J/NE: New employment and development proposals

Proposals and criteria need to be proportional in scale and character in a rural area (i.e Mill Hill GAM5 policy, Gamlingay Neighbourhood Plan)

There is not enough information here to comment.

The Trumpington Residents' Association is concerned that there seems to be no mechanism for the Councils to control the extent of growth and the risks that high growth brings to the local society and the pressure it places for more homes. There is a risk that if the number of jobs grows at a faster rate than projected, there will be a demand for even more homes than currently planned.

We stress the large capacity for employment development that already exists and challenge the need for CBC to expand into the Green Belt when there are other areas close to CBC that could be used.

There are references to development being permitted outside the Green Belt but this policy makes no reference to development within the Green Belt (page 229). There should be an explicit reference against development in the Green Belt. Note that the proposed expansion of CBC - one of the areas said to be with 'significant opportunities' - would be within the Green Belt (page 230).

Object. The policy provides no provision for new other rural based enterprises such as equestrianism which have to be located in the rural area and which have significant economic benefit (directly through employment and indirectly through contribution to the local rural economy through bedding/feed/tack/farriers/hay/equipment etc) and social benefits (health, well-being etc). This form of valuable business should not be excluded from the policy.

The proposal at land at Hazlewell Court Bar Road, Lolworth (Site URN 676) will support the objective for businesses to invest, expand, and adapt as set out in the NPPF.

As of 2021, 2,800 people in Cambridge alone were unemployed. In order to help resolve this issue, there is a need for new local jobs in the Greater Cambridge Area.

Development at Hazlewell Court will allow for new employment opportunities in a variety of sectors, creating jobs for local people and helping to boost the Greater Cambridge economy.

The site is also an established rural business park, and there is an opportunity for this provision to be expanded. This small scale employment provision can also act as incubator units to help new businesses grow and we see this as a complementary role to the proposed larger scale commercial proposals at Slate Hall Farm, Bar Hill (Site URN 236).

Abrdn supports the ambitions for the Local Plan to encourage a flourishing and mixed economy in Greater Cambridge which includes a wide range of jobs. To ensure this aim is achievable, it is important that proposed policy J/NE allows flexibility for employment uses in Greater Cambridge. This would be in accordance with Paragraph 82 of the National Planning Policy Framework which identifies that planning policies should “be flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan, allow for new and flexible working practices (such as live-work accommodation), and to enable a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances.”

Further, the Government recently introduced the new Use Class E to promote flexibility in town centres. It is crucial that the Local Plan does not seek to restrict sub-uses within the wider Use Class E. This would be in direct conflict with the aims of Use Class E and would therefore be unlikely to be considered sound by a Planning Inspector during examination.

USS supports the ambitions for the Local Plan to encourage a flourishing and mixed economy in Greater Cambridge which includes a wide range of jobs. To ensure this aim is achievable, it is important that proposed policy J/NE allows flexibility for employment uses in Greater Cambridge. This would be in accordance with Paragraph 82 of the National Planning Policy Framework which identifies that planning policies should “be flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan, allow for new and flexible working practices (such as live-work accommodation), and to enable a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances.”

Further, the Government recently introduced the new Use Class E to promote flexibility in town centres. It is crucial that the Local Plan does not seek to restrict sub-uses within the wider Use Class E. This would be in direct conflict with the aims of Use Class E.

USS notes that there is an identified need for warehousing and distribution (Use Class B8) uses within Greater Cambridge. USS notes that the proposed policy J/NE is intended to not support large scale regional and national distribution proposals. However, USS requests that the proposed policy makes clear that small to medium sized warehousing and distribution will be supported to meet the identified need. It should also be made clear that co-location is an acceptable way to help meet both the warehousing and distribution and housing needs in the area. This should also be reflected in the Clifton Road Industrial Estate site allocation, which should be flexible enough to allow for some small to medium sized warehousing and distribution uses on the redeveloped site.

