The MOD has significant land interests within the area known as Bassingbourn Barracks.

National Planning Policy Framework
The Council will be aware of the requirements of paragraphs 97 and 187 of the National Planning Policy (NPPF) as quoted below:

“97. Planning policies and decisions should promote public safety and take into account wider security and defence requirements by:

b) recognising and supporting development required for operational defence and security purposes, and ensuring that operational sites are not affected adversely by the impact of other development proposed in the area.

187. Planning policies and decisions should ensure…Existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of development permitted after they were established.”

Operational land
Due to the presence of a significant operational defence site within the Borough, MOD is of the view that the new Local Plan should make greater reference to the site. It is noted that there is no mention of the site within the First Proposals. The MOD has an enduring requirement for the operational defence outputs delivered at Bassingbourn Barracks.

In line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) it is important that planning authorities and development plans recognise that MOD Establishments are of strategic military importance to the UK.

It is important that Bassingbourn Barrack is considered within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan for two principal reasons, firstly, ongoing operational defence needs and secondly, to protect operational defence land from being affected adversely from third party development proposed in the area. To ensure that the site delivers on its defence output there will be times when further developments are required at the site. It is important for national defence that the local plan is able to support the principle of such developments. In addition the MOD is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and will be looking to implement measures on site to achieve this.

It is essential for operational reasons that current and any future defence related activities can be undertaken at the site without any additional restrictions or controls. For example third party developments within the vicinity of the site have the potential to restrict operations of certain facilities and potentially requiring the implementation of additional engineered safeguards that together could constrain the ability to manage any future change and restricting the potential of future development requirements – all to the cost of the public purse and to the detriment of national defence preparedness. In such circumstances this operational defence site could be affected adversely by the impact of development proposed in the area, contrary to paragraphs 97 and 187 of the NPPF.

Accordingly, the Council may consider it prudent within the new local plan to include a specific planning policy for Bassingbourn Barracks that provides and protects both on-going and future operational defence needs for the site and serves to ensure that any neighbouring development does not adversely impact upon these operations or, in turn, would be affected by the established use. For example, the policy could include that proposals associated with defence and military operations at this existing site will be supported where they would enhance or sustain operational capabilities. Any policy should also ensure that for proposed non-military or non-defence related development within or in the areas of a defence or military site will not be supported where it would adversely affect military operations or capability.