Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

• The Local Plan sets out the intention to take projected jobs growth as far as is defensible under the test of objectively assessed need, which is welcome. Cambridge Ahead particularly supports the use of local data that we commission from the Centre for Business Research to inform the modelling of jobs and housing growth. The inclusion of additional headroom in both jobs and housing projections appropriately reflects Cambridge’s growth potential and aligns with wider ambitions across the place. This approach is vital for long-term viability and enhances the overall robustness of the draft Plan. With this in mind, the Local Plan, future spatial and housing strategies and supporting infrastructure need to design-in flexibility so that they can adapt to changing patterns of economic activity, new economic sectors and the future needs of a growing and more diverse population.
• We welcome the draft Local Plan’s supportive approach to clusters, which appropriately reflects the increasingly clustered nature of the Cambridge knowledge economy over the past decade, as evidenced by recent research from the Centre for Business Research . In particular, the prioritisation of additional commercial space within existing cluster centres, including at North East Cambridge and through green belt release at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Babraham Research Campus, is welcome. The acknowledgment of the Southern Cluster as one of the key drivers of Greater Cambridge’s innovation economy and its role in supporting sustainable growth, is also positive - recognising the potential of major employment locations to evolve over time – it will be vital that this cluster and others are well connected to each other and to residential areas to ensure their vibrancy and viability. The Plan’s recognition of infrastructure supporting the innovation economy, including densification at Whittle Laboratory, proposed growth at Babraham, and the proposed innovation hub, is also positive. We would like to see the Plan more explicitly recognise the value of existing innovation infrastructure and the benefits of intensifying and expanding the parks and clusters to fully realise agglomeration benefits. In particular, the Plan’s recognition of the global importance and growing breadth of scientific activity within major clusters is welcome. It acknowledges the increasing overlap between disciplines and the important role that major campuses and business parks play in supporting discovery, translation and innovation within an increasingly connected ecosystem. We also welcome the Plan’s support for developments that strengthen clusters, including its recognition that the Cambridge ecosystem requires a diverse range of commercial space to accommodate different stages of business growth.
• The approach the Local Plan has taken to setting out how land should be used to support the wider economy is welcome, particularly the allocation of space for industrial, logistics and mid-tech uses, which helps promote a more balanced economy and address existing shortfalls. However, it is important to recognise that Greater Cambridge operates within wider regional and national supply chains and there needs to be in-built flexibility to respond to the needs of the economy. In this context, it will be important to ensure that the approach to industrial and warehousing provision retains sufficient flexibility to respond effectively to changing industrial and commercial needs over time.

• There are concerns about the cumulative impact of Local Plan requirements on viability and, ultimately, delivery in practice. While the ambition to secure affordable housing, affordable workspace, high design quality / low carbon and wider public benefits such as biodiversity net gain and urban greening is understood and supported, anecdotal reports suggest that some sites are struggling to come forward because viability is proving too challenging. This is reportedly being seen across housing and employment development, particularly in certain accommodation types, highlighting the need to consider viability in the round and to apply viability testing consistently to all forms of affordable provision across different development types. The Plan would benefit from a clearer, aggregated assessment of viability outcomes, informed by both permissions granted and historic delivery, to better understand where negotiated reductions have occurred and how trade-offs are being made.
• There is also a need to recognise the cumulative effect of multiple policy requirements. Individually, expectations around design quality, sustainability standards and affordable provision are reasonable; taken together, they can place significant pressure on scheme viability, particularly where there is limited flexibility in how costs are absorbed. In practice, these requirements operate as a form of land value capture, without always clearly acknowledging who ultimately bears the cost.
• Cambridge is often viewed as a location able to absorb the highest standards due to strong land values. While understandable, this can mask real delivery constraints and may contribute to schemes stalling, raising questions about the impact on housing and employment delivery and overall momentum.
• A more open and balanced approach to viability, which recognises the limits of what can reasonably be achieved on every site, and articulates a hierarchy of requirements, would strengthen the credibility of the Plan and support delivery. In doing so, it should be recognised that while some sites may be able to accommodate a wide range of objectives, others may benefit from a more focused set of priorities, enabling stronger delivery, greater differentiation between places, and increased local diversity and choice. Greater clarity on how competing objectives are prioritised when viability becomes constrained would provide increased certainty and help ensure that high-quality growth can be delivered at pace.

• It is welcome that the Plan supports the conversion of non-residential premises to residential use and seeks to restrict the loss of housing to visitor accommodation in order to safeguard housing supply. However, there are concerns regarding the proposed test for assessing the loss of visitor accommodation, which may benefit from reconsideration in light of current housing pressures. Given Greater Cambridge’s sustained and exceptional growth trajectory, there is a strong case for facilitating the conversion of surplus visitor accommodation to residential use through planning policy where appropriate. A more proportionate and economically grounded approach, rather than the stringent economic test currently proposed, would better reflect present conditions and support the delivery of much-needed homes.

• We welcome the Local Plan’s commitment to delivering an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures to support balanced and inclusive communities. This is essential for effective placemaking, improving quality of life, and addressing the city region’s longstanding housing challenges. In particular, the continued focus on provision of affordable housing is welcome, as sufficient supply is critical to easing housing pressures, expanding housing options and addressing shortages that contribute to wider issues such as homelessness. Greater Cambridge has consistently had strong higher delivery of affordable homes compared to the trend across England . Provision of affordable housing at a range of market rent points, to meet the differing needs of different employees across a range of income levels, remains critical. The recognition of the role of Community Land Trusts in diversifying housing provision for local people is welcome, particularly the Plan’s exception that allows Community Land Trusts to be considered as a viable model for affordable housing provision.
• Flexibility is critical in delivering different types and tenures, particularly for longer term strategic plans. The Plan’s design-led approach to housing development is positive, providing the flexibility needed to deliver high-quality and well-designed schemes that can respond to the changing needs of the population.
• It is also welcome that the Plan recognises the importance of offering a diverse range of housing options, including affordable housing and exception sites, build-to-rent, self-build and custom-build, specialist housing, co-living, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and student accommodation – as called for by Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee. This breadth reflects an intention to meet the needs of different demographics within a high-growth, high-demand area. However, we encourage further consideration of alternative housing types, such as compact housing, as previously advocated by the Young Advisory Committee and highlighted in recent Future of Work research . This outlines the need to increase the supply of independent, space-efficient homes within walking or cycling distance of major employment centres, offering a significant opportunity to ease housing pressures while supporting sustainable, well-connected development. The acknowledgement of the area’s ageing population and the associated need for accessible and adaptable homes is particularly important, ensuring that provision supports residents in different stages of life.
• The Local Plan also acknowledges the important role that employer-led housing plays in supporting sustainability, the knowledge economy and placemaking, which is welcome. Employer-led housing has been particularly impactful in delivering specialist housing at pace, supporting Cambridge’s growth.

• We welcome the Local Plan’s commitment to delivering an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures to support balanced and inclusive communities. This is essential for effective placemaking, improving quality of life, and addressing the city region’s longstanding housing challenges. In particular, the continued focus on provision of affordable housing is welcome, as sufficient supply is critical to easing housing pressures, expanding housing options and addressing shortages that contribute to wider issues such as homelessness. Greater Cambridge has consistently had strong higher delivery of affordable homes compared to the trend across England . Provision of affordable housing at a range of market rent points, to meet the differing needs of different employees across a range of income levels, remains critical. The recognition of the role of Community Land Trusts in diversifying housing provision for local people is welcome, particularly the Plan’s exception that allows Community Land Trusts to be considered as a viable model for affordable housing provision.
• Flexibility is critical in delivering different types and tenures, particularly for longer term strategic plans. The Plan’s design-led approach to housing development is positive, providing the flexibility needed to deliver high-quality and well-designed schemes that can respond to the changing needs of the population.
• It is also welcome that the Plan recognises the importance of offering a diverse range of housing options, including affordable housing and exception sites, build-to-rent, self-build and custom-build, specialist housing, co-living, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and student accommodation – as called for by Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee. This breadth reflects an intention to meet the needs of different demographics within a high-growth, high-demand area. However, we encourage further consideration of alternative housing types, such as compact housing, as previously advocated by the Young Advisory Committee and highlighted in recent Future of Work research . This outlines the need to increase the supply of independent, space-efficient homes within walking or cycling distance of major employment centres, offering a significant opportunity to ease housing pressures while supporting sustainable, well-connected development. The acknowledgement of the area’s ageing population and the associated need for accessible and adaptable homes is particularly important, ensuring that provision supports residents in different stages of life.

• We welcome the Local Plan’s commitment to delivering an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures to support balanced and inclusive communities. This is essential for effective placemaking, improving quality of life, and addressing the city region’s longstanding housing challenges. In particular, the continued focus on provision of affordable housing is welcome, as sufficient supply is critical to easing housing pressures, expanding housing options and addressing shortages that contribute to wider issues such as homelessness. Greater Cambridge has consistently had strong higher delivery of affordable homes compared to the trend across England . Provision of affordable housing at a range of market rent points, to meet the differing needs of different employees across a range of income levels, remains critical. The recognition of the role of Community Land Trusts in diversifying housing provision for local people is welcome, particularly the Plan’s exception that allows Community Land Trusts to be considered as a viable model for affordable housing provision.
• Flexibility is critical in delivering different types and tenures, particularly for longer term strategic plans. The Plan’s design-led approach to housing development is positive, providing the flexibility needed to deliver high-quality and well-designed schemes that can respond to the changing needs of the population.
• It is also welcome that the Plan recognises the importance of offering a diverse range of housing options, including affordable housing and exception sites, build-to-rent, self-build and custom-build, specialist housing, co-living, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and student accommodation – as called for by Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee. This breadth reflects an intention to meet the needs of different demographics within a high-growth, high-demand area. However, we encourage further consideration of alternative housing types, such as compact housing, as previously advocated by the Young Advisory Committee and highlighted in recent Future of Work research . This outlines the need to increase the supply of independent, space-efficient homes within walking or cycling distance of major employment centres, offering a significant opportunity to ease housing pressures while supporting sustainable, well-connected development. The acknowledgement of the area’s ageing population and the associated need for accessible and adaptable homes is particularly important, ensuring that provision supports residents in different stages of life.

