to fulfil operator demand.

Paragraph 117 of the NPPF encourages Councils to place emphasis on the effective use of land, i.e. meeting the need for homes and other uses, while safeguarding and improving the environment and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions. Paragraph 118 of the NPPF promotes and supports under-utilised land and buildings, especially if this would help to meet identified needs for housing where land supply is constrained and available sites could be used more effectively. Marshall's existing employment floorspace at Cambridge East is not being lost through the development of the site, but is being re-located and improved to revive the business by responding to its current needs. This opens up an opportunity to redevelop the site, maximise the site's development potential and provide new employment floorspace that is more fit for purpose. Planning policy should not be a barrier to change where this change would enable the effective use of land, resulting in significant public benefits for the Greater Cambridge area.