Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 210466

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

It is important that in setting the portrait of Cambridge there is acknowledgement of the cross boundary and strategic matters that must also be clearly articulated. In particular for the economy, the for the emerging Local Plan to be effective, it must appreciate the opportunity provided by international and domestic connectivity by London Stansted airport, as well as the biotech and advanced manufacturing business clusters evident within Essex (e.g. at Chesterford Research Park and Harlow).
Given the “international significance” of the employment clusters, it is essential that there is appreciation of the proximity to London Stansted airport, and also seeking to ensure that surface accessibility to improve connectivity with Greater Cambridge is fully explored when developing the emerging Local Plan. London Stansted Airport provides connectivity to over 190 domestic and international route destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, providing access to in excess of 30 countries and this number is continually growing. With the airport regularly announcing new routes and/or increasing frequencies.

Comment

Representation ID: 210467

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC recommends that the regional planning context be amended to ensure there is clarity concerning ECC’s role and relevant statutory plans/strategies. Furthermore it is important that reference is explicitly made to the following plans and strategies –
• Local Transport Plan 4 is recommended for adoption by ECC at a council meeting to be held in May 2026, following the Cabinet Committee meeting on 27th of January 2026, up to date information can be viewed on the ECC website.

It is also important to note that ECC, will be part of a new single strategic authority for Greater Essex. It will take the form of a mayoral combined county authority. It is expected that a new mayor for Greater Essex will be directly elected by the public in 2028.

Comment

Representation ID: 210468

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC expect Greater Cambridge councils to ensure the necessary highway and transportation assessments, with mitigation requirements and provision arising from the spatial strategy and new developments identified, including impacts on both the local and wider highway and transportation network. With consideration given to cross boundary impacts and needs associated with any growth proposals. ECC recommends that emphasis is placed on promoting integrated sustainable transport; with sustainable travel plans and passenger transport options in new developments and the connectivity between housing and employment areas to ensure an integrated transport package of solutions are developed. This is particularly important for the larger sites that may offer an opportunity for a step change in provision and in some cases will link to, or even place a burden on, services and facilities in neighbouring authorities.

Comment

Representation ID: 210469

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC is also mindful 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). We provide the following information which shows what Essex authorities are doing in this area and see this as an approach the Greater Cambridge authorities could also adopt. Please refer to the Open Legal Advice B briefing note which can be viewed here. This advises that Local Planning Authorities can require higher building fabric and energy efficiency standards than those set in Building Regulations for new development coming forward now and crucially in advance of adopted local plan ‘net zero’ policy. The advice highlights that the model policies and evidence base can also be used by those drafting and bringing forward neighbourhood plans in advance of up to date Local Plans.

Comment

Representation ID: 210470

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC acknowledges the reference to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) accompanying the Local Plan. It is however notable that following a review of the IDP there is no reference to cross boundary matters, and the anticipated priorities for the future. For instance strengthening links to London Stansted airport from future employment and housing growth locations, in particular through sustainable modes (including but not limited to rail). ECC also draw attention to our previous comment that highlights the matters for consideration within the Highways and Transportation evidence base.

Comment

Representation ID: 210471

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

Given their proximity to Essex it is essential that Greater Cambridge councils work collaboratively with ECC and other partners, to ensure consideration is given to the cross boundary impacts and connectivity within Essex, in particular highways and transportation, Early Years and Child Care, Education and Adult Community Learning.

Comment

Representation ID: 210472

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan proposes “six new development strategy choices not considered for previous plans, which form geographically focused hybrids of the previously identified sources of supply”. ECC welcome joint working to ensure consideration is given and actively planned to ensure accessibility and connectivity to key services and facilities that will benefit Cambridgeshire and Greater Essex residents, visitors and those investing in these localities. This is particularly important given ECC’s role as a neighbouring infrastructure and service provider.

Comment

Representation ID: 210473

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes that the Local Plan states “We also have evidence that locating homes close to existing and proposed jobs at the cluster of research parks to the south of Cambridge would help reduce commuting and associated carbon emissions and congestion”. ECC welcome joint working to ensure consideration is given and actively planned to ensure accessibility and connectivity to key services and facilities that will benefit Cambridgeshire and Greater Essex residents, visitors and those investing in these localities.

Comment

Representation ID: 210474

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC acknowledges that “Greater Cambridge economy is nationally and internationally important”. For the Plan to be effective it is important that in developing the employment strategy there is acknowledgement of the cross boundary and strategic matters that must also be clearly articulated. In particular for the economy, as previously highlighted within the ECC response, the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan must acknowledge and appreciate the opportunity provided for international connectivity by London Stansted airport. Given the international significance of the employment clusters, and for the Local Plan to be effective it must have an appreciation of the proximity to London Stansted airport, and also seeking to ensure that surface accessibility to improve connectivity with Greater Cambridge is fully explored when developing the emerging Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 210475

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Essex County Council

ECC notes and welcomes that the emerging Plan includes this policy for safeguarding important infrastructure within Greater Cambridge. It is noted that there is reference to Airport Public Safety Zones and Airport Air Safeguarding Zones within this policy. However the policy fails to include Air Safety Safeguarding Zones that considers the needs from cross boundary aerodromes; namely London Stansted Airport and Carver Barracks Military aerodrome within Uttlesford. ECC draws attention to the recent Uttlesford Local Plan Inspectors Report (January 2025) and the Main Modifications in particular reference MM22.
MM22 recommends the inclusion of a new safeguarding policy that includes reference to the Duxford Aerodrome, as well as Carver Barracks and London Stansted Airport. ECC recommends that the Greater Cambridge Authorities consider this policy wording for the emerging Local Plan, and also discussions with the relevant airport operators, to ensure that the Air Safety Safeguarding Zones appropriate for Greater Cambridge are set out in future planning policy.