Our proposed development site at ‘Land east of Cambridge Road, Hardwick’ (Site No. 40414) should be allocated within this section of the emerging Local Plan.

The Site is situated directly adjacent to St Neots Road, with a regular bus service (Citi 4) into Cambridge (east) and Cambourne (west). Public transport provision along the corridor will be further enhanced by the Cambourne-to-Cambridge public transport project and future infrastructure improvements associated with East West Rail. Whilst enjoying the same level of public transport provision as Cambourne (and in the future, Bourn Airfield), the Site benefits from being significantly closer to Cambridge, with safe cycle routes making sustainable modes a realistic alternative.

The Greater Cambridge Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)(September 2021) assesses the circa 700 potential development sites put forward by landowners and developers through the local plan review process. The HELAA provides an assessment of the various sites in terms of their suitability, availability and achievability. With respect to Land east of Cambridge Road, Hardwick (Site No. 40414), the assessment concludes that the Site is suitable (amber rating), available (green rating) and achievable (green rating). We would note that under ‘Suitable’ there are a mix of green and amber-rated items; none of the items are assessed with a red rating. We would reassure the Councils that all of the amber-rated matters can be addressed and necessary mitigated where necessary, through the design of the proposed development. Site No. 40414 is confirmed to be suitable, available and achievable.

A range of assessments have been undertaken to inform the development concept for the Site. The Development Framework (Vision) Document and other technical documents submitted in support of the Site’s allocation are as follows:
• Development Framework (Vision) Document, December 2021 (Terence O’Rourke);
• Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA), December 2021 (Terence O’Rourke);
• Green Belt Review, December 2021 (Terence O’Rourke);
• Heritage Assessment, December 2021 (Barton Willmore);
• Archaeology Desk-Based Assessment, October 2019 (Landpro);
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, February 2020 (MKA Ecology);
• Phase 1 Geoenvironmental Assessment, September 2019 (Enzygo).
These documents supplement those previously submitted, including Transport and Drainage.

As illustrated in the Development Framework Document, the Site presents the opportunity to create a high-quality and sustainable residential-led extension to the settlement of Hardwick, commensurate to its scale, in a manner that can sustain, grow and underpin local services and needs, through significant improvements to the village and its community.

The vision for the Site is to create a place that enlivens and enriches the existing village and has a strong emphasis on place-quality, the highest sustainability credentials, community infrastructure and a mixed and balanced demographic. The proposed development includes sustainable transport links; a new local centre with retail, employment space and community facilities; new low-carbon homes; significant biodiversity net gain; a new country park and a range of green infrastructure improvements. The masterplan incorporates accessible woodland, additional sports facilities, community gardens and allotments, informal open space/semi-natural greenspace and extensive playable landscapes.

As set out in the Development Framework Document (page 38):
“The site is perfectly located to address many of [the] community needs including the delivery of new community facilities, improvement to Cambridge Road and diversification and expansion of the recreation offer in the village. Importantly, the development reaches a critical mass, sufficient to support and deliver new facilities and open space which will address the current and significant deficiencies in the village. The development will therefore be transformational, turning an existing commuter settlement into a vibrant and cohesive community.”

A Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) of the Site has helped inform a comprehensive Green Belt Review. The findings are summarised at page 26 of the Development Framework Document. In short, it is concluded that the Site des not contribute to the Cambridge Green Belt purpose 1 and provides a relatively limited contribution for purposes 2 and 3. The development strategy will ensure that a new defensible boundary prevents any further growth eastwards and preserves the remaining and substantial gap from further future development.