Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 211176

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

We are pleased to see that reference to Foul and surface water drainage has been included in this policy, together with the requirement to demonstrate adequate capacity
exists.

Comment

Representation ID: 211177

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

This policy should reference the requirement for a sequential approach to be taken to the site layout, with more vulnerable development located within areas at lowest risk of flooding where possible. A site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) will need to demonstrate that safe access and egress is available and there will be no displacement of water or loss of floodplain storage. The
site assessment recommends that habitable floor levels are set above the maximum fluvial flood level with a suitable freeboard. There are likely to be opportunities to reduce flood risk as part of this development, such as by integrating water storage areas into the landscaping, use of SuDS and reducing the built footprint in the floodplain.

Comment

Representation ID: 211178

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

We support the inclusion of point 10, which requires the development to ‘apply the sequential approach to flood risk within the site, ensuring any development is subject to appropriate mitigation and does not increase flood risk elsewhere.’ We recommend that this is expanded to clarify that only ‘water compatible’ development should be located within Flood Zone 3 and a site-specific FRA will need to include further assessment of the potential for groundwater flooding to inform the need for appropriate mitigation measures. Consideration should be given to the potential for the adjacent SEA to offer opportunities to reduce flood risk through nature-based solutions.

Comment

Representation ID: 211179

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

We support the inclusion of point 19 in this policy, which refers to taking forward opportunities for betterment by controlling run off from the site to reduce flood risk downstream. We strongly recommend that this policy refers to the requirement for an FRA to include modelling of Oakington Brook. This is required to ensure that flood extents and depths at the site are adequately defined and a sequential approach is taken to the site layout, avoiding areas of high flood risk. We recommend clarifying in the policy that no development should be located within 8m of Oakington Brook, apart from permitted access.

Comment

Representation ID: 211180

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

This policy should refer to the requirement for a sequential approach to the site layout, with more vulnerable development located outside any areas at risk of surface water or fluvial flooding. The FRA should consider any opportunities for reducing flood risk, including through the use of nature-based solutions.

Comment

Representation ID: 211181

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

This policy should refer to the requirement for an FRA and need to take a sequential approach to the site layout.

Comment

Representation ID: 211182

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

This policy should refer to the requirement for a site-specific FRA to include hydraulic modelling of the ordinary watercourses within the site to define the flood extents at the site. The policy should also clarify that a sequential approach should be taken with more vulnerable development located outside of areas of fluvial and surface water flood risk.

Comment

Representation ID: 211183

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

Policy should refer to the need to adopt a sequential approach, prioritising the location of more vulnerable development outside areas at risk of surface water flooding. We recommend that this policy refers to the requirement for the site-specific FRA to include hydraulic modelling of ordinary watercourses within the site to inform site layout and design levels. The policy should also refer to the recommendation to consider the integration of water management and SuDS at the site into the wider strategy for Blue- Green Infrastructure for Cambourne and how the site can contribute to wider flood and water management benefits across the sub-catchment. The policy could highlight that the adjacent SEA may offer opportunities to reduce flood risk through water storage or nature-based solutions.

Comment

Representation ID: 211184

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

This policy should refer to the need to adopt a sequential approach, prioritising the location of more vulnerable development outside areas at risk of fluvial and surface water flooding. We recommend that this policy refers the requirement for the site specific FRA to include hydraulic modelling of the watercourses within the site to inform site layout and design levels.

Comment

Representation ID: 211185

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Environment Agency

Though this Policy lists the factors to consider for development of airfields, land contamination has not been included. We would recommend revisions to highlight the
need to consider contamination which may have resulted from the operation of the airfields, with particular reference to PFAS as a major potential risk to the groundwater
environment. Contaminated Land Assessments should be completed as per guidance in the NPPF, Environment Act 1990 and other recent or superseded guidance.