COMMENT

Policy I/ST: Sustainable Transport and Connectivity set out how the transport impacts of development should be managed, and how new development should be connected to the transport network. An aim of the policy is to reduce transport emissions. The preferred development strategy seeks to co-locate housing close to jobs, services and facilities in order to reduce the need to travel and support travel by walking, cycling and public transport. This approach is consistent with Paragraphs 104 and 105 of the NPPF and is supported. However, it is considered of the aim of Policy I/ST will only be fully implemented if all available opportunities to direct development to sustainable locations are taken, including additional development being directed to the edge of Cambridge.

The promoted development by North BRLOG at South West Cambridge is highly accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. There are future sustainable transport projects to the west of Cambridge i.e. Cambourne to Cambridge Public Transport Corridor, Comberton Greenway and Barton Greenway that the site would be well related to and could support. The site is accessible to the wide range of services and facilities available in the City Centre. It is well-related to the current and future employment opportunities at West Cambridge and North West Cambridge, and to other employment opportunities available in the City, which will enable more residents to live closer to where they work. It is considered that the promoted development at South West Cambridge is an example of land that should be released from the Green Belt through the emerging GCLP in order to reduce travel distances and respond to climate change.

Therefore, additional allocations on the edge of Cambridge, including at the promoted development at South West Cambridge, would be consistent with the aims of Policy I/ST.

Requested Change

It is requested that the promoted development by North BRLOG at South West Cambridge is allocated for an urban extension, in order to support the aims of Policy I/ST e.g. reduce transport emissions, reduce the need to travel, and encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport.