Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Response to Question 2 Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' Consultation in March 2019. LDL will not repeat the exercise by completing the 'Additional Sites and Broad Locations - Response Form - Issues and Options 2020'. However, LDL has supplied additional information in support of the proposal which seeks to secure an employment site allocation in the GCLP. The supporting information consists of:- - Individual representations to relevant questions in the 'First Conversation' document (separate forms); - An updated strategic case report demonstrating the need for this employment land proposal in this ideal location; - A Vision document which captures the essential issues and benefits delivered by the proposal; - A response to the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Issues and Options document. LDL wants to plan and deliver an exemplar development which meets with the policy and quality mission on the 3C’s which the GCLP is advocating. LDL is ready and willing to discuss how and when this exemplar proposal can be delivered. The conclusions of CPIER strongly suggests sooner rather than later. Summary Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site to the 2019 ‘Call for Sites’ consultation. LDL now provides further supporting evidence to demonstrate the Bar Hill site is the right proposal of the right scale in the right location. It is close to Cambridge on the A14 travel corridor improvements and outside the green belt. It will deal with future business for the 'final mile' in and out of Cambridge. Please see supporting evidence. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

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Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. 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. 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. 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. 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. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above. Summary 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.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. 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 onsite and off-site solutions possible. Working with developers who can deliver this in taking a holistic approach to sites capable of development. Summary: 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 onsite and off-site solutions possible. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. 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 anti-poverty measures including: ● Energy efficient employment space that delivers 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; ● Allow for a wide range of social infrastructure and open space in new developments for improved health outcomes. A spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; good quality public transport; facilities/services and highquality open spaces. 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. Summary 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 anti-poverty measures. Summary of Comments: Please see comments above.

