Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 203248

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Fulbourn Swifts Group

Number of people: 3

Add a new policy requiring all new developments to incorporate integrated swift bricks, bat boxes and hedgehog highways, with a target of at least one swift brick per unit on average, to be secured through planning conditions.

Comment

Representation ID: 203249

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Fulbourn Swifts Group

Number of people: 3

Suggest addition to supporting text to read:
NPPG (Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 17) outlines the expectation that in new developments wildlife will be bolstered by incorporating features to support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs. The use of swift bricks is particularly important in this context because swifts rely on urban building cavities for nesting. Species features are not counted in the Biodiversity Net Gain metric, so it is especially important that these are included separately. Proposed measures should be based on the guidance on all of these features provided in the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Biodiversity SPD, for example that developments should include integrated nest boxes (swift bricks) with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit.

Comment

Representation ID: 203250

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Fulbourn Swifts Group

Number of people: 3

We are in broad agreement with the content of the Biodiversity and Green Spaces chapter. However, we have concerns that with the inevitable focus on the metric for Biodiversity Net Gain, which applies to green habitats only. n the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LNRS, the Swift is identified as a Priority Species in the urban landscape with suggested actions including the provision of suitable integrated bird bricks in new dwellings, commercial and community buildings. Also, the Hedgehog is listed as a Priority Species without specific actions. Guidance on the provision of these species features in the urban habitat mosaic is provided in the Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD.