Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

The Cambridge Biomedical Campus, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Maternity Hospital, act as a draw for patients, staff, visitors, academics and research personnel. The campus needs to provide ancillary facilities to support its role in world-class treatment, teaching and research. Flexibility should be built in to planning policies relating to the hospital and wider campus to ensure that there is scope for facilities such as a hotel, conferencing facility, café, restaurant and gymnasium to help enhance the sustainability of the site, create linked trips and recognise that whilst not a tourist attraction, the hospital is an important destination in Cambridge.. Such provision of ancillary uses would help to reduce the number of repeat trips some patients or visitors may need to make.

Housing in the right place that our staff can afford The Local Plan will need to deliver a mix of housing sizes, styles and tenures at an affordable price. A key strategic priority for CUH is to support the delivery of more affordable housing for our staff, in the right place. We have submitted two documents in support of our representations: 1) “Assessing the Housing Need of Hospital Workers” report prepared by Savills in January 2020. This is research undertaken on our behalf which highlights the real affordability challenges facing our staff, and some of the less desirable outcomes arising as a result. 2) We have prepared a summary report entitled “Delivering Affordable Housing for our Hospital Workers: The Case for Change”. This is a simple, accessible document, which draws out the key findings of the Savills research, and sets out CUH’s corporate priorities in terms of housing, highlighting the critical importance of delivering of genuinely affordable housing in accessible locations, to ensure the growth and prosperity of the area can be supported by the NHS/ The research highlights housing as one of the key barriers to CUH in recruiting and retaining key staff and skills. To build on some of the recommendations of the report, CUH is seeking to work in partnership with a range of stakeholders to deliver housing at significant discounts on open market rents, and / or more affordable routes to home ownership, located within no more than 40-50 minutes of the Hospital by walking, cycling and public transport. The housing provided should be a mixture of sizes and tenures and where possible measures should be put in place to enable employees to live close to their place of work, in order to reduce commuting time, traffic congestion and impact on air quality and climate change, while improving physical and mental wellbeing.

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It is imperative that the Plan allows for more than the minimum housing requirement in order to safeguard delivery, help meet demand and keep prices more affordable. We note that the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Independent Economic Review advocates a step change in housing delivery and that the Local Authorities have all signed up to the recommendations of the CPIER report, including its recommendations in respect of housing. We note the ranges of housing numbers quoted in the consultation document. The range of housing to be delivered by the plan could range between: • Government’s Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) figure of 40,900; and • a CPIER compliant figure (aligning housing with economic growth) or circa 66,700 homes. With a committed supply from the existing allocated sites in the Local Plan estimated at 36,400, we note that it would be ‘easier’ to select a housing target at the lower end of the range. However, this would not align with the recommendations of CPIER and risks perpetuating the current issues of housing affordability. CUH would encourage a figure towards the upper end of the range, to ensure housing choice, to boost supply, and to deliver more affordable housing forms of housing tenure. With a larger pipeline, it also provides scope for the Council to meet those in highest need (e.g. homeless or unemployed) whilst also providing forms of tenure which give priority to working people, for both discount rental and discounted forms of purchase. In the spirt of this, we have submitted two documents in support of our representations: 1) “Assessing the Housing Need of Hospital Workers” report prepared by Savills in January 2020. This is research undertaken on our behalf which highlights the real affordability challenges facing our staff, and some of the less desirable outcomes arising as a result. 2) We have prepared a summary report entitled “Delivering Affordable Housing for our Hospital Workers: The Case for Change”. This is a simple, accessible document, which draws out the key findings of the Savills research, and sets out CUH’s corporate priorities in terms of housing, highlighting the critical importance of delivering of genuinely affordable housing in accessible locations, to ensure the growth and prosperity of the area can be supported by the NHS. The research highlights housing as one of the key barriers to CUH in recruiting and retaining key staff and skills. There are commonly delays with the delivery of larger proposals and/or new settlements and therefore to ensure supply is maintained the Plan should allocate more than the minimum requirement, and significantly boosting supply will create more opportunities to deliver more affordable forms of tenure. Our work concludes that more affordable forms of housing, for working people, are required in locations 40 to 50 minutes walking, cycling and public transport journey time from the Hospital. Allocating a greater number of homes will help to bring forward a greater number of affordable houses, identified as urgently needed in the Savills (2020) study “Assessing the Housing Need of Hospital Workers”, which identified that 40% of the Addenbrooke’s workforce or approximately 4,800 employees were either stretched or very stretched in meeting their housing costs and that 2,466 additional affordable houses are needed by the workforce now.

