Question 31. How should the Local Plan help to meet our needs for the amount and types of new homes?

No specific comments. Location is key for this plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and infrastructure and vice versa. To create a modal shift in transport and the delivery of a significant level of housing, strategic Green Belt releases need to be considered, particularly those located adjacent to public transport corridors and hubs. This would be in line with the Edge of Cambridge Green Belt Option and Public Transport corridors as presented under Q42.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs, and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met.

No specific comments. Location is key for this plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and infrastructure and vice versa.

By not wasting opportunities as happened at the Depot. Vast wastage on luxury execuboxes + car spaces (!!!!!) plus warehousing for social housing. Disgusting. Also crazily planning community facilities for Mill Rd end instead of Hooper St end of the development. Again and again and again - local community voices IGNORED.

6.1 There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. It is important to identify a baseline housing need but there should be scope for further development to come forward if it meets a particular housing need. This would support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes to ensure that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed and that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed (NPPF Para. 59). 6.2 The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. 6.3 Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met

More family-size homes are needed in Cambridge. There is a big imbalance between the number of small, one-bedroom apartments and three- or four-bedroom homes which makes it a difficult city for families to settle in.

Location is key for the Plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and transport links and vice versa.

It is important that the Councils pursue a balanced approach to meeting housing needs through the identification of a range of small, medium and larger site allocations (NPPF para 68). Whilst large new housing allocations can offer attractive delivery rates over a sustained period, early and fast delivery can also be achieved through small and medium sized sites. The Local Plan should adopt a balanced approach to site identification, including a range of sizes and locations that allow the house-building industry to respond flexibly as the market fluctuates and develops. This will ensure a steady supply of new homes is provided throughout the Plan period such that the Councils are able to maintain a 5-year housing land supply. Over-reliance on large sites risks under-delivery in the early years, a dip in supply resulting in speculative applications and appeals. Inclusion of a healthy supply of small and medium sized sites will help to avoid this. It is also important to ensure planned housing growth is matched by public investment in necessary infrastructure so as not to burden development sites with additional costs that inevitably impact on the ability to achieve affordable housing policy targets.

Location is key for the Plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and transport links and vice versa. To create a modal shift in transport and delivery of a significant level of housing, strategic Green Belt releases need to be considered, particularly those located adjacent to public transport corridors.

Location is key for the Plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and transport links and vice versa. To create a modal shift in transport and delivery of a significant level of housing, strategic Green Belt releases need to be considered, particularly those located adjacent to public transport corridors and existing settlements.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs, and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. In addition, it should be noted that Paragraph 61 of the NPPF expects affordable housing needs to be met. Paragraph 68 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. On this basis, the emerging GCLP should facilitate the delivery of the right homes in the right places. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met. It is requested that housing needs should be met in the emerging GCLP by allocating sites in a variety of locations including the villages, of a variety of sizes including small and medium sized sites, and on sites where policy compliant levels of affordable housing can be provided.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: • there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; • strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, • an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate upward adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs, and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. In addition, it should be noted that Paragraph 61 of the NPPF expects affordable housing needs to be met. Paragraph 68 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. On this basis, the emerging GCLP should facilitate the delivery of the right homes in the right places. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met. It is requested that housing needs should be met in the emerging GCLP by allocating sites in a variety of locations including the villages, of a variety of sizes including small and medium sized sites, and on sites where policy compliant levels of affordable housing can be provided.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: • there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; • strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and • an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. As set out below, the first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. As set out below, there is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met. Our response to Question 32 sets out the assessment of housing requirements undertaken for North BRLOG.

Stop existing housing being converted to short term lets and airbnb hotels

Experience to date suggests that developers will continue to prefer building homes that many will struggle to afford. They are just not interested in providing smaller homes, whether for less affluent people or downsizers.

A greater proportion of self build, co-housing and council housing should be promoted so consumers have a choice other than the poor quality developer housing currently offered.

Convert larger houses into beautiful, well designed microapartments. Redevelop some of the more nasty inefficient pokey Victorian housing into beautiful high density microapartments.

Enforce the 40% affordability clause. Tighten up on developers who use the 'viability' excuse. Limit speculative planning, especially at the luxury end and totally unaffordable for local people. Clamp down on 'businesses' running Air BnBs and limit properties of short term let, thus allowing these homes to be real long term homes and help build communities All large developments must include housing for Key Workers eg those in the public sector (NHS, Fire Service, Police, Teachers) and homes for low wage key jobs. All large developments must have mixed housing, private and rent, suitable for the young, families and retired people. All are important for a community. There seems to be a need for homes for the retired, perhaps downsizing but we need affordable homes as well as the current exclusive luxury apartments.

The Local Plan should, in addition to defining the total housing provision and settlement hierarchy, also suggest the proportion of development that different settlement types should accommodate. In recent years high levels of development have been permitted in a small number of villages (e.g. Cottenham, Melbourn) and it is felt that a greater level should now be directed to some of the smaller villages (e.g. Ickleton), some of which have seen little development for many years.

