Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Rural Southern cluster
28. CPRE objects strongly to Policy S/GC: Genome Campus, Hinxton. The proposed policy area is many times the area of the existing campus and the majority of it is on productive farm land on the opposite side of the
A1301. To hide this attempted sprawl into the countryside by badging it as a potential expansion of the
Wellcome research business, when that business has room for expansion on its existing site, is less than
honest.
29. This area of land may be close to a significant road junction but Hinxton is a rural community with a long
history in a countryside location and this should be respected. We find this proposal doubly surprising
when it was only just over two years ago that CPRE supported the District Council in its rejection of a
similar proposal in the countryside near Hinxton, rejection which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate
on appeal.
30. CPRE objects most strongly to Policy S/BRC: Babraham Research Campus. The proposed policy area would approximately double the size of the existing site. It is unacceptable to withdraw this area from the Green
Belt. Withdrawal is not consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework. The Babraham site is
located within the Cambridge Nature Network and adjacent to two strategic green infrastructure areas
(Green Infrastructure Strategic Initiatives: Gog Magog Hills (3) and River Cam Corridor (2c)).
31. Vague terms such as these used by the Shared Planning Service:
• Protect and enhance the landscaped setting of the site
• Preserve the appearance of the conservation areas, and the setting of the Grade II Listed Babraham
Hall and the Grade I Listed St Peters Church.
• Protect and enhance the corridor of the River Granta (recognised as a county wildlife site)
• Take steps to include sustainable travel opportunities, including the opportunities provided by the
planned Cambridge South East Transport Scheme.
• Retain the area of The Close as key worker and affordable housing to support the needs of the
Campus. Any future renovation or replacement should retain the low density character, which
responds to the sensitive village edge location.
provide no comfort that this Policy will not lead to further sprawl into the countryside.
32. The proposed Policy Area extension is on higher ground than the existing campus buildings and the location is sensitive in landscape character, being visible from the higher ground of the Gog Magog Hills, including
from the Roman Road Scheduled Ancient Monument. The landscape has already been damaged by one of
the recently constructed buildings on the campus. CPRE is very concerned by the further development of
this site towards Cambridge and we will request the Secretary of State to consider very carefully any
further attrition of the Green Belt at this location.

Rural Southern cluster
28. CPRE objects strongly to Policy S/GC: Genome Campus, Hinxton. The proposed policy area is many times the area of the existing campus and the majority of it is on productive farm land on the opposite side of the
A1301. To hide this attempted sprawl into the countryside by badging it as a potential expansion of the
Wellcome research business, when that business has room for expansion on its existing site, is less than
honest.
29. This area of land may be close to a significant road junction but Hinxton is a rural community with a long
history in a countryside location and this should be respected. We find this proposal doubly surprising
when it was only just over two years ago that CPRE supported the District Council in its rejection of a
similar proposal in the countryside near Hinxton, rejection which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate
on appeal.
30. CPRE objects most strongly to Policy S/BRC: Babraham Research Campus. The proposed policy area would approximately double the size of the existing site. It is unacceptable to withdraw this area from the Green
Belt. Withdrawal is not consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework. The Babraham site is
located within the Cambridge Nature Network and adjacent to two strategic green infrastructure areas
(Green Infrastructure Strategic Initiatives: Gog Magog Hills (3) and River Cam Corridor (2c)).
31. Vague terms such as these used by the Shared Planning Service:
• Protect and enhance the landscaped setting of the site
• Preserve the appearance of the conservation areas, and the setting of the Grade II Listed Babraham
Hall and the Grade I Listed St Peters Church.
• Protect and enhance the corridor of the River Granta (recognised as a county wildlife site)
• Take steps to include sustainable travel opportunities, including the opportunities provided by the
planned Cambridge South East Transport Scheme.
• Retain the area of The Close as key worker and affordable housing to support the needs of the
Campus. Any future renovation or replacement should retain the low density character, which
responds to the sensitive village edge location.
provide no comfort that this Policy will not lead to further sprawl into the countryside.
32. The proposed Policy Area extension is on higher ground than the existing campus buildings and the location is sensitive in landscape character, being visible from the higher ground of the Gog Magog Hills, including
from the Roman Road Scheduled Ancient Monument. The landscape has already been damaged by one of
the recently constructed buildings on the campus. CPRE is very concerned by the further development of
this site towards Cambridge and we will request the Secretary of State to consider very carefully any
further attrition of the Green Belt at this location.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Rest of the rural area
33. CPRE does not support development S/RRA/H Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote. On its own as a
village development this would have made sense. However, given the proximity of the nearby major
development at Bourn Airfield, CPRE considers this will eventually lead to coalescence and a continuous
urban sprawl alongside the A428 from Caldecote to Cambourne.
34. CPRE is concerned by proposal S/RRA/CR Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn. At first sight,
there is logic to this proposal but it could further industrialise the centre of this historic village which has
already been badly visually affected by the existing Science Park.
