Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Land cornering M11 and Madingley Road, Cambridge

4.2

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Response to Question 2 Trinity College Cambridge as custodian of Cambridge Science Park have already submitted via the previous call for sites 163ha of land located to the north of Cambridge, adjacent to the Cambridge Regional College, north west of Cambridge Science Park, and between the villages of Histon and Milton. Cambridge benefits from an incredibly successful Research and Development based economy. Indeed, Cambridge is home to companies that are famous for innovation. Trinity College through its development and nurturing of Cambridge Science Park has always been a pioneer in terms of supporting growth in Science and Technology in Cambridge. Innovation involves a high degree of risk; in particular, the risk that products may not perform in the real world in the same way they did in the laboratory or workshop. Often products need to be redesigned, re tested and adapted to meet the needs of the market. Moreover, in order to stay ahead of their competitors, research intensive companies need to implement a programme of continuous innovation. Already, a number of Technology companies manufacture close to their research base where changes in design can easily be implemented and new product ideas rapidly prototyped and tested. This is already becoming an increasing trend particularly in the case of the low-volume, high value products such as robotics, medical devices, electronics and batteries - areas where Cambridge leads the world. Whilst there is a good supply of premises suitable for undertaking product research, when it comes to high quality, affordable manufacturing and testing space, there is a significant shortage. This type of employment typically needs to operate from larger buildings with more of a quality industrial nature and do not readily operate from the stock of offices and laboratories currently available within the local market. There is now a shortage of suitable manufacturing and testing space in the Cambridge area and the existing Cambridge Science Park. This is in part due to Cambridge’s success in providing the right conditions for Research and Development organisations to grow, however this has resulted in increasing office and laboratory values; while significant areas of potential new land has also been lost as a result of past and proposed housing development and allocations. This shortage means companies are being forced to undertake their manufacturing in other regions of the UK or overseas. The geographic distance between their research and manufacturing facilities can negatively impact business performance Crucially though, without these manufacturing companies in Cambridge, there is a shortage of job opportunities for people who want to work in a technical or engineering environment but do not have the qualifications to undertake the roles that require a university degree. Opportunities that could benefit students at the Cambridge Regional College and North Cambridge Academy. If Cambridge can supply the manufacturing space required by these companies, a new category of jobs could be created. This would help to close the inequality gap in the city, and help lift families out of poverty, particularly those in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development such as Arbury and Kings Hedges. The site is extremely well linked to existing public transport corridors, located on the existing guided busway to Northstowe and within close proximity to Cambridge North Railway Station. The recently published consultation for CAM includes a Cambridge Science Park North stop, which Trinity College Cambridge supports and wholly endorses as a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure provision. The quantum of housing coming forward within walking, cycling and public transport corridors (circa 43,600 to 2031), provides future employees with sustainable travel to work options. The land identified is close to the current Cambridge Science Park and can be easily physically linked allowing Trinity College Cambridge to nurture and encourage this addition as it has done for the existing Science Park for the last 50 years. This custodianship provides a level of certainty to both the Local Planning Authority as decision maker, the neighbouring residents, as those likely to be directly affected as well as ultimately the end users of the site. The land (referred to as Cambridge Science Park North within these representations) is located within the Green Belt and therefore requires a considered strategy for release to enable expansion to occur. The proposal seeks to secure high-level innovation, cutting edge technology and the most modern physical environment designed within an enhanced landscaped scheme providing accessible open space to both employees, students and neighbouring residents. As supported by the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The expansion land would be designated primarily for skilled manufacturing and development. Cambridge Science Park is an existing nucleus of innovation, research and technology; the expansion land will be designed for collaboration and rapid commercialisation of products developed within the existing Science Park environment and the wider Cambridge Market. Trinity College Cambridge are exploring opportunities to ensure that this location within Cambridge can continue to attract talent through educational institutions including both Cambridge University, but also fostering new links with Cambridge Regional College through the provision of both space and facilities combined with apprenticeship opportunities. Indeed, our work to date suggests that Cambridge Science Park North could provide the catalyst for an additional 275-375 apprenticeships per year directly created in line with the Cambridge average, or potentially a total of 715-975 apprenticeships per year generated in line with the average for the East of England1. The site was submitted as part of the previous call for sites, however for ease of reference additional information is included within the vision document included within these representations. 1 See Volterra Report

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Response to Question 3 Planning Practice Guidance2 provides advice on the role of the Green Belt in the planning system. The guidance states that ‘ w here it has been demonstrated that it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, strategic policy - making authorities should set out policies for compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of the remaining Green B elt land. These may be informed by supporting evidence of landscape, biodiversity or recreational needs and opportunities .’ Cambridge Science Park North is being developed as a location that can provide compensatory improvements to a substantial (circa 90 hectares) area of remaining Green Belt land providing: • A network of new green infrastructure; with links to Milton Country Park, Histon & Impington, and Arbury and Kings Hedges. • Woodland planting of sufficient scale to provide meaningful woodland carbon capture3; • Landscape and visual enhancements taking existing agricultural land and creating a valuable green asset for communities and employees. • Improvements to biodiversity, habitat connectivity and the introduction of natural capital to an area of low ecological value agricultural land. • New and enhanced walking and cycle routes, linking into the planned improvements to Mere Way; and • Improved access to new recreational and playing field provision. These proposed uses are all entirely compatible with both the purposes of the Green Belt and uses which are deemed as appropriate within the Green Belt4 i.e. material changes in the use of land for outdoor sport and recreation. 2 Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, published 22 July 2019 Paragraph: 002 Reference ID: 64-002-20190722 3 The Forestry Commission suggests that a new native woodland can capture 300-400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare (tCO 2e/ha) by year 50, and 400-500 tCO 2e/ha by year 100. 4 In accordance with NPPF paragraph 146e

