Comment

Representation ID: 57476

Received: 10/12/2021

Respondent: ESFA (Department for Education)

We note that the proposed policy direction for Policy S/NEC includes schools among the necessary infrastructure to be provided. As well as providing new
school places directly linked to the need from housing growth, the councils should have regard to the NPPF requirement to allow for sufficient choice of school
places, giving great weight to the need to widen choice in education (para 94). CMS would be instrumental in diversifying educational opportunities for this new
community, the rest of Cambridge and the wider sub-region. The local education authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, has provided the attached letter of
support, and confirmed they would also consider supporting alternative sites for CMS provided they are equally accessible by public transport and offer equally
good connectivity for students travelling from a wide area. If a site for CMS within the NEC allocation were secured, the department would work closely with the councils to ensure the development accorded with the NEC Trip Budget, making sustainable transport the most attractive option for students and staff.