Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Representations to Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals
On behalf of TTP Campus Ltd

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by the TTP Group to make the necessary and relevant submissions to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals document which has been published for consultation.

TTP Group (The Technology Partnership) was established over 34 years ago to create a world leading technology and development organisation. This work has evolved into the TTP Group which is formed by a range of businesses focused on the needs of companies planning to flourish through the use of technology and innovation.
As the enterprise has grown, new companies have been created, some of which have remained within the TTP Group whilst others have been sold, demerged and floated on the London Stock Exchange. The Group is quite rightly proud of its heritage and legacy and an integral part of its success is reflected in its long standing close links with the local community in Melbourn where more recently TTP secured a very significant planning permission to relocate its headquarters building to a site directly north of the existing Melbourn Science Park.

The granting of planning permission on the Birchwood Site

In 2018, TTP submitted a planning application for some 10,000 sq.m. of new commercial floorspace on land north of Melbourn Science Park. Consequently, planning permission was granted in March 2019 for “new office and technology research facilities” under planning application reference S/2941/18/FL. The granting of this permission enabled TTP to set out a clear business strategy for expansion which consented 10,974 sq.m. of new floorspace in two phases comprising:

• The main building (known as The Hive”)
• The Technology Barn
• The Service Building
• The Conference Pod
• The Forum Pod

Since the granting of the original permission a number of design changes were made and resulted in the issuing of a new permission (Section 73) granted in June 2020 (planning application reference S/4535/19/VC). A number of non material amendments were made and all relevant conditions were discharged to enable development to begin on site. Works are at advanced stage on site. A copy of the approved site layout granted planning permission together with the red line application boundary is submitted alongside this text.
It is important to acknowledge at the time of the submission of the application back in 2018 and importantly at the time of determination by the local planning authority, the application site lay outside the identified settlement boundary for Melbourn in the Adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. It was the case at the time of the submission of the original application back in 2018 that the proposals were considered as a departure to the Adopted Local Plan having regard to the Council’s policy position and largely due to the site’s location within what was considered to be countryside where restrictive policies would apply .

Whilst acknowledging that the proposed development would have an impact on the landscape and there would be a loss of agricultural land, the Council also recognised the significant case put forward by the applicant demonstrating the importance of new research and office buildings to support the future needs of TTP adjacent to its existing group of companies and workforce - they acknowledged the continuing importance of TTP in the content of the delivery of important technologies at the regional, national and international market and the planned expansion being able to contribute to local amenities.

The adopted Local Plan policies which sought to ensure the promotion of employment clusters, the development of the employment sector within village frameworks as well as a policy which supported new employment development on the edge of villages were all relevant to the consideration of the planning application. However, the Local Planning Authority acknowledged that there was no specific employment policy within the adopted plan which was directly relevant to the development proposal but it was the case that TTP put forward a case of other material planning considerations to take into account when determining the application. This included the assessment of the economic and social role that TTP play both in terms of the village but also their wider role within the employment sector as a hugely successful home-grown company maintaining significant links to the village.

Consequently, when weighing up the material considerations, officers considered that the adverse impacts arising from the development in terms of environmental harm would not be significant and were demonstrably outweighed by the economic and social benefits of the proposal when taken as a whole.

The granting of this planning permission for the site and its implementation and the current construction on site has clearly changed the character of the area. The previously agricultural character of the land has now been transformed into what will now become a new large modern office and research campus encompassing a series of buildings set in a redesigned landscape with the consequent infrastructure requirements of parking and internal road, cycleways and pathways. The consented scheme and this change in character as a result of the planning permission being implemented now means that this needs the new emerging Joint Local Plan to recognise this context. ie, a change to the inset boundary to include that application boundary within the settlement limit for Melbourn. (see enclosed plan)

This is reflective of the Council’s approval for the development and the recognition that the character of the site and its immediate surroundings will change as a result of the built form and the necessary infrastructural and landscaping works which will come forward as part of the proposal.