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Nothing chosen

Trinity College Cambridge strongly agrees with the potential big themes for the Local Plan. The environmental and social sustainability focus of the proposed big themes is commended. In addition, the Local Plan should recognise, develop and enhance the successful knowledge-based economy based within and surrounding Greater Cambridge. It is crucial that the plan tackles strategic scale thinking to enable plan led economic growth. Paragraph 80 of the NPPF endorses this approach in its assertion that: ‘ Planning policies and decisions should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Signi ficant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development. The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. This is particularly important where Britain can be a global leader in driving innovation [ NPPF footnote 40 ] 5 , and in areas with high levels of productivity, which should be able to capitalise on their performance and potential.’ 5 Footnote 40 in the NPPF (February 2019) - The Government’s Industrial Strategy sets out a vision to drive productivity improvements across the UK, identifies a number of Grand Challenges facing all nations, and sets out a delivery programme to make the UK a leader in four of these: artificial intelligence and big data; clean growth; future mobility; and catering for an ageing society. HM Government (2017) Industrial Strategy: Building a Britain fit for the future.

The Local Plan has the potential to play a key role in achieving net zero carbon by 2050 within the context of the policies supporting future growth. Opportunities include: • The provision of incentives and planning targets for reducing construction and operational carbon emissions. • The provision of incentives for water management, conservation and recycling. • Making development allocations that support heat sharing infrastructure, such as mixeduse development that balance cooling-led and heating-led land uses. • Encouraging local generation and/or use of renewable energy, such as energy from waste, solar and ground source energy. • Requiring measures that reduce transport emissions that in turn improve human health and support wellbeing such as through the inclusion of air quality neutrality targets, prioritisation of pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, increased electric vehicle charging stations, increasing the number of shared surfaces that prioritise play, pedestrians and green infrastructure. • Outlining strong and clear standards for electric vehicle and personal light electric vehicle (PLEV) charging infrastructure and provision. • Prioritising and supporting development that is close to existing communities and / or active and shared transport corridors. Tied into this are the opportunities for Cambridge to play a leading role in the development of emerging technologies to accomplish local, national and international carbon targets. The local plan should seek to support and encourage research and development, prototype development and high-tech and skilled manufacturing to support the achievement of net zero carbon. The development at Cambridge Science Park North will commit to all of the themes highlighted above. Through the provision of circa 90 hectares of green space there will be opportunities to incorporate carbon capture through enhancement of the natural environment. The building fabric, layout and alignment with public and sustainable transport infrastructure will all work toward the achievement of net zero carbon by 2050. Crucially the co-location of Research and Development and Skilled Manufacturing will support development of market ready zero carbon solutions in expedited timeframes. Cambridge Science Park North offers Greater Cambridge and the UK an opportunity to develop and importantly deploy technologies that can transform and achieve net zero carbon.

Trinity College Cambridge fully support the list of climate change mitigation measures provided and would recommend the addition of the following: • Supporting initiatives to increase opportunities for virtual renewable energy generation, sharing, trading and procurement, including community participation and affordability initiatives. • Requiring a circular economy strategy and approach to building and infrastructural design and construction (e.g. refurbishment, upcycling, design for disassembly, material passports etc.). • Supporting local and community initiatives and amenities that encourage residents to stay local and travel short distances on foot, by bicycle and non-fossil fuel transport. • Reinforcing the infrastructure required to support electric vehicles. The new Local Plan should positively support car free and car limited development in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF6. In assessing mobility associated with developments, the emerging Local Plan should resist predict and provide7 approaches that often lead to increases in highway capacity instead taking a decide and provide approach. The latter ensures sustainable travel patterns are promoted, walking and cycling are prioritised, and shared travel and new green technology is supported. Tied into this are the opportunities for Cambridge to play a leading role in the development of emerging technologies to accomplish local, national and international carbon targets. For example, Cambridge Consultants based on Cambridge Science Park partnered with Redbarn Group to develop VeriTherm, a fast and simple tool to verify the thermal performance of new buildings. In a letter of support from the UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, the Ministry stated that they are: “ …keen that [VeriTherm] is further developed and a workable method to measure the thermal performance of homes comes to market" and continued, “this product could therefore contribute to reducing CO2 emissions from homes, reducing occupant bills and to the UK meeting its carbon budgets. ” Cambridge Science Park North will be pioneering, developing, prototyping and testing new green technology. Therefore, the new Local Plan should seek to support and encourage research and development, prototype development and high-tech and skilled manufacturing to support the achievement of net zero. 6 NPPF (February 2019) paragraph 122c

