Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Nothing chosen

3.1 As part of the preparation of the Local Plan, a review of the Green Belt should be undertaken to assess whether land currently within the Cambridge Green Belt still serves the five purposes of the Green Belt as set out in paragraph 134 of the NPPF. Where land does not serve these five purposes or the fundamental aim of Green Belt policy, which is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open (NPPF paragraph 133), the Green Belt boundaries should be altered in the next Local Plan accordingly. 3.2 Furthermore, Green Belt land that no longer serves the five purposes and is in locations which facilitate more sustainable patterns of development, for example, land within close proximity to public transport corridors or adjacent to some of the larger villages in the District, should be released to contribute to reducing climate impacts. 3.3 Greenhedge Farm, Stapleford is located within the Green Belt and a note providing a high-level overview of Green Belt policy and how it is relevant to the site accompanies these representations. The note concludes that the site shows some discrepancies with Green Belt policy and its essential quality of openness. The note identifies the following preliminary considerations: ● The existing built form and surrounding mature planting provides an opportunity to reconsider the Green Belt boundary in this location; ● The site should not be assessed in isolation, the Green Belt review should also consider the adjoining land. However, it is considered that the southern parcels have a stronger connection to the surrounding built form which lessens their contribution to the Green Belt; ● Discrete areas within the site, particularly the southern parcels, have different degrees of enclosure due to built form and tree cover. As such, they have less ‘visual openness’; ● The site is not located between villages nor does in contribute to the separation of settlements; ● The site, due to its location and scale, is not considered to relate to the contribution of the Green Belt to the setting and character of Cambridge. 3.4 This initial analysis begins to demonstrate that the site may no longer contribute to the fundamental aim of Green Belt policy nor the five purposes of the Green Belt. As such, it is strongly recommended that a full Green Belt review is undertaken and that the site’s contribution to each purpose of the Green Belt is assessed. 3.5 Notwithstanding the need for a Green Belt review, given the initial findings above, the site’s location and the existing surrounding built form, it is considered that the site: ● Does not check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas – it is surrounded on all four boundaries by built development, with three of those boundaries comprising the development framework of Stapleford. The removal of the site from the Green Belt would therefore not lead to unrestricted sprawl; ● Does not prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another – the site is not located between towns or villages and is enclosed by the existing built development of Stapleford. The removal of the site from the Green Belt would not result in the coalescence of adjoining settlements; ● Does not contribute to safeguarding the countryside from encroachment – as set out above, the site is surrounded on all four boundaries by built development and whilst located outside of the development framework, is not considered to encroach on the countryside that is beyond the settlement pattern; and ● Does not preserve the setting and special character of a historic town – it is considered that the removal of the site from the Green Belt would not impact on the setting and character of the Stapleford Conservation Area given the distance and intervening built form between the site and the Conservation Area. Furthermore, due to its location and scale, the site is not considered to relate to the contribution of the Green Belt to the setting and character of Cambridge. 3.6 In relation to assisting urban regeneration, the removal of the site would not discourage the redevelopment of derelict or other urban land. The site would remain outside of the development framework of Stapleford and in the Countryside. As such, its protection from development in planning policy would remain in place. Furthermore, the current Local Plan encourages development of brownfield sites within development frameworks and it is considered that this policy position should remain in the next Local Plan. 3.7 It is important that any retained Green Belt serves a Green Belt purpose in order to have a robust Green Belt. A Green Belt review should be undertaken, to assess whether the current Green Belt boundary is enduring and includes defensible boundaries; where it does not, then the Local Plan process must take the opportunity to review and amend, such as with Greenhedge Farm, Stapleford.

Agree

Agree - The proposed Local Plan period up to 2040 is considered appropriate and to accord with the requirements set out within the NPPF for local authorities to identify a sufficient supply and mix of sites between years 1-15 of the plan (paragraph 67).

Agree

5.1 Agree - 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. 5.2 The proposed development of Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton could address the big themes in the following ways: ● Climate Change – Peterhouse, as the landowner, recognise the climate emergency and wish to deliver a development that embraces the new agenda to work towards net zero carbon. The proposed new dwellings will be designed to a high quality and incorporate low carbon technologies and energy efficiency measures. The site is also in a sustainable location with access to public transport services thereby reducing residents’ reliance on private cars for travel; ● Biodiversity and Green Space – through the provision of a substantial amount of on-site green infrastructure. The proposals would provide approximately 5.9ha of on-site open space, creating a recreational and ecological asset to be enjoyed by future and existing residents; ● Wellbeing and Social Inclusion – the proposals would incorporate a mix of housing sizes, types and tenures, potentially including an element of custom and self-build, to help meet the needs of the District and local community. The proposals would also promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing through the provision of on-site recreation and the site’s accessibility to employment, education, shops and public transport by active modes of travel; and ● Great Places – an indicative masterplan is submitted with these representations showing that a well-designed residential development of up to 150 dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping can be accommodated on site, providing ample open space on site and opportunities for increased recreation for the existing Longstanton community.

5.4 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. 5.5 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. 5.6 The local plan sustainability appraisal should address variable climate change scenarios, as we would expect that different climate changes 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. 5.7 Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton is considered to present an opportunity to contribute to successfully achieving the goal of net zero carbon by 2050 through the delivery of housing which would allow future residents to live low-carbon lifestyles. Houses 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 residents would not be reliant on the private car for their daily needs. Longstanton provides some services and facilities, including the Park and Ride, and Northstowe, which will provide a wide range of town centre uses, are all within walking and cycling distance of the site and the proposals look to enhance pedestrian connectivity into the centre of the village.

5.8 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 the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

Nothing chosen

5.9 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.

5.10 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. 5.11 Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton presents an opportunity to help improve the natural environment through the provision of on-site green infrastructure. As part of the proposals, a substantial amount of open space will be provided on-site, providing a new recreation asset for the village but also incorporating ecological enhancements. The proposal includes multifunctional 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.

5.12 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. 5.13 Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton presents an opportunity to improve the green space network through the delivery of on-site green infrastructure. The open space is located within the eastern half of the site, adjacent to the open space allocation to the north, and the existing village to the east and would create a continuation of a meaningful green spine through Longstanton. This open space would be multifunctional, providing a key recreational asset for the village whilst also creating opportunities for biodiversity net gains. The proposals therefore seek to deliver new green space, which is easily accessible for new and existing residents, thereby enhancing public access to green space, which has health and well-being benefits.

5.14 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. 5.15 Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton presents an opportunity to deliver biodiversity net gains. The site is currently arable fields of low ecological value and the development proposals, through a landscape-led approach, will seek to deliver open space that is functional whilst also creating resilient habitats. The ecological appraisal accompanying these representations confirms that the proposals could deliver a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%.

Nothing chosen

5.16 Yes, the Local Plan should include a policy framework that seeks to increase tree cover 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. 5.17 Land south of Hattons Road, Longstanton is currently in use as arable fields with vegetation largely restricted to its boundaries. The proposals would seek to retain existing vegetation whilst also delivering substantial new tree planting across the site.