Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Supporting Information needs to refer to Cambridge Biomedical Campus SPD.
Policy needs to require the masterplan to be updated.
Consider restricting development to those uses where it is essential to be onsite.
Amend policy to direct housing development to sites not needed for biomedical purposes.
Heavily scrutinise and sensitivity-test forecasts for modal shares for transport to/from the CBC. Test all routes onto and through the Campus for adequate capacity for all modes, recognising that there will be large cohorts of people walking and cycling to and from Cambridge South station.
Revisit the options for providing bus priority between the Babraham P&R and the Biomedical Campus to also accommodate buses arriving on the A1307 from Haverhill via the Babraham Research Park.

Land use
CPPF recognise the local, national and international importance of this site and consider that the public benefits arising from the clinical and research investment justify the release of Green Belt land. However, CPPF would challenge further boundary creep every time the Local Plan is reviewed.
The Cambridge Biomedical Campus SPD was adopted in April 2025 and therefore is relevant and should be referred to in the supporting information.
There should be a requirement to update the existing master plan for the entire site to demonstrate where redevelopment opportunities exist so housing and other uses can be accommodated and make efficient use of land, including within the hospital site or outmoded hospital residential accommodation. The masterplan should also identify locations for strategic landscaping to mitigate the impact of large buildings on the open landscape and Gog Magog Hills.
CPPF is concerned that the limited land available for the CBC is not given up for uses which could be provided elsewhere in the Cambridge area, leading to future proposals for further CBC expansion into the Green Belt and Gog Magog Hills in this sensitive location.

CPPF are concerned that residential development will result in the loss of land for biomedical development resulting in the need to release more land from the Green Belt. Residential accommodation must only be built on land which is not suitable for other purposes. If the residential development is to be provided in high rise blocks, they need to be located in areas suitable for tall buildings.
Suggest amending point 8d to include “in locations where the land is not suitable for health and life sciences, commercial and innovation floorspace.’
The housing should be restricted to key worker housing.

Context
CPPF strongly supports policies 14a, b and c.

Built Form
CPPF strongly supports policies 16d, e, f and g.

Nature & Green Space
We welcome the significant greenspace habitat creation being proposed by the policy but believe there could be a different approach taken to development and green space on the south-east boundary of Cambridge, which could deliver even better outcomes for nature and people. We refer you to the response made by the Wildlife Trust BCN and the potential for an enabling development which could better deliver the ambitions of the Cambridge Nature Network by extending new green space and habitat creation from Nine Wells, northeastwards to Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this in more detail with officers, where we can also show plans of potential locations for extended green space/habitats and active travel improvements.
In designing the mitigation strategy and planning new habitats, it is important to use the significant data available on red listed farmland birds which use the area south of the Campus. These birds are of high conservation concern because changes to the farmed environment have led to rapid and significant population declines. New habitats should be suitable replacement habitat, such as meadows, and should include areas with no public access to support ground-nesting birds. Or alternatively, mitigation will need to be off-site areas of nature friendly arable farming with a secure long-term future.

Transport
The Transport Strategy (Appendix A) indicates that, by 2050, the number of daily trips to the CBC will reach 93,874 , almost double the number in 2023 (48,096). (CBC Transport Strategy Appendix A Table 4).
This is a staggering level of growth in the context of poor provision for walking onto or around the CBC site, slow and convoluted access for buses, inadequate cycle parking, and persistently severe congestion on Babraham/Hills Road, Hauxton Road and Addenbrooke’s Road. It is essential that the strategy for accommodating this growth is scrutinised for realism and robustness, in particular with respect to the mode-shares by train and bus, which will have to absorb most of the growth in trips.
The technical note on the proposed realignment of Granham’s Road (Realignment of Granham’s Road page 8) is unclear on precisely what options have been tested, and some of the claimed advantages of the Do Something option do not stand up to scrutiny (e.g. that the Do Something provides a “better integrated and connected CBC and P&R” than the Do Maximum, which provides a “physically direct connection”).
Consideration needs to be given to services arriving on the A1307 from Haverhill and the Babraham Research Campus. Even with CSET2 built, the most direct route between the Biomedical Campus and the Babraham Research Campus will be via the A1307. The advantage afforded by a continuous inbound bus lane and/or separate busway from at least the Hinton Way roundabout could be significant.

Supporting Information needs to refer to Cambridge Biomedical Campus SPD.
Policy needs to require the masterplan to be updated.
Consider restricting development to those uses where it is essential to be onsite.
Amend policy to direct housing development to sites not needed for biomedical purposes.
Heavily scrutinise and sensitivity-test forecasts for modal shares for transport to/from the CBC. Test all routes onto and through the Campus for adequate capacity for all modes, recognising that there will be large cohorts of people walking and cycling to and from Cambridge South station.
Revisit the options for providing bus priority between the Babraham P&R and the Biomedical Campus to also accommodate buses arriving on the A1307 from Haverhill via the Babraham Research Park.

