Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of wellbeing and inclusion.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of great places.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of jobs, however it is concerned its approach will constrain sustainable economic growth through a lack of available land to 2041. This concern is elaborated in representations made in response to S/JH and J/NE.

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.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of homes, however it is concerned its approach will constrain sustainable economic growth and not meet the housing requirement to 2041. This concern is elaborated in representations made in response to S/JH and New Settlements General Comments.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of infrastructure, however it considers the Plan should allocate circa 8.6ha of land at Scotland Farm for the Scotland Farm Travel Hub. A site location plan and illustrative masterplan is appended to these representations. Information on this site has been submitted separately through the call for sites additional site information portal.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of infrastructure, however it considers the Plan should allocate circa 8.6ha of land at Scotland Farm for the Scotland Farm Travel Hub. A site location plan and illustrative masterplan is appended to these representations. Information on this site has been submitted separately through the additional site information portal.

C2C is a key part of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s sustainable transport programme.
Scotland Farm Travel Hub is a key element of the C2C route. Work is already underway in preparing the planning application, and the site is expected to be operational by 2024.

In light of the stated intention to bring this development forward as an important component of the sustainable transport infrastructure for the area, this should be recognised within the Plan and the land allocated accordingly.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) support the Councils aims in respect of infrastructure, however it considers the Plan should allocate circa 8.6ha of land at Scotland Farm for the Scotland Farm Travel Hub. A site location plan and illustrative masterplan is appended to these representations. Information on this site has been submitted separately through the call for sites additional site information portal.