Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to see tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 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.

Policies should highlight wellbeing and social inclusion as a key priority for new developments. 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 bills; ● 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; ● Promotion of low cost housing proportionate to income in the area; ● Promotion of ‘fully accessible’ social housing, within active travel of employment; ● “ensure delivery of planned investment in transport infrastructure that improves connectivity between key employment locations and more deprived areas” Anti Poverty Strategy (DG23) A spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; public transport; facilities/services and highquality open spaces. A policy framework that allows for innovative ways to deliver ‘affordable housing’; being a housing solution that provides for homes that are cheaper to buy or rent, whatever the planning mechanism; so long as the mechanism is robust and can be secured within a planning decision. Assessment of schemes throughout the combined authority areas 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. Develop a policy framework 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. Focus policies on what really makes a difference. Engagement with the combined authority, county council and CCG to understand community care and primary health care issues and needs, and to ensure facilities are available to deliver funded services.

Policies and procedures that encourage meaningful consultation and require developers to demonstrate how schemes have been influenced by local communities. Community engagement should be sought during the design process, during construction and through opportunities to influence the scheme and /or be engaged in its management and maintenance after completion (where relevant), particularly in circumstances where unforeseen consequences emerge.

First and foremost, to form a spatial strategy that ensures that new development is accessible or can be made accessible. Providing everyone with the opportunity to walk, bus and cycle to jobs, schools, shops, services and social activities. Tenure blind development, with flexible housing mix policies to allow for the right homes in the right location. A clearer policy framework to support housing for elderly persons and increasing need for a range of homes and supported living. Build in public realm to all forms of development (housing, employment and leisure) that encourages informal meeting and ‘bumping’ into people. Ensure delivery of truly affordable homes.

A spatial strategy that can support connected spaces where people do not have to rely on the private car for their daily routine of school, work, shopping and leisure. Enabling active lifestyles and opportunities for social interaction is a priority. Providing open space within developments where possible, alongside a policy framework to allow for off-site enhancements where appropriate, particularly when they can improve provision for existing communities. Standards within policies that determine the quantity and quality of provision should reflect an evidence based assessment of need and benefits delivered. Consider the needs of all age ranges and abilities in the detailed design of open spaces and public realm. Ensure that new developments encourage healthy eating choices through the provision of healthy options (including supermarkets) and minimising/preventing fast food outlets.

There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. It is important to identify a baseline housing need but there should be scope for further development to come forward if it meets a particular housing need. This would support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes to ensure that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed and that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed (NPPF Para. 59).

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To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, a sufficient amount and variety of land needs to be identified to meeting housing needs within the Joint Local Plan area. The Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) (September 2018) suggests that higher housing target numbers are likely to be needed in Cambridgeshire if the potential for higher growth in employment is to be met. Housing requirements are minimums, not maximums to stay under at all costs. There is a well evidenced affordability problem in Greater Cambridge; a greater supply of homes will be part of the solution. “Too many of the people working in Cambridge have commutes that are difficult, long and growing: not out of choice, but necessity due to high housing costs.”1 A Housing Needs Report accompanies this representation that undertakes an objective review for what the future housing needs of Greater Cambridge are. It finds that there is an underlying and systemic affordability issue that is making it increasingly difficult for those on lower incomes to afford to live in the Greater Cambridge area. Alongside, the Cambridge economy has seen a prolonged and steady increase, which has attracted a larger workforce and increased the pressure on the housing market; availability and affordability. Alongside this trend is a clear political aspiration to see the Cambridge economy grow further; mostly clearly expressed by the Combined Authority that has a growth target as set out in its Devolution Deal of doubling GVA over 25 years. All of this clearly points to the need to plan for an amount of housing well above the minimum housing requirement. 1 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019, p13

There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. Consideration of individual site circumstances and the circumstances of a local area should be taken into account to determine the appropriate type of housing for development sites. Separate housing needs assessments should be used to inform the appropriate size, type and tenure of housing needed for different sections of the community, as set out within the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy 2019-2023. Flexibility will be key to a successful Local Plan; through market housing, low-cost and affordable housing.

Local Plan policies can require a high standard of design for new residential development, leading from Government policy and guidance. Appropriately worded design policies should require a high quality design for new dwellings. This could include sustainable design principles including measures to improve the energy efficiency of new homes, water saving measures, use of efficient insultation material and heating systems, the reduction and recycling of construction materials, provision of appropriate amenity space and accessibility. Policy should not be prescriptive for precisely how it will be accomplished, it can set a policy-level, but developers should be able to use a host of options to achieve the target. Health impact assessments on developments of a scale that can deliver meaningful health improvements can create a higher level of built environment in housing developments. A site such as that to the east edge of Linton, to the north of Horseheath Road, can help to enhance the quality of housing delivered. It is a site promoted by Pembroke College as a well established Cambridge-based institution with a long-term commitment to Greater Cambridge with an ambition that aligns with the Council’s values and four big themes.

This can principally be achieved through locating new development in locations which have good access to sustainable modes of transport. New development should be located to take advantage of existing or planned transport infrastructure and should be designed in a manner which encourages the take up of active modes of travel. A location such as Linton is now able to more strongly encourage future residents to use sustainable modes of travel and ensure that trips made by private vehicles are minimised. Many village services are available within walking/ cycling distance of the site and public transport options are available from Linton to Cambridge, Haverhill and further afield; hence the proposal for a Rural Travel Hub to the south edge of Linton. There are significant committed funds to improve the A1307 corridor and provide for better sustainable travel infrastructure; something that should underpin the location for new development along transport corridors.