Policy J/NE: New Employment Development

OBJECT

Endurance Estates is promoting land at Caxton Gibbet for employment development, comprising high-tech and advanced manufacturing employment uses and strategic logistics development. It is stated in Policy J/NE that large scale national and regional warehousing and distribution centres will not be supported in Greater Cambridge, that is despite an need for additional land for these uses being identified in the evidence for emerging GCLP.

Paragraph 8 of the NPPF identifies the three objectives of sustainable development. The economic objective specifically identifies the need to build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity. Paragraph 20 notes that strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and make sufficient provision for employment and other commercial development amongst other matters. Paragraph 81 expects planning policies to create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt, and to support economic growth and productivity and to meet the needs of business. Paragraph 82 expects planning policies to have regard to local industrial strategies and other local policies for economic development and regeneration, and to identify strategic sites to meet economic strategies and anticipated employment needs. Paragraph 83 expects planning policies to recognise and address the specific locational requirements of different sectors including high technology industries and storage and distribution operations. Paragraph 031 (ID: 2a) of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how local planning authorities should identify the need for logistics and allocate land to meet that need.

The Greater Cambridge Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study (November 2020 GL Hearn) was prepared to inform the economic development and employment land needs for emerging GCLP, including the approach to the provision of land for Class B2 and B8 uses.

The Need for Employment Land Report (prepared by Savills on behalf of Endurance Estates) assessed the employment land evidence for emerging GCLP; the Report is attached to the representations to Policy S/CB: Cambourne that includes a request for land at Caxton Gibbet to be allocated for industrial and storage and distribution uses. In summary, Savills conclude that the employment land evidence base underestimates the actual need for Class B2 and B8 uses, does not properly take into account existing supply or market signals, and ignores the wider region/functional property market area relevant to Greater Cambridge. The current and emerging policies for industrial development are restrictive, and suppress demand. Savills estimate that more than 270,000 sqm of industrial floorspace is required over the plan period.

The Market Demand Report (prepared by Carter Jonas on behalf of Endurance Estates) assessed the supply, demand and need for high technology manufacturing and logistics floorspace; the Report is attached to the representations to Policy S/CB: Cambourne. In summary, Carter Jonas conclude that there is limited supply of floorspace suitable for high technology manufacturing and logistics uses, and the supply is not being provided in Cambridgeshire. There is strong demand for floorspace in Greater Cambridge and along the A428 corridor, but that demand is not being met.

Greater Cambridge is relying on other parts of the region to provide industrial and logistics premises. The benefits of providing industrial and logistics development within Greater Cambridge have been ignored e.g. for the economy, variety of job opportunities, employment close to Cambourne etc. it should be noted that the promoted development at land at Caxton Gibbet is well-related to the strategic highway network, is accessible for employees and is not located in the Green Belt.

It is considered that not meeting the needs for industrial and strategic logistics within Greater Cambridge is contrary to national guidance.

Requested Change

It is requested that the employment land evidences is updated and amended as set out in findings of the Need for Employment Land Report (prepared by Savills) and the Market Demand Report (prepared by Carter Jonas).

It is requested that land at Caxton Gibbet, as promoted by Endurance Estates, is identified as an addition employment allocation at Cambourne for Class B2 and Class B8 uses.