Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Search representations
Results for Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site search
New searchComment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
WS/IO: Creating inclusive employment and business opportunities through new developments
Representation ID: 60577
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside support the ambition 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.’
Countryside support the ambition to support local business and provide local people with employment opportunities and experience through new development. Countryside have committed to having 5% of its workforce in trainee and graduate roles per year from 2022.
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: 60579
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside support the proposed policy however consider that it is important to aid effectiveness that it is reflected the role that mitigation can play in ensuring risks and harm can be appropriate managed. 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’.
Countryside support the proposed policy however consider that it is important to aid effectiveness that it is reflected the role that mitigation can play in ensuring risks and harm can be appropriate managed. 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: 60582
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside support the vision for achieving high quality design in Greater Cambridge. Given the significant differences in character found across the area, it will be important that developments respond to local context rather than a homogenised Greater Cambridge character. It is therefore suggested that the policy wording is amended to state that this is ‘as appropriate to the local context of the development site’.
Countryside support the vision for achieving high quality design in Greater Cambridge. Given the significant differences in character found across the area, it will be important that developments respond to local context rather than a homogenised Greater Cambridge character. It is therefore suggested that the policy 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: 60584
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
The content of this policy is supported. It is positive that the policy references the Greater Cambridge Landscape Character Assessment as a clear point of reference in responding to this policy. In considering the suitability of sites for development it will be important that consideration is given to any other known changes in landscape character as a result of development such as infrastructure improvements or other committed developments.
A slight amendment is 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. 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 Countryside in order to address landscape character through development. The proposed development at Fen Ditton will meet the aspirations of the policy and will retain and enhance landscape features within the development as well as creating new features as part of an enhanced landscape framework. 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. In considering the suitability of sites for development it will be important that consideration is given to any other known changes in landscape character as a result of development such as infrastructure improvements or other committed developments.
A slight amendment is 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: 60586
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside are supportive of the aspiration to achieve high quality design through development which accords with its own ethos and approach to development. The following minor points requiring clarification are however raised:
• 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.
• Clarification should be provided within the policy as to what is regarded as ‘significantly taller’ to understand when additional assessment will be required.
Countryside are supportive of the aspiration to achieve high quality design through development which accords with its own ethos and approach to development. The following minor points requiring clarification are however raised:
• 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.
• Clarification should be provided within the policy as to what is regarded as ‘significantly taller’ to understand when additional assessment will be required.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/QP: Establishing high quality landscape and public realm
Representation ID: 60588
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
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 how the measure of ‘appropriate’ will be tested and applied given the significant prospects of variety in how this term is applied.
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 how the measure of ‘appropriate’ will be tested and applied given the significant prospects of variety in how this term is applied.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
GP/HA: Conservation and enhancement of heritage assets
Representation ID: 60589
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
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: 60590
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside 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. The Fen Ditton proposals will make appropriate provision to achieving the objectives of this policy through the provision of co-working space and provision of fibre broadband to all homes.
Countryside 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. The Fen Ditton proposals will make appropriate provision to achieving the objectives of this policy through the provision of co-working space and provision of fibre broadband to all homes.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/AH: Affordable housing
Representation ID: 60591
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside recognise the importance of the delivery of affordable housing, particular in areas such as Greater Cambridge which experience a high level of need. As preparation of the Local Plan continues further viability assessment will be required to ensure that the overall package of requirements across the Plan read as a whole is viable and deliverable.
Concern is however raised regarding the proposed restrictive approach to cluster sizes. The document referenced sets out maximum cluster numbers in relation to the total number of units proposed. It is considered that flexibility should be allowed for clusters to exceed the 15 unit restriction where this has been agreed with the relevant Registered Provider. The clustering of affordable housing units is generally a practical requirement for Registered Providers for management and maintenance reasons. As such, the policy should allow a degree of flexibility here.
Countryside recognise the importance of the delivery of affordable housing, particular in areas such as Greater Cambridge which experience a high level of need. As preparation of the Local Plan continues further viability assessment will be required to ensure that the overall package of requirements across the Plan read as a whole is viable and deliverable.
Concern is however raised regarding the proposed restrictive approach to cluster sizes which are seemingly proposed through the requirement to accord with the guidance provided in the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy Annexe 10: Clustering and Distribution of Affordable Housing (Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, June 2021) or a successor document. The document referenced sets out maximum cluster numbers in relation to the total number of units proposed. For example, developments of 30 to 200 units must have maximum clusters of 15 units. Concern is raised on this point. It is considered that flexibility should be allowed for clusters to exceed the 15 unit restriction where this has been agreed with the relevant Registered Provider. The clustering of affordable housing units is generally a practical requirement for Registered Providers for management and maintenance reasons. As such, the policy should allow a degree of flexibility here.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/HM: Housing mix
Representation ID: 60592
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Countryside Properties - Fen Ditton site
Agent: Turley
Countryside are supportive of the approach to this policy in that housing mix ‘recommendations’ are provided, along with these being set out as a ‘range’. This is a positive format for the housing mix policy by providing flexibility which will allow developments to respond to changing market conditions and requirements over the Plan period.
Countryside are supportive of the approach to this policy in that housing mix ‘recommendations’ are provided, along with these being set out as a ‘range’. This is a positive format for the housing mix policy by providing flexibility which will allow developments to respond to changing market conditions and requirements over the Plan period.