Policy S/DS – Development Strategy
One of the key roles for a new Local Plan for the Cambridge area is to set out the proposed strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places. The overall strategy is one of directing development to where it has the least climate impact, where active and public transport is a natural choice, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live, whilst ensuring that all necessary utilities can be provided in a sustainable way.
Clearly, there is a significant change in the character between the built area and the rural area around it and therefore it is imperative that wherever new development comes forward that the distinctive character of the City, towns and villages are not adversely affected through new development.
In this context it is important that any development strategy being adopted by the planning authorities exploits and takes up the opportunities to use brownfield land (previously developed land) to ensure ,where appropriate, the protection of other more sensitive locations in the countryside. In the context of Melbourn, submissions have been made to amend the village framework to acknowledge the change in character of the landscape having regard to the granting of the planning permission for the new TTP headquarters north of Melbourn Science Park. Placing the new buildings within the settlement envelope is the logical approach and acknowledges the policy context where potential expansion could occur on that site having regard to its location within the development envelope. Clearly, the normal development management policies would apply of design, materials, privacy and amenity but importantly the principle of development in that location should not be one that is an issue.
Certainly the principle of supporting new employment development within existing settlements is not new to the plan and we are pleased to see under Policy J/NE “New Employment Development Proposals” that the proposed policy direction with the new local plan is one that acknowledges that employment development (classes E9g), B2 and B8) will be supported “within towns and villages, where it is of an appropriate scale and character to the location and scale of development. The policy would cover both new premises and the expansion of existing premises” (page 228 of the consultation document)

The policy direction for new employment development as set out in the consultation document on page 228 reflects the need of the Councils to acknowledge the crucial role that the Cambridge area plays in terms of the local and national economy. It must provide the policy context for positive growth in the economy and has sought to do this by supporting identified employment clusters for the larger employment locations such as Babraham and at Granta Park as well as the new towns at Northstowe and at Waterbeach.

At the more local level the Councils have allocated a mixed use site adjacent to Melbourn Science Park including some 2.5 has for employment use. The wording under proposed policy S/RRA/CR on page 128 of the consultation document states that such an element represents an opportunity to expand Melbourn Science Park . the allocation is supported by TPP on the basis that such an allocation reflects an acknowledge of the role that Melbourn plays as a Rural Centre in the Plan and the very real important links that the Park has to the local community.

Representations to Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals
On behalf of TTP Campus Ltd

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by the TTP Group to make the necessary and relevant submissions to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals document which has been published for consultation.
TTP Group (The Technology Partnership) was established over 34 years ago to create a world leading technology and development organisation. This work has evolved into the TTP Group which is formed by a range of businesses focused on the needs of companies planning to flourish through the use of technology and innovation.
As the enterprise has grown, new companies have been created, some of which have remained within the TTP Group whilst others have been sold, demerged and floated on the London Stock Exchange. The Group is quite rightly proud of its heritage and legacy and an integral part of its success is reflected in its long standing close links with the local community in Melbourn where more recently TTP secured a very significant planning permission to relocate its headquarters building to a site directly north of the existing Melbourn Science Park.
The granting of planning permission on the Birchwood Site
In 2018, TTP submitted a planning application for some 10,000 sq.m. of new commercial floorspace on land north of Melbourn Science Park. Consequently, planning permission was granted in March 2019 for “new office and technology research facilities” under planning application reference S/2941/18/FL. The granting of this permission enabled TTP to set out a clear business strategy for expansion which consented 10,974 sq.m. of new floorspace in two phases comprising:
• The main building (known as The Hive”)
• The Technology Barn
• The Service Building
• The Conference Pod
• The Forum Pod
Since the granting of the original permission a number of design changes were made and resulted in the issuing of a new permission (Section 73) granted in June 2020 (planning application reference S/4535/19/VC). A number of non material amendments were made and all relevant conditions were discharged to enable development to begin on site. Works are at advanced stage on site. A copy of the approved site layout granted planning permission together with the red line application boundary is submitted alongside this text.
It is important to acknowledge at the time of the submission of the application back in 2018 and importantly at the time of determination by the local planning authority, the application site lay outside the identified settlement boundary for Melbourn in the Adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. It was the case at the time of the submission of the original application back in 2018 that the proposals were considered as a departure to the Adopted Local Plan having regard to the Council’s policy position and largely due to the site’s location within what was considered to be countryside where restrictive policies would apply .

Whilst acknowledging that the proposed development would have an impact on the landscape and there would be a loss of agricultural land, the Council also recognised the significant case put forward by the applicant demonstrating the importance of new research and office buildings to support the future needs of TTP adjacent to its existing group of companies and workforce - they acknowledged the continuing importance of TTP in the content of the delivery of important technologies at the regional, national and international market and the planned expansion being able to contribute to local amenities.
The adopted Local Plan policies which sought to ensure the promotion of employment clusters, the development of the employment sector within village frameworks as well as a policy which supported new employment development on the edge of villages were all relevant to the consideration of the planning application. However, the Local Planning Authority acknowledged that there was no specific employment policy within the adopted plan which was directly relevant to the development proposal but it was the case that TTP put forward a case of other material planning considerations to take into account when determining the application. This included the assessment of the economic and social role that TTP play both in terms of the village but also their wider role within the employment sector as a hugely successful home-grown company maintaining significant links to the village.
Consequently, when weighing up the material considerations, officers considered that the adverse impacts arising from the development in terms of environmental harm would not be significant and were demonstrably outweighed by the economic and social benefits of the proposal when taken as a whole.
The granting of this planning permission for the site and its implementation and the current construction on site has clearly changed the character of the area. The previously agricultural character of the land has now been transformed into what will now become a new large modern office and research campus encompassing a series of buildings set in a redesigned landscape with the consequent infrastructure requirements of parking and internal road, cycleways and pathways. The consented scheme and this change in character as a result of the planning permission being implemented now means that this needs the new emerging Joint Local Plan to recognise this context. ie, a change to the inset boundary to include that application boundary within the settlement limit for Melbourn. (see enclosed plan)
This is reflective of the Council’s approval for the development and the recognition that the character of the site and its immediate surroundings will change as a result of the built form and the necessary infrastructural and landscaping works which will come forward as part of the proposal.

