Object
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 200902
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Pigeon
Agent: Strutt & Parker
The proposed new funding formula for financial contributions towards off-site Natural Greenspace in South Cambridgeshire raises concerns about its untested cumulative effects on development viability.
The respondent references the PPG, stating that establishing new formulaic approaches to planning obligations in supplementary documents is inappropriate as they do not undergo examination.
The respondent questions the Council's approach to making significant changes to planning obligations funding requirements through the SPD and recommends removing the formulaic funding requirement.
Pigeon notes that the SPD proposes a new funding formula for financial contributions towards off-site provision of Natural Greenspace within South Cambridgeshire only. This is one of a number of new funding formulas proposed as part of draft SPD and which are based on the Council’s Infrastructure Costings Review (July 2025). Pigeon is concerned that these have not been tested in the round to ensure that the cumulative effect of the proposed contributions does not compromise the viability of development.
We would highlight that, according to the PPG (Paragraph: 004 Reference ID: 23b-004-20190901), it is inappropriate for plan-makers to establish new formulaic approaches to planning obligations in supplementary planning documents or supporting evidence base documents, as these would not undergo examination and the effect on site viability and delivery cannot be considered in the round. We therefore question the Councils’ approach in seeking to undertake major changes to planning obligations funding requirements through this SPD and consider that to remedy this, the Councils should remove this formulaic funding requirement from the SPD.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201074
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
While reference is provided in the further guidance section to Natural England's Green Infrastructure Framework, a reference could also be included within the text of Chapter 5 e.g., in paragraph 5.6 or 5.8) to guide quality and quantity of GI required via planning obligations.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201075
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Include the accessible greenspace standard of at least 3 ha per 1,000 population and aim for everyone to have greenspace within 15 minutes of home, possibly in paragraph 5.6 or 5.8 of Chapter 5.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201076
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
State that GI contributions should be evidence‑led and aligned with strategic planning, supporting opportunities identified in the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy and the new opportunity mapping (suggested for paragraph 5.8).
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201077
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
We note the upcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy and advise that future planning obligations should seek to contribute towards its biodiversity and accessible natural greenspace measures.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201078
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Make use of the GI mapping and the Urban Habitat Maps/Urban Heat Management Layers provided by Natural England (See attached letter) to assess the deficiencies in greenspace provision and identify priority locations for new GI.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201079
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Highlight the multi‑functional benefits of urban green space, including ecological connectivity, flood and heat‑wave risk management, public‑health improvements and reduction of environmental inequalities.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201080
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Identify retrofit opportunities for green infrastructure such as green roofs, green walls, new tree planting and verge management to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201081
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Recommend using Natural England’s Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool to identify wider benefits from nature and to avoid or minimise negative impacts.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document re-consultation - 2025
Representation ID: 201082
Received: 17/10/2025
Respondent: Natural England
Advise consideration of the protection of natural resources—including air quality, ground and surface water, and soils—especially in the north of the plan area where deep peat occurs.
Natural England submitted comments to your authority on the previous draft of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD in our response dated 24 January 2025, reference number 495254 (see attached).
The advice provided in our previous response applies equally to this amended draft SPD and we do not wish to make any further comments at this time.