The strategy for this section is set out on page 30 under Policy S/DS: Development strategy, which states “Using less land for development reduces our carbon emissions, and allows more space for nature and wildlife, so we propose that sites should be developed at densities, and using appropriate forms and patterns of development, which make best use of land while creating well-designed, characterful places.”
Whilst, rightly, the pendulum has swung towards reducing carbon emissions, it is important to avoid the law of unintended consequences. As housing becomes more dense and living spaces smaller, in order to accommodate growth, there is a tendency to forget about people. It was a mistake made both during the industrial revolution and with the high-rise flats of the 1960s. I hear now of some local developments where locals cannot, in modern accommodation, get a single bed up a stairwell and fear that our basic design standards are already set too low.
Pages 188/9 of How has this influenced the shape of the plan? identifies policy areas in the plan that seek to meet the needs of all sectors of our communities – some of which need to be unpicked further if they are to deliver to their aspirations:
· providing good quality, affordable housing in accessible locations. The term “affordable housing” has little meaning in Cambridge when house prices are very high. The Plan should aspire to better and more imaginative ways to identify ways we can build “houses that people can actually afford.”
· providing good access to services and facilities. Many in the Queen Edith’s area are disappointed that both Nine Wells and GB1/2 have been designed with little reference to the wider Queen Edith’s community and consequently are likely to become soulless over time.
· creating places that enable healthy and active lifestyles and social interaction.
· supporting access to education, employment and training opportunities. It is unclear how the Greater Cambridge Planning can do this.
· promoting sustainable and active travel.
· providing community and shared spaces.
· protecting and providing public access to open spaces and the natural environment.
Nowhere in this list is there any reference to the disabled.
Policy WS/HD: Creating healthy new developments (Pages 190/1) is welcomed. It will be important for appropriate external groups to be involved in Health Impact Assessments at an early stage.
Policy WS/CF: Community, Sports, and Leisure Facilities states that “loss of facilities will only be supported if they are either suitably replaced or it can be satisfactorily proven they are no longer needed.” Is it possible to guard against landlords who wish, at the end of a lease, to give notice to a Club on their land, or charge a rent so high that the Club is forced to leave?
I note that The Infrastructure Delivery Plan will identify what facilities are needed... Is the Planning Department aware of the “Place Standard” Survey carried out by Cllr Sam Davies for Queen Edith’s and published in Feb 2020?