Employment policy is considering supporting classes E(g), B2 and B8 in locations (In Cambridge Within towns and villages, Close to but outside settlement boundaries of villages, In defined ‘established employment areas in the countryside’ and In the countryside for the expansion of existing businesses). Which are not appropriate for either general industrial uses or for logistics development. The plan is looking to impose a blanket prohibition on large scale national and regional warehousing and distribution centres in Greater Cambridge.

A Distribution Centre is a warehouse that distributes goods outside of a company’s internal supply chain or to its retail estate. However, the ‘National’ prefix implies that it also transfers goods to Regional Distribution Centres (RDC). The ‘Regional’ prefix usually implies that the RDC is part of a warehouse network and it is supplied from a National Distribution Centre (see NDC) in order to better service a local region. Local companies with national or international customers would require a NDC or RDC. Similarly, companies supply the Greater Cambridge region would require a local RDC.

A Distribution Centre is a warehouse that distributes goods outside of a company’s internal supply chain or to its retail estate. However, the ‘National’ prefix implies that it also transfers goods to Regional Distribution Centres (RDC). The ‘Regional’ prefix usually implies that the RDC is part of a warehouse network and it is supplied from a National Distribution Centre (see NDC) in order to better service a local region. Local companies with national or international customers would require a NDC or RDC. Similarly, companies supply the Greater Cambridge region would require a local RDC.

While the plan is seeking to provide a range of new employment space this will not, together with the existing allocations, provide a good range in the type, size and location of sites that respond to the needs of businesses. A range of employment sites must be able to cater for the needs of the logistics sector and provide sites of at least 10ha close to the SRN. A single warehouse of 25,000 sqm (which is below the current market average) requires a site of around 10ha. Greater Cambridge will need to consider whether regional distribution centres are being provided in sustainable locations in adjoining authority areas to meet any regional need before unilaterally abdicating responsibility to meet regional needs.

The Plan needs to reflect the current and future needs of the logistic industry as that need is now manifesting itself, post Covid and post Brexit. Large sustainable sites close to the SRN need to be identified in a planned way.