Land use
CPPF recognise the local, national and international importance of this site and consider that the public benefits arising from the clinical and research investment justify the release of Green Belt land. However, CPPF would challenge further boundary creep every time the Local Plan is reviewed.
The Cambridge Biomedical Campus SPD was adopted in April 2025 and therefore is relevant and should be referred to in the supporting information.
There should be a requirement to update the existing master plan for the entire site to demonstrate where redevelopment opportunities exist so housing and other uses can be accommodated and make efficient use of land, including within the hospital site or outmoded hospital residential accommodation. The masterplan should also identify locations for strategic landscaping to mitigate the impact of large buildings on the open landscape and Gog Magog Hills.
CPPF is concerned that the limited land available for the CBC is not given up for uses which could be provided elsewhere in the Cambridge area, leading to future proposals for further CBC expansion into the Green Belt and Gog Magog Hills in this sensitive location.

CPPF are concerned that residential development will result in the loss of land for biomedical development resulting in the need to release more land from the Green Belt. Residential accommodation must only be built on land which is not suitable for other purposes. If the residential development is to be provided in high rise blocks, they need to be located in areas suitable for tall buildings.
Suggest amending point 8d to include “in locations where the land is not suitable for health and life sciences, commercial and innovation floorspace.’
The housing should be restricted to key worker housing.

Context
CPPF strongly supports policies 14a, b and c.

Built Form
CPPF strongly supports policies 16d, e, f and g.

Nature & Green Space
We welcome the significant greenspace habitat creation being proposed by the policy but believe there could be a different approach taken to development and green space on the south-east boundary of Cambridge, which could deliver even better outcomes for nature and people. We refer you to the response made by the Wildlife Trust BCN and the potential for an enabling development which could better deliver the ambitions of the Cambridge Nature Network by extending new green space and habitat creation from Nine Wells, northeastwards to Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this in more detail with officers, where we can also show plans of potential locations for extended green space/habitats and active travel improvements.
In designing the mitigation strategy and planning new habitats, it is important to use the significant data available on red listed farmland birds which use the area south of the Campus. These birds are of high conservation concern because changes to the farmed environment have led to rapid and significant population declines. New habitats should be suitable replacement habitat, such as meadows, and should include areas with no public access to support ground-nesting birds. Or alternatively, mitigation will need to be off-site areas of nature friendly arable farming with a secure long-term future.

Transport
The Transport Strategy (Appendix A) indicates that, by 2050, the number of daily trips to the CBC will reach 93,874 , almost double the number in 2023 (48,096). (CBC Transport Strategy Appendix A Table 4).
This is a staggering level of growth in the context of poor provision for walking onto or around the CBC site, slow and convoluted access for buses, inadequate cycle parking, and persistently severe congestion on Babraham/Hills Road, Hauxton Road and Addenbrooke’s Road. It is essential that the strategy for accommodating this growth is scrutinised for realism and robustness, in particular with respect to the mode-shares by train and bus, which will have to absorb most of the growth in trips.
The technical note on the proposed realignment of Granham’s Road (Realignment of Granham’s Road page 8) is unclear on precisely what options have been tested, and some of the claimed advantages of the Do Something option do not stand up to scrutiny (e.g. that the Do Something provides a “better integrated and connected CBC and P&R” than the Do Maximum, which provides a “physically direct connection”).
Consideration needs to be given to services arriving on the A1307 from Haverhill and the Babraham Research Campus. Even with CSET2 built, the most direct route between the Biomedical Campus and the Babraham Research Campus will be via the A1307. The advantage afforded by a continuous inbound bus lane and/or separate busway from at least the Hinton Way roundabout could be significant.

The policy must be strengthened to ensure that Cambourne evolves into a cohesive, successful town rather than a fragmented series of developments. The policy should ensure that Cambourne North is not merely an add-on, but a vital component of a well-integrated, economically vibrant, and self-sustaining town, providing a balance of jobs, services and housing.

We recognise the potential value of this allocation to achieve critical mass, but we believe the policy must be strengthened to ensure that Cambourne evolves into a cohesive, successful town rather than a fragmented series of developments. The policy should ensure that Cambourne North is not merely an add-on, but a vital component of a well-integrated, economically vibrant, and self-sustaining town, providing a balance of jobs, services and housing.

Comprehensive Masterplan
A masterplan is essential to create a more coherent settlement with a clear, identifiable centre. By adopting such a holistic framework, the Council can ensure that new growth serves to unify the town, providing the vision and infrastructure necessary for Cambourne to finally transition into a successful and well-defined urban place.

