Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
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Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
WS/HD: Creating healthy new developments
Representation ID: 60521
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Whilst Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the desire to apply health principles to new development, the requirement under the policy to draw on the ten principles developed from the Healthy New Towns initiative is considered onerous. It is suggested that the wording of this policy is amended to state that ‘we will seek to integrate health considerations into policies across the Plan. This would require health principles to be applied to new developments wherever possible, drawing on the ten principles developed from the Healthy New Towns initiative as appropriate.’
The requirement for a Health Impact Assessment to be submitted with applications is also currently ambiguous. The proposed policy wording states that ‘Health Impact Assessments will be required to accompany planning applications (at a level of detail appropriate to the scale and nature of the application).’ It is suggested that further clarification should be provided within the wording of this policy as to what scale and nature of development would trigger what level of detail. This would minimise the risk of documents not covering the necessary detail expected by the Council.
Whilst Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the desire to apply health principles to new development, the requirement under the policy to draw on the ten principles developed from the Healthy New Towns initiative is considered onerous. It is suggested that the wording of this policy is amended to state that ‘we will seek to integrate health considerations into policies across the Plan. This would require health principles to be applied to new developments wherever possible, drawing on the ten principles developed from the Healthy New Towns initiative as appropriate.’
The requirement for a Health Impact Assessment to be submitted with applications is also currently ambiguous. The proposed policy wording states that ‘Health Impact Assessments will be required to accompany planning applications (at a level of detail appropriate to the scale and nature of the application).’ It is suggested that further clarification should be provided within the wording of this policy as to what scale and nature of development would trigger what level of detail. This would minimise the risk of documents not covering the necessary detail expected by the Council. For example South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 Policy SC/2 specifies that such a report is required for developments of 20 dwellings or more.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
WS/CF: Community, sports and leisure facilities
Representation ID: 60522
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the provision of facilities to support new development and residents, but would like to minimise any uncertainty.
The policy states that ‘the Local Plan will require appropriate community, cultural, education, sports and leisure provision to meet the needs generated by new developments.’ Clarification should be provided as to the measure of what is deemed ‘appropriate’ and thresholds for whether this will be on-site contributions or off-site.
The policy wording adds that ‘in large scale developments and new communities, community development strategies will be required, to explore how places will become communities, and how early residents will be supported’. The Council should quantify what is considered to be a ‘large scale development’ i.e. is this major development as defined by the NPPF, or is this a locally set measure.
Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the provision of facilities to support new development and residents, but would like to make some comments on the wording of the policy to minimise any uncertainty.
The policy states that ‘the Local Plan will require appropriate community, cultural, education, sports and leisure provision to meet the needs generated by new developments.’ Clarification should be provided as to the measure of what is deemed ‘appropriate’ and thresholds for whether this will be on-site contributions or off-site.
Related to this, the policy wording adds that ‘in large scale developments and new communities, community development strategies will be required, to explore how places will become communities, and how early residents will be supported’. The Council should quantify what is considered to be a ‘large scale development’ i.e. is this major development as defined by the NPPF, or is this a locally set measure.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
WS/IO: Creating inclusive employment and business opportunities through new developments
Representation ID: 60523
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Taylor Wimpey agree with the Council ambition set out under this policy to support local business and provide local people with employment opportunities and experience through new development.
The Council note that they need to define ‘appropriate scaled development’ which is supported.
Furthermore, depending on local circumstances and labour availability at the time of works, it may not always be possible or realistic to meet the policy requirements. In order to not inhibit progress of sites and delivery of development, it is suggested that the wording is tweaked to add a degree of flexibility. It should state that ‘it is proposed that wherever possible, appropriately scaled developments contribute to local training, skills and employment opportunities, for example apprenticeships, to help to ensure that the local community benefits from the development. In addition, appropriately scaled developments would be required to provide access for local businesses to supply chain opportunities in various stages of development, wherever possible.’
Taylor Wimpey agree with the Council ambition set out under this policy to support local business and provide local people with employment opportunities and experience through new development.
