Question 49. Do you have any views on any specific policies in the two adopted 2018 Local Plans? If so, what are they?

South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Policy S/5 set a target for 19,500 new homes between 2011-2031. Some of this target had already been completed/committed at the time of adoption but the remainder of housing delivery supply relied on three major strategic site allocations which were anticipated to provide a further 13,700 (70%) of these homes. As stated within the response to Question 46, a move away from simply relying a small number of large allocations is needed. Smaller and medium sized sites must also be considered to ensure that a robust supply of sites are allocated which delivers growth in the right locations across the district throughout the entire Plan period. Furthermore, the reference within Policy S/6 to limiting residential development and redevelopment to up 30 dwellings in Minor Rural Centres should be removed. It would be more appropriate to consider housing numbers and densities on a case-by-case basis taking into account the local context and need for housing. This is particularly the case as the range and number of services, facilities and employment vary amongst different rural centres. A more flexible policy approach should be taken to new development in or adjacent to these better serviced rural centres as they can deliver growth in sustainable locations and make best use of existing services, facilities and employment opportunities.

‘Mill Road Opportunity Area’ (Policy 24) Cambridge Local Plan 2018 9.1 The Travis Perkins site falls within the ‘Mill Road Opportunity Area’ (Policy 24) of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan (2018). 9.2 Policy 24 confirms that development proposals within the Mill Road Opportunity Area will be supported if they add to the vitality and viability of the street and protect and enhance its unique character, including the development of arts and cultural facilities. Travis Perkins, Devonshire Road is allocated as Site R9 (1.23 ha). 9.3 The supporting text to this policy states: “There are a number of sites with potential for redevelopment for residential uses, these include 315–349 Mill Road and Brookfields (R21), Mill Road Depot (R10) and the Travis Perkins site on Devonshire Road (R9).” 9.4 Within Appendix B of the Local Plan, the Travis Perkins site is proposed for an indicative number of 43 dwellings (35 dwellings per hectare). The site is in a central location with excellent transport links. It is capable of accommodating a much higher density development than currently indicated within the Local Plan. 9.5 The densification and redevelopment of brownfield sites such as the Travis Perkins site offer opportunities to maximise energy efficiency measures on site and achieving low carbon development, thereby helping to achieve the Council’s climate change targets. The opportunities for achieving low carbon development, net gain and energy efficiency development are more tangible if the indicative housing density for the site allocation is increased, and if the site allocation is expanded to include commercial uses. 9.6 First Base are supportive of the aims and objectives of Policy 24. This policy objective should be followed through to the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan and the Site should continue to fall within the Opportunity Area. The Policy should however allow for more development on the site. ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’ (Policy 21) Cambridge Local Plan (2018) 9.7 The site is located to the north of the Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change. The Policy should recognise the importance of areas that contribute to the growth of Areas of such as the Travis Perkins site.

57. South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Policy SS/8 must be updated to reflect the committed develop coming forward. Cambourne West is still in the process of being delivered and as such should be carried forwarded into the Greater Cambridgeshire Local Plan with relevant amendments to reflect what has been consented. 58. The consented development includes more homes and land than that which was previously allocated, and the Policies Map should be updated to reflect the full extent of the Cambourne West development area. 59. In addition, the extant permission excludes the parcel of land to the south of Cambourne Business Park access road (U&I Land). 60. At present, Policy SS/8 approach to the U&I land is set out within criteria 7. This states that this land will be developed primarily for residential uses and will only come forward once replacement employment land. This policy is now outdated and should be amended. 61. Replacement employment land has been secured as part of the Cambourne West outline planning permission and the residential dwellings numbers set out within Policy SS/8 have been exceeded. The consented scheme also includes the provision of the pedestrian and cycle path to the south of the U&I land. 62. This leaves the U&I parcel of land free of any outstanding obligations and requirements. Therefore, an entirely flexible approach can be taken to future development on this site and criterion 7 should be amended as follows: “Land south of the Business Park access road will be developed for more than 250 dwellings as well as offices and small-scale shops and other town centre uses to serve the needs of the residents and the adjoining Business Park”.

‘Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre Opportunity Area’ (Policy 25) Cambridge Local Plan 2018 9.1 Land to the south of Bateman Street falls within the ‘Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre Opportunity Area’ (Policy 25) of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan (2018). 9.2 Policy 25 confirms that development proposals within the Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre Opportunity Area will be supported if they help promote and coordinate the use of sustainable transport modes, and deliver and reinforce a sense of place and local shops and services. Development proposals are also expected to deliver a series of coordinated streetscape and public realm improvements. 9.3 Trinity Hall are fully supportive of the aims and objectives of Policy 25 and the drive to deliver an improved public realm along Hills Road. This policy objective should be followed through to the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan and the Site should continue to fall within the Opportunity Area. ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’ (Policy 21) Cambridge Local Plan (2018) 9.4 Land south of Bateman Street is currently excluded from the ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’, under Policy 21 (see Figure 1.3 below). 9.5 Land to the south of Bateman Street has an important role to play in the continuing redevelopment and revitalisation of the emerging central business district along Station Road and Hills Road. It is therefore requested that the boundaries of the ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’, under Policy 21 of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan 2018, is reviewed as part of the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan, to include for Land to the south of Bateman Street.

Grosvenor and USS’s key concern related to the previous assessment of the Cambridge Green Belt which formed part of the evidence base for the current Local Plan. As mentioned elsewhere in the representations, the nature of the site and its environs are changing. The alterations to the landscape will alter the contribution of the site to Green Belt purposes. This should be recognised in any Green Belt review the Council undertakes to support future stages of the Plan. Please see Terence O’Rourke’s Green Belt and Landscape Appraisal prepared in support of these representations, which makes references to the conclusions made in the LDA Inner Green Belt Assessments (2012 and 2015).