Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Comment

Representation ID: 57275

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

To ensure a wide range of jobs are available across Greater Cambridge, it will be important for the Local Plan to be flexible in its approach to commercial, retail and leisure uses. This is in accordance with paragraph 81 of the National Planning Policy Framework which requires Local Plans to support economic growth. It is also in line with the new Use Class E which encourages increased flexibility across use classes to allow for quick and effective reactions to changes in demand. Failure to provide sufficient flexibility across uses could stifle economic growth and risks the creation of underused and/or derelict sites.

Comment

Representation ID: 57277

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS supports ambitions for Plan to encourage a flourishing and mixed economy which includes a wide range of jobs. To ensure this is achievable, important that policy J/NE allows flexibility for employment uses in accordance with Paragraph 82 of National Planning Policy Framework.
Government recently introduced new Use Class E to promote flexibility in town centres. Crucial the Plan does not seek to restrict sub-uses within wider Use Class E, in direct conflict with the aims of Use Class E.
USS notes an identified need for warehousing and distribution. Policy J/NE is intended to not support large scale regional and national distribution proposals. Request policy makes clear that small to medium sized warehousing and distribution will be supported to meet identified need. Make clear co-location is an acceptable way to meet both warehousing and distribution and housing needs. Also reflect in Clifton Road Industrial Estate site allocation.

Comment

Representation ID: 57278

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS understands and supports the ambition to protect existing business space, Policy J/Al is intended to state that where loss is proposed, it will need to be justified by evidence it is no longer needed.
USS notes that an effective way of better utilising land is to redevelop brownfield land and re-provide existing uses alongside co-located residential uses. Proven way of addressing both housing shortage and need for other uses.
Policy J/PB should ensure it does not restrict ongoing operation of existing uses in interim period before redevelopment. USS intends to bring forward Clifton Road Industrial Estate for re-development within plan period; however, prior to its redevelopment it is critical that existing tenants are not restricted in the operation of their businesses.

Comment

Representation ID: 57279

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS notes the ambitions of proposed policy J/AW to provide affordable workspace. USS recognises that this is not always appropriate on-site and supports the proposal to allow flexibility for financial contributions for equivalent off-site provision. USS also recommends that affordable workspace requirements are subject to viability to ensure otherwise marginals schemes are not unnecessarily restricted from coming forward.

Comment

Representation ID: 57280

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS supports the proposed approach to support retail within new mixed use developments which are located outside of district centres. This will be important to ensure new residents have local everyday facilities that can be accessed sustainably, for example by walking or cycling.

Comment

Representation ID: 57281

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS notes that visitor accommodation, attractions and facilities can complement commercial uses. USS therefore requests that the proposed policy J/VA sets out that these uses will be appropriate in existing commercial areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 57282

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS notes the housing targets for the Local Plan and is supportive of appropriate brownfield sites being redeveloped to help contribute towards the housing need across Greater Cambridge.

Comment

Representation ID: 57283

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS notes that proposed policy H/AH proposes that affordable homes should be provided on-site except for in the circumstances set out in paragraph 63 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021. USS supports this approach which is in line with national policy.

USS notes that it is proposed that where the development is solely for Build to Rent, there could be a proportionate reduction in affordable housing. USS recommends that this also applies for developments where part of the residential uses are Build to Rent. This will ensure that it is viable for the most suitable residential mix to come forward on sites.

Comment

Representation ID: 57284

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS notes that proposed policy H/HM states that exceptions to the specified housing mix will be allowed where an alternative housing mix is justified by site specific circumstances, such as local character, the built form of the new development, affordable housing demand on the councils’ housing registers, and the existing housing mix in the surrounding area. USS supports this caveat as individual sites often have very different circumstances, which can impact the most appropriate mix of uses.

Comment

Representation ID: 57285

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: Universities Superannuation Scheme (Commercial)

Agent: Deloitte

USS is supportive of the ambitions of proposed policy H/HD to deliver site specific appropriate net densities across Greater Cambridge, taking advantage of opportunities to deliver higher densities on sites with good accessibility subject to local character considerations. It is important that sites in the most sustainable locations are used in the most efficient way.