The options for the distribution of homes and employment were tested in the suite of evidence base documents that the GCSP published in November 2020 documents and through the latest Preferred Options documents.

Marshall considers that, in order for the GCSP to plan at a scale necessary to generate investment for significant infrastructure and to meet the housing and employment needs of the area, the GCSP are right to adopt a strategy that combines different locations for focusing growth. Densification of existing urban areas is a logical place for development in sustainability terms; however, this option alone will be insufficient in terms of land capacity to accommodate the housing and employment needs for the area.

Therefore, the GCSP has opted for a blended strategy which directs new development towards locations that generate the least climate impacts, in line with the aims and objectives of the Local Plan. In locational terms, this objective to direct development to the locations that generate the least climate impacts means that the majority of the proposed growth is directed toward the Cambridge urban area, edge of Cambridge sites and new settlements. Marshall strongly supports the GCSP’s blended approach and the selection of proposed sites based on their ability to contribute to climate change objectives.

Pages 41 and 42 of the ‘First Proposals’ document, in relation to Policy S/DS, identify that there is a need for new strategic water supply infrastructure in Greater Cambridge to provide for the longer term needs of the preferred growth trajectories. It is indicated that a suitable solution may not be forthcoming until the mid-2030s and that the Local Plan may look to limit development levels until such a time that the strategic infrastructure is operational and able to support full delivery rates.

An integrated approach is required from all the key stakeholders in order to have a positive effect on the potential impacts of growth on the water environment. In particular, the onus is on Water Resources East and the water companies, through their obligations in the Water Industries Act 1991, to plan for and provide water to meet the requirements. Developments, including Cambridge East, will also have an important role to play and will need to make a more meaningful contribution to a sustainable future through the implementation of integrated water management regimes. The legal obligation and responsibility is on the water companies to address the expected water supply shortage and ensure that a suitable solution is identified to maintain the delivery rates required to meet housing and employment needs in Greater Cambridge. This matter should not influence the approach that the GCSP take to meeting the area’s needs. Marshall are keen to work with the water companies and the local authorities to understand and explore this matter further.

Having regard for the transport strategy outlined a part of Policy S/DS (pages 43 – 46), Marshall are supportive of the committed infrastructure proposals that are being progressed by the transport bodies and the objective of seeking to achieve a modal shift away from the use of the private car. As set out in the NPPF, the supply of large numbers of new homes can often be best achieved through planning for large scale development, provided that this development is supported by the necessary infrastructure. In order to ensure there is a genuine switch from car use towards sustainable modes of transport, new development must be supported by convenient, regular and affordable public transport, as well as safe and accessible pedestrian / cycle links.

Cambridge East provides a significant opportunity to address the current lack of cross-city connectivity through the provision of a transformational transport strategy linking the eastern side of the City with Cambridge Station, the city centre, Cambridge North Station and Addenbrooke’s and other key locations to the south. The greater the scale of development at Cambridge East, the greater the footfall, capacity and opportunity to deliver a transformational transport system that is a step change in transport in Greater Cambridge. Cambridge East has the potential to unlock mobility solutions that will make living, working and travelling in Cambridge easy, affordable and better for the environment.

Marshall and its consultant team are continuing to work closely with the GCSP, Cambridgeshire County Council, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to test and develop the most suitable and sustainable transport solution to support Cambridge East and beyond, exploring schemes that can be funded through already existing funding streams (e.g. City Deal), as well as more ambitious proposals which could be delivered through funding that the scheme itself can help to leverage given the scale of housing and economic potential.