Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

Policy J/NE: New employment development proposals is supported, as it sets out circumstances where the provision of large-scale warehousing and distribution may be permitted.

In the policy J/NE’s supporting text, cross reference is made to ‘market sector priority locations’ as identified in ‘the Greater Cambridge Warehouse and Industrial Space Needs Study (March 2025)’. However, the study does not clearly explain what these ‘market sector priority locations’ are or where they are located. Other than references in tables 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 which refer to preferred location for distribution on the strategic road network (SRN) location/urban fringe for last mile, with M11/A14 locations preferred. For clarity, we would welcome inclusion of a definition of market sector priority locations in the supporting text, glossary of the local plan and if appropriate to define them on the policies map.

We would welcome clarification set out within the policy or supporting text addressing how the wider strategic needs for logistic space will be assessed. We understand it is appropriate for the Cambridge and Peterborough combined authority to lead on with the involvement of relevant authorities. We would welcome a commitment in the policy or supporting text to a collaborative approach with relevant authorities to addressing these needs in accordance with Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) paragraph 031 which states ‘Where a need for such facilities may exist, strategic policy-making authorities should collaborate with other authorities, infrastructure providers and other interests to identify the scale of need across the relevant market areas.’

The commitment to working with other authorities on cross boundary strategic matters including strategic logistic needs assessment is being addressed in a joint Statement of Common Ground (SofCG) on strategic logistics. To date we have commented on a draft SofCG. We understand that Greater Cambridge will be engaging us in November to update SOCGs and then sign these before submission in December. We welcome further the timely engagement on these SOCGs and look forward to meetings to discuss and agree, with a final version due to be completed in December 2026.

Policy I/ID: Infrastructure and delivery

We are generally supportive of policy I/ID however we would welcome the inclusion of a commitment to working with other authorities across administrative boundaries to take account of impacts of cumulative and residual growth. The inclusion of this requirement to policy I/ID would be welcomed and would be consistent with West Suffolk council’s policy SP13 of the adopted West Suffolk local plan.

Policy I/ST: Sustainable transport and connectivity

Policy I/ST is generally supported as it states ‘Developments will only be permitted where they do not have an unacceptable transport and highways safety impact. It requires applicants to demonstrate they will make adequate provision to mitigate the likely impacts (including cumulative impacts) of their proposal, including environmental impacts (such as noise and pollution) and impact on amenity and health, including in the surrounding area. This will be achieved through a range of measures including addressing transport infrastructure in the wider area including across the district boundary, services or behavioural change measures to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport.’

We support these requirements and a commitment to address transport infrastructure in the wider area. We would in addition welcome a commitment in the policy to working with other authorities across administrative boundaries to take account of impacts of cumulative and adequate mitigation.

Infrastructure delivery plan 2026 (from Core Document library)

The IDP 2026 table 18.2 the Infrastructure Delivery Schedule makes reference to the provision and partial funding of Strategic Transport Cambridge Eastern Access Phase one. This is described as ‘A series of public transport and active travel improvements, including the relocation of Newmarket Road Park and Ride. Phase two: a new busway route through the Cambridge East site connecting with Newmarket Road.’ We set out comments in relation to these proposals in our response to policy S/GF.

We have welcomed opportunity to review the IDP as part of this consultation and would welcome further timely engagement in the process.

Cambridge east – S/CE category edge of Cambridge

West Suffolk council as neighbouring authority would welcome inclusion in the policy S/CE of the commitment to consult West Suffolk council at both the master plan and planning application stages in relation to the planned development policy S/CE category edge of Cambridge, given its proximity and the functioning of the surrounding towns of Newmarket and Haverhill.

In particular, to ensure the necessary infrastructure provision is delivered and at the appropriate time.

West Suffolk Council welcome the detailed policy requirements to ensure the developments provide sustainable growth, making provision for the infrastructure and facilities needed to support planned growth at the appropriate time and provides for the necessary mitigation. However, we would wish to be consulted on the proposed mitigation measures in particular in relation to addressing highways impacts.