Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
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Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207623
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We welcome the recognition given to Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) within the Local Plan, noting the many benefits that a high-quality, multifunctional GBI network can have for people and nature in Greater Cambridge. Policy BG/GI reflects the principles set out in Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework, and we support their inclusion here. Green and Blue Infrastructure designed in line with these principles can have cross-cutting benefits across many policy areas (e.g. climate, health and wellbeing, LNRS). It can also make a significant contribution towards the overall vision of the Plan (sustainable development).
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207624
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We welcome the work to integrate the GI Framework and Standards into the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. We haven’t provided detailed comments in this response (given ongoing discussions) but will continue to work with you as you develop and refine the approach for Cambridge.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207625
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
The Plan’s major allocations bring opportunities to secure high quality greenspace for Cambridge and deliver GBI in an exemplary way. We therefore support the need for major developments to provide a GI plan (para 5.35) and to integrate GBI early in the design process (Policy BG/GI point 2). This aligns with our GI Strategy Standard and reflects best practice. The 14 strategic projects identified in the Plan will further help to enhance the GI network and may link in with other nature recovery aims (e.g. LNRS priorities).
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207626
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
The Plan should ensure that sufficient accessible greenspace is provided alongside development. This is particularly important where housing is located close to sensitive sites at risk of recreational pressure (e.g. SSSIs). The ongoing work to define Accessible Greenspace Standards for Cambridge will help to guide this. Development close to protected sites will also need to consider the design of greenspace. For example, a development close to a SSSI may need to consider a higher quantum of a semi-natural typology and ensure there is a sufficient buffer to the protected site. The delivery of GI should also be front-loaded and appropriately phased so that it has chance to establish prior to occupation, in order to function as mitigation. Please also see our comments under ‘New Settlements’ and our response to Policy S/CBN for more on this topic.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207627
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We would advise that Policy BG/GI is supported by a design code / guidance outlining good practice in the design and management of GBI. This would help to ensure that GBI delivers maximum benefits for Cambridge – for example by informing the delivery of the UGF and securing high quality urban greening.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/GI: Green and blue infrastructure
Representation ID: 207628
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We welcome the work of the LPA to create / enhance green and nature-rich spaces for the benefit of communities across Greater Cambridge. As discussed at our recent meeting, we are happy to provide you with support in pursuing a Nature Towns and Cities Accreditation, if you take this forward.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/TC: Improving tree canopy cover and the tree population
Representation ID: 207629
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
This policy is welcomed by Natural England.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/RC: River corridors
Representation ID: 207630
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We welcome this Policy and the reference to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for additional guidance.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/PO: Protecting open spaces
Representation ID: 207631
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
We support this policy and the reference to Natural England’s Accessible Greenspace Accessibility Standards to guide the location of replacement open spaces.
We also agree with the requirement for the replacement site to be ‘fully available for use before the area of open space to be lost can be redeveloped’. We advise that this requirement should apply to any open space to meet the recreation needs of a population, whether it is replacing a lost amenity or not.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy BG/EO: Providing and enhancing open spaces
Representation ID: 207632
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Natural England
Natural England will be happy to continue to support your authority in developing this policy, particularly in relation to deciding appropriate Accessible Green Space quantity standards. This will be key to addressing recreational pressure issues, and we welcome that you are exploring the potential to ‘secure provision and/or contributions specifically for large scale green spaces including country parks’.
Please find attached Natural England’s response to the consultation.
Please note that we have only provided comments on those aspects of the Local Plan relevant to key matters within our natural environment remit, particularly the protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated wildlife and geological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Our response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also included within the Supporting Documents section at the end of this letter.
