Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

The Council should undertake and publish a proper site-specific assessment of the whole site within the submitted red-line boundary, together with any necessary Sustainability Appraisal work, and reconsider its omission from the Plan. The whole site remains available for residential allocation. If the Council considers it appropriate to allocate a smaller area within that boundary, the approximately 0.70-hectare area should form the minimum allocation and the focus for residential development. Capacity should be determined through proportionate planning and technical work, with around 10–15 homes currently envisaged. The balance of the land could provide biodiversity net gain, landscape mitigation and other green infrastructure. Any necessary consequential amendments to the Policies Map and Defined Development Extent should also be made.

This representation is submitted by Orchestra Land Ltd on behalf of the landowner of Land east of Church Street, Whaddon (Site Ref. 211994). HELAA 2026 Appendix 2 confirms that the site was not assessed because it did not align with the wider Local Plan strategy. Its omission has therefore not been adequately justified. The whole site within the submitted red-line boundary remains available for allocation. The approximately 0.70-hectare area, comprising largely previously developed land, is considered the minimum allocation area and preferred focus for residential development. The remaining land could provide biodiversity net gain and other mitigation.

Suggested Site Allocation Policy
Policy S/CEBP: Cambridge Edge Business Park, Shepreth/Foxton

Land east of Shepreth and south of Foxton, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for a high-quality, landscape-led employment park focused on mid-tech, innovation,
advanced manufacturing and related technology sectors. Development will provide a flexible mix of Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8, together with ancillary and complementary facilities necessary to support the principal employment function. A proportionate element
of residential development may also be supported.

These representations, submitted on behalf of Orchestra Land, seek the allocation of land east of Shepreth and south of Foxton, within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan
(“the Site”). The Site comprises approximately 24 hectares adjacent to the A10 and is promoted as Cambridge Edge Business Park, a flexible mid-tech employment park
capable of accommodating a mix of facilities.

Whilst the Council's evidence base identifies a clear need for additional mid-tech accommodation to support businesses transitioning from research and development into commercial production, the Proposed Submission Plan does not provide a sufficiently diverse or deliverable portfolio of sites capable of meeting this need. The Site should therefore be allocated within the Local Plan to ensure it is sound.

The Site is particularly well suited to meet this need given its location outside the Cambridge Green Belt, its proximity to the A10 corridor, and its accessibility to both
Foxton and Shepreth railway stations The Site occupies a sustainable location with access to rail services, bus connections and the emerging Melbourn Greenway,
providing strong opportunities for travel by walking, cycling and public transport and supporting a reduction in private car dependency.

The Site can accommodate a high-quality, landscape-led development supported by green infrastructure, sustainable drainage, biodiversity enhancements and transport improvements. Technical work undertaken to date has not identified any overriding landscape, flood risk, ecological, heritage or other environmental constraints that would prevent development of the Site.

In addition to its employment function, the Site can also provide a proportionate residential component within an employment-led mixed-use scheme. Locating homes
alongside employment uses would support the Local Plan's objectives of placing homes close to jobs and sustainable transport infrastructure, whilst helping to sustain supporting facilities and services such as a mobility hub, café, retail, leisure, wellbeing and community uses.

These representations seek the formal allocation of the Site as Cambridge Edge Business Park and corresponding amendments to Policy S/DS, the employment land schedule, the Key Diagram and the Policies Map. The representations also seek the
introduction of a bespoke allocation policy supporting a flexible mix of Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8 tailored towards mid-tech, innovation and advanced manufacturing sectors. The proposed policy would permit ancillary and complementary uses, including a mobility hub, café, limited retail, leisure, wellbeing and childcare facilities, together with flexibility for a proportionate residential element as part of an employment-led mixed-use
development.

Cambridge Edge Business Park represents a strong, sustainable and deliverable additional allocation capable of addressing an identified gap in the employment land
portfolio, supporting Greater Cambridge's innovation economy, delivering significant employment growth, improving transport connectivity and doing so without requiring the release of Green Belt land.