INTRODUCTION
1.1 This representation has been prepared by Strutt & Parker on behalf of Gonville & Caius College to support the promotion of land at Rectory Farm, Milton as part of the Greater Cambridge First Proposals Consultation 2021.

1.2 In September 2021 Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service published the Greater Cambridge HELAA, which provided an initial assessment of the sites put forward for allocation as part of the Call for Sites consultation within Greater Cambridge.

1.3 This representation provides a response to the ‘First Proposals’ Consultations and covers the following topic. The representation has been structured to respond to relevant questions as set out within the First Proposals Consultation. In addition, a detailed assessment is provided in respect of the HELAA Assessment for the site.

1.4 The HELAA excludes the Rectory Farm site from allocation primarily on the basis of landscape issues and highways issues.

1.5 The site was originally submitted as part of the Call for Sites for up to 1,500 dwellings and 30,000 m2 of employment. For reasons explained at Call for Sites stage and set out within this representation it is considered that the site is suitable and deliverable in the medium term for a development of that scale.

1.6 It is considered that several of the assessments criteria, particularly regarding the landscape impact and the transport impact on the A14 should be re-categorised. This is particularly the case given that HELAA assessment appears to have been undertaken in isolation and has not given due consideration to the major transport projects being promoted along the A10 corridor. Further analysis of this is set out within section 7 of this report.

2. QUESTION: Do you agree that we should plan for an extra 550 homes per year, so that housing keeps up pressure with increased jobs in our area?

2.1 We agree that it is very important that housing delivery keeps up with demand for increased jobs within the area.

2.2 As part of the preparation of the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the Shared Planning Service has identified a need for 2,321 dwellings to be built per year. A significant proportion of this growth is made up of existing allocations within the Local Plan.

2.3 The initial evidence base and spatial options assessment for the emerging Local Plan, set three growth options; ‘minimum’ (40,300 dwellings - based upon standard methodology); ‘medium’ (46,200 dwellings- based upon economic forecast based upon long term historic employment) and ‘maximum’ (67,700 dwellings – based upon fast economic growth in the recent past). In view of this, the housing delivery target of 44,400 new homes over the plan period alongside 58,500 new jobs would fall between the ‘minimum ‘and ‘medium’ growth scenarios previously suggested.

2.4 As acknowledged within the Development Strategy Topic Paper, that accompanies this consultation it is acknowledged that the Greater Cambridge economy is dynamic and does not readily align with national or regional forecasts for job growth. In particular, it has a world- renowned life sciences cluster which has the potential to drive growth beyond typical regional or national rates. It is also acknowledged that in the recent past employment growth within the region has been significantly higher than predicted.

2.5 Accounting for the evidence set out within the Development Strategy Topic Paper, it is not clearly justified why only 44,400 new homes and 58,500 new jobs are proposed over the plan period. It is considered that this approach should be re-visited to increase both housing and employment allocations within the Local Plan. It is considered that the delivery of housing should be significantly increased, in line with the ‘maximum’ growth forecast, to align with economic growth within the recent past. The case for maximum growth forecast is further supported by significant transport investment within the area over the plan period. This includes schemes such as East- West Rail, Cambridge South Station and the delivery of a number of Rapid Transit Routes proposed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership.

2.6 The provision for lower growth scenarios does also not appear to be consistent with the government’s objectives for the Ox- Cam Arc as a centre for housing and employment growth.

3. QUESTION: Do you agree that new development should mainly focus on sites where car travel, and therefore emissions, can be minimised?

3.1 Yes, in principle the proposal to focus development on sites where car travel can be minimised is supported. National policy is clear within paragraph 79 of the NPPF that planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where they will support local services. The updated NPPF (2021), also provides additional emphases on the suitability of providing significant extensions to villages, provided that they are well located and designed.

3.2 The site at Rectory Farm is located in a very sustainable location, with the development not overly reliant on car travel, with many public transport options easily accessible. It is located centrally along a key growth corridor within the emerging Local Plan. To the north, is Waterbeach New Town, which has planning consent and an allocation for the delivery of over 5,000 dwellings within the plan period and the delivery of a further 4,000 dwellings after the end of the plan period. To the south is the North- East Cambridge Major area of change, which has a draft allocation for the delivery of 3,900 dwellings within the Local Plan period and 8,350 dwellings in total, along with the delivery of 15,000 new jobs.