Nothing chosen

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. It is essential to Greater Cambridge and the surrounding area as identified by CPIER (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review). As part of the devolution contract to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a commitment to doubling the economic output of the area (Gross Value Added) over 25 years. This is a challenging target and needs to be a major factor at the heart of the Plan. Summary It is essential to Greater Cambridge and the surrounding area as identified by CPIER (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review). As part of the devolution contract to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a commitment to doubling the economic output of the area (Gross Value Added) over 25 years. This is a challenging target and needs to be a factor at the heart of the Plan. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. There is, and will continue to be, a need for a wide variety of space by location, size, function and price needs to be available to support the growth of the local and regional economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs. There is an acute shortage in the area. “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage". More provision is needed. Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas to support growth of local businesses and strengthen opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. Alongside, it is important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on long-distance travel to service the area with goods and services. Cambridge lacks a distribution hub where goods are consolidated into loads for last mile (5 mile) delivery, thereby reducing the volume of HGVs moving in and through the city and reducing air pollution. Sites along the main distribution arteries, such as the A14, should be considered to avoid local HGV diversion and disruption to local communities. Delivering first-mile-last-mile connections across the Arc is a strategic priority of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 and recognised in CPIER: “improving the “last mile” – the ability to move around within the city of Cambridge – is of a higher immediate priority than [these] inter-city links, as their effectiveness will be severely blunted without this” CPIER p80. All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times, improves the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants, contributing significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38 Summary There is, and will continue to be, a need for a wide variety of space by location, size, function and price needs to be available to support the growth of the local and regional economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and new allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel. Locations which deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people should be given important consideration. In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary In Cambridge City, where employment sites are allocated for housing, the existing businesses on those sites can be relocated to alternative sites close to Cambridge such as land at Bar Hill. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. Whilst the focus of Cambridge is the Science and Technology sector as the driving force of the economy, there is a requirement for a range of job opportunities, in urban and more rural areas. The Local Plan policy framework needs to provide for a full range of opportunities; as planned allocations and windfall employment opportunities. The CPIER notes a missed opportunity to supply AI, science and technology and bio-medical clusters from within the region: 10.8% of supplies come from within the company’s local area (30mile radius) while 27.8% came from overseas . Growing these local supply chains, particularly the high value ones, would help disperse the economic benefits and provide a wide range of different jobs. Availability of suitable sites and premises in excellent locations outside of Cambridge is a key factor in spreading the economic growth. Other commercial sectors including logistics (storage and distribution use) will be important in providing the necessary balance in offering different types of employment opportunity. Over the plan period, the GCLP will need a mix of employment sites in scale and offer to cater for employment needs, to provide flexibility for the level of skills available. Large sites for storage and distribution will be a necessity given the changes in the retail sector as internet shopping popularity increases. The Bar Hill site will be key to providing for this sector for the supply chain and which will balance with the science and tech employment requirements based around the science park campuses. The CPIER report evidence document for the Issues and Options Consultation sets out clearly the imperative employment needs for the area. The Bar Hill site lies between Bar Hill and Northstowe which will provide a local source from which people have the opportunity to work at the Bar Hill site. It should be made clear that the Bar Hill proposal will not compete with the employment offer in Northstowe New settlement. Summary Lolworth Developments Ltd's (LDL) 100 ha employment site proposal for storage and distribution use is ideally located close to Cambridge, on the new A14 road improvements and outside of the green belt; to serve the 'final mile' into and out of Cambridge. This proposal will importantly serve the supply chain to provide a specific job offer for the area to balance with the science and tech sector based on the Science Park campuses. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. The UK industrial Strategy advocates focusing on our strengths, “fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas”. Sites which support these clusters are necessary and could be urban, edge of town or rural. Locations with high levels of public transport access should be identified for businesses with high employment densities. This would include sites within walking distance of train stations, travel hubs and along transport corridors, showing good connectivity. “by ensuring good quality public transport is in place before development, the number of those new residents who will use the transport is maximised. This is also likely to be the best way to stretch some of the high-value businesses based within and around Cambridge out into wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These companies will not want to be distant from the city, but these clusters could ‘grow’ out along the transportation links, providing connection to other market towns.” Different types of employment require appropriate locations dependent upon the nature of the employment sector. The logistics (storage and distribution use) sector requires a location with excellent access to the strategic road network via appropriate junction design, on key transport corridors close to market needs and sources of local workforce in terms of job provision. Thus, LDL has identified the ideal location for storage and distribution together with flexible co-working space on land between Bar Hill and the new settlement of Northstowe. This location will be important for the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge, but importantly its location will be attractive to the logistics providers. Summary Lolworth Developments Ltd's (LDL) proposal for 100ha employment east of Bar Hill will deliver the best site for logistics based employment use for the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge. This use requires a location on key transport corridors close to market needs and sources of local workforce in terms of job provision. Thus, LDL has identified the ideal location for storage and distribution together with flexible coworking space on land between Bar Hill and the new settlement of Northstowe. This location will be important for the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge, but importantly its location will be attractive to the logistics providers. Summary of Comments: Please see summary above.

Lolworth Developments Ltd (LDL) has submitted a 100ha employment site proposal to the 'Call for Sites' consultation in March 2019. LDL has submitted further supporting evidence as to why the site is the best location to serve the area and the 'final mile' into Cambridge. See Strategic Case Report and Vision Document submitted under Q2. LDL's proposal for Bar Hill will deliver a 100ha logistics based development for the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge, to not encourage but rather administer the delivery and collection of packages and goods via a local delivery hub thus ensuring a sustainable future using electric vehicles to do this. LDL is committed to implementing innovations in new technology in all facets and the proposal which will include ease of access by public transport, cycling and walking to and from the site with emphasis on the health and wellbeing benefits for the users and visitors to the site in the provision of walkways, gym, meeting places and enhanced natural features (trees, water, education centre, café etc). Summary Lolworth Developments Ltd's (LDL) proposal for 100ha employment east of Bar Hill will deliver the best site for logistics based employment use to serve the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge. LDL's proposal for Bar Hill will deliver a 100ha logistics based development for the 'last mile' in and out of Cambridge, to not encourage but rather administer the delivery and collection of packages and goods with a local delivery hub ensuring a sustainable future using electric vehicles to do this. LDL is committed to implementing innovations in new technology in all facets and the proposal which will include ease of access by public transport, cycling and walking to and from the site with emphasis on the health and wellbeing benefits for the users and visitor to the site in the provision of walkways, gym, meeting places and enhanced natural features (trees, water, education centre, café etc). Summary of Comments: Please see Summary above.