Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

There are an additional 9,691 dwellings above the existing allocations as part of the existing adopted plan. 12,175 of new dwellings are proposed in the current 5 year water resources planning period 2025-2030, within our WRMP24 forecast of 13,820, excluding East Hunts. We are uncertain of the allocation allowed for East Hunts in our area, although using assumptions we believe that the growth remains within our supply demand balance headroom.

We would recommend that an annual figure on planning applications granted and build out figures is provided to Cambridge Water to ensure that our planning forecasts for supply availability are not exceeded.

We are unable to determine if the proposed 302,600 square metres offices, 600,000 square metres of Research and Development (R&D) space and 317,000 square metres of industrial / warehousing (Use Classes B2/B8) is an increase on the commercial growth indicated in the previous adopted plan and included in our WRMP for non household demand. Note that our non-household restriction of for water use of a maximum 20m3 per day per connection is in effect, at least until 2032.

We support the policy for water use of 80 l/h/d for larger development above 100 dwellings and 90 l/h/d for development of less than 100 dwellings. (Policy 1a-1b) This is supported by Greater Cambridge being in an area of water stress, with high growth and environmental reductions required to existing abstractions to prevent further deterioration and to provide more water for the environment. We note that existing allocations with planning agreement in place would be at a different water efficiency standard of 110l/h/d for the previous adopted plan period, and 125 l/h/d prior to this, and would like to understand the number of dwellings with existing planning under these standards, so that we can include in our planning calculations.
We also support the policies for commercial use development of water efficiency and principles. In policy 1c-1e, and those for refurbishments in 1f. Cambridge Water currently complete an enhanced review on any non-household connection >20m3/d and refuse where the use is not of a domestic nature. We support the promotion of water efficient non-residential developments.
As the responsible body for enforcing the water supply fittings regulations, Cambridge Water would require notification of any water recycling system and would undertake inspections to ensure that the required protection for the public water supply is in place. This would need to include any refurbishments as per policy 1f. We would recommend that the details of any system provided in sustainability statements in item 2 for designs of water reuse systems should be shared with Cambridge Water.
As per policy 3 our universal metering programme rollout will ensure that smart meters are installed at all new dwellings. Designs of flats should ensure that is its technically feasible to install and that we are able to access the proposed meter installations for maintenance and meter reading.
We support policy 4 and advocate that rainwater should be collected and reused on site and at the dwelling scale.

Whilst there is reference to the need to ensure water supply availability for some strategic developments and to water efficiency policy standards, the proposed submission does not mention Cambridge Water's WRMP, which will define the water supply availability, based on growth scenarios, included the local plan. We would expect reference to ensuring collaboration and alignment.

Housing Delivery Study Addendum
We are supportive of the commentary to align completions to 2032/33 when the Grafham Water Supply transfer is due to be completed.
Any increase in growth ahead of 2032/33 would risk impacting the environmental reductions which are required to existing our abstractions. The reductions are to prevent further deterioration and to provide more water for the environment.