Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

3.63 Whilst this question relates to the question of densification of the urban area, it is relevant to the other spatial options too. NPPF paragraph 123 refers to sites making optimal use of the potential of each site, including those well served by public transport. Trumpington South provides the opportunity to deliver a dense, compact, highly accessible development with minimal impact on the Green Belt.

3.64 Grosvenor and USS support this approach because it expands the