We recommend the following text is included within Policy J/NE:

"A degree of flexibility will be provided when considering the accessibility and transport options available to a proposal for employment development, to consider nearby short, medium and long term sustainable transport projects that may influence the sustainability of a proposal beyond the nearby infrastructure currently available."

Huntingdonshire District Council supports the approach towards new and additional employment premises in villages and specified locations within the countryside as this will offer scope for increasing and diversifying local employment opportunities across the wider Greater Cambridge area potentially reducing the need to commute and supporting the viability of smaller communities.

This policy supports employment development in use classes E(g) (office, R&D, light industry), B2 (general industry) and B8 (storage and distribution) particularly in the strategic sites, Areas of Major Change and Opportunity Areas. The department benefits from permitted development rights to change the use of a building/site from a wide range of uses falling in Class E to a state-funded school. While we recognise the intense demand for employment space in Greater Cambridge, we recommend the councils take a pragmatic approach to new employment development which recognises the longer-term ability for E(g) uses to change to education, and the benefits education brings to the local labour market.

CMS will create jobs as well as developing a skills pipeline to higher education and industry, focusing specifically on STEM, so this sort of provision should be explicitly supported in the plan. The councils should recognise the long-term benefits of specialist education provision that produces the next generation of business owners and employees in the fields identified in the Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study – life sciences, ICT, professional services and advanced manufacturing. We therefore request some flexibility in the policies and site allocations, recognising the direct and indirect employment benefits of education facilities such as CMS.

It is acknowledged that the Councils are still in the process of drafting these policies, however, in order to support economic growth, innovation and to strengthen the strategic role and reputation of Greater Cambridge it is vital that the policies are drafted with sufficient flexibility. The following matters should be taken into account to ensure that growth and opportunity are supported by local planning policy:

- The opportunity to provide a world-class bio-medical facility (and employment opportunities) should not be hindered by a site’s location outside of a settlement boundary/development framework. Sufficient flexibility and criteria should be built into policy to allow the benefits of a proposal to be balanced against any conflict with policy in this regard, particularly where it meets high standards of sustainability.

- The economic and wider needs case for bringing forward a bio-medical facility (and employment opportunities) should be afforded great weight in the determination of a planning application.

- The re-use of previously developed land for employment purposes should be given great weight in the determination of planning applications for employment use.

- The ability to bring forward an innovative and comprehensive manifesto of sustainable travel measures to support a proposal in the rural area should be given great weight. Councils must think creatively and look beyond a site’s rural location when making site allocations for employment uses and determining planning applications. Significant world-class bio-medical facilities can be supported by a range of innovative travel sustainable solutions and have a significant element of remote working which reduces the need to travel all together.

- Proposals for employment uses which also provide associated land uses such as shops, creche and cafés should be supported, where these uses are open to the wider community. Such proposals will deliver significant community benefit and improve the sustainability credentials of the local area.

The concept of “Providing jobs near to residents“ will only work where the pool of local residents is suitable for the employment. Businesses will not accept a requirement to recruit in a small geographical area.

We support this policy.

see attached

There seems to be too much emphasis on growing research and development jobs.
I would like to see more zones for "ordinary" jobs for those who have not benefited from a university education.

Babraham Research Campus is proposed as a Policy Area in the First Proposals consultation document, under Policy S/BRC.
Policy J/NE is broadly supported but future policy wording should be clearly written to confirm that employment development will be supported in defined ‘Policy Areas in the countryside’.

USS supports the ambitions for the Local Plan to encourage a flourishing and mixed economy in Greater Cambridge which includes a wide range of jobs. To ensure this aim is achievable, it is important that proposed policy J/NE allows flexibility for employment uses in Greater Cambridge. This would be in accordance with Paragraph 82 of the National Planning Policy Framework which identifies that planning policies should “be flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan, allow for new and flexible working practices (such as live-work accommodation), and to enable a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances.”

Further, the Government recently introduced the new Use Class E to promote flexibility in town centres. It is crucial that the Local Plan does not seek to restrict sub-uses within the wider Use Class E. This would be in direct conflict with the aims of Use Class E.

New areas of substantial employment MUST have a good transport infrastructure.