• We welcome the Local Plan’s commitment to delivering an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures to support balanced and inclusive communities. This is essential for effective placemaking, improving quality of life, and addressing the city region’s longstanding housing challenges. In particular, the continued focus on provision of affordable housing is welcome, as sufficient supply is critical to easing housing pressures, expanding housing options and addressing shortages that contribute to wider issues such as homelessness. Greater Cambridge has consistently had strong higher delivery of affordable homes compared to the trend across England . Provision of affordable housing at a range of market rent points, to meet the differing needs of different employees across a range of income levels, remains critical. The recognition of the role of Community Land Trusts in diversifying housing provision for local people is welcome, particularly the Plan’s exception that allows Community Land Trusts to be considered as a viable model for affordable housing provision.
• Flexibility is critical in delivering different types and tenures, particularly for longer term strategic plans. The Plan’s design-led approach to housing development is positive, providing the flexibility needed to deliver high-quality and well-designed schemes that can respond to the changing needs of the population.
• It is also welcome that the Plan recognises the importance of offering a diverse range of housing options, including affordable housing and exception sites, build-to-rent, self-build and custom-build, specialist housing, co-living, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and student accommodation – as called for by Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee. This breadth reflects an intention to meet the needs of different demographics within a high-growth, high-demand area. However, we encourage further consideration of alternative housing types, such as compact housing, as previously advocated by the Young Advisory Committee and highlighted in recent Future of Work research . This outlines the need to increase the supply of independent, space-efficient homes within walking or cycling distance of major employment centres, offering a significant opportunity to ease housing pressures while supporting sustainable, well-connected development. The acknowledgement of the area’s ageing population and the associated need for accessible and adaptable homes is particularly important, ensuring that provision supports residents in different stages of life.

• We welcome the Local Plan’s commitment to delivering an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures to support balanced and inclusive communities. This is essential for effective placemaking, improving quality of life, and addressing the city region’s longstanding housing challenges. In particular, the continued focus on provision of affordable housing is welcome, as sufficient supply is critical to easing housing pressures, expanding housing options and addressing shortages that contribute to wider issues such as homelessness. Greater Cambridge has consistently had strong higher delivery of affordable homes compared to the trend across England . Provision of affordable housing at a range of market rent points, to meet the differing needs of different employees across a range of income levels, remains critical. The recognition of the role of Community Land Trusts in diversifying housing provision for local people is welcome, particularly the Plan’s exception that allows Community Land Trusts to be considered as a viable model for affordable housing provision.
• Flexibility is critical in delivering different types and tenures, particularly for longer term strategic plans. The Plan’s design-led approach to housing development is positive, providing the flexibility needed to deliver high-quality and well-designed schemes that can respond to the changing needs of the population.
• It is also welcome that the Plan recognises the importance of offering a diverse range of housing options, including affordable housing and exception sites, build-to-rent, self-build and custom-build, specialist housing, co-living, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and student accommodation – as called for by Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee. This breadth reflects an intention to meet the needs of different demographics within a high-growth, high-demand area. However, we encourage further consideration of alternative housing types, such as compact housing, as previously advocated by the Young Advisory Committee and highlighted in recent Future of Work research . This outlines the need to increase the supply of independent, space-efficient homes within walking or cycling distance of major employment centres, offering a significant opportunity to ease housing pressures while supporting sustainable, well-connected development. The acknowledgement of the area’s ageing population and the associated need for accessible and adaptable homes is particularly important, ensuring that provision supports residents in different stages of life.

Cambridge Ahead welcomes the Local Plan’s commitment to a vision-led approach to transport planning in the context of new development. This is essential to tackle one of the key constraints on the Cambridge economy and to supporting delivery of the Local Plan. However, given the rapidly evolving policy landscape, forthcoming spatial planning strategies and other interdependencies, alongside a complex governance environment, it will be important to ensure explicit consideration of how uncertainty is managed in applying this approach. Greater clarity on how the vision-led approach will remain robust and adaptable in the face of change would strengthen its effectiveness and support confident delivery.

While not within the immediate scope of the Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan, there are wider concerns about how energy demand and water capacity, including wastewater treatment, will be met across Greater Cambridge to support the Plan alongside other growth strategies. This is particularly pressing given projections that energy demand could triple by 2050 (from a 2021 baseline) , excluding Cambridge Growth Company plans. Cambridge Ahead’s research suggests that energy capacity may become a significant constraint on growth. The complexity of managing energy and water supply, including balancing the needs of households, businesses, agriculture and the environment, highlights the importance of a strategic, master-planned approach. We welcome the recognition of immediate water constraints in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and encourage continued engagement with partners to acknowledge these challenges and work collaboratively towards long-term solutions. We also encourage prioritised engagement (convened through Cambridge Growth Company) with regulators, national government and local authorities to support early investment in local energy infrastructure and the development of an integrated energy masterplan aligned with planning and growth strategies across the region.