Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

In transport terms prioritisation should be given to infrastructure that delivers active and shared travel ahead of vehicle movements. To help to achieve net zero carbon, infrastructure that supports electric vehicle and PLEV charging should be in place. This also means investment in walking, cycling and shared mobility which may result in car travel becoming less convenient. Fundamentally strategic growth should be located where there is existing and planned infrastructure. Cambridge Science Park North is located in close proximity to Cambridge North Railway Station and the existing Guided Busway. Planned infrastructure improvements including pedestrian and cycle improvements to Mere Way and a new rapid transit corridor to Waterbeach are already in the development phase. Cambridge Science Park North will be located within 6km of a planned additional 43,600 new homes up to 2031. Locating potential employment to serve these residents, within active and sustainable transport routes is essential.

The Local Plan is an opportunity to introduce policies that prioritise travel by those more sustainable modes of transport. This requires a step-change in thought and would mean allowing development to be presented in a way that does not provide assessments based on predict and provide moving to a decide and provide methodology. This means ensuring that highway capacity and car driver convenience is not the ultimate measure of whether development is seen as acceptable in transport terms. The Local Plan should support development that is well connected to existing and planned transport corridors, and those that support active and shared travel. It should support initiatives that prioritise non-car modes which may come at the expense of car driver convenience. Support should be given to innovation in mobility and recognising development actively promoting such initiatives as a direct means towards the end goal of reducing car use. The Local Plan should ensure development embeds walking and cycling infrastructure as a first priority over infrastructure for vehicles. It should prioritise development that is located in close proximity to existing communities to reduce the need to travel and embrace changes in technology as a way of changing and influencing mobility. Fundamentally strategic growth should be located where there is existing and planned infrastructure. Cambridge Science Park North is located in close proximity to Cambridge North Railway Station and the existing Guided Busway. Planned infrastructure improvements including pedestrian and cycle improvements to Mere Way and a new rapid transit corridor to Waterbeach are already in the development phase. Cambridge Science Park North will be located within 6km of a planned additional 43,600 new homes up to 2031. Locating potential employment to serve these residents, within active and sustainable transport routes is essential. Cambridge Science Park and Cambridge Science Park North will be promoting a move away from reliance on single occupant car use. Indeed, a legal agreement has been entered into capping the number of parking spaces on Cambridge Science Park, and Trinity College Cambridge are committing to no net increase in parking. The focus will be on providing access to work primarily by walking, cycling and the existing and planned public transport routes will be coupled with a move to consolidate parking to one location within the site for those that have to drive. Cambridge Science Park North will be planned from the outset as a car free environment within the core site with a limited amount of car parking provided in a consolidated location, remote from buildings with a single access from Butts Lane. The site is capable of being a private car free environment due to the its well-connected location and existing and planned infrastructure in close proximity to the site. The development will include several measures and initiatives which will encourage a move away from private car use and a move towards sustainable mobility. A Mobility Hub will provide a focal point for onward travel, including cycling and buses and innovative solutions including autonomous pods, micro-mobility and personal light electric vehicle (PLEV) mobility options. Where car parking is provided, it will be managed, prioritising carpooling, car sharing and electric vehicles. The single remote parking facility can be future proofed for its use to be changed as demand for parking decreases over time. At Cambridge Science Park and Cambridge Science Park North, parking will no longer be a function of floorspace or number of employees and will not be a facility designed to accommodate unfettered demand. By removing significant vehicle movements from the core site, an environment that encourages walking and cycling can be provided. Some servicing within the core area will still be possible but access will be designed around the movement of people rather than vehicles. Community Concierge will be set at the Mobility Hub to actively manage mobility and encourage sustainable modes of transport amongst employees. More general deliveries may be managed from a micro-consolidation centre outside of the core area with deliveries to individual buildings made by ground drones, airborne drones, cargo bike and simple human pick up. Automated vehicle pods providing onward connections from parking areas through to buildings and the potential to connect through to Cambridge Regional College and existing Cambridge Science Park.

