We note that the proposed policy direction is to direct development to locations that have the least climate impact, where active and public transport is the natural choice, and where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development.

The department supports this approach, and would like to emphasise the importance of proactive planning of educational facilities when sites are actively being sought. The Local Plan provides an opportunity to plan strategically for education uses that maximise sustainable transport choices and create an employment pipeline for the Greater Cambridge area.

CMS is an approved specialist maths school for up to 200 16-19 year olds. The government has committed to having a maths school in every region, building upon the success of Exeter, King’s and the University of Liverpool Maths Schools, which have already opened in partnership with their local universities. The University of Cambridge, Isaac Physics and Cambridge Mathematics are strategic partners to CMS. Please see the attached letters of support from the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire County Council.

The department has secured a temporary site for CMS at 119 Mill Road, with the intention of opening at reduced capacity until a permanent site can be delivered. This should demonstrate our commitment to opening CMS, and we request that the councils work with us to deliver the permanent school building in the best available location and with minimal delay. The department makes use of permitted development rights where appropriate, but also wishes to explore options for strategic site allocations with the best public transport connectivity, as outlined in our response to the North East Cambridge Area Action Plan consultation. We believe it is in everyone’s best interests to deliver CMS in the most sustainable location.

If CMS is delivered as a freestanding new build, it will require a site of 0.5 acres (minimum 0.2 acres). Ideally there would be an area of external space but as a sixth form college CMS will not need sports provision/playing fields. If the school is delivered in an existing building, there is a space requirement of 2,450 square metres GIFA.