The proposed development strategy for Greater Cambridge is stated to be to:
“direct development to where it has the least climate impact, where active and public transport is the natural choice, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development, and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live, whilst ensuring all necessary utilities can be provided in a sustainable way.”
The proposed development strategy for Greater Cambridge directs the vast majority of growth to the Cambridge Urban Area, the edge of Cambridge and new settlements. A smaller proportion of growth is directed to the Rural Southern Cluster and the Rest of the Rural Area. Of the allocations proposed, the vast majority of these are existing commitments (adopted allocations, sites with planning permission etc.). The Council are only proposing a need for an additional 11,640 homes to be allocated through the emerging Local Plan. This further emphasises that the Plan is failing to proactively plan for sufficient homes as discussed in respect of Policy S/JH.
Countryside support the principle of the proposed development strategy and recognise that a range of sites will be required in order to deliver this strategy.
Concern however is raised regarding how the proposed strategy has been interpreted into the allocations proposed. Furthermore, in light of our discussions in relation to Policy S/J, it is clear that additional allocations will be required in order to deliver an appropriate and effective quantum of housing to support the wider plan aspirations.