Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 208947

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

CPRE formally objects to the inclusion of Grange Farm as a proposed development site. The allocation is not positively prepared, not justified, not effective, and not
consistent with national policy, including NPPF paragraphs 11, 119, and 137–140, and draft Policies S/2 and S/3. In addition, the Plan fails to demonstrate that inclusive access, adequate infrastructure, environmental protection, and water resource safeguards could be delivered at this location. We therefore request that Grange Farm is removed from the Plan or only reconsidered where exceptional circumstances are clearly demonstrated and all reasonable alternatives exhausted.

Comment

Representation ID: 208948

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policy S/2 (Spatial Strategy) should demonstrate a clear “brownfield first” approach, consistent with NPPF paragraphs 11 and 119, prioritising the reuse of previously developed land, empty homes, and under-used buildings.
Growth should not be directed to locations where inclusive access cannot be delivered. Development in areas lacking accessible pavements, crossings, or step-free routes risks excluding disabled people and conflicts with the Public Sector Equality Duty (Section 149, Equality Act 2010).

Comment

Representation ID: 208950

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policy S/3 (Green Belt) must be fully aligned with Section 13 of the NPPF, which affords strong protection to Green Belt land. The Green Belt supports biodiversity, food security, climate resilience, and public health, including access to nature for disabled people.

Comment

Representation ID: 208951

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policies CC/1 (Climate Change Mitigation) and CC/7 (Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure) must ensure compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as required by NPPF paragraph 174.

Comment

Representation ID: 208952

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policy CC/6 (Water Quality) must require rigorous site investigation and remediation of contaminated land, particularly where development could affect groundwater or surface water bodies.
This is essential to comply with:
• the Environmental Protection Act 1990,
• the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, and
• NPPF paragraph 174, which requires planning decisions to prevent new and existing
development from contributing to pollution.

Comment

Representation ID: 208953

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

The Plan should explicitly recognise and protect private water supplies, including boreholes used by rural homes, farms, and businesses.
Development proposals should be required to demonstrate that:
• groundwater quality and quantity will not be compromised
• abstraction will not adversely affect existing boreholes; and
• mitigation measures are secured where risks are identified.
This aligns with Policies CC/4 (Water Efficiency) and CC/5, the Water Resources Act 1991, and the NPPF requirement to safeguard water resources.

Comment

Representation ID: 208954

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policies TI/2 (Transport Infrastructure) and TI/3 (Infrastructure Delivery) must ensure that walking, wheeling, and public transport routes are safe, step-free, and accessible from the outset. The Plan should acknowledge that much growth is proposed in areas where existing pavements are not accessible and require developers to address these deficiencies as part of development proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 208955

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Digital connectivity is essential infrastructure. Policy TI/3 should explicitly require high-quality broadband provision, including fibre or equivalent, in all new developments. Particular attention must be given to rural areas, where poor connectivity risks deepening inequality and undermining economic viability, remote working, education, and access to healthcare. This approach aligns with NPPF paragraph 114 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Comment

Representation ID: 208956

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

Policy E/1 (Rural Economy) should protect agricultural land, rural businesses, and water-dependent enterprises. Development should not undermine food production, water availability, or land management.

Comment

Representation ID: 208957

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Agent: Mrs Jane Williams

CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough supports the ambition of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan to deliver sustainable growth. However, sustainability must include environmental protection, inclusive access, resilient infrastructure, digital connectivity, and safeguarding of water resources.