We support the role smaller sites can play for housing and employment, where they are well-integrated with existing neighbourhoods. This should relate to all types of housing and recognise the role mixed use housing and employment/education plays in achieving the Government’s aims of achieving sustainable development on previously developed sites, including the role those types of sites within the urban area play in reducing pressures for greenfield development.

We also support windfall development, especially where it assists in achieving the above aims, including the 11,640 homes to be identified. It is considered that the site (St Matthew’s Centre, Sturton Street, as identified in the Eastern Gate Supplement Planning Guidance as a potential development site {page 9}) should be included now as a mixed use education/student housing development capable of delivering 80 new purpose built student homes and enhanced and purpose built facilities for the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts.

As set out in Policy H/SA, any student accommodation delivery on the site will assist in the delivery of overall housing as required by the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, as it potentially releases existing private housing stock used by students.