Yes, strongly agree

Yes strongly agree. Trinity College Cambridge recommend that a more future proof option is to require that developments respond to the most up to date risks identified by the Climate Change Committee8 and demonstrate a clear adaptation strategy including a risk assessment and the mitigation measures to be adopted. There is a clear commitment by Trinity College to go over and above the standard approach to climate adaptation and resilience on Cambridge Science Park North. A real opportunity exists for an exemplar scheme with the potential to trial and showcase natural resilience features due to the scale and critical mass available on site. In addition, due to the nature of work undertaken there are opportunities to cultivate and trial emerging technologies on site allowing innovation to develop more quickly and solutions to move to market at enhanced speeds. 8 https://www.theccc.org.uk/

Within emerging policies, support should be given to innovation in energy and renewable technologies. Cambridge has a key role to play in the research and development of solutions to the climate challenge. For example, CSP is exploring the feasibility of establishing an Energy & Renewal Technologies Centre on the Park. The aim would be to co-locate companies developing related technologies under one roof where they can share facilities, knowledge and best practice. Recognition of the key role businesses within the Greater Cambridge economy should be included within the emerging Local Plan. With the development of Cambridge Science Park North, we can do more of the innovation and development of solutions to adapt to climate change. The proximity to world class talent and impact of clusters of research and development can be the catalyst to continually advance solutions to adaptation to climate change. Faster prototype development enabled through development and manufacturing and the ability to trial solutions all within the Greater Cambridge economy will drive change and accelerate adaptation.

The Local plan provides an opportunity not just to improve the natural environment for its own sake (which is important); but to harness some of the increasingly evidenced thinking with regard to resilience within the urban environment through nature-based solutions9. Through a considered approach to the natural environment, sustainability, climate change, social, economic, environmental impacts, and emergency preparedness all can benefit. The Local Plan can be instrumental in improving the natural environment, for example through the allocation of a managed green infrastructure network that contributes to wellbeing, biodiversity, the protection of water courses and urban greening. The Local Plan is also an opportunity to set out urban greening requirements10 to meet its proposed 'doubling nature' aspiration. Cambridge Science Park North is being developed as a location that can provide compensatory improvements to a substantial (circa 90 hectares) area of land, which will remain within the Green Belt, but will replace currently low ecological value private agricultural land with: • A network of new green infrastructure; with links to Milton Country Park, Histon & Impington, and Arbury and Kings Hedges. • Woodland planting of sufficient scale to provide meaningful woodland carbon capture11. • Landscape and visual enhancements taking existing agricultural land and creating a valuable green asset for neighbouring communities and employees. • Improvements to biodiversity, habitat connectivity and the introduction of natural capital to an area of low ecological value agricultural land. • New and enhanced walking and cycle routes, linking into the planned improvements to Mere Way; and • Improved access to new recreational and playing field provision for all. 9 For example see: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/nature-based-solutions-are-helping-address-urban-challenges 10 For example see: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/urban-greening 11 The Forestry Commission suggests that a new native woodland can capture 300-400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare (tCO 2e/ha) by year 50, and 400-500 tCO 2e/ha by year 100.

Trinity College Cambridge are proposing a substantial area of land within the expansion to the existing Science Park be dedicated as part of the wider green space network. This area of land which is currently inaccessible to the public provides an opportunity to introduce a safe, accessible and inclusive location for community sporting and leisure facilities and accessible green space. Planning Practice Guidance12 provides advice on the role of the Green Belt in the planning system. The guidance suggests that ‘ where it has been demonstrated that it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, strategic policy - making authorities should set out policies for compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of the remaining Green Belt land. These may be informed by supporting evidence of landscape, biodiversity or recreational needs and opportunities . Cambridge Science Park North is being developed as a location that can provide compensatory improvements to a substantial (circa 90 hectares) area of land, which will remain within the Green Belt, but will replace currently low ecological value agricultural land with: • A network of new green infrastructure; with links to Milton Country Park, Histon & Impington, and Arbury and Kings Hedges. • Woodland planting of sufficient scale to provide meaningful woodland carbon capture. • Landscape and visual enhancements taking existing agricultural land and creating a valuable green asset for neighbouring communities and employees. • Improvements to biodiversity, habitat connectivity and the introduction of natural capital to an area of low ecological value agricultural land. • New and enhanced walking and cycle routes, linking into the planned improvements to Mere Way; and • Improved access to new recreational and playing field provision. These proposed uses are all entirely compatible with both the purposes of the Green Belt and uses which are deemed as appropriate within the Green Belt. As a general point, TCC wish to enhance the public realm and green spaces within the existing Cambridge Science Park so that they better provide for sustainable travel choices, more pleasant areas, promote outdoor working and enhance the quality of place. 12 Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, published 22 July 2019 Paragraph: 002 Reference ID: 64-002-20190722 In addition, more should be done to green the public transport corridors linking housing and employment areas to Cambridge City Centre. This should be combined with opportunities to provide and enhance green links to existing communities, for Cambridge Science Park North this should include green links through to Arbury and Kings Hedges to the south.