The emerging Local Plan has the opportunity to address infrastructure holistically in order to support the big themes identified. To help achieve net zero carbon, electricity infrastructure needs to be reinforced to support electric vehicle and PLEV (personal light electric vehicles) charging; utilising, renewable generation, smart management, energy storage, virtual trading and 5G. Provision should be made to upgrade to 5G connectivity. There should be a priority to produce a resource and waste management strategy and support initiatives that enable a circular economy to resource use. The Local Plan should support wastewater recycling at scale and require rainwater attenuation to greenfield levels and rainwater harvesting for reuse. Additional educational infrastructure needs to be in place to ensure all benefit from the economic success within the Greater Cambridge economy. Trinity College Cambridge see real importance of supporting and strengthening the Regional College system. The emerging Local Plan provides an opportunity to actively plan for the addition of facilities that link with business and create opportunities for interaction and apprenticeship programs.

Yes

Yes Trinity College Cambridge would suggest that in order to provide suitable space for the specific requirements of skilled manufacturing required to provide for the economic growth identified within the UK Industrial Strategy removing land for the Green Belt in sustainable locations is the only available option. Locating jobs close to existing communities will reduce travel distances and ensure walking and cycling become the obvious mobility choice. It will also reduce the infrastructure requirements particularly where high quality transport corridors are already in place or planned. Connectivity is at the heart of how Cambridge Science Park North will operate. Cambridge Science Park North is already a highly connected location on existing and planned public transport and cycle corridors. The park itself will use this opportunity to create a walking and cycling environment. Support is given to development around the edge of Cambridge within the currently defined Green Belt where exceptional circumstances exist. However – priority should be given to developing around the edge of Cambridge in the Green Belt along key public transport corridors. Trinity College Cambridge is committed to transforming a parcel of agricultural land adjacent to the Cambridge Science Park into a world-leading centre of excellence in skilled manufacturing and development. The site is strategically located in the north of Cambridge within 6km of circa 43,600 new homes planned by 2031. This includes: • Circa 10,000 homes within walking and cycling distance being promoted through the North East Cambridge Area Action Plan; • 6,500 new homes at Waterbeach connected via improved cycle access on Mere Way, and through the Waterbeach Transit Corridor; • 10,000 new homes at Northstowe already connected to Cambridge Science Park via the Guided Busway and integrated cycle routes. Branded Cambridge Science Park North, it will be an extension of, and benefit from the successful innovation eco-system of the globally renowned Science Park It will promote social inclusion by creating skilled, well paid jobs in local companies for people with no university education where they will work alongside graduates from Cambridge and other universities around the world. In addition to the Centre there will be nestled in 250acres of stunning parkland with recreational facilities open to local residents. It will be an early adopter of environmental initiatives including green transport, waste management, energy, ecology and smart buildings; it will also provide a test-bed for companies developing sustainable products and services in Cambridge and further afield. Through innovative design and actively supporting innovation in technological advancement the land would be working beyond net zero carbon. Actively supporting businesses working to develop practical solutions to address climate change. The land identified provides an opportunity to create a substantial (approximately 90 hectares) area of biodiversity improvement areas and new accessible green space. This is especially important in this location due to the proposed North East Cambridge HIF funded growth area and additional population being introduced to the area. There is an absolute need and there is no other option.

Trinity College Cambridge fully supports the densification of appropriate uses. Indeed, in terms of sustainability this has to be considered as a first option. Cambridge Science Park has naturally densified over time and will continue to do so in future. However, certain types of development cannot be accommodated via densification. The type of skilled manufacturing and development proposed at Cambridge Science Park North by its nature requires low-density large-scale accommodation.

