Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 209176

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend introductory bullet point in the paragraph to read as follows:

‘Under a future masterplan, Cambridge Junction and Cambridge Leisure will develop as a vibrant part of the city with consideration to the potential provision of new homes, workspaces, leisure, entertainment, culture and other main town centre uses. As a locally and regionally important venue, Cambridge Junction will form an integral component of the masterplan scheme. The provision of high-quality public space will sit at the heart of any future neighbourhood, promoting strong placemaking credentials and providing a shared sense of identity. The area is identified as an appropriate location for people to live, work and visit throughout the day.’

The suggested text continues to recognise the site’s range of future development potential under a masterplan scheme but allows for the necessary flexibility in design development to enable the optimal version of the masterplan to evolve. The suggest text leaves the opportunity for a reconsideration of land use mix and the potential masterplan evolution open to further consideration, but in a less prescriptive manner than currently drafted.

Comment

Representation ID: 209177

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend the stated capacity wording to the following:

‘Capacity under a future masterplan for a range of uses, with the potential to include approximately 100 homes, concert and performance spaces (sui generis), commercial leisure and other main town centre uses, Office (E(g)i), Research and Development facilities (E(g)ii), light industrial (E(g)(iii) and complimentary Hotel (C1) and Storage or Distribution (Class B8).’

The suggested text incorporates a flexible range of potential uses but allows for some flexibility in the eventual land use mix, which will be influenced by economic and market forces and local circumstances at any given time. Whilst the potential for residential use is welcomed, this should not be included if it then fetters the ability to re-provide Cambridge Junction or any other appropriate commercial uses. It is for this reason, amongst others, that over prescription in the range of land uses under any future masterplan scheme is to be avoided through planning policy to enable robust testing through the process of scheme evolution and design development.

Comment

Representation ID: 209178

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Within the revised policy wording, reference is made to the suitability of the site for other main town centre uses, without specific reference to particular facilities by ‘type’. The site is considered to be in a highly sustainable location directly adjacent to the Hills Road/Cherry Hinton Road Local Centre and in very close proximity to Cambridge Station, so there is no reason to suggest that the allocation cannot accommodate other main town uses beyond those specifically prescribed in the draft text.

Comment

Representation ID: 209179

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

We suggest deleting part 1c of the policy.

The reference to specific main town centre uses, namely the reprovision of the bowling alley and cinema, is considered to be overly prescriptive and does not account for market changes, the effects of the provision of competing facilities in the future (and the impact that would have on viability) and changing customer habits. Whilst a future masterplan scheme may include acinema and/or bowling alley, planning policy must allow for sufficient flexibility for the case to be made either way as part of any future application scheme. This view aligns with the current consultant draft of the replacement NPPF (December 2025).

Comment

Representation ID: 209180

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

With regards the suggested use of the non-specified main town centre uses, the Government’s introduction of the broader Class E should be acknowledged. This had the effect of introducing the new Class E, thus enabling of D2 (assembly and leisure) to fall within the same Use Class as, for example, shops. Such a change could already occur on site. It is important to recognise the Government’s published reasons for its introduction. It is considered that the proposed flexibility in the policy wording sought is in the full spirit of the changes introduced at the national level and the reasons cited for them.

Comment

Representation ID: 209181

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend Part 1a of the policy to:

"1. Any significant future site wide masterplan proposals must demonstrate how they will meet the following requirements in order to create a vibrant mixed use neighbourhood:

a. A masterplan led approach to the comprehensive redevelopment of the site, ensuring, where possible, that it aligns with adjacent development proposals within the Clifton Road Industrial Estate (Policy S/C/CLT) and positively responds to any possible future eastern entrance to Cambridge Station."

Minor amendments are sought to this particular policy wording to allow flexibility to respond to any circumstances affecting the delivery of the masterplan, either for the Cambridge Leisure site in isolation or as part of a broader development scheme.

Comment

Representation ID: 209182

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend Part 1b of the policy to:

1b. ‘As part of any comprehensive masterplan scheme, explore opportunities for the enhancement/re-provision of Cambridge Junction as a live performance and community venue. Through engagement with local stakeholders and relevant bodies, any redevelopment proposals should deliver a range of flexible spaces that can accommodate live shows, community workshops and a dedicated nightclub. If required, temporary venue provision should be provided during the construction.'

No substantive changes to this policy wording are proposed. The suggested minor changes reinforce that the enhancement to the cultural offer on site will be triggered via site-wide regeneration. The rest of the policy wording remains unchanged.

Comment

Representation ID: 209183

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend part 1d of the policy to:

d. ‘Subject to not undermining the effective and unfettered operation of the commercial and cultural uses proposed as part of any masterplan scheme (by introducing a sensitive land use), opportunities for residential use can be explored;’

The proposed policy re-wording reaffirms the priority placed upon this site in meeting cultural and commercial land use objectives. Whilst the introduction of a potential residential use could add diversity in the land use mix and greater vibrancy in the nature of activity generated on site, the mix of land uses must remain compatible and complementary in operational and general planning terms.

Comment

Representation ID: 209184

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend part 1e of the policy to:

‘Explore opportunities under any masterplan proposals for the provision of commercial uses, including consideration of the potential for start-up companies, grow on spaces, workshops and maker spaces;’

Greater flexibility is proposed within this policy wording to avoid overprescription and detail in policy wording prior to detailed interrogation of any masterplan scheme.

Comment

Representation ID: 209185

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Landsec

Agent: NTR Planning Ltd

Amend part 1g of the policy to:

g. ‘In the event of a masterplan scheme coming forward, explore the provision of a flexible public space that is the focus of the new development which provides a range of functions, including opportunities for people to dwell, temporary events like pop up markets and spill out and performance space to support Cambridge Junction and adjacent commercial/retail uses;'

The suggested changes simply reinforce the consideration of these objectives as part of any comprehensive masterplan scheme.