As noted in our response to Question 24, the Trumpington Residents’ Association believes that there should be a full assessment as part of the Plan of the impact of different levels of economic growth and the consequences for the number of homes that will be needed. The number of homes to be provided for in the Plan should not be determined wholly by the level of economic growth and jobs, which is how “The First Conversation” reads. It should be determined by a judgement on the overall level of growth which gives weight to all of the themes, not just economic growth. We believe it would be against Greater Cambridge’s best interests to contemplate a 55% increase in the present number of homes to provide the “flexibility” in response to the market determined number of jobs, which is countenanced in “The First Conversation” [referred to in the last paragraphs on pages 4 and 62]. Based on our experience with the developments in the Southern Fringe, we recommend that more attention is given in further new developments to local demographics and the pattern of homes matching the needs of people over 50 and the elderly, including more provision of land for care homes. Also, we think there is a strong case for the provision of more council housing at social rents and key worker housing, to bring rents within the reach of a wider cross-section of local people. We are very concerned at the way new housing has been marketed to non-local people and encourage the Councils to seek ways to control that practice.

• The Local Plan must prioritise the construction of high quality ‘affordable’ homes (the current policy of 40% should be continued), and the percentage agreed at any planning approval must not be amended downwards as a result of spurious ‘economic viability’ assessments by developers. The ‘affordable’ homes (whether shared-equity or for rent) must be integrated into the wider development to help social unity. Green spaces and adequate gardens are essential to provide an environment that is healthy, promotes community and a place to be proud of. • The variety of housing options should be expanded to include both cohousing and self-build.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 59 of the NPPF confirms the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing, and to achieve this by ensuring that a sufficient amount and variety of land for housing is identified. Paragraph 60 expects the standard method to be used to determine the minimum number of houses needed. Paragraph 61 expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. Section Id.2a of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how housing and economic needs assessments should be undertaken, including how to calculate local housing needs using the standard method. Paragraph 010 of Id.2a makes it clear that the standard method is the minimum starting point for determining local housing needs, and acknowledges that there may be circumstances where actual housing need is higher than the standard method indicates. As set out in Paragraph 010 the circumstances where increases to housing need that exceed past trends are as follows: there is a growth strategy in place to promote and facilitate additional growth; strategic infrastructure improvements are likely to lead to an increase in the number of homes needed locally; and, an authority has agreed to accommodate unmet housing needs from a neighbouring area. The first two circumstances are relevant to Greater Cambridge. Paragraph 024 of Id.2a explains how the need for affordable housing is calculated, and it is suggested that the overall housing target should be increased where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes. There is an urgent need to improve the affordability of housing and to boost affordable housing delivery in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, the emerging GCLP should use the standard method to calculate the minimum local housing need, and then make appropriate adjustments taking into account the growth strategies and strategic infrastructure improvements identified for Greater Cambridge, and a further adjustment to ensure affordable housing needs are met. It will also be important to ensure that the emerging GCLP allocates sites which have good prospects of deliverability within appropriate timescales. This is considered more important withing Greater Cambridge as new settlements allocated in previous Plans have been slow to deliver and this has had a negative effect on the supply of both market and affordable housing across Greater Cambridgeshire. Land to the east of the Ridgeway and Old Pinewood Way, Papworth Everard is being promoted by a housebuilder that would develop out the site themselves. The site has been subject to two previous planning applications and Bloor Homes Eastern remain committed to the delivery of housing at this site. Should the site be allocated, Bloor Homes Eastern would expect a delivery rate of 60 dwelling per year for a site of this size. The site could therefore be built out within 2.7 years once a start on site was made and therefore within the early years of the plan period.

Experience to date suggests that developers will continue to prefer building homes that many will struggle to afford. They are just not interested in providing smaller homes, whether for less affluent people or downsizers.

As discussed, new homes must be integrated into existing and proposed public transport networks, otherwise the negative externalities resulting from increased commuter journey times will undermine economic growth, productivity, social well being and attempts to protect the environment.

Ditch the idea of a growing economy, for a start! Then all housing should be extremely, super, ultra low-impact. Small footprints are good, to preserve green space area and limit consumerism, e.g. 5-storey flat blocks, tiny houses, recycled shipping containers, campervans, houseboats, etc. Don't use cement, which is horrendously CO2-intensive. Try asking... you guessed... an informed random jury!!

It is critical that the local plan supports and delivers the homes needed to support the local economy. Greater Cambridge for too long has seen employment growth outstrip the housing planned for, which has resulted in severe negative social and environmental effects. It is vital therefore that the amount of new housing planned for is based on economic aspirations rather. Based on the evidence to date, the minimum housing requirement to be planned for is 2,900 a year.

I don't think we should build new homes, whatever the government dictates. Already we have seen the effects of houses being built on flood plains and its effect on flooding in order to fulfill arbitrary demands for new housing by the government. Plus the water levels of the artesian wells in this semi-arid area are already under great stress. Last summer the lakes in some of our nature reserves were empty. Where is the water to come from for all these new homes?

See the response to question 32

The Councils are currently working jointly on key areas such as the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the Gypsies and Travellers Need Assessment. Where developments are close to the boundary of Greater Cambridge careful consideration should also be given to the scale and nature of housing and employment need from adjoining local authorities.