Development at Cambridge Airport has the potential to provide for the reuse of land suitable for development. However, this can only be considered in combination with other alternatives due to the uncertainty around timescales. In order to continue to support the existing business needs within Cambridge the gap for skilled manufacturing and development for the Science and Technology sector exists now. There is an immediate need for space for this type of employment use, and this need will only increase within the next 10 – 15 years. Development at Cambridge Airport for the type of employment uses put forward by Trinity College Cambridge cannot be viewed as a short term or even mid-term solution.

Support is given to development around the edge of Cambridge within the currently defined Green Belt where exceptional circumstances exist. However – priority should be given to developing around the edge of Cambridge in the Green Belt along key public transport corridors. Trinity College Cambridge are committed to transforming a parcel of agricultural land adjacent to the Cambridge Science Park into a world-leading centre of excellence in skilled manufacturing and development. The site is strategically located in the north of Cambridge within 6km of circa 43,600 new homes planned by 2031. This includes • homes within walking and cycling distance being promoted through the North East Cambridge Area Action Plan. • 6,500 new homes at Waterbeach connected via improved cycle access on Mere Way, and through the Waterbeach Transit Corridor. • 10,000 new homes at Northstowe already connected to Cambridge Science Park via the Guided Busway and integrated cycle routes. Branded Cambridge Science Park North, it will be an extension of, and benefit from the successful innovation eco-system of the globally renowned Science Park It will promote social inclusion by creating skilled, well paid jobs in local companies for people with no university education where they will work alongside graduates from Cambridge and other universities around the world. The Centre will be nestled in 250 acres of stunning parkland with recreational facilities open to local residents. It will be an early adopter of environmental initiatives including green transport, waste management, energy, ecology and smart buildings; it will also provide a testbed for companies developing sustainable products and services in Cambridge and further afield. Through innovative design and actively supporting innovation in technological advancement the land would be working beyond net zero carbon. Actively supporting businesses working to develop practical solutions to address climate change. The land identified provides an opportunity to create a substantial (approximately 80 hectares) area of biodiversity improvement areas and new accessible green space. This is especially important in this location due to the proposed North East Cambridge HIF funded growth area and additional population being introduced to the area. There is an absolute need and there is no other option

Trinity College Cambridge gives very strong support to siting employment development along highvolume public transport corridors round the edge of Cambridge within the currently defined Green Belt where exceptional circumstances exist. In accordance with the NPPF19 the planning system should actively manage patterns of growth focusing significant development in locations which are sustainable, limiting the need to travel and offer a genuine choice of transport modes. 19 NPPF paragraph 102 and 103 Trinity College Cambridge are committed to transforming a parcel of agricultural land adjacent to the Cambridge Science Park into a world-leading centre of excellence in skilled manufacturing and development. The site is strategically located in the north of Cambridge within 6km of circa 43,600 new homes planned by 2031. This includes • homes within walking and cycling distance being promoted through the North East Cambridge Area Action Plan. • 6,500 new homes at Waterbeach connected via improved cycle access on Mere Way, and through the Waterbeach Transit Corridor. • 10,000 new homes at Northstowe already connected to Cambridge Science Park via the Guided Busway and integrated cycle routes. Branded Cambridge Science Park North, it will be an extension of, and benefit from the successful innovation eco-system of the globally renowned Science Park It will promote social inclusion by creating skilled, well paid jobs in local companies for people with no university education where they will work alongside graduates from Cambridge and other universities around the world. The Centre will be nestled in 250 acres of stunning parkland with recreational facilities open to local residents. It will be an early adopter of environmental initiatives including green transport, waste management, energy, ecology and smart buildings; it will also provide a testbed for companies developing sustainable products and services in Cambridge and further afield. Development of skilled manufacturing and development at Cambridge Science Park North ensures the following: • Active and public transport corridors can be prioritised ahead of roads; utilising and increasing capacity on the existing guided busway and linking new development to improvements to Mere Way and the CAM to Waterbeach. • Proactively siting employment destination development along transport corridors as a strategy is consistent with the wider aspirations of CAM. • Siting employment development along public transport corridors will help to reduce incommuting congestion issues on the road network. • As a strategy increasing the accessibility of employment locations can help achieve carbon net zero goals. • Where strategic infrastructure is proposed within plans prepared by transport authorities, but the level of certainty is unknown, Local Plan led development along such infrastructure will help prioritise these and improve business cases.