The Council note that they need to define ‘appropriate scaled development’ which is supported, to provide clarity on the scales of development that will be required to do this.
Furthermore, depending on local circumstances and labour availability at the time of works, it may not always be possible or realistic to meet the policy requirements. In order to not inhibit progress of sites and delivery of development, it is suggested that the wording is tweaked to add a degree of flexibility. It should state that ‘it is proposed that wherever possible, appropriately scaled developments contribute to local training, skills and employment opportunities, for example apprenticeships, to help to ensure that the local community benefits from the development. In addition, appropriately scaled developments would be required to provide access for local businesses to supply chain opportunities in various stages of development, wherever possible.’
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
WS/HS: Pollution, health and safety
Representation ID: 60524
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Whilst Taylor Wimpey support the need for development to take account of sources of pollution, it is suggested that the policy fails to recognise that impacts could be mitigated against. It is therefore suggested that the wording is amended to state that ‘we propose that this policy will require that development does not lead to, or is subject to significant adverse effects as a result of noise, vibration, odour, and/or light pollution unless these effects can be satisfactorily mitigated against’.
Whilst Taylor Wimpey support the need for development to take account of sources of pollution, it is suggested that the policy fails to recognise that impacts could be mitigated against. It is therefore suggested that the wording is amended to state that ‘we propose that this policy will require that development does not lead to, or is subject to significant adverse effects as a result of noise, vibration, odour, and/or light pollution unless these effects can be satisfactorily mitigated against’.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/PP: People and place responsive design
Representation ID: 60525
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Taylor Wimpey support the approach that development should have regard to its context in design terms. The opening of the policy wording states that ‘the policy will require all applicants to demonstrate how their proposals sustain and enhance the unique qualities of the Greater Cambridge area and the subtleties in the different landscape and settlement forms.’ This wording suggests that all developments will need to address all of the qualities of the Greater Cambridge area through development, which is clearly unachievable and unreasonable. It is therefore suggested that this wording is amended to state that this is ‘as appropriate to the local context of the development site’.
Taylor Wimpey support the approach that development should have regard to its context in design terms. The opening of the policy wording states that ‘the policy will require all applicants to demonstrate how their proposals sustain and enhance the unique qualities of the Greater Cambridge area and the subtleties in the different landscape and settlement forms.’ This wording suggests that all developments will need to address all of the qualities of the Greater Cambridge area through development, which is clearly unachievable and unreasonable. It is therefore suggested that this wording is amended to state that this is ‘as appropriate to the local context of the development site’.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/LC: Protection and enhancement of landscape character
Representation ID: 60526
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
The content of this policy is supported by Taylor Wimpey. It is also positive that the policy references the Greater Cambridge Landscape Character Assessment as a clear point of reference in responding to this policy.
A slight amendment is however suggested to the wording to provide flexibility. The third bullet point is suggested to be amended to state that developments will be required to ‘retain and enhance landscape features within new developments that positively contribute to the quality and character of the area, wherever possible’. The wording as it currently stands suggests that any landscape features on sites should be retained and enhanced, whereas the proposed amendment ensures that features of limited value may be appropriately removed, or indeed where features of value may need to be removed, for example to facilitate access. The proposed wording is consistent with that currently set out under Policy GP/QP.
It is also noted that the policy makes reference to the need for protecting ‘important green gaps’. The only green gap referenced is Longstanton and Northstowe and therefore it is assumed the policy should be updated to refer to a singular gap.
The content of this policy is supported by Taylor Wimpey in order to address landscape character through development. It is also positive that the policy references the Greater Cambridge Landscape Character Assessment as a clear point of reference in responding to this policy.
A slight amendment is however suggested to the wording to again provide flexibility. The third bullet point is suggested to be amended to state that developments will be required to ‘retain and enhance landscape features within new developments that positively contribute to the quality and character of the area, wherever possible’. The wording as it currently stands suggests that any landscape features on sites should be retained and enhanced, whereas the proposed amendment ensures that features of limited value may be appropriately removed, or indeed where features of value may need to be removed, for example to facilitate access. The proposed wording is consistent with that currently set out under Policy GP/QP.