One employment area we find significant and interesting is the expansion of Cambridge Science Park to the land East of Impington. This was put forward in the call for sites.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) consider the Plan should allocate circa 50ha of land at Scotland Farm for employment uses. A site location plan and illustrative masterplan is appended to these representations. This plan is a minor variation on the site boundary to HELAA Site 51608, and additional information on this site has been submitted separately through the call for sites additional site information portal.

The HELAA Assessment finds the site suitable for employment, save in respect of archaeology and access.

In respect of archaeology, a Historic Environment Desk Based Assessment of HELAA Site 51608 has been undertaken as part of an Assessment of HELAA Site 56252. This is submitted through the call for sites and concludes the potential for archaeological remains exists, although these are considered likely to be of local or regional significance. These are not considered to be a constraint upon development.

In respect of access, a Transport Appraisal of HELAA Site 51608 has been undertaken as part of an Assessment of HELAA Site 56252. This is submitted through the call for sites and demonstrates the suitability of the access arrangements and the capacity of the highway junction on the A428. Indeed the ability of the site to access the strategic highway network avoiding residential areas is a positive factor. Access is not considered a constraint upon development.

HLM would request this assessment be revisited in light of the evidence now available and submitted with these representations.

The Review of Employment Need Evidence submitted with these representations sets out the justification for an allocation at land at Scotland Farm, and this is summarised below.

The allocation of this land for employment would be entirely consistent with the proposed development strategy. Public transport will be the natural choice for employees given the development will be in a very accessible location adjacent to the Scotland Farm Travel Hub as part of the C2C Project. This will provide frequent services every 10 minutes not just to/from Cambridge, but also nearby Bourn Airfield and Cambourne.

Its ability to deliver jobs near to Bourn Airfield is important in balancing homes and jobs in this area. Bourn Airfield when complete will generate circa 5,000 economically active residents, but at present is only planning to provide circa 500 jobs. Employment development at Scotland Farm has the potential to limit the need to travel for those residents, as well as offering them a genuine choice of sustainable modes of travel to work.

Employment development at Scotland Farm will also add to the existing agri-businesses on site, and help support growth in this key economic sector.

Its allocation would be entirely consistent with national planning policy, particularly paragraphs 11a and 104. Aligning new jobs with C2C and the Scotland Farm Travel Hub, in an accessible location close to East West Rail, is entirely consistent with Government policy.

This allocation should be in addition to the selected locations in order to bolster supply to meet the employment requirement, and provide flexibility to accommodate needs not identified in the Plan as required by Paragraph 82.d) of the Framework. Alternatively, it should be allocated as an alternative to those selected that are not taken forward in the Plan.

Finally, to confirm, this allocation would not prejudice the ability to bring forward a new settlement at Scotland Farm on the remaining land available within HELAA Site 56252. It would be complimentary in providing jobs on the site for future residents enhancing the sustainability of the location, as well as forward funding the delivery of highway infrastructure to assist with the early delivery of homes.

Marshall supports the intended purpose of this policy, which is to identify suitable locations for employment proposals and potential uses that might be acceptable in these locations. This Local Plan provides an opportunity to truly maximise the scale and quality of the opportunity to add to the Cambridge story through the realisation of the area’s economic potential, whilst integrating with and serving the local population. There are clear sustainability benefits to focusing employment development at appropriate and accessible locations that are well linked with existing and committed transport links.

Cambridge East has a number of characteristics that make it a unique opportunity for the area. The potential exists for a combination of a research hub, space for all levels of education and the commercial space to accommodate both large scale global occupiers and the flexible, affordable space for the small, high growth businesses for which Cambridge is renowned. Cambridge East can include maker spaces to provide spaces for creative industries and entrepreneurs, space for growing sectors that require mid-level skills, and the leisure and retail offer will provide opportunity for entry level jobs. This will create a mix of employment and training opportunities suitable for residents of different skill levels as Marshall can expand the offering of the Marshall Apprenticeship programme.

