Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 207668

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

Thank you for consulting Essex County Council (ECC) on the Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan 2024 – 2045 – ‘Publication’ Regulation 18 Version Local Plan (December, 2025). The ECC response to the Regulation 18 Local Plan (the Plan) consultation is set out within Appendix 1. The ECC response supports the preparation of the Plan and provides broad support. ECC is committed to working with the respective Local Plan Authorities in seeking to develop the Greater Cambridge Local Plan and understand how our representations can be addressed through modifications. Given their proximity to Essex it is essential that the Local Planning Authorities works collaboratively with ECC and other partners, to ensure consideration is given to the cross boundary impacts within Essex, in particular highways and transportation, Early Years and Child Care, Education and Adult Community Learning.

Comment

Representation ID: 210457

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

This ECC response welcomes –
I. Cross Boundary Matters – that the preparation considers strategic and cross-boundary matters. ECC’s response provides some further context to matters where more discussion, and consideration must be given in seeking to shape the Regulation 19 Local Plan such as ensuring connectivity is considered to key employment and international connectivity to London Stansted Airport and Chesterford Research Park.
II. Growth and Infrastructure Delivery – that the Plan ensures development will be accompanied by the right infrastructure.
III. Strategic Priorities – Notes and supports the inclusion of climate change as a strategic priority for the Plan and notes that Greater Cambridge is a water scarce area, similar to Essex, and it is welcomed that the emerging Plan is seeking to address water supply matters. It acknowledges that biodiversity and green spaces are addressed as a strategic priority.
IV. Economic Growth – ECC notes and welcomes that the fast-growing economy is driven by successful partnerships between academics, business, investors and local government, and the commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 210458

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC acknowledges the national and international significance of the high tech industries, research and development and life sciences within the area. The economies of scale for such industries is also noted in their presence within West Essex, and in particular Uttlesford District and Harlow Town. In developing and shaping the existing and future economic clusters, ECC would welcome further engagement to ensure there is full consideration to the inter-relationship and importance of the industries and employment growth within western Essex.
Furthermore in the identification of development needs, it is important to appreciate the role that London Stansted airport plays and will continue to play in supporting the growth and development within these key industries. Aviation, and the air travel connectivity enables rapid worldwide transportation for goods and people, which is essential for global business and also supports tourism. It is important to note that within the government’s Industrial Strategy (2025), there is acknowledgement of the contribution, reliance and important role international connectivity plays in the growth and continued success of emerging sectors.

Comment

Representation ID: 210459

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes and welcomes that this section of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan states “development will only be allowed if it is accompanied by the right infrastructure that will deliver the range of supporting services, facilities and infrastructure that workers, visitors and residents need that deliver the goal of making it a world class campus (page 19 of summary for development strategy).

Comment

Representation ID: 210460

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes that the Plan seeks to help the Genome Campus “employment park evolve into a place, supporting delivery of local services and facilities and helping it to find its place in the network of towns and villages” (page 21). Furthermore at Granta Park the Local Plan is seeking to support its continued success. For both locations, given their proximity to Essex it is essential that the Local Planning Authorities works collaboratively with ECC and other partners, to ensure consideration is given to the cross boundary impacts within Essex in particular connectivity to similar businesses within Essex – Chesterford Research Park within Uttlesford and industries within Harlow; as well as connections to London Stansted Airport. Attention is also drawn to ECC’s role as a neighbouring infrastructure and service provider with statutory roles and responsibilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 210461

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes and supports that a climate emergency has been declared by the Greater Cambridge authorities, and that climate change is a strategic priority for the Local Plan. ECC strongly support developments which seek higher energy performance standards for new homes than the requirement to be in accordance with Building Regulations and go beyond Future Homes Standard (FHS). Similarly to Essex, it is recognised and welcomed that the Local Plan is seeking to address the challenge of the availability of water supplies. Attention is drawn to Uttlesford District Council’s Local Plan (examination hearings held June 2025 and found sound in January 2026 – adoption scheduled soon).

Comment

Representation ID: 210462

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC welcomes that the Greater Cambridge councils are seeking to ensure that biodiversity and green spaces are addressed as a strategic priority. Seeking to increase and improve the network of habitats for wildlife, and green spaces “for people, ensuring that development leaves the natural environment better than it was before” (Page 23).
ECC draws attention to the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and recommends that consideration be given to the strategy, with any cross boundary matters appropriately considered and addressed within the emerging Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 210463

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC welcomes the focus on the creation of “healthy, sustainable and inclusive communities” (page 25). ECC is keen to inform, shape, support and help refine development strategy and policies delivered by Local Planning Authorities within and adjoining Essex and would expect the Greater Cambridge councils to recognise ECC’s role as neighbouring infrastructure and service provider. This is of particular interest to ECC given the potential cross border impacts for ECC and involvement is necessary and beneficial and ECC’s statutory roles and responsibilities. Attention is drawn and an example of a relevant facility is at London Stansted Airport and the pioneering training campus - Stansted Airport College (STAC). The college opened in 2018 following an extensive partnership working with ECC, Harlow College and Manchester Airport Group (MAG).

Comment

Representation ID: 210464

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC welcomes that jobs and the “delivery of a flourishing, dynamic and mixed economy” is sought to be delivered within Greater Cambridge and we recognise the economies of scale that this brings, and the spread of these industries within western Essex (including Harlow and Uttlesford (Chesterford Research Park)). ECC recognises the fast growing economy, and the importance of Cambridge, as well as its worldwide prestige, supported by successful businesses, industries, training and educational institutions. In developing Local Plans and future planning policy, it is imperative that there is an appreciation of the factors that attract existing and future businesses, training facilities and institutions to locate, continue to reside and facilitate the opportunity for future investment in the locality. The Plan must ensure that the benefits if close proximity to London Stansted airport are clearly articulated, and the opportunity this provides for those living, working, residing and investing in Greater Cambridge.

Comment

Representation ID: 210465

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC is keen to inform, shape, support and help refine development strategy and policies, given the potential cross border impacts for ECC and involvement is necessary and beneficial:
• Highway and Transportation Authority, including responsibility for the development and delivery of the Essex Local Transport Plan; lead authority for Education including Early Years and Childcare (EYCC), Special Education Need (SEN) and Disabilities, and Post 16 education; Minerals and Waste Planning Authority; Waste Disposal Authority; LLFA; lead advisor on public health; and has responsibilities for adult social care in relation to the securing the right housing mix which takes account of the specialist housing needs of older people and adults with disabilities;
• infrastructure funding partner which seeks to ensure that development proposed is realistic and does not place an unnecessary (or unacceptable) cost burden on the public purse and, specifically, ECC’s capital programme;
• major provider and commissioner of a wide range of local government services throughout the county, many of which are accessed by those who reside in adjoining authorities.