It is also noted that the policy makes reference to the need for protecting ‘important green gaps’. The only green gap referenced is Longstanton and Northstowe and therefore it is assumed the policy should be updated to refer to a singular gap.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/QD: Achieving high quality development
Representation ID: 60527
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the aspiration to achieve high quality design through development. A couple of minor points are however raised on the wording of the policy.
Firstly, the need to successfully integrate waste, recycling and parking is referenced twice in the policy under ‘climate-positive’ and ‘local character’ which does not need to be repeated under the same policy.
The policy also states that ‘any proposal for a structure that breaks the existing skyline and/or is significantly taller than the surrounding built form will need to demonstrate through visual assessment or appraisal with supporting accurate visual representations, how the proposals enhance the existing landscape and townscape and do not cause unacceptable impact on the historic environment’. Clarification should be provided within the policy as to what is regarded as ‘significantly taller’.
Taylor Wimpey are supportive of the aspiration to achieve high quality design through development. A couple of minor points are however raised on the wording of the policy.
Firstly, the need to successfully integrate waste, recycling and parking is referenced twice in the policy under ‘climate-positive’ and ‘local character’ which does not need to be repeated under the same policy.
The policy also states that ‘any proposal for a structure that breaks the existing skyline and/or is significantly taller than the surrounding built form will need to demonstrate through visual assessment or appraisal with supporting accurate visual representations, how the proposals enhance the existing landscape and townscape and do not cause unacceptable impact on the historic environment’. Clarification should be provided within the policy as to what is regarded as ‘significantly taller’.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/QP: Establishing high quality landscape and public realm
Representation ID: 60528
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
The approach to high quality landscape and public realm is supported. A minor comment is made on the last bullet point of the policy, which sets out the need to ‘provide appropriate types of open space whether in urban or more rural places that link into other sequences of existing or new landscape spaces and wider settings’. It is queried what will be the measure of ‘appropriate’ and particularly whether in relation to Policy BG/EO certain thresholds and types of open space provision will be required dependent upon scale of development.
The approach to high quality landscape and public realm is supported. A minor comment is made on the last bullet point of the policy, which sets out the need to ‘provide appropriate types of open space whether in urban or more rural places that link into other sequences of existing or new landscape spaces and wider settings’. It is queried what will be the measure of ‘appropriate’ and particularly whether in relation to Policy BG/EO certain thresholds and types of open space provision will be required dependent upon scale of development.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/HA: Conservation and enhancement of heritage assets
Representation ID: 60529
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
The policy wording on archaeology states that ‘the policy will also require the appropriate treatment of archaeology.’ This is ambiguous and does not appear to identify that this applies to sites where there is likely to be an impact on archaeology. It is suggested that the policy wording is amended to state that ‘the policy will also require the appropriate treatment of archaeology, where development proposals have the potential to impact archaeological remains or deposits.’
The policy wording on archaeology states that ‘the policy will also require the appropriate treatment of archaeology.’ This is ambiguous and does not appear to identify that this applies to sites where there is likely to be an impact on archaeology. It is suggested that the policy wording is amended to state that ‘the policy will also require the appropriate treatment of archaeology, where development proposals have the potential to impact archaeological remains or deposits.’
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
J/RW: Enabling remote working
Representation ID: 60530
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Agent: Turley
Taylor Wimpey support the approach under this policy to take account of the current and likely future trend for working at home, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the policy does not place any requirements on new developments to consider this matter, it is highlighted that the development of Land north of Cambridge Road, Linton would benefit from homes that include provision of studies and include the necessary broadband services to easily facilitate home working.
Taylor Wimpey support the approach under this policy to take account of the current and likely future trend for working at home, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the policy does not place any requirements on new developments to consider this matter, it is highlighted that the development of Land north of Cambridge Road, Linton would benefit from homes that include provision of studies and include the necessary broadband services to easily facilitate home working.
