Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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5.1 As referred to in Section 2 of these representations, National Planning Policy confirms “Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development” (NPPF, paragraph 80). The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. 5.2 Cambridge’s hi-technology clusters, particularly in AI, bio-tech and agri-tech are recognised in the UK Industrial Strategy as an essential element of the UK economy to support “…towns such as MK, Oxford and Cambridge (that) have been hot spots for job creation. We must promote growth through fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas.” 5.3 Growth relies on increases in employment and productivity and the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) emphasises the need for productivity growth in this region as employment rates are so high. Economic growth is therefore essential for the next Local Plan. 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 factor at the heart of the Plan. 5.4 With the relocation of Papworth Hospital to Cambridge, the future economic strength of Papworth is uncertain. To redress the balance between new housing and commercial development, the expansion of Papworth Business Park will provide more local employment opportunities and should be safeguarded as part of the spatial strategy for Papworth. Extending the village westwards to provide more housing will also enable a balanced distribution of growth in the village; linking homes with jobs.

5.5 A wide variety of business and industrial space is most needed in Greater Cambridge, in terms of location, size, function and price, in order to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “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 stage1. 5.6 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas supports the growth of local business and strengthens opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. 1 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 p 41 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. 5.7 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 longdistance travel to service the area with goods and services. 5.8 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 and improve the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants contribute 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 5.9 Papworth Business Park is currently allocated under Policy E/5 in the Local Plan for employment development uses (including Use Classes B1, B2 and B8). The business park is an attractive area for businesses with the greatest demand being for light industrial uses. The business park should continue to be protected but should also include land to the east to provide for its expansion, shown as Parcel C on the enclosed Location Plan at Appendix 1. The expansion of the business park should allow for uses B1, B2 and B8, though light industrial floorspace is considered particularly suitable in this area.

5.9.1 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and 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, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people. 5.10 Papworth Business Park is allocated in the current Local Plan under Policy E/5. There is an opportunity in Papworth Everard village to expand the existing Papworth Business Park. VJF own land to the east of the business park. The business park is largely occupied and has become an attractive area for tenants with a market demand to increase the amount of employment floorspace in this location.

5.10.1 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. 5.10.2 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 overseas2. 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. 5.11 The expansion of Papworth Business Park to the east is considered an appropriate location for B1, B2 and B8 uses, expanding on the existing site allocation under Policy E/5. The business park currently attracts a range of tenants, helping to support the local and regional economy. The site allocation of the business park under Policy E/5 should be expanded to include land to the east, shown as Parcel C on the enclosed Location Plan in order to allow for sufficient flexibility over the Local Plan period to enable development to come forward as the demand increases. Uses B1, B2 and B8 should be included in the expanded policy allocation.

5.12 The UK industrial Strategy advocates focusing on our strengths, “fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas” 3 Sites which support these clusters are necessary and could be urban, edge of town or rural. 5.13 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. “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.” 4 2 CPIER p54 3 UK Industrial Strategy 2017 p18 4 CPIER p41 Page 21 5.14 Non-knowledge intensive companies tend to be more footloose and typically locate where premises are provided rather than through bespoke development, while some companies expand from humbler often rural beginnings in converted buildings. To enable this growth dynamic, employment locations in settlements of all sizes and classification should be allocated or be permissible, with larger concentrations of floorspace in areas with better public transport and access to active modes of travel. CPIER supports this position noting that deeper networks on smaller clusters on the periphery of Cambridge could help spread the ‘Cambridge effect’. 5.15 By expanding the existing site allocation under Policy E/5 to increase the size of Papworth Business Park. Papworth Business Park is allocated in the current Local Plan under site allocation Policy E/5. The business park should be expanded to include land to the east of the business park to build on the success of the existing Park and cater for increased tenant demand.

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5.16 All uses of an appropriate scale could be included in every settlement. Mixed use site allocations are particularly appropriate in rural settlements and new settlements / urban expansions to enable local commercial and retail businesses to grow organically. 5.17 An overly prescriptive policy framework can harm the viability and vitality of centres; sometimes forcing units to be vacant for 12 months to satisfy a policy requirement. A modern, responsive policy approach is welcomed to allow for a wider range of services and facilities.

6.1 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). 6.2 VJF is proposing a village extension along the western side of the village, on land enclosed by the existing bypass, for residential development of up to around 450 homes. The housing need across the district is well established and Papworth Everard is an increasingly sustainable location for residential development, with access to local services and employment opportunities as well as transport links. These transport links are explored in further detail within the accompanying Transport Appraisal. Papworth features a number of existing services which are explored in more detail within the accompanying Village Assessment. The expansion of Papworth is an appropriate location for further residential development as there will be opportunities to maximise opportunities for sustainable travel and residents would not be reliant on using cars for their whole journeys and be able to walk to access services.

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6.3 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. 6.4 Housing requirements are minimums, not maximums to stay under at all costs. There is a wellevidenced 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.”5 6.5 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. 5 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019, p13

6.6 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. 6.7 Flexibility will be key to a successful Local Plan; through market housing, low-cost and affordable housing. 6.8 Within Papworth, the accompanying Village Assessment sets out in detail the needs of the village. A need for a mix of dwelling types and sizes was identified within the village, with a particular need for 3-bedroom dwellings. Within the Assessment, the study area (Papworth Everard Village and the surrounding area) there are 1,700 dwellings with a high proportion of affordable housing, which is partly due to the number of properties which are managed by Papworth Trust, alongside VJF. More dedicated older persons accommodation would be ideal. Other forms of affordable housing such as shared equity or key worker housing would be appropriate within Papworth due to the relatively high proportion of social rented housing in the village which has likely led to the below average net household income, which has subsequently meant that few existing residents are likely to have been able to afford the new housing being built in the village; a new development with this matter considered at the start would be better placed to deliver real ‘affordable’ housing.

6.9 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. 6.10 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. 6.11 The Varrier-Jones Foundation is committed to providing sustainable development that delivers positive outcomes for local communities.