Cambridge East can deliver a development that offers economic and sustainability benefits that cannot be delivered elsewhere. It will make a significant contribution to the target of doubling GVA by delivering both more jobs and more productive jobs. It will attract and grow jobs in higher productivity sectors, transport investment will increase agglomeration effects across the city and investment in training will help existing residents boost their skills and productivity. The mix of jobs and types of employment floorspace to support these jobs at Cambridge East will be the subject of further discussion and testing with the GCSP.

Policy J/NE: New Employment Development

OBJECT

Endurance Estates is promoting land at Caxton Gibbet for employment development, comprising high-tech and advanced manufacturing employment uses and strategic logistics development. It is stated in Policy J/NE that large scale national and regional warehousing and distribution centres will not be supported in Greater Cambridge, that is despite an need for additional land for these uses being identified in the evidence for emerging GCLP.

Paragraph 8 of the NPPF identifies the three objectives of sustainable development. The economic objective specifically identifies the need to build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity. Paragraph 20 notes that strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and make sufficient provision for employment and other commercial development amongst other matters. Paragraph 81 expects planning policies to create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt, and to support economic growth and productivity and to meet the needs of business. Paragraph 82 expects planning policies to have regard to local industrial strategies and other local policies for economic development and regeneration, and to identify strategic sites to meet economic strategies and anticipated employment needs. Paragraph 83 expects planning policies to recognise and address the specific locational requirements of different sectors including high technology industries and storage and distribution operations. Paragraph 031 (ID: 2a) of the Planning Practice Guidance explains how local planning authorities should identify the need for logistics and allocate land to meet that need.

The Greater Cambridge Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study (November 2020 GL Hearn) was prepared to inform the economic development and employment land needs for emerging GCLP, including the approach to the provision of land for Class B2 and B8 uses.

The Need for Employment Land Report (prepared by Savills on behalf of Endurance Estates) assessed the employment land evidence for emerging GCLP; the Report is attached to the representations to Policy S/CB: Cambourne that includes a request for land at Caxton Gibbet to be allocated for industrial and storage and distribution uses. In summary, Savills conclude that the employment land evidence base underestimates the actual need for Class B2 and B8 uses, does not properly take into account existing supply or market signals, and ignores the wider region/functional property market area relevant to Greater Cambridge. The current and emerging policies for industrial development are restrictive, and suppress demand. Savills estimate that more than 270,000 sqm of industrial floorspace is required over the plan period.

The Market Demand Report (prepared by Carter Jonas on behalf of Endurance Estates) assessed the supply, demand and need for high technology manufacturing and logistics floorspace; the Report is attached to the representations to Policy S/CB: Cambourne. In summary, Carter Jonas conclude that there is limited supply of floorspace suitable for high technology manufacturing and logistics uses, and the supply is not being provided in Cambridgeshire. There is strong demand for floorspace in Greater Cambridge and along the A428 corridor, but that demand is not being met.

Greater Cambridge is relying on other parts of the region to provide industrial and logistics premises. The benefits of providing industrial and logistics development within Greater Cambridge have been ignored e.g. for the economy, variety of job opportunities, employment close to Cambourne etc. it should be noted that the promoted development at land at Caxton Gibbet is well-related to the strategic highway network, is accessible for employees and is not located in the Green Belt.

It is considered that not meeting the needs for industrial and strategic logistics within Greater Cambridge is contrary to national guidance.

Requested Change

It is requested that the employment land evidences is updated and amended as set out in findings of the Need for Employment Land Report (prepared by Savills) and the Market Demand Report (prepared by Carter Jonas).

It is requested that land at Caxton Gibbet, as promoted by Endurance Estates, is identified as an addition employment allocation at Cambourne for Class B2 and Class B8 uses.

Please see attached representation

The Welding Institute (TWI)

Amend

Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development

The Welding Institute (TWI)

This submission relates to the historical campus of TWI which forms part of the wider Granta Park campus, with the Bevan Braithwaite Building at the operational centre. The area falls within the ownership of TWI.