Economic Ambition
The growth of Cambourne North should serve as a catalyst for creating a more balanced and sustainable community. By positioning the town as a major employment location, the policy can reduce the reliance on commuting and improve the local jobs-to-homes ratio. Furthermore, there is a distinct opportunity for Cambourne to provide high-level facilities that complement the wider region. By offering services and infrastructure that the city of Cambridge currently lacks, Cambourne can establish a unique sub-regional identity that benefits both new and existing residents.

Garden Town Principles
The expansion represents a unique opportunity for Cambourne to achieve the maturity and infrastructure of a high-performing town. We urge the Council to adopt a comprehensive strategy underpinned by Garden Town principles as defined by the Town and Country Planning Association (tcpa). This vision should move beyond standard residential growth, focusing instead on high-quality design, environmental stewardship, and the delivery of civic infrastructure that fosters a genuine sense of place.

Integration and physical connectivity
A primary concern regarding the expansion is the risk of physical and social severance between the existing settlement and Cambourne North, caused by the A428 dual carriageway. To prevent the new development from feeling like an isolated satellite, Policy S/CBN must prioritise seamless integration. We specifically advocate for the delivery of "wide bridges" over the A428 that incorporate commercial development, active uses and landscaping. By treating these crossings as developable space rather than mere transit corridors, the plan can mitigate the sense of separation and ensure a unified urban fabric. As an example, consider Hatfield, which could be divided by the A1 motorway but isn’t because of the A1 cut and fill tunnel – surely something similar should be the aspiration for Cambourne?

Nature & Green Spaces
We support the provision of a significant area of new greenspace/habitat associated with the development. We note that some of this overlaps with RSPB Hope Farm and therefore this development and its policies should be developed in consultation with them to help achieve nature conservation objectives.
We support the response of Wildlife Trust BCN regarding their concerns about this development on the foraging of Barbastelle bats and on the nearby ancient woodlands and that these impacts should be recognised and will require appropriate avoidance/mitigation/compensation.

The policy must be strengthened to ensure that Cambourne evolves into a cohesive, successful town rather than a fragmented series of developments. The policy should ensure that Cambourne North is not merely an add-on, but a vital component of a well-integrated, economically vibrant, and self-sustaining town, providing a balance of jobs, services and housing.

We recognise the potential value of this allocation to achieve critical mass, but we believe the policy must be strengthened to ensure that Cambourne evolves into a cohesive, successful town rather than a fragmented series of developments. The policy should ensure that Cambourne North is not merely an add-on, but a vital component of a well-integrated, economically vibrant, and self-sustaining town, providing a balance of jobs, services and housing.

Comprehensive Masterplan
A masterplan is essential to create a more coherent settlement with a clear, identifiable centre. By adopting such a holistic framework, the Council can ensure that new growth serves to unify the town, providing the vision and infrastructure necessary for Cambourne to finally transition into a successful and well-defined urban place.

Economic Ambition
The growth of Cambourne North should serve as a catalyst for creating a more balanced and sustainable community. By positioning the town as a major employment location, the policy can reduce the reliance on commuting and improve the local jobs-to-homes ratio. Furthermore, there is a distinct opportunity for Cambourne to provide high-level facilities that complement the wider region. By offering services and infrastructure that the city of Cambridge currently lacks, Cambourne can establish a unique sub-regional identity that benefits both new and existing residents.

Garden Town Principles
The expansion represents a unique opportunity for Cambourne to achieve the maturity and infrastructure of a high-performing town. We urge the Council to adopt a comprehensive strategy underpinned by Garden Town principles as defined by the Town and Country Planning Association (tcpa). This vision should move beyond standard residential growth, focusing instead on high-quality design, environmental stewardship, and the delivery of civic infrastructure that fosters a genuine sense of place.

Integration and physical connectivity
A primary concern regarding the expansion is the risk of physical and social severance between the existing settlement and Cambourne North, caused by the A428 dual carriageway. To prevent the new development from feeling like an isolated satellite, Policy S/CBN must prioritise seamless integration. We specifically advocate for the delivery of "wide bridges" over the A428 that incorporate commercial development, active uses and landscaping. By treating these crossings as developable space rather than mere transit corridors, the plan can mitigate the sense of separation and ensure a unified urban fabric. As an example, consider Hatfield, which could be divided by the A1 motorway but isn’t because of the A1 cut and fill tunnel – surely something similar should be the aspiration for Cambourne?

Nature & Green Spaces
We support the provision of a significant area of new greenspace/habitat associated with the development. We note that some of this overlaps with RSPB Hope Farm and therefore this development and its policies should be developed in consultation with them to help achieve nature conservation objectives.
We support the response of Wildlife Trust BCN regarding their concerns about this development on the foraging of Barbastelle bats and on the nearby ancient woodlands and that these impacts should be recognised and will require appropriate avoidance/mitigation/compensation.