Response to Question 2 - Additional Information 3.1 The site was submitted as part of the Call for Sites consultation in 2019 and Trinity College is continuing to promote the site for allocation in the Local Plan. Description of Proposals 3.2 The proposals involve the landscape design-led residential development of the site. It includes for up to 90 dwellings, including 40% affordable housing, landscaping, vehicular and pedestrian access and formal and informal open space. The Concept Masterplan, the purpose of which is to demonstrate one way that the site is capable of accommodating the proposed quantum of development, provides an indicative layout for the site. 3.3 The concept masterplan focusses residential development within the centre of the site. The dwellings address the surrounding open space and would comprise a range of housing types and tenures that reflect the architectural character of Gamlingay. 3.4 Vehicular access will be provided from Potton Road to the east. There will be a clear and legible road network including shared surfaces whilst footpaths through the site will seek to link to existing pedestrian and cycling routes to provide connectivity to the village. 3.5 Another main feature of the masterplan is the significant amount of on-site open space which can be provided, for the benefit of new and existing residents. As part of the masterplan, approximately 1.2ha of open space (approximately 40% of the site) can be delivered on site. The open space has been carefully considered to create a sensitive and appropriate southern approach to Gamlingay whilst retaining south western views from the nearby conservation area and Listed Buildings. 3.6 The western open space will preserve a gap to Little Heath Farm, whilst also creating a soft edge to the proposed development. Proposed formal children’s play space is located within this area of public open space, which is well connected via the proposed pedestrian network. 3.7 The proposals involve substantial vegetation and tree planting throughout to enhance the ecological function of open space and provide opportunities to deliver a biodiversity net gain. In addition, land within Trinity College’s ownership, adjacent to the north west of the site, provides opportunities to deliver a further 1.33ha of open space, resulting in the scheme being able to deliver a total of 2.53ha of open space, equating to approximately 59% of the total site area. The intention is that this land would be used solely for recreation and ecological purposes and would be delivered alongside the proposed development. 3.8 Following the delivery of the residential scheme immediately to the north of the site, it is considered that the development of this site would represent a logical extension to the village and could deliver a softer, enhance landscape edge and entrance to the village in this location compared to the existing situation. Technical Appraisals Highways ● Site Access – A suitable access is proposed onto Potton Road towards the south east of the site demonstrating that an adequate visibility splay can be achieved (2.4m x 120m) which is suitable for a 40mph limit in a rural area. Due to the embankment that runs parallel between the site boundary and Potton Road, an internal 2m wide footpath within the site could be constructed to join the existing footway along Potton Road at the northern boundary of the site. ● Bus Services – A number of bus services operate through the Village providing public transport to Cambridge, Hitchin, Royston and St Neots. The nearest bus stops are situated circa 190m north east of the site along Stocks Lane. ● Trip Generation – two TRICS assessments have been undertaken to obtain an estimate of the likely AM and PM peak hour vehicle trips based on a scheme of 90 dwellings. The assessment found that the scheme would generate 47 vehicle trips in the AM peak and 40 trips in the PM peak. This equates to approximately one vehicle trip per minute in the peak hours, which would have a negligible impact on the local road network. Drainage ● The site is wholly within Flood Zone 1 of the Environment Agency (EA) Flood Zone maps. The surface water flood risk is very low for the main part of the site, however there is a flowpath associated with the watercourse on the western boundary that runs through the western part of the site. It is recommended that all built development remains outside of this flowpath where possible and this land is used for landscaping and public open space, the Concept Masterplan reflects this. ● Given the geology, the proximity of the brook and the public foul sewer there are practical and sustainable solutions for foul and surface water drainage. ● Overall, the site is suitable for residential development from a flood risk and drainage perspective. Ecology ● A preliminary Ecology