Our Housing research set out in the report “Assessing the Housing Need of Hospital Workers” (Savills, January 2020) identifies a latent need for 2466 affordable homes to serve the existing 12,000 staff at Addenbrooke’s. The study identifies discounted rental as a realistic option for many NHS staff; however, there remained a high proportion of those in housing need who wished to buy their own home. The research highlights a mix of housing types being required, focussing predominantly on 1, 2 and 3 bedroom properties. CUH is keen to work with a range of partners to identify housing typologies and tenures to meet the identified need for our staff. CUH is aware of emerging proposals, including the Government’s consultation on First Homes (30% discount on Open Market Value for first time buyers) and also the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authorities proposed £100k homes initiative. We are interested in these as just two examples of discounted home purchase models, whilst we are also interested in exploring innovative routes to discounted rents for high quality housing, offering long term security of tenure. We also wish to highlight the significant interest from our staff in Rent to Buy type products (rent at a subsidised rate with a view to buying at a later stage).

The inclusion of healthcare as part of the definition of infrastructure is welcomed. It is important that infrastructure and particularly healthcare is funded and delivered in line with the growth in population. Health provision should be integrated with the needs of the population. The identified priorities of the STP are as follows: • Integrated out of hospital care. Focusing on population needs, we will join up out-of-hospital services more effectively, building on the foundations of strong primary care and providing additional support where necessary. • Outpatient transformation. We will change the way we deliver our outpatient services to ensure that our patients are seen by the right professionals in the right places. • Redesigning care pathways to improve efficiency and reduce unwarranted variation. We will improve the quality of the care we provide by reducing variations in the way services are delivered, adopting best practice. • Making the most of our assets. We will identify opportunities to make the best use of our high fixed cost assets, including estates and digital infrastructure. As part of the STP, we wish to be closely involved with the development of the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan to ensure the best possible health outcomes are a key part of the plan and that health infrastructure is given appropriate priority in planning decision making. The STP is developing its strategy in this area and is looking to appoint a single point of contact to engage on policy development, Local Plans, planning applications and CIL/S106. The objective is to ensure that the NHS stakeholders are fully sighted on the quantum and location of growth anticipated by the plan, and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to secure the funding and delivery of services to meet the needs of the population, across Primary Care, Community, Mental Health and Acute provision. These should include the types of infrastructure that can be funded from development, mechanisms for collecting funding (for instance a tariff per dwelling), and for larger sites, the ability to secure land to deliver on site health provision. We would be pleased to engage further with the Greater Cambridge Planning Service to support preparation of policies for the new Local Plan and as the new approach is implemented for future planning applications. In terms of wider infrastructure, a key focus should be on the timely delivery of transport solutions. This is covered in detailed under question 37 and 38.

In the context of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Maternity Hospital, CUH is committed to reduce car travel to the campus, which can only be achieved through further investment in an integrated network of public transport, walking and cycling. Prior to any ‘stick measures’ there is a need to further enhance the ‘carrot’ to make public transport attractive and reliable to staff and visitors, and patients (where appropriate). CUH is supportive of the programmes being developed both by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to enhance the network of walking, cycling and public transport. CUH is supportive of further restricting car travel to the Hospital, recognising that for some of our patients and visitors, car borne travel will continue to be the most appropriate form of travel (e.g. for health and mobility reasons), providing there are suitable alternatives, which are fast, frequent, reliable and affordable, and that they operate to serve the needs of our patients, staff and visitors 24 hours a day. Alleviating the acute congestion problems around Cambridge are clearly in the interests of the population, and critical to de-carbonising the economy in line with targets to achieve net zero carbon. We set out in response to question 38 our views on the priorities for transport infrastructure.