To the east of the main Bevan Braithwaite Building is Abington Hall (a Grade II* Listed Building) and its historical landscape to the south. The Conservation Area boundary runs down the west flank of Abington Hall. To the north of the Bevan Braithwaite Building is a Grade II Listed wall and cottage. There are currently a number of buildings and structures on the site, which have been introduced to meet various specific operational requirements of TWI. The buildings are functional and utilitarian in appearance. The site is accessed via the Granta Park site, via the internal circulation ‘spine’, principally from the north, but with a secondary access from the south. Listed building consent has recently been granted for the refurbishment of Abington Hall as part TWI’s future planning for the site.

TWI has occupied the site since 1946, with several generations of buildings built in its grounds as the institute evolved. During the 1990s, TWI formulated the idea of a new science/research park adjacent to its established Great Abington facility, which ultimately resulted in the development of the Granta Park campus.



The TWI land as it is today featuring a large number of buildings which are which are important to the ongoing operations of TWI, but over time may need to be adapted or replaced to meet the evolving needs of TWI has resulted in changing operational and logistical issues, which need to be addressed. The existing buildings also offer no flexibility as operations change over time.

TWI, as an organisation, needs to adapt and evolve to changing market conditions and the research requirements of its member organisations, and reflect changing operational requirements and respond to poor environmental performance of some of their older building stock. There is likely to be requirements to repurpose or replace some of the existing buildings on the site during the next 10-15 years.

TWI is undertaking a review of its business strategy and related space requirements, which are likely to flex and adapt over the life of this next Local Plan.

TWI would therefore encourage the Council to put in place policies which are supportive of this adaptation over time.

TWI is one of the UK’s leading independent research and technology organisations, that works across all industry sectors in the structural integrity field, and has a long history of innovation, invention and knowledge transfer, and are experts in many elements of manufacturing, fabrication and while life integrity management technologies. Their operations require a variety of elements including offices, teaching/education, laboratories, and heavy engineering workshops.

However, despite this relatively new facility (Buildings B1, B2 and B3 approved under applications S/1244/12/OL and S/1052/13/RM), there are a significant number of utilitarian buildings that remain on the site, which are scattered throughout it. These have been developed over the years in an ad-hoc manner as and when the functional requirements of the organisation evolved. They also offer very limited flexibility as operations change over time.

The requirements of the Bevan Braithwaite building have also changed over the years, and there is a need to rationalise operations and address the inflexibility of some of the existing buildings and shortcomings of the existing accommodation to meet TWI’s requirements over the next 10-15 years. The “Greater Cambridge Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study” 2020 identifies the benefits of adaptable buildings allowing firms to change and grow as they develop through their life cycle.

This will help the organisation that has positioned itself as a global leader in technology engineering, but also allow for new complementary businesses to be attracted to the park to make better use of established infrastructure and associated facilities.

TWI requests that full consideration is given to a new policy that will support and recognise a comprehensive approach to redevelopment and the opportunities afforded to site.

In doing so, it also needs to be recognised that the site context will be changing. The Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) proposals for a new Travel Hub adjacent to Granta Park would provide an off-road public transport route between Granta Park and Cambridge with an adjacent footway /cycleway, thereby providing an off-road route between the city centre and Granta Park. It is proposed to improve the cycle bridge across the A11 between Granta Park and the Babraham Research Institute thereby improving cycle access a significant barrier. As part of Phase 2 of the CSET route will create a new bus and cycle route direct to Granta Park. These routes will connect to the Chisholm Trail for journeys to north Cambridge, or the rest of the Cambridge City cycle network, and will allow a mode shift to cycling.



Comment

TWI requests that full consideration is given to a new policy such as an “opportunity area” that that recognises opportunities afforded through the redevelopment of the site, through both a rationalisation and upgrading of the existing building stock and the opportunities afforded to attract new occupiers through sensitive new development.

The Welding Institute (TWI)

Amend

Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development

The provisions in the development plan need to give greater weight to the significance of Granta Park, but also recognise the need to provide flexibility to allow for the continued evolution of the park, and in doing so recognise the requirements of the Welding Institute.

