Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 208268

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

MGL notes that water efficiency is a critical issue for Cambridgeshire, which is officially classified
as a seriously water-stressed region by the Environment Agency.

While MGL fully supports the principle of reducing potable water use to protect these resources, the proposed requirement for 80 litres per person per day for schemes of 100 or more dwellings is stringent compared to the current Building Regulations standard of 110 litres per person per day. Achieving this level will likely require advanced water reuse systems and dual plumbing infrastructure, adding considerable cost and complexity.
Site requirements can significantly limit the ability to achieve higher water efficiency standards because many factors fall outside the control of the design team. Constraints such as the layout of the development, the availability of space for rainwater or greywater systems, existing underground utilities, and the need to maintain essential site access often restrict opportunities to integrate more efficient infrastructure.

We therefore recommend that these requirements are supported by clear viability guidance or phased implementation and that flexibility is allowed where site specific constraints limit the ability to achieve the highest water efficiency standards.

Comment

Representation ID: 208269

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

The expectation for full credits under Wat 02, Wat 03, and Wat 04 goes beyond minimum compliance and typically demands specialist design and technology. Wat 04 is difficult to control because it focuses on unregulated water uses, which rely heavily on end users, operational practices and decisions made after construction. As a result, even with strong design intentions, it can be challenging to guarantee performance outcomes, and the measures required may not always be feasible within the physical or operational limitations of the site.

We therefore recommend that these requirements are supported by clear viability guidance or phased implementation and that flexibility is allowed where site specific constraints limit the ability to achieve the highest water efficiency standards.

Support

Representation ID: 208270

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

It is noted that policy standards are still being explored by Greater Cambridge, and MGL would welcome the opportunity to discuss how open space would be best achieved at Cambourne North.

Support

Representation ID: 208271

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

It is recognised that high quality design is a key element of a successful community.

Comment

Representation ID: 208272

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

In December 2025, the UK Government launched a consultation to amend the NPPF to include both plan making and development management policy guidance. Whilst this guidance will only apply to new Local Plans being drafted once the new NPPF is adopted, the underlying policy guidance has the potential to impact the associated use of energy use intensity targets.

This may be further clarified by the introduction of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, which is expected
to be published in early 2026. Whilst this relates primarily to energy efficiency standards implemented by Building Control, as opposed to Planning departments, it will demonstrate a significant step-change for the industry in aligning the delivery of new homes with the national Net Zero Carbon strategy, and will confirm the expected specification of new homes that will ensure the delivery of the national 2050 Net Zero Carbon objective.

Support

Representation ID: 208273

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

It is recognised that it is important that the Local Plan supports the development of new travel hub sites in order to optimise their contribution towards delivering modal shifts away from private car use in line with the adopted Transport Strategy objectives.

Support

Representation ID: 208274

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

It is recognised that it is important policy clearly sets out the requirements for cycle and vehicle parking.

Support

Representation ID: 211535

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

MGL very much welcomes and supports Cambourne North being identified at 1.c. as an integral part of the Councils’ strategy to meet the housing, employment and community needs and deliver sustainable development.

Support

Representation ID: 211536

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

Support. It is recognised that designing for a changing climate is a key element of a successful community.

Comment

Representation ID: 211537

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Martin Grant Land Limited

Agent: Savills

The current proposed policy ignores the fact that solar energy generation rarely matches energy demand at the time it is produced, therefore leading to excess energy generated that is not consumed on-site. Solar energy production is at its highest during the middle of the day, in summer; whilst no energy is generated outside daylight hours and only small quantities are generated during winter. This is different to how most occupiers use energy, with more energy consumed during the cold months and often outside daylight hours to provide heating and lighting. This mismatch between consumption and generation leads to excess energy being generated during certain times of the year and more energy being consumed during other times of the year.

The policy wording should suggest that this should be balanced over the course of a year for a net zero carbon
development. It would not be reasonable to expect all schemes to provide at least all of their energy requirements on site and through renewable resources, especially for speculative developments where the end user is not known. Different tenants will use energy in different ways.

Additionally, many sites cannot rely on rooftop solar photovoltaic panels alone to achieve the very low energy
use intensity targets set out in the policy. Across some developments, the available roof area is simply too
small once plant, access zones, rooflights and other practical requirements are taken into account. Orientation
also restricts performance, as roofs must often follow the urban layout rather than optimal solar angles, and
many will face east or west or be shaded by neighbouring buildings.