It is proposed in the consultation that the new Local Plan should meet the following objectively assessed needs for development in the period 2020-2041:
• 58,500 jobs; and
• 44,400 homes (2,111 homes per year).
The consultation document explains that the Councils have chosen to plan for the ‘medium’ or ‘central’ growth levels from the strategic options set out in 2020 and within the Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study (November 2020). However, we would note that this Study (paragraph 5.22) itself recommends a preferred range “between a central and higher growth scenario”, rather than just the central growth scenario. Further, the Economic Development Evidence Study should be updated to reflect the response to the Pandemic – which in the case of life science, biomedical and technology has been directed affected since the Study was prepared – to ensure the needs of these sectors are met.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER, 2018) reported (page 9) that:
“Growth in employment has not been matched by corresponding house-building, or developments in infrastructure. Consequently, house prices have soared and journey times have increased as congestion has intensified. This has meant that many have been forced to endure unpleasant commutes, or been priced away from the city altogether due to the unaffordability of rents. This is bad for both people and business, and we believe is an unsustainable approach to growth.”

The Greater Cambridge Local Plan provides a key opportunity to redress the balance between economic growth and housing delivery, to ensure that growth is sustainable and achieves the stated objectives.

We are strongly of the view that a higher objectively assessed need (OAN) figure should be used for the Greater Cambridge area during the plan period 2020-2041 than is currently proposed through the First Proposals, and should reflect at the very least a medium-high economic scenario as recommended, accounting for an updated assessment of need for the reasons set out above.

The consultation document acknowledges the findings of the Greater Cambridge Housing and Employment Relationships Report (November 2020), namely that planning for the ‘standard method’ housing figure would not support the number of jobs expected to arise and that a higher OAN should therefore be chosen. However, we are concerned that planning for the “most likely level of new jobs” (page 25, First Proposals consultation document) and adopting the ‘medium +’ OAN figure does not include adequate contingency for a higher growth scenario – particularly if updated evidence in the light of the Pandemic were to suggest greater need for economic development than currently reported. A key risk is that by not planning for growth, the Local Plan will inhibit growth.

We are of the view that by adopting a higher OAN, informed by up-to-date economic needs for both jobs and homes, the Local Plan would allow for proactive and purposeful forward planning, facilitating and enabling the aspirational growth targets that could potentially be achieved.

We would highlight paragraph 81 of the NPPF in full:
“Planning policies and decisions should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development. The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. This is particularly important where Britain can be a global leader in driving innovation, and in areas with high levels of productivity, which should be able to capitalise on their performance and potential.”

We consider it to be essential that the vision for the future of the Greater Cambridge area embraces and harnesses the growth potential that it possesses. In land use planning terms, there is a fundamental need to plan for growth and to ensure that sites are allocated to support the development that is integrally linked to this growth.

We would note the conclusions of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan Strategic Spatial Options Assessment Sustainability Appraisal (November 2020) in relation to the growth scenarios (paragraph 4.4):
“…the maximum growth scenario tends to have more significant positive effects, particularly within the plan period, as larger individual developments are likely to be built within the plan period under this option. These have greater scope for providing new services and facilities and being designed in a way that encourages healthy lifestyles. In addition, a higher level of development may be able to provide the critical mass for provision of substantial new infrastructure and environmental enhancements, such as new green infrastructure and provide a greater diversity of homes and jobs.”

In a similar vein, we would also highlight the importance of supporting the delivery of affordable housing. A significant amount of affordable housing is provided alongside market housing in new residential developments. This provides an essential supply to assist in meeting local needs. However, as noted in the NPPF, a range of housing is required to offer choice, rather than an over-reliance on a certain type of housing in certain areas, in order to ensure that mixed and sustainable communities are created and maintained. This approach should include a range of medium and large sites within existing settlements such as villages. Whilst the strategy of focusing growth on new settlements will provide for emerging affordable housing needs, it will not necessarily address the existing local housing needs within the rural areas and villages, nor would it offer sufficient choice. People with local connections are often unable to afford market prices (either sale or rent) and have to move away from their local area and support network. The need to provide for a range of housing needs should be carefully considered in respect of both the OAN and the related spatial strategy.

Our promoted Site at ‘land east of Cambridge Road, Hardwick’ (Site No. 40414) provides the opportunity to deliver a mix of market and affordable housing within a sustainable extension to the existing village. The Site occupies a sustainable location adjacent to the functional village centre, and its development would deliver a range of benefits to the existing settlement and local population.