Appraisal prepared by Ecology Solutions is submitted with these representations. A survey of the site was undertaken on 14 February 2020. There are no statutory designation of nature conservation within the site or immediately adjacent to it. There are two SSSIs and three CWS within 2km of the site, however owing to the spatial separation and intervening urban development, it is considered unlikely that development of the site would have any direct or indirect impact upon these sites. ● The habitats within the site consist of common and widespread species and are of limited intrinsic ecological interest. The habitats of greatest interest are the hedgerows, tree lines and adjacent watercourses which could be retained and enhanced as a result of any future development of the site. Opportunities are present to enhance the biodiversity value of the site, up to a 10% net gain, through a sensitively designed landscape scheme which would incorporate, wherever possible, native species of local provenance and those of known value to native wildlife to offer biodiversity gains post-development. ● Overall, there is no overriding ecological constraint to the development of the site. Further survey work pertaining to Bats, Otters, Water Voles and Great Crested Newts would be required at a future time in order to shape the finer details of the development and to integrate ecology enhancements as appropriate. With good design, the proposals would incorporate opportunities for net gains for wildlife whilst providing new green infrastructure and open space to facilitate an increase in biodiversity. Heritage ● The site is not located within a Conservation Area nor does it contain any Listed Buildings or non designated assets. It is, however, located within the vicinity of the Gamlingay Conservation as well as a number of Listed Buildings. ● It is likely that development on certain areas of the site could result in minor adverse impacts on the Gamilingay Conservation and 61 Mill Street/6 Honey Hill and negligible adverse impact to 53 and 55 Mill Street and the Old Mans. As such, great care will be required to mitigate such impacts through the location, form, scale and design of the proposals as they emerge. ● Although the proposals are at an early stage, the indicative masterplan has been informed by the findings of this initial heritage appraisal and has responded to the parameters set out to ensure that potential impacts to heritage assets are minimised. Based on the initial masterplan, there is potential that impacts on heritage assets would be at the level of “less than substantial” harm, in terms of the policies of the NPPF. Benefits 3.9 As well as the site not being constrained from a technical or design perspective, the development proposals would deliver numerous tangible social, economic and environmental benefits to the local area, including: ● The opportunity to deliver a valuable amount of affordable housing to help meet the needs of Gamlingay and the wider District; ● Locating residential development within one of the District’s largest and most sustainable villages. The site is located approximately 500m from the village centre and is well placed for future residents to be able to walk and cycle, rather than travel by private car, to these facilities. Gamlingay is also within close proximity to the selected route for the proposed east west rail, providing the opportunity to deliver homes near planned strategic infrastructure; ● A landowner who wishes to work with the community in order to shape a proposal which meets the needs of and can provide wider benefits to the village; ● Supporting Gamlingay’s economy, including local shops and services; ● The delivery of a substantial amount of on-site and off-site public open space comprising 2.53 ha, which equates to approximately 59% of the total site area. This will include formal children’s play space, creating a recreation asset to be enjoyed by future and existing residents. The proposed off-site area of dedicated open space is on land within Trinity College’s ownership and would be delivered in conjunction with the development proposals for the site; and ● Enhancing biodiversity levels across the site and delivering green infrastructure for the benefit of existing and future residents. The site is predominantly agricultural land and is currently of low ecological value. The proposals have the potential to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain and deliver significant new opportunities for wildlife.

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Agree

4.1 Agree - The proposed Local Plan period up to 2040 is considered appropriate and to accord with the requirements set out within the NPPF for local authorities to identify a sufficient supply and mix of sites between years 1-15 of the plan (paragraph 67).