The vision states that 'the development will ensure the continued presence of the strategic aggregates railheads that will facilitate the wider growth of Greater Cambridge'. CNFE is the only location in the Cambridge area which has strategic railheads, and these are essential to the growth of the area as they are the means through which mineral which cannot be found locally i.e. hard rock, is brought into the area. The alternative would be to bring large quantities of hard rock by road which would not be sustainable. The Lafarge Tarmac railhead will also play an essential role in bringing in hard rock for the improvement of the A14, over the three year build period.

The intent to retain these railheads is therefore strongly supported and is consistent with the County Council's policy in the adopted Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (2011) and Site Specific Proposals Plan (2012) which identifies the Lafarge Tarmac railhead as a Transport Zone and designates a Transport Safeguarding Areas around it, placing within it a presumption against any development which could prejudice its use for the transport of mineral and / or waste.

The vision box also states that the development will ensure 'existing and new waste management facilities can be safeguarded / delivered (including Household Recycling Centre and inert waste recycling facility)'. This is welcomed and is in line with the County Council's policy in the adopted Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (2011) and Site Specific Proposals Plan (2012) which identifies an area of search for a Household Recycling Centre and a permanent inert waste recycling facility, alongside other new waste technologies where appropriate. As pointed out above, so long as the vision takes account of the relevant safeguarding areas and allocations set out within the Minerals and Waste Development Plan, and ensures that development is appropriate that will not prejudice the minerals and waste, plus related transport uses, it should be seen to be policy compliant.

Support from economic development perspective.

The vision would benefit from the inclusion of "health" as a concept.