Full details are provided in the supporting main response document.

VJF support the principle of the proposed development strategy for Greater Cambridge and the approach to directing development to locations where active and new public transport is available, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development, and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live. This approach is consistent with the NPPF, which at paragraph 11.a) states that all plans should promote a sustainable form of development.


Significant transport investment is planned around Papworth, which will further support the proposed sustainable expansion of the village. Transport connections to Papworth are set out in more detail within the accompanying Transport Appraisals prepared by EAS.
There are a number of strategic schemes coming forward which will improve mobility in the area and better connections with key service centres. Furthermore, bringing forward development in Papworth would act as a catalyst and a source of additional investment to further improve local infrastructure to connect Papworth to the south and increase the opportunities and likelihood for Papworth residents and workers to travel, at least in part, by sustainable modes of travel:

The completion of the A14 re-alignment and improvement works;
The East-West rail preferred route has been announced which will link with Cambourne which is just 4km south of Papworth (see figure 1 below);
Highways England improvement proposals which includes new footpath and cycleway connections at the Caxton Gibbet junction and the re-alignment of the junction to reduce congestion in the area and improve journey times along this key transport route;
The Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Cambourne to Cambridge Transport project which will improve transport connections. As part of these proposals, the proposed Scotland Farm Park and Ride is currently the preferred option. Scheme completion is currently forecasted in 2024; and
The Combined Authority Mayor committing to enhanced bus provision to better connect villages.

The Cambridgeshire Long Term Transport Strategy 2011-2031 supports this and identifies the major infrastructure requirements that are needed to address existing problems and capacity constraints on Cambridgeshire’s transport network, and the further infrastructure that is required to cater for the transport demand associated with planned growth. It includes the following schemes will improve the connectivity of Papworth Everard:

Strategic and local cycle network improvement between Huntingdon-Papworth EverardCambourne;
Area action plans for the A14 Trunk Road in Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire delivering;
- New A14 trunk road, local road capacity, cycle and pedestrian routes;
- Area action plan for the A428 Trunk Road in Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire. This includes:
- A428 Caxton Gibbet to Black Cat dualling by 2021, including a grade separated junction at the A1 Black Cat roundabout;
- Bus priority measures Caxton Gibbet – West Cambourne, A428 to Bourne airfield;
A428 park and ride; and
- A428 and A1198 junction improvements.

Cambourne to Cambridge Public Transport Route and New Park and Ride Site: A number of options are being considered by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) to improve journeys from the west of Cambridge into the city. This follows a successful public consultation with options soon to be presented for approval to the GCP Board for approval.

In its current form the village of Papworth is not providing a strong opportunity to reduce car trips within the district; however, the provision of links to the south will improve this. New development could be part of the solution to promote and help deliver more sustainable travel links for the benefit of all.

VJF support the principle of including allocations for housing and employment in the rest of the rural area as part of the proposed development strategy. The Local Plan should seek to allocate a component of its housing needs towards growth at existing villages. Sustainable development in rural areas makes an important contribution to ensuring the vitality of villages and supporting existing rural services and facilities.

This approach is supported by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which at paragraph 79 states that to promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services.

Notwithstanding this clear direction in national policy, the emerging Local Plan makes very few additional allocations in the rural area and VJF objects to this approach. This approach threatens the vitality of villages within the rural area and stifles opportunities for further growth and supporting local services. The allocation of additional sites in the rural area will also help to ensure that the housing supply for the Local Plan is balanced and robust, reducing the reliance on strategic sites and the limited allocations in villages. As such, the Development Strategy should include for further allocations in the rural area to ensure that a sound spatial strategy is developed and delivered.


It is important that any additional allocations accord with the principles of the proposed
development strategy. Land at Papworth accords with the proposed development strategy as
follows:
Directing development to where active and public transport is the natural choice:
Future transport links with the east-west transport corridor improvements will bolster
sustainable travel opportunities to Papworth.
Where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development:
The proposed development of the site would be landscape led with potential for benefits
to the green infrastructure that exceed policy requirements, including new swathes of
public open space
The site is predominantly agricultural land and is low ecological value. Through
enhancements the proposals present an opportunity to deliver a biodiversity net gain of at
least 20%.