35. CPRE would not support further development at the Cambridge Services site close to the A14 as proposed
by S/RRA/SAS, Land to the south of the A14 Services. There is no natural barrier to prevent further
expansion into the wide-open landscape at this location which has already been damaged by the necessary
but unfortunate location of the services. Such development will lead to further, unsightly, road freight
driven sprawl.
36. For similar reasons, and the potential for additional traffic through the centres of Swavesey and Over, CPRE
would not support the further expansion proposed by S/RRA/BBP, Land at Buckingway Business Park,
Swavesey.
37. CPRE would like to see some form of development protection given to the nearby, former private, outdoor,
laboratory of the late Dr Norman Moore at Boxworth End, Swavesey. Dr Moore was one of the UK’s most
significant conservation scientists of the 20th century. He founded the former Monks Wood Research
Station and established the link between wildlife mortality and widely-used pesticides. The site itself has
some local value as habitat and a landscape amenity. However, its overwhelming significance is as a site of
scientific study, in particular of ecology and wildlife conservation. This small site was created and studied
minutely by a scientist who led the world in his chosen fields - the ecology of hedges and the chemistry of
certain pesticides. Boxworth End could show future generations how these issues were first confronted.
CPRE’s ongoing national campaign, supported by Lord Deben, to protect and enhance hedgerows nationally
attracted a lot of support at a day in Parliament recently, demonstrating just how important hedgerows are
to the future health of the countryside and at what level this is recognised.
38. CPRE is not in favour of proposal S/RRA/SNR, Land to the north of St Neots Road, Dry Drayton. This small
land parcel forms a green buffer between St Neots Road and the A428 and development would create
further coalescence along the A428.
6
39. CPRE would support the redevelopment proposed by S/RRA/OHD Old Highways Depot, Twenty Pence Lane,
Cottenham, providing it was limited to employment Class E(g)(i) (offices to carry out any operational or
administrative functions) and/or E(g)(ii) (Research and development of products or processes). CPRE would
strongly oppose development of this site for Class B8, storage and distribution use. Cottenham already
endures significant disturbance from HGV traffic arising from the industrial site further north along Twenty
Pence Road.

Climate change – development issues
40. CPRE largely supports Policy CC/NZ: Net zero carbon new buildings. However, to be effective it needs to be
taken in conjunction with three further policies which we have not discovered in the draft Local Plan,
namely:
• a ‘brownfield first’ policy for new building
• a policy to minimise the number of new buildings and developments in the Greater Cambridge
region
• a policy to halt the use of scarce farm land for solar energy generation and instead ensure that solar
installations are mandated on all industrial buildings, new and existing. Policy CC/RE: Renewable
energy projects and infrastructure, is totally ineffective in this respect.
41. The draft Local Plan is not consistent with national government policy because it does not follow a
'brownfield first' approach. It is also concerning that the Plan is seeking to build more houses in the
Cambridge area than required by current planning legislation and the ‘five-year land supply’.
42. As stated above, the Plan assumes the development of the Ox-Cam Arc, which is leading to more greenfield
building which maximises carbon emissions. The Local Plan should not be accepting the Arc, instead the
local planning authorities should be firmly resisting this outdated idea of ‘clustering’ of science-based
businesses. These businesses operate globally, increasingly using the internet to minimise business travel
and they can operate anywhere. The development of vaccines during the pandemic has proved the
effectiveness of remote collaborative working on a global scale.
43. Rather than encouraging further building on precious high grade farm land around Cambridge all
responsible local organisations involved in planning, including the University and businesses, should be
encouraging and enabling redevelopments in other regions, where there are up to 1 million empty homes
and space for 1.3 million more on registered brownfield sites.
44. Embedded carbon emissions arising from construction appear to be ignored in the Plan. Cement
manufacture contributes 8% of global carbon emissions which is more than three times the impact of
aviation fuel. Iron and steel production accounts for another 8%. Between them they account for more
emissions than the USA and are second only to China as greenhouse gas emitters.
45. According to the recent Cambridge and Peterborough Climate Commission report, at the present rate the
Region will have used up its entire carbon budget, allocated to meet its legal obligation to reach zero carbon
by 2050, in less than six years; due to the level of planned growth, emissions will accelerate further.
46. The Climate Change Committee, led by Lord Deben, has argued in its 2018, 2019 and 2020 Annual Reports
to Parliament that UK local and imported emissions arising from construction, must be reduced if the UK is
to meet its now legal emission targets. Yet this Plan is seeking to increase construction.
47. Large areas of some ‘brownfield’ sites, such as old airfields like Oakington, Waterbeach and Bourn, are not
brownfield at all. Only their disused runways, hard-standing and associated buildings are brownfield and
most of their area is already turned back to use as productive farmland. It is unacceptable that local
planning authorities are blindly ignoring this fact.
48. All unsustainable growth must be halted as a matter of global and national emergency, yet the level of
building and infrastructure growth contained in the draft Local Plan breaches all obligations for sustainable
development other than those arising from future operation.
49. Policy CC/DC: Designing for a changing climate, is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.