OBJECT

As set out in Endurance Estates’ representations to Policy S/DS, it is considered that the evidence base for the emerging GCLP underestimates the need for Class B2 and B8 uses, and does not reflect the market demand for these uses in Greater Cambridge. Two reports, prepared on behalf of Endurance Estates, have assessed supply and demand matters for Class B2 and B8 uses: The Need for Employment Land Report (prepared by Savills) assessed the employment land evidence for emerging GCLP; and, Market Demand Report (prepared by Carter Jonas) assessed the supply, demand and need for high and mid-technology manufacturing and logistics floorspace in Greater Cambridge. The reports are submitted with these representations.

The representations to Policy S/DS also highlighted the transport infrastructure projects already planned at and in the vicinity of Cambourne that will improve accessibility along the A428 corridor in South Cambridgeshire, and the transport related sustainability benefits of locating more employment development close to Cambourne to provide employment opportunities for existing and future residents.

It is considered that additional employment land should be allocated at land at Caxton Gibbet, to meet the needs for high and mid-technology manufacturing and logistics floorspace on the strategic road network, and to make Cambourne more sustainable by increasing the mix of uses at the town including additional employment uses.

The Savills Report highlights some of the benefits of industrial and logistics employment (see Section 4) including the following:

• A major contributor to the national economy.
• Higher wages than the national average.
• Higher rates of productivity than the overall economy.
• Increasingly diverse employment opportunities including professional and technical roles, and in high skilled engineering and technological professions.
• Innovative workplaces that are modern and technologically advanced.
• Replace jobs lost from other part of the economy.
• Increasing demand for online shopping.

As highlighted in the Savills Report, Greater Cambridge should not rely on other parts of the region to provide industrial and logistics premises.

The Carter Jonas Report highlighted some of the benefits of locating high technology manufacturing and logistics floorspace at land at Caxton Gibbet, as follows:

• Good transport links, including planned highway improvements to A428 and planned new East West Rail route including a proposed station at Cambourne.
• Provide a range of unit sizes to meet the needs of a variety of occupiers including small scale, mid-box and big-box units.
• Provide units to meet demand for floorspace required by high-tech manufacturing, life science and general manufacturing companies.
• Providing affordable units to address the increasing rents for industrial and logistics floorspace within Greater Cambridge.
• Close to large supply of potential employees at Cambourne, reducing commuting levels and providing opportunities to access employment locally and by sustainable modes of transport

A Vision Document (by Stephen George & Partners) has been prepared for the promoted development to provide key design principles and explain how potential impacts would be addressed including landscape impacts.

The site is beyond the Cambridge Green Belt. The baseline technical studies have demonstrated that the site may be sustainably accessed and drained. There are no adverse impacts on heritage assets. A suitable strategic scale landscape strategy can be provided to mitigate visual impacts. A biodiversity net gain can be delivered. The promoted development would be zero net carbon, and could deliver between 3,500 and 4,500 new FTE jobs. The site is in close proximity to planned new transport infrastructure.

A Vision Document is submitted with these representations.

For all these reasons it is requested that land at Caxton Gibbet, as promoted by Endurance Estates, is identified as an addition employment allocation at Cambourne.

Requested Change

It is requested that land at Caxton Gibbet, as promoted by Endurance Estates, is identified as an addition employment allocation at Cambourne with the following policy requirements:

• Site Area of 164.40 Ha
• Employment for industrial (Class B2) and storage and distribution (Class B8) for mid-tech and advanced manufacturing units and strategic logistics units
• Main vehicular access via new roundabout on the A1198 provided as part of A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements project.
• Pedestrian and cycle access via the new bridge over the A428 (provided as part of A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements project) and via the existing bridge over the A428 at Cambourne Road/St Neots Road.
• New footways and cycleways would need to be provided to Cambourne and Papworth Everard from the promoted development. from The Causeway
• Development should address the following constraints:
o Woodland planting at the northern part of the site
o Strategic landscape planting on northern, eastern and western boundaries