Current forecasts indicate a shortage of secondary school places in Cambridge by 2023-2024, not taking into account the planned NEC development. However, there is no new secondary school included in the Action Plan. This is a major omission which clearly needs to be addressed for the following reasons:

Point (i) of the executive summary notes that 'North East Cambridge provides a major opportunity to deliver sustainable development'.
If 11-16 year olds are having to travel off-site for 5 years to attend a secondary school, this is not 'sustainable'

Point (v) of the executive summary notes that 'New transport evidence identifies significant capacity issues in the road network in the vicinity of Cambridge Northern Fringe East.... It suggests that a more residential-led development mix for the site which reduces external trips would provide better transport outcomes'.
Why should 11-16 year olds to have to make external trips to school? Existing evidence shows that many of these trips would be made in cars.

Point (vii) of the executive summary notes that 'In particular, the successful regeneration of the NEC area is not just about providing for new development and physical growth, it is also about the realisation of the social benefits and improvements to the overall quality of place that new development can deliver'.
Social benefits could be delivered through education. The adjacent wards are deprived. Investing in secondary education in the NEC would increase life chances for residents.

Point (xiii) of the executive summary notes that an overarching objective is to develop 'a place with strong identity.... excellent neighbourhood facilities'.
A strong secondary school should be at the heart of this. A development of this size without a secondary school would not have 'excellent neighbourhood facilities'.

Point (xxvii) of the executive summary notes that 'Enabling development in this area will need a large proportion of trips to, from and within the area to be made by walking, cycling and public transport'.
Travel to school is a significant daily movement and it has not been considered adequately within the current plan.