Transport CUH supports any improvements in the interconnectivity of the Addenbrooke’s Campus. Detailed representations were submitted to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority’s consultation (dated September 2019), in line with the text below. Cambridge South Station The installation of a new station at Cambridge South (adjacent to the campus) is of paramount importance to supporting the management of transport requirements in the future. The potential for the station to serve as both start of journey and destination is recognised and any public transport measures that support its establishment are supported. CUH would also strongly support any station facility being created as a transport interchange, supporting links with the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) and safe segregated cycle and walking routes for onward travel. Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro – (CAM) & GCP Corridor Schemes The development of the CAM would ensure that many more journeys to the campus are sustainable. The potential for high quality, high frequency, affordable, reliable, segregated public transport offerings connecting transport hubs with the campus is welcomed and it would seem sensible to integrate such a system with a Cambridge South Station adjacent to the campus. The exact location of interchanges on campus would need to be agreed in terms of delivering the maximum benefit, and CUH would be keen to be part of the conversations. It is known that approximately 2000 staff and 2500 patients and visitors approach the campus from the direction of Haverhill, Linton and surrounding areas, with another 3000 approaching via the A505 and A11 corridors on a daily basis. Investment along this route, sited at the junction with the A11 and A505 interchanges would support inclusive growth and economic development. CUH strongly supports the long term vision for the development of the CAM network across the main corridor routes around Cambridge, serving established towns and villages as well as new communities (Cambourne, Northstowe, Bourn Airfield and Waterbeach). The connectivity and ease of travel which would be provided would support CUH staff who live further afield with a sustainable transport solution that is safe. To support the running of the hospital, CUH would be keen to see the services using the CAM system to operate over an extended day. M11 junction 11 intervention CUH is keen to see work undertaken at junction 11 of the M11 to install a travel hub (including extending and improving the existing park and ride services and access and egress routes), facilitating improvements to congestion in the area, and developing an interchange between car and metro, bus or cycle travel. It is anticipated that it will benefit a significant number of staff and visitors to the site. The existing park and ride at Trumpington is significantly oversubscribed and does not have sufficient secure cycle parking facilities to meet demand. A recent staff travel review has indicated that approximately 3500 staff approach the campus from the west on a daily basis. A428 proposals The CUH is supportive of proposals to bring forward an A428 (Oxford to Cambridge) expressway. The campus has a significant number of staff who live in the communities based along the corridor and can see that it is likely to see further growth over the next 20 to 30 years. The potential to link developments along this corridor with the south east access routes to the campus is particularly appealing. East/West Rail Links The CUH is supportive of proposals to bring forward an East/West rail link. The campus has a significant number of staff who live in the communities based along the corridor and can see that it is likely to see further growth over the next 20 to 30 years. The potential to link developments along this corridor with the south east access routes to the campus is particularly appealing, noting the decision of the preferred has been confirmed via Cambourne. This may also open up opportunities further afield for delivery of housing for CUH staff (for instance at Cambourne, or St Neots/Tempsford. A10 proposal The CUH is supportive of the proposals to develop the A10 both to the north and the south of the city. The potential for dual carriageway, along with junction improvements and the CAM as alternate offerings for journeys is seen to significantly alleviate congestion in the area. Approximately 1500 members of staff approach the campus from the north of the city on a daily basis and this intervention, along with access into the CAM, would significantly improve travel options to the campus. It needs to be noted, that the improved road infrastructure, may have the unintended consequence of improved access to the edge of Cambridge, but increased congestion for ‘last mile’ journeys. The coordinated introduction of measures to support road infrastructure such as the CAM and travel hubs would need to be carefully considered. Approximately 1500 members of staff approach the campus from the north of the city on a daily basis. Other infrastructure As proposals for new development are brought forward, including the proposed Children’s Hospital and Cancer Hospital, as well as the proposals to substantially redevelop the main Addenbrooke’s Hospital campus (Addenbrooke’s 3), it is critical to ensure that there is sufficient capacity in wider networks in terms of water, electricity, and in the shorter term, gas. CUH encourages early dialogue with the main infrastructure providers to ensure that the growth planned in the Local Plan is matched with timely delivery of any required upgrades

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CUH does not feel that it is appropriate for us to comment on the specifics of the development strategy, but we wish to highlight two key points: 1. Any expansion to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrooke’s) in the medium to long term would need to be proximate to the existing campus. This is being considered as part of the CUHP led work on the 2050 vision, due for publication by summer 2020, which may require a further Green Belt review in areas close to the existing campus. 2. As part of our housing case, we are advocating siting housing in accessible locations to the hospital, by walking, cycling and public transport (maximum journey time of 40-50 minutes). We believe that the most sustainable travel patterns, with associated benefits for air quality, congestion and quality of life, could be achieved through an appropriate review of the Green Belt boundaries, as part of a blended development strategy. This could include development on the edge of Cambridge and adjoining villages well served by public transport.

Nothing chosen

CUH does not feel that it is appropriate for us to comment on the specifics of the development strategy, but we wish to highlight two key points: 1. Any expansion to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrooke’s) in the medium to long term would need to be proximate to the existing campus. This is being considered as part of the CUHP led work on the 2050 vision, due for publication by summer 2020, which may require a further Green Belt review in areas close to the existing campus. 2. As part of our housing case, we are advocating siting housing in accessible locations to the hospital, by walking, cycling and public transport (maximum journey time of 40-50 minutes). We believe that the most sustainable travel patterns, with associated benefits for air quality, congestion and quality of life, could be achieved through an appropriate review of the Green Belt boundaries, as part of a blended development strategy. This could include development on the edge of Cambridge and adjoining villages well served by public transport

Nothing chosen

Yes, in considering locations for housing in close proximity to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, we would encourage the plan to consider the wider merits of accessibility to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and the housing needs of our staff. There may be village locations that could provide wholly appropriate home locations for staff working at CBC.