Policy S/DS – Development Strategy
One of the key roles for a new Local Plan for the Cambridge area is to set out the proposed strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places. The overall strategy is one of directing development to where it has the least climate impact, where active and public transport is a natural choice, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live, whilst ensuring that all necessary utilities can be provided in a sustainable way.
Clearly, there is a significant change in the character between the built area and the rural area around it and therefore it is imperative that wherever new development comes forward that the distinctive character of the City, towns and villages are not adversely affected through new development.
In this context it is important that any development strategy being adopted by the planning authorities exploits and takes up the opportunities to use brownfield land (previously developed land) to ensure ,where appropriate, the protection of other more sensitive locations in the countryside. In the context of Melbourn, submissions have been made to amend the village framework to acknowledge the change in character of the landscape having regard to the granting of the planning permission for the new TTP headquarters north of Melbourn Science Park. Placing the new buildings within the settlement envelope is the logical approach and acknowledges the policy context where potential expansion could occur on that site having regard to its location within the development envelope. Clearly, the normal development management policies would apply of design, materials, privacy and amenity but importantly the principle of development in that location should not be one that is an issue.
Certainly the principle of supporting new employment development within existing settlements is not new to the plan and we are pleased to see under Policy J/NE “New Employment Development Proposals” that the proposed policy direction with the new local plan is one that acknowledges that employment development (classes E9g), B2 and B8) will be supported “within towns and villages, where it is of an appropriate scale and character to the location and scale of development. The policy would cover both new premises and the expansion of existing premises” (page 228 of the consultation document)
The policy direction for new employment development as set out in the consultation document on page 228 reflects the need of the Councils to acknowledge the crucial role that the Cambridge area plays in terms of the local and national economy. It must provide the policy context for positive growth in the economy and has sought to do this by supporting identified employment clusters for the larger employment locations such as Babraham and at Granta Park as well as the new towns at Northstowe and at Waterbeach.
At the more local level the Councils have allocated a mixed use site adjacent to Melbourn Science Park including some 2.5 has for employment use. The wording under proposed policy S/RRA/CR on page 128 of the consultation document states that such an element represents an opportunity to expand Melbourn Science Park . the allocation is supported by TPP on the basis that such an allocation reflects an acknowledge of the role that Melbourn plays as a Minor Rural Centre in the Plan and the very real important links that the Park has to the local community.

Representations to Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals
On behalf of TTP Campus Ltd

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by the TTP Group to make the necessary and relevant submissions to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals document which has been published for consultation.
TTP Group (The Technology Partnership) was established over 34 years ago to create a world leading technology and development organisation. This work has evolved into the TTP Group which is formed by a range of businesses focused on the needs of companies planning to flourish through the use of technology and innovation.
As the enterprise has grown, new companies have been created, some of which have remained within the TTP Group whilst others have been sold, demerged and floated on the London Stock Exchange. The Group is quite rightly proud of its heritage and legacy and an integral part of its success is reflected in its long standing close links with the local community in Melbourn where more recently TTP secured a very significant planning permission to relocate its headquarters building to a site directly north of the existing Melbourn Science Park.
The granting of planning permission on the Birchwood Site
In 2018, TTP submitted a planning application for some 10,000 sq.m. of new commercial floorspace on land north of Melbourn Science Park. Consequently, planning permission was granted in March 2019 for “new office and technology research facilities” under planning application reference S/2941/18/FL. The granting of this permission enabled TTP to set out a clear business strategy for expansion which consented 10,974 sq.m. of new floorspace in two phases comprising:
• The main building (known as The Hive”)
• The Technology Barn
• The Service Building
• The Conference Pod
• The Forum Pod
Since the granting of the original permission a number of design changes were made and resulted in the issuing of a new permission (Section 73) granted in June 2020 (planning application reference S/4535/19/VC). A number of non material amendments were made and all relevant conditions were discharged to enable development to begin on site. Works are at advanced stage on site. A copy of the approved site layout granted planning permission together with the red line application boundary is submitted alongside this text.
It is important to acknowledge at the time of the submission of the application back in 2018 and importantly at the time of determination by the local planning authority, the application site lay outside the identified settlement boundary for Melbourn in the Adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. It was the case at the time of the submission of the original application back in 2018 that the proposals were considered as a departure to the Adopted Local Plan having regard to the Council’s policy position and largely due to the site’s location within what was considered to be countryside where restrictive policies would apply .

