Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Support

Representation ID: 201791

Received: 25/01/2026

Respondent: Kingsway Solar Community Action

Policy CC/RE supports renewable energy in principle and aligns with net-zero objectives, making it relevant to proposals such as Kingsway Solar. However, KSCA considers the policy insufficiently detailed to safeguard landscapes, biodiversity and community wellbeing from large-scale developments. While positive elements include support for renewable infrastructure, biodiversity protection and recognition of cumulative impacts, key gaps remain around enforceable standards, avoidance of harm, landscape capacity, noise impacts, and long-term delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain. KSCA argues that climate benefits should not automatically outweigh local impacts and calls for clearer limits, stronger evidence requirements and explicit prioritisation of harm avoidance.

Comment

Representation ID: 210479

Received: 25/01/2026

Respondent: Kingsway Solar Community Action

Policy CC/RE confirms local support for renewable energy but does not differentiate between small-scale, community-led schemes and large-scale developments. However, it is important to recognise that projects such as Kingsway Solar are NSIPs and are determined by the Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008. While the Local Plan provides important local context and articulates community expectations, its direct weight in NSIP decision-making is limited compared with national policy and statutory assessments.

Comment

Representation ID: 210480

Received: 25/01/2026

Respondent: Kingsway Solar Community Action

While Policy CC/RE supports renewable energy in principle, greater precision is required to prevent developments being approved primarily on the basis of climate benefits, without adequately addressing local environmental and community impacts. To strengthen the policy and ensure balanced decision-making, the following clarifications are recommended. To avoid ambiguity, the policy could include wording such as: “Support for renewable energy development will not be afforded where proposals result in significant harm to landscape character, biodiversity, residential amenity or heritage assets that cannot be demonstrably avoided and acceptably mitigated. The climate benefits of renewable energy generation must be balanced against, and not automatically outweigh, these considerations.”