The research and development Sector has seen consistent fast growth particularly in South Cambridgeshire since around 1999. This is a key employment sector relating to life sciences (including biotech, natural science, and engineering) and linked to recent and planned growth across the various campuses including Granta Park and we expect a high level of tenant demand to continue. Clustering and agglomeration benefits are most obviously applicable to the life sciences. Greater Cambridge Employment Land and Economic Needs Study Nov 2020 identifies that the R&D Sector will continue to see growth.

Clustering and agglomeration benefits are most obviously applicable to the life sciences. Although, there are other examples of clustering such as the Cambridge Biomedical Campus which is located alongside Addenbrooke’s Hospital; the development of other campus / business parks across such as Granta Park - demonstrates the ability of life sciences companies to grow around Greater Cambridge – recognising the footprint of the specialist labour market and the fact that not every life sciences business requires adjacency to a research centre or hospital.

Policies with the Local Plan need to recognise the growth opportunities on established Parks as they continue to evolve and be supportive of these, recognising the need to be able to respond to changing market below and re-invest in the existing built form. Policies within the emerging local plan should explicitly support employment development, and Granta Park should be being given similar weight to other campus developments.

Comment
Policies in the Local Plan need to be flexible enough to supporting the needs of clusters and proactively recognise opportunities for some densification to make best use of established R&D Parks, including Granta Park.

The Welding Institute (TWI)

Support

Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development
This states that proposals for new Employment development (classes E(g), B2 and B8) will be supported in defined ‘established employment areas in the countryside’ (listed below).

Recognising that a number of business parks are located in the rural areas of South Cambridgeshire these key employment sites outside the green belt were identified in the Local Plan 2018 as ‘Established Employment Areas in the Countryside’. It is proposed to continue this designation for the sites previously identified to support their continued evolution. The reference of Granta Park as an ‘established employment areas in the countryside’ is supported.

Comment
The ‘Established Employment Areas in the Countryside’ designation supported and must include reference to Granta Park.

The Welding Institute (TWI)

Amend
Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development proposals states that Employment development (classes E(g), B2 and B8) will be supported in defined ‘established employment areas in the countryside’.

Granta Park must be clearly referenced within the terms of this policy. However, the boundary of the Established Employment Area much be regularised/extended to include the extant consent which was been granted under application S/1110/15/OL, which is subject to a reserved matters submission, which is pending determination. The proposed alteration to the site boundary is identified in green on the attached.

Requested Change

It is requested that boundary of the Established Employment Area should be regularised and extended.

The Welding Institute

Amend

Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development

BMR

This submission relates to the historical campus of TWI which forms part of the wider Granta Park campus, with the Bevan Braithwaite Building at the operational centre. The area falls within the ownership of TWI.

To the east of the main Bevan Braithwaite Building is Abington Hall (a Grade II* Listed Building) and its historical landscape to the south. The Conservation Area boundary runs down the west flank of Abington Hall. To the north of the Bevan Braithwaite Building is a Grade II Listed wall and cottage. There are currently a number of buildings and structures on the site, which have been introduced to meet various specific operational requirements of TWI. The buildings are functional and utilitarian in appearance. The site is accessed via the Granta Park site, via the internal circulation ‘spine’, principally from the north, but with a secondary access from the south. Listed building consent has recently been granted for the refurbishment of Abington Hall as part TWI’s future planning for the site.

TWI has occupied the site since 1946, with several generations of buildings built in its grounds as the institute evolved. During the 1990s, TWI formulated the idea of a new science/research park adjacent to its established Great Abington facility, which ultimately resulted in the development of the Granta Park campus.



The TWI land as it is today featuring a large number of buildings which are which are important to the ongoing operations of TWI, but over time may need to be adapted or replaced to meet the evolving needs of TWI has resulted in changing operational and logistical issues, which need to be addressed. The existing buildings also offer no flexibility as operations change over time.

TWI, as an organisation, needs to adapt and evolve to changing market conditions and the research requirements of its member organisations, and reflect changing operational requirements and respond to poor environmental performance of some of their older building stock. There is likely to be requirements to repurpose or replace some of the existing buildings on the site during the next 10-15 years.