Whilst acknowledging that the proposed development would have an impact on the landscape and there would be a loss of agricultural land, the Council also recognised the significant case put forward by the applicant demonstrating the importance of new research and office buildings to support the future needs of TTP adjacent to its existing group of companies and workforce - they acknowledged the continuing importance of TTP in the content of the delivery of important technologies at the regional, national and international market and the planned expansion being able to contribute to local amenities.
The adopted Local Plan policies which sought to ensure the promotion of employment clusters, the development of the employment sector within village frameworks as well as a policy which supported new employment development on the edge of villages were all relevant to the consideration of the planning application. However, the Local Planning Authority acknowledged that there was no specific employment policy within the adopted plan which was directly relevant to the development proposal but it was the case that TTP put forward a case of other material planning considerations to take into account when determining the application. This included the assessment of the economic and social role that TTP play both in terms of the village but also their wider role within the employment sector as a hugely successful home-grown company maintaining significant links to the village.
Consequently, when weighing up the material considerations, officers considered that the adverse impacts arising from the development in terms of environmental harm would not be significant and were demonstrably outweighed by the economic and social benefits of the proposal when taken as a whole.
The granting of this planning permission for the site and its implementation and the current construction on site has clearly changed the character of the area. The previously agricultural character of the land has now been transformed into what will now become a new large modern office and research campus encompassing a series of buildings set in a redesigned landscape with the consequent infrastructure requirements of parking and internal road, cycleways and pathways. The consented scheme and this change in character as a result of the planning permission being implemented now means that this needs the new emerging Joint Local Plan to recognise this context. ie, a change to the inset boundary to include that application boundary within the settlement limit for Melbourn. (see enclosed plan)
This is reflective of the Council’s approval for the development and the recognition that the character of the site and its immediate surroundings will change as a result of the built form and the necessary infrastructural and landscaping works which will come forward as part of the proposal.

Policy S/DS – Development Strategy
One of the key roles for a new Local Plan for the Cambridge area is to set out the proposed strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places. The overall strategy is one of directing development to where it has the least climate impact, where active and public transport is a natural choice, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live, whilst ensuring that all necessary utilities can be provided in a sustainable way.
Clearly, there is a significant change in the character between the built area and the rural area around it and therefore it is imperative that wherever new development comes forward that the distinctive character of the City, towns and villages are not adversely affected through new development.
In this context it is important that any development strategy being adopted by the planning authorities exploits and takes up the opportunities to use brownfield land (previously developed land) to ensure ,where appropriate, the protection of other more sensitive locations in the countryside. In the context of Melbourn, submissions have been made to amend the village framework to acknowledge the change in character of the landscape having regard to the granting of the planning permission for the new TTP headquarters north of Melbourn Science Park. Placing the new buildings within the settlement envelope is the logical approach and acknowledges the policy context where potential expansion could occur on that site having regard to its location within the development envelope. Clearly, the normal development management policies would apply of design, materials, privacy and amenity but importantly the principle of development in that location should not be one that is an issue.
Certainly the principle of supporting new employment development within existing settlements is not new to the plan and we are pleased to see under Policy J/NE “New Employment Development Proposals” that the proposed policy direction with the new local plan is one that acknowledges that employment development (classes E9g), B2 and B8) will be supported “within towns and villages, where it is of an appropriate scale and character to the location and scale of development. The policy would cover both new premises and the expansion of existing premises” (page 228 of the consultation document)
The policy direction for new employment development as set out in the consultation document on page 228 reflects the need of the Councils to acknowledge the crucial role that the Cambridge area plays in terms of the local and national economy. It must provide the policy context for positive growth in the economy and has sought to do this by supporting identified employment clusters for the larger employment locations such as Babraham and at Granta Park as well as the new towns at Northstowe and at Waterbeach.
At the more local level the Councils have allocated a mixed use site adjacent to Melbourn Science Park including some 2.5 has for employment use. The wording under proposed policy S/RRA/CR on page 128 of the consultation document states that such an element represents an opportunity to expand Melbourn Science Park . the allocation is supported by TPP on the basis that such an allocation reflects an acknowledge of the role that Melbourn plays as a Minor Rural Centre in the Plan and the very real important links that the Park has to the local community.