QUESTION: Do you agree that new development should mainly focus on sites where car travel, and therefore carbon emissions, can be minimise?
Yes, in principle the proposal to focus development on sites where car travel can be minimised is supported. Consistent with this strategy, it is considered to be very important that some growth is delivered in villages that have existing employment areas and have good access to local services and public transport links. 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 growth strategy is to create nearly 60,000 (58,500) new jobs across within the plan period to support the economic growth of Greater Cambridge. This growth scenario is at the medium level which aligns with the medium scenario for the housing growth strategy. This strategy requires 2,786 new jobs to be created per year. Greater Cambridge is in a unique position outside London that it has a strong growing economy. The main factor holding back the unleashing the economic potential for Greater Cambridge is housing supply. Therefore, it is essential that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan puts forward an ambitious growth strategy so that it can attract and maintain the work force required to enable companies to grow.
The aim of the jobs policies in the First Proposals is to encourage a flourishing and mixed economy in Greater Cambridge with a wide range of jobs. Sensitive small-scale employment development can help sustain rural economies, and provide a wider range of employment opportunities for local residents. Providing jobs near to residents to reduce the need to travel is a key issue. Therefore, it is important that jobs are created in existing employment locations close to existing settlements in order to reduce car travel.
The CPIER report (2018), which is referenced as a key document within the evidence base provides a detailed analysis regarding the potential benefits of focusing growth along key transport corridors. Histon & Impington is a highly sustainable location with excellent transport links including the Guided Busway and other bus services. It also has a strong employment area which is located alongside the Guided Busway. In the settlement hierarchy, Histon & Impington is identified as a ‘Rural Centre’ which has no limitation on the size of individual schemes.
It is therefore essential that the existing employment areas which are located adjacent to the existing settlement are enabled to grow, particularly in such a sustainable and attractive location as the Villa Road site. The allocation of the Villa Road site for employment use (B2 and E use classes) would attract companies to an establish employment area which has excellent links to a range of existing facilities which can be accessed without the need for car travel.
The Villa Road site is located within close proximity to the NIAB Agricultural Research facility which lies to the north along Villa Road which would complement the employment allocation of the site.
The Villa Road site is enclosed on three sides by an electricity terminal site to northwest, the Guided Busway to the north with large warehouses beyond, and housing to the south-east in Primrose Lane. No sites have been allocated for employment in Histon & Impington. The site represents an ideal and suitable site for employment due to having excellent transport links, being highly accessible by sustainable modes of transport and would not have a detrimental impact on the wider landscape context.