Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Agree

5.1 Agree. 5.2 The four big themes for the Local Plan are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts. 5.3 Development at the Gas Field, Madingley Road would address the four big themes as follows: ● Climate Change – new employment buildings or dwellings will be designed and constructed in a manner to be energy efficient and incorporate renewable technologies. The site is also in a sustainable location, providing alternatives to private car use for residents to meet their daily needs; ● Biodiversity and Green Space – through the provision of on-site green infrastructure, in particular the on-site walking route which would be an ecological and recreational asset; ● Wellbeing and Social Inclusion – the proposals would incorporate on site open space to meet the needs of future employees/residents of the site and the surrounding area. ● Great Places – a landscape-led approach is central to the design and layout of the scheme, as shown in the Illustrative Masterplan which shows how the site could come forward.

5.5 The increased focus on climate change is welcomed. Climate change policy and good practice is changing quickly, and the plan will need to build in suitable flexibility to accommodate these changes within the lifetime of the plan. Climate change scenarios predict extensive changes by 2050, much of which is dependent on government and human action so there is substantial uncertainty over outcomes. 5.6 A needlessly stringent policy may inadvertently impede progress towards later years in the plan, or undermine results by not allowing for site-specific refinement. For example, policy for electric vehicle charging points should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate that quickly changing technology, as well the current grid challenges in implemented EV charging places. Energy policies should include flexibility for changing legislation, and technology, as well as the opportunity to refine a plan-wide policy for site specifics. As the Zero Carbon Futures Symposium Report (2019) submitted within the evidence base notes on page 10: where targets are too limited, and without consideration of project contexts, policy can drive dysfunctional behaviour such as photovoltaic solar panels being installed on North facing roofs merely to achieve policy compliance not to produce effective carbon reductions. 5.7 Allowing for changing technologies and approaches should also help with viability as technology and approaches improve and are more widely adopted, thereby reducing costs. Escalating targets and policies may be able to accommodate these changes, while providing clarity to developers on the costs of development over time. 5.8 The local plan Sustainability Appraisal (SA) should address variable climate change scenarios, as we would expect that different climate change scenarios will be of interest at examination. Lack of rigorous assessment of these scenarios in the SA could lead to the plan being found unsound. 5.9 The site is considered to present an opportunity to contribute to successfully achieving the goal of net zero carbon by 2050 through the delivery of housing/buildings which would allow future residents or employees to live low-carbon lifestyles. Buildings would be designed and constructed in a manner to ensure that energy use is reduced and that renewable forms are used. The site is also located in a sustainable location, whereby future users would not be reliant on the private car for their daily needs. Nearby facilities and services are within walking and cycling distance of the site and the proposals look to enhance pedestrian connectivity.

5.10 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework that recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

Nothing chosen

5.11 A policy approach with multiple options for delivering net zero carbon is likely to be most effective in delivering development, as well as carbon neutrality. A multi-pronged approach should allow different solutions for different developments, reflecting context. For example, for some developments, Passivhaus energy standards may be achievable (going well above and beyond minimums set out in the Building Regulations), but for others, Building Regulations may need to be followed but an offset solution, such as a green bond or offset fund, could be used to achieve a net carbon reduction. Possible options need to be worked up in more detail as the Plan progresses and must build in flexibility.

5.12 To form a flexible policy framework, so as not to stifle the benefits of new technology or modern methods of construction.

5.13 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 5.14 The development of the Gas Field, Madingley Road presents an opportunity to improve the natural environment through the provision of on-site green infrastructure. As part of the proposals, as shown in the attached Vision Masterplan, a substantial amount of open space will be provided on-site, providing a new ecological and recreation asset but also incorporating ecological enhancements. The proposal includes multi-functional public open space including parklands, woodlands and nature reserves which are connected by green corridors to enhance and build upon existing corridors in the surrounding landscape. This will contribute to providing important habitat for a range of wildlife and plant species. The site therefore contributes to supporting biodiversity, increasing opportunities for recreation, mitigating and adapting to climate change and enhancing landscape character.

5.15 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities. As part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements can be used to improve the wider green space network. 5.16 The development of the Gas Field, Madingley Road presents an opportunity to improve the green space network through the delivery of on-site green infrastructure. Those development proposals that can increase the provision of green infrastructure should be preferred within the Local Planmaking process.

5.17 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible.

Yes, somewhat agree

5.18 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 5.19 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.

5.20 Good growth that promotes wellbeing (including health) should be inclusive and include antipoverty measures including: ● Energy efficient homes and employment space that deliver low energy and water consumption; ● Promotion of commercial development and job creation that offers the Living Wage and opportunities for those on lower incomes to increase wages to easily access jobs; ● Allow for a wide range of social infrastructure and open space in new developments; and ● Promotion of ‘fully accessible’ social housing, within active travel of employment. 5.21 The Local Plan should include for a policy framework that requires a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) throughout the Greater Cambridge area, using a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) methodology that reflects best practice. Thresholds for HIAs should reflect the scale of the scheme and its ability to effect health outcomes. 5.22 The Local plan should ensure a policy framework is developed that is based on empirical evidence of how good growth is delivered, rather than rely on policies based on perceived, and sometimes unproven, determinants of wellbeing and social inclusion. Policies should focus on what really makes a difference. 5.23 Engagement with the combined authority, county council and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will also be required to understand community care and primary health care issues and needs, and to ensure facilities are available to deliver funded services. 5.24 For reference as to how the Gas Field, Madingley Road could help achieve ‘good growth’ please refer to Section 2 of these representations and the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal prepared by Ecology Solutions.