Greater Cambridge is experiencing unprecedented levels of economic growth, relating to an increase in jobs of over 32% across the plan period. This approach acknowledges the level of economic growth required and that the previous Local Plan Strategy severely underestimated the level of economic growth attainable. The recognition of this economic growth potential is supported, but it must also be acknowledged that over recent years jobs have been created faster than new homes have been built. This has led to reliance on employee in-commuting from surrounding areas to fulfil the employment requirements, conflicting with the Council’s aspirations for sustainable communities and the aim to adopt an environmentally sensitive approach. In reality this means that it is essential for the Plan to recognise these pressures and respond intuitively with regard to providing more supply into the local housing market area, at appropriate locations that meet the needs of the new employees and in-migration residents. The most effective way for the Council’s development strategy to respond to these influences is through a substantial increase in housing provision, which is recommended to be at least 15% above that currently proposed. Such a level of increase would be able to reflect the level of economic growth that has been experienced across Greater Cambridgeshire and will reflect the aspirations for further investment in job creation and industry that is envisaged through the emerging strategy. The correlation between economic growth and housing provision must be recognised for the strategy to be effective, positively prepared and aspirational.
The strategy of directing development to areas that have the least climate impact is recognised as a sustainable approach, however this approach ignores the requirements or rural communities and related economic production.
Nonetheless concern is raised in respect of the approach to dealing with villages in the emerging Local Plan where only low levels of new homes are proposed. This would lead to an outcome that would run counter to the national policy objective of supporting and promoting the provision of mixed and balanced communities. This could lead to a trend of the vitality and long-term future of rural communities being threatened.