TWI is undertaking a review of its business strategy and related space requirements, which are likely to flex and adapt over the life of this next Local Plan.

TWI would therefore encourage the Council to put in place policies which are supportive of this adaptation over time.

TWI is one of the UK’s leading independent research and technology organisations, that works across all industry sectors in the structural integrity field, and has a long history of innovation, invention and knowledge transfer, and are experts in many elements of manufacturing, fabrication and while life integrity management technologies. Their operations require a variety of elements including offices, teaching/education, laboratories, and heavy engineering workshops.

However, despite this relatively new facility (Buildings B1, B2 and B3 approved under applications S/1244/12/OL and S/1052/13/RM), there are a significant number of utilitarian buildings that remain on the site, which are scattered throughout it. These have been developed over the years in an ad-hoc manner as and when the functional requirements of the organisation evolved. They also offer very limited flexibility as operations change over time.

The requirements of the Bevan Braithwaite building have also changed over the years, and there is a need to rationalise operations and address the inflexibility of some of the existing buildings and shortcomings of the existing accommodation to meet TWI’s requirements over the next 10-15 years. The “Greater Cambridge Employment Land and Economic Development Evidence Study” 2020 identifies the benefits of adaptable buildings allowing firms to change and grow as they develop through their life cycle.

This will help the organisation that has positioned itself as a global leader in technology engineering, but also allow for new complementary businesses to be attracted to the park to make better use of established infrastructure and associated facilities.

TWI requests that full consideration is given to a new policy that will support and recognise a comprehensive approach to redevelopment and the opportunities afforded to site.

In doing so, it also needs to be recognised that the site context will be changing. The Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) proposals for a new Travel Hub adjacent to Granta Park would provide an off-road public transport route between Granta Park and Cambridge with an adjacent footway /cycleway, thereby providing an off-road route between the city centre and Granta Park. It is proposed to improve the cycle bridge across the A11 between Granta Park and the Babraham Research Institute thereby improving cycle access a significant barrier. As part of Phase 2 of the CSET route will create a new bus and cycle route direct to Granta Park. These routes will connect to the Chisholm Trail for journeys to north Cambridge, or the rest of the Cambridge City cycle network, and will allow a mode shift to cycling.



Comment

TWI requests that full consideration is given to a new policy such as an “opportunity area” that that recognises opportunities afforded through the redevelopment of the site, through both a rationalisation and upgrading of the existing building stock and the opportunities afforded to attract new occupiers through sensitive new development.

Amend
Draft Policy J/NE: New employment and development proposals states that Employment development (classes E(g), B2 and B8) will be supported in defined ‘established employment areas in the countryside’.

Granta Park must be clearly referenced within the terms of this policy. However, the boundary of the Established Employment Area much be regularised/extended to include the extant consent which was been granted under application S/1110/15/OL, which is subject to a reserved matters submission, which is pending determination. The proposed alteration to the site boundary is identified in green.

The boundary of the Established Employment Area should be regularised and extended.

CBC Limited and the landowners support the policy principles of prioritising new employment development in Cambridge within the mixed use Areas of Major Change such as the Campus. We support the consideration of employment proposals on their merits, where they are of an appropriate scale, character and in an accessible location. Future employment growth at the Campus is a nationally and internationally-significant opportunity for the Life Sciences sector and the future prosperity of Cambridge.

Enabling the expansion of the Campus into the identified Major Area of Change is nationally important. The Campus is part of a thriving Life Sciences ecosystem within Cambridgeshire but is the only place where major hospitals are co-located with advanced research institutes, higher education, and the international headquarters of Life Sciences companies, and the only place where the full cycle of discovering, demonstrating and delivering healthcare innovations can be found in one place.

We support the development of detailed criteria to ensure ensure proposals for employment development will be acceptable. The nature of future employment development is anticipated to be agreed with GCSP as part of the Campus’ Local Plan policies.

Recognise preference for brownfield land but such land can have high biodiversity value which needs to be mitigated.