Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

I am keen to give the following two comments on the sustainability appraisal.

1) In my opinion (given the severity of the climate crisis), all new housing developments should be required to have Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) rather than gas boilers in future. I know some local authorities make this a requirement so there is NO excuse for us not to, especially as central government has bottled out of making a decision to do this.

2) Given that Cambridge has been branded one of the most unequal cities in the UK, I also believe that those profiting from its growth should be made to contribute to those in need. I therefore suggest that social value plans be made mandatory for all developments above a certain value (say £5m construction value), and that these plans must include a commitment to employing apprentices and contributing to local charities. I work for two (https://www.futurein.org.uk/ - which employs vulnerable young people in construction and https://ittakesacity.org.uk/advocacy/community-land-trust/) which builds modular homes for homeless people - and would be delighted if they were named as possible beneficiaries of such a plan.

I am keen to give the following two comments on the sustainability appraisal.

1) In my opinion (given the severity of the climate crisis), all new housing developments should be required to have Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) rather than gas boilers in future. I know some local authorities make this a requirement so there is NO excuse for us not to, especially as central government has bottled out of making a decision to do this.

2) Given that Cambridge has been branded one of the most unequal cities in the UK, I also believe that those profiting from its growth should be made to contribute to those in need. I therefore suggest that social value plans be made mandatory for all developments above a certain value (say £5m construction value), and that these plans must include a commitment to employing apprentices and contributing to local charities. I work for two (https://www.futurein.org.uk/ - which employs vulnerable young people in construction and https://ittakesacity.org.uk/advocacy/community-land-trust/) which builds modular homes for homeless people - and would be delighted if they were named as possible beneficiaries of such a plan.