3.3 It is clear from both the adopted and emerging Local Plan, that the A10 corridor from north- east Cambridge to Waterbeach is a key focus for growth. We fully support this approach. Consistent with this objective, it is considered that further growth should be provided on land to the west of Milton, at Rectory Farm. Rectory Farm is a particularly sustainable option for growth, given that it immediately adjoins the existing park & ride to the south of the site. In addition, the proposed ‘central option’ of the Cambridge to Waterbeach Rapid Transit Route immediately dissects Rectory Farm and has the ability to provide a bus stop within Rectory Farm, which could serve both the existing village of Milton and new job and housing growth at Rectory Farm. There is also the ability to provide ease of cycle access into the City from the site, via Waterbeach Greenway.

4. QUESTION: We think that the area of Milton Road in North-East Cambridge (including the current waste water treatment plant) can be developed into a lively and dense city district, after the water treatment plant relocated. What housing, jobs, facilitates or open spaces do you think this site should provide?

4.1 We support the proposed allocation and redevelopment of north- east Cambridge in principle and as set out in section 3 above, we consider that the corridor between north- east Cambridge and Waterbeach provides a sustainable transport corridor and should provide a focus for growth. However, we do consider that the GCSPS have taken an inconsistent approach in terms of the scoring of North- East Cambridge site within the HELAA than they have for land adjacent to Rectory Farm. Land within North- East Cambridge has a draft allocation for development, despite the fact that it is to a large extent reliant on the relocation of the Waste Water Treatment Works, which is subject to a complicated Development Consent Order approval process.

4.2 The Local Plan also references that the sustainability of North- East Cambridge will improve as a result of planned infrastructure projects such as the Chisholm Trail, Waterbeach to Cambridge Public Transport Corridor and Waterbeach Greenway. We fully support and agree that the delivery of these three important projects will improve the sustainability not only of North- East Cambridge, but also the settlements of Milton and Waterbeach. Within the HELAA Land at Rectory Farm has been deemed unsuitable on the basis of additional traffic pressure on the A14, however Cambridge North- East, which is both a significantly larger development and closer to the A14 has been deemed suitable on transport grounds. It is therefore unclear, why a different approach appears to have been taken between Cambridge North- East and land at Rectory Farm in this regard, which is not justified or sound in planning terms

4.3 Further analysis of this point is set out within our response to the HELAA, within section 7 of this report.

5. QUESTION: We think we should be very limited about the development we allow in villages, with only a few allocated sites in villages, with good public transport connections and local services. Which villages do you think should see new development of any kind?

5.1 The proposed strategy focuses on locating new development in and around Cambridge City, growing existing new settlements, with a small degree of growth in the rural southern clusters.

5.2 It is considered that additional growth should be provided within the most sustainable and largest villages within South Cambridgeshire, such as Milton. As set out in detail within our Call for Sites submission (which has been appended to this representation), Milton is arguably the most sustainable of the Minor Rural Service centres, given its very close proximity to Cambridge, its range of services and the ability to travel from Milton to Cambridge by sustainable transport means. Rectory Farm, is particularly sustainable given that it abuts Milton Park & Ride, which provides for direct and convenient bus access to the City.

5.3 The delivery of major transport schemes along the Waterbeach to Cambridge corridor will further improve the sustainability of Milton, particularly on its western side. The sustainability of Milton will be further enhanced by the additional of 15,000 jobs in north- east Cambridge, which will be very easily accessible by both bike and bus from land at Rectory Farm.

5.4 It is therefore considered that appropriate growth should be provided within the more sustainable, larger villages such as Milton.

6. QUESTION: What housing, jobs, facilities or open spaces do you think should be provided in and around these villages?

6.1 It is important that a range of housing, jobs and facilities are provided within larger villages as part of new allocations to allow them to thrive and remain vibrant. Gonville and Caius College are fully committed, to engagement with the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and Milton Parish Council regarding the mix and type of housing to be delivered land at Rectory Farm.

6.2 The size of the site also means that there is capacity for up to 30,000 m2 of employment floor space included within the site. The College are flexible regarding the type of employment space to be delivered as part of the allocation, in order to meet the extensive demand for job growth along this corridor.

7. QUESTION: Are there any sites which you think should be developed for housing or business use, which we haven’t got on our map so far? Yes, the site at Rectory Farm should be allocated for mixed use development and would be a sound allocation as part of the emerging Local Plan.

7.1 The site was promoted originally at Call for Sites stage for a residential-led mixed use development for 1,500 dwellings and up to 30,000m2 of employment space. This section of the report re-assesses the sites suitability, and demonstrates that it is a suitable location for mixed use development. The site has scored red in the HELAA Assessment in respect of Landscape and Townscape Impact and Strategic Transport Matters. For reasons set out within this section, it is considered that these sections need to be re- scored within the HELAA.