Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

This submission relates to the submission of Cambridge South (HELAA Ref. OS214). See attached the full representation prepared on behalf of Lands Improvement Holdings and Pigeon Land Ltd to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

Executive Summary:
As currently drafted, the plan does not achieve the government’s clearly set ambitions for Greater Cambridge, in which the Greater Cambridge area is foremost in plans for national economic growth. It also misses the specific national policy to support the expansion of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus wit associated housing delivery. The Local Plan as currently drafted does not align with the ambitions set out in the Local Growth Plan which aims for a 15% increase in housing by 2035, increasing to a 54% increase by 2050. Government guidance on Local Growth Plans (July 2025) states that they should be the “guiding star” that provides direction for other relevant plans and strategies which should “align” with the Local
Growth Plan.

The overarching spatial strategy is flawed as it renounces the sustainable and economic benefits of growth at and adjacent to Cambridge based on an out of date understanding of Green Belt policy – and without undertaking a Green Belt appraisal.

Cambridge South represents a unique opportunity to deliver housing to meet a broad range of needs but specifically those of the Biomedical Campus in line with national policy. It is eminently deliverable; unencumbered by existing uses or landownership complications. It’s
clearly defined physical boundaries mean it is a clear grey belt site, which can be planned as a sustainable extension of the city. Sites on the edge of Cambridge have a track record of delivering high quality development. Cambridge South would be the next success story and there are demonstrable exceptional circumstances to justify its release from the Green Belt.

This submission relates to the submission of Cambridge South (HELAA Ref. OS214). See attached the full representation prepared on behalf of Lands Improvement Holdings and Pigeon Land Ltd to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

Executive Summary:
As currently drafted, the plan does not achieve the government’s clearly set ambitions for Greater Cambridge, in which the Greater Cambridge area is foremost in plans for national economic growth. It also misses the specific national policy to support the expansion of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus wit associated housing delivery. The Local Plan as currently drafted does not align with the ambitions set out in the Local Growth Plan which aims for a 15% increase in housing by 2035, increasing to a 54% increase by 2050. Government guidance on Local Growth Plans (July 2025) states that they should be the “guiding star” that provides direction for other relevant plans and strategies which should “align” with the Local
Growth Plan.

The overarching spatial strategy is flawed as it renounces the sustainable and economic benefits of growth at and adjacent to Cambridge based on an out of date understanding of Green Belt policy – and without undertaking a Green Belt appraisal.

Cambridge South represents a unique opportunity to deliver housing to meet a broad range of needs but specifically those of the Biomedical Campus in line with national policy. It is eminently deliverable; unencumbered by existing uses or landownership complications. It’s
clearly defined physical boundaries mean it is a clear grey belt site, which can be planned as a sustainable extension of the city. Sites on the edge of Cambridge have a track record of delivering high quality development. Cambridge South would be the next success story and there are demonstrable exceptional circumstances to justify its release from the Green Belt.

This submission relates to the submission of Cambridge South (HELAA Ref. OS214). See attached the full representation prepared on behalf of Lands Improvement Holdings and Pigeon Land Ltd to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

Executive Summary:
As currently drafted, the plan does not achieve the government’s clearly set ambitions for Greater Cambridge, in which the Greater Cambridge area is foremost in plans for national economic growth. It also misses the specific national policy to support the expansion of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus wit associated housing delivery. The Local Plan as currently drafted does not align with the ambitions set out in the Local Growth Plan which aims for a 15% increase in housing by 2035, increasing to a 54% increase by 2050. Government guidance on Local Growth Plans (July 2025) states that they should be the “guiding star” that provides direction for other relevant plans and strategies which should “align” with the Local
Growth Plan.

The overarching spatial strategy is flawed as it renounces the sustainable and economic benefits of growth at and adjacent to Cambridge based on an out of date understanding of Green Belt policy – and without undertaking a Green Belt appraisal.

Cambridge South represents a unique opportunity to deliver housing to meet a broad range of needs but specifically those of the Biomedical Campus in line with national policy. It is eminently deliverable; unencumbered by existing uses or landownership complications. It’s
clearly defined physical boundaries mean it is a clear grey belt site, which can be planned as a sustainable extension of the city. Sites on the edge of Cambridge have a track record of delivering high quality development. Cambridge South would be the next success story and there are demonstrable exceptional circumstances to justify its release from the Green Belt.