Draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document Consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 200349

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

The SPD states that all new residential and commercial development is to make provision to enhance
the Green Infrastructure network. Applications should consider and detail how they are addressing the
requirement to enhance the Green Infrastructure network.

Whilst we acknowledge that it is a requirement for all development to contribute to the Green
Infrastructure Network, where Green Infrastructure enhancement is not part of an onsite proposal, there
needs to be an off-sites contributions table for commercial which reflects the residential dwelling
contributions table and sets out the Council’s expectations for financial contributions based on
commercial floorspace where Green Infrastructure cannot sufficiently be provided on site.

Comment

Representation ID: 200350

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

We acknowledge that BNG is now mandatory and that the 10% gain is the current requirement in the
Local Planning Authority with an aspiration for 20%. We ask for clarification as to the length of validity
for older surveys to be used for planning applications, where there has been no material change to the
onsite habitat. We ask the Council to quantify a validity period for clarity and assume that the timescales
will reflect the industry standard validity set out by the CIEEM.

Comment

Representation ID: 200351

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

The SPD states that all new residential, mixed-use, and major commercial developments are to make
provision for community facilities to meet the needs arising from the development proposal.

Large scale commercial developments (above 5,000m2) will be required to consider how the needs of
their workers and visitors will be met for social and leisure facilities. If the need cannot be met though
existing or additional onsite facilities an offsite contribution to address the impact on facilities is
necessary and will be sought.

Jaynic are of the opinion that with regards to commercial development, community facilities should be
on a case-by-case basis, particularly as in some locations there are already other facilities which can
be utilised by new occupiers, and providing additional such space could jeopardize the sustainability of
the existing facilities. Jaynic also query how Greater Cambridge are determining the quantum of offsite contribution for commercial units, there is no table with figures like there is for residential.

Comment

Representation ID: 200352

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

Jaynic query the necessity of the additional work involved in the application concerning the provision of
a Public Art Strategy followed by a Public Art Delivery Plan, especially as the SPD already stipulates
that the provision of public art should be a three-way partnership between the developer, an art
consultant, and the Council, in consultation with the local community.

Given the nature of the types of development Jaynic undertake from a commercial perspective, whilst
it is acknowledged that future employees of future occupiers can enjoy the enhanced urban realm due
to the public art installations, we query whether provision should be made for public art to be provided
in a more public setting in proximity to a development site, particularly where the end development
might be a commercial/business park, or industrial site.

Comment

Representation ID: 200353

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

Jaynic are of the opinion that the SPD is not explicit enough when stating that it is only informal open
space being sought on commercial development. Commercial does not feature as an exemption in the
relevant categories. In addition, there are no quantified tables showing the amount of contribution
required for a commercial developer. Furthermore, the range of developments which fall under the
category of commercial are vast and therefore, whilst informal open space on a city centre scheme
under class E might be suitable, an industrial estate might be less suitable. In these less suitable
developments, open space should be focussed more on the sustainable green linkages which provide
access to services and facilities for the employees of the occupiers.

Comment

Representation ID: 200354

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

Jaynic maintain that,, whilst some informal outdoor space should be provided for in commercial
developments, green linkages to services and facilities are more significant for employees and should
be counted in the requirement, the adopted policy does not require commercial developments to
contribute to indoor sports facilities and there Jaynic object’s to commercial developments being
required to do so, particularly when residential development is already providing such contributions.
The SPD needs to be clarified further, and exemptions made clear. If the Council do want to keep the
inclusion of commercial, they should have a table quantifying the requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 200355

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

Jaynic understands that the Councils are still in the process of preparing a template for the Employment
and Skills Plan, that the developer will be responsible for the delivery of the Employment and Skills
Plan, and they must use their best endeavours to meet their employment and skills obligations on-site.
It should also be noted that the Occupier should also be involved in the Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 200356

Received: 24/01/2025

Respondent: Jaynic

Jaynic appreciates that the new Local Plan provides an opportunity for a policy on affordable workspace
to be inserted. However, at present there are no policies within the adopted Local Plan and with the
emerging Local Plan only commencing works this Autumn/Winter 2025, we are of the opinion that this
should be something that is examined through the Local Plan process with an appointed Inspector, as
the threshold of affordable housing would be. Whilst Jaynic would not be averse to providing a certain
amount of affordable workspace on commercial development in South Cambridgeshire, further clarity
is required to understand the how this will be practically carried out, for example through S106