Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 211077

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

The National Trust strongly support the requirement to provide strategic scale green infrastructure beyond the site to connect Cambridge City Centre to the Wicken Vision area, reducing recreational pressure on designated sites. The policy requires provision of a country park beyond the site to connect to the Wicken Vision area. It is noted that the location, scale and character of this site is yet to be determined. Work needs to be undertaken to establish this, in order that it can be identified in the proposed Submission Plan. It also needs to be clear how and when the country park will be delivered, in order that it is available for use prior to the occupation of new dwellings at Cambridge East. The National Trust would welcome engagement in discussions about green infrastructure delivery and suggest that consideration is given as to whether our site at Northfield Farm could assist with this provision.

Comment

Representation ID: 211078

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

These policies seek to ensure that adequate green infrastructure is provided on site to provide Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGs) to compensate for any additional recreation pressure on nearby SSSIs. Policy S/CBN also refers to ‘Cambourne Forest’, “a new, accessible, regionally-significant woodland arc”. The National Trust strongly supports the provision of on-site SANGs and new woodland. In accordance with guidance from Natural England, SANGs must be developed and available for use prior to the occupation of the new dwellings which they are intended to serve. The provision of new recreational space and woodland would help ease pressure on these sites and their designated features. However, it is not clear where the woodland would be located or how it would be delivered. This needs to be made clear in the proposed Submission Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 211079

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

These policies seek to ensure that adequate green infrastructure is provided on site to provide Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGs) to compensate for any additional recreation pressure on nearby SSSIs. Policy S/CBN also refers to ‘Cambourne Forest’, “a new, accessible, regionally-significant woodland arc”. The National Trust strongly supports the provision of on-site SANGs and new woodland. In accordance with guidance from Natural England, SANGs must be developed and available for use prior to the occupation of the new dwellings which they are intended to serve. The provision of new recreational space and woodland would help ease pressure on these sites and their designated features. However, it is not clear where the woodland would be located or how it would be delivered. This needs to be made clear in the proposed Submission Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 211080

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

Policy S/WNT seeks to promote cycling, walking and horse riding as the preferred mode of transport from the outset of the development, by creating a movement network, including footway and cycleways. To access Wicken Fen and Anglesey Abbey from Waterbeach, residents have no option other than to travel by car. The National Trust considers that Waterbeach could be far better connected to the Wicken Vision Area and Wicken Fen via a foot/cycle bridge over the River Cam which would provide a more direct route via sustainable modes of transport. This development should look beyond its boundaries to provide access to the wider landscape, particularly to the east. This should be included in the policy. The National Trust would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further. The National Trust are currently working with partners to deliver a new foot/cycle bridge over Burwell Lode to improve access to the south of Wicken Fen.

Comment

Representation ID: 211081

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

Whilst the National Trust supports the plan-led system in principle, and broadly supports the development strategy and approach to site allocations, we have concerns about amount of growth on the northeast and eastern sides of Cambridge, and recreational pressure on our sites arising.
It is acknowledged that the Local Plan is informed by the location of existing and committed public transport schemes and that a Transport Strategy is being prepared by the CPCA. However, the National Trust has a the Wimpole Estate and Anglesey Abbey and Wicken Fen which are important heritage, greenspace and tourism facilities for its residents and visitors. Their importance to Greater Cambridge should not be undervalued. All three of these sites are poorly connected to the city and to the proposed strategic development sites, with very limited opportunities to access the sites by sustainable transport modes. This is an issue that the National Trust are very keen to address but cannot do this in isolation. We are keen to work with other stakeholders and partners to seek opportunities to improve these links.

Comment

Representation ID: 211082

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

We support this policy. Green Belts around our towns and cities are an important planning tool which prevent urban sprawl and this layer of protection for our countryside and the settings of historic towns and cities is extremely valuable. Green Belts have the potential to deliver much more public benefit. We would like to see the quality of land improved for people and for nature, with more space for wildlife and better access for those living in nearby cities and towns. Green Belt land could also play an important role in helping the UK tackle climate change and reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas. Any changes to Green Belt boundaries must be fully evidenced and justified and formally decided through the Local Plan process, and any development must be delivered in a sustainable and strategic way.

Comment

Representation ID: 211083

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

It is important for heritage assets to contribute to addressing climate change. The National Trust is supporting research into delivering retrofit for heritage buildings to identify issues in practical delivery of historic building retrofit and better understand the challenges. We support Policy GP/CC which establishes how works to enhance the environmental performance of heritage assets will be balanced against the need to protect and enhance the character and significance of that asset.

Comment

Representation ID: 211084

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

We are pleased to see references to Wimpole Hall as a major tourist visitor attraction, and support policy J/VA which seeks to support existing attractions and new associated infrastructure where appropriate.

Comment

Representation ID: 211085

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

The policy requires a vision-led approach to transport rather than the predict and provide model, which reflects the shift in national planning policy. The National Trust supports this approach and would welcome opportunities to help connect new developments to our sites through sustainable new connections and transport modes.

Comment

Representation ID: 211086

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The National Trust

With regards to Recreational Pressure, Section 6 of the Council’s HRA states that the Appropriate Assessment concluded no adverse effect on integrity as a result of increased recreational pressure in relation to Wicken Fen Ramsar site, Fenland SAC and Eversden and Wimpole Woods SAC provided that the following safeguards and mitigation measures are required by the plan and successfully implemented. However, this commitment has not been explicitly included in the draft Local Plan. The wording of policy BG/BG should be amended to include the wording and updated Zone of Influence:
“Any development within 10.7 kilometres of Wicken Fen Ramsar site and Fenland SAC and within 5 kilometres of Eversden and Wimpole Woods SAC will include the provision of alternative natural greenspace, specifically designed and managed to alleviate visitor pressure on these Habitats sites”.