Draft Policy CC/DC requires all development to adopt a design led approach to climate change adaptation with approaches integrated into architectural design. The draft Policy includes a hierarchy, which commences at Passive design as a preference, with full building mechanical ventilation/cooling system with lowest preference.
We support this Policy and acknowledge the importance of recognising how development and construction methods can positively contribute to reduce the impacts of climate change.
We question, however, whether a sufficient costs has been attributed within the Plan’s Viability Study to enable comprehensive delivery of this Policy. It is noted that the Aspinall Verdi Viability Study which accompanies the Draft Local Plan states that to meet Policy CC/DC no additional build cost has been included for in the viability assessment, with Aspinall Verdi stating that they “assume that the heat mitigation can be built into the design at no additional cost”.
Whilst there may be scope to introduce some passive design through materials, the hierarchy also includes mechanical ventilation. Mechanical Ventilation is not included within typical build cost, and we therefore raise concerns whether the Plan viability has accounted for sufficient costs to fully deliver this Policy across all developments within Greater Cambridge.
Notwithstanding this, Land to the East Side of Cambridge Road, Melbourn offers the opportunity to deliver a scheme that is located in proximity to sustainable modes of transport thereby promoting the use of more sustainable modes of transport and mitigating the impact of climate change. A future scheme will also be designed in a way to ensure that climate change adaption is integrated into the scheme’s design.
The residential elements of the scheme will deliver low carbon housing and benefit from electric charging points, promoting the use of electric vehicles. In accordance with the aspirations of the Greater Cambridge emerging Local Plan, low water consumption will also be promoted to reduce water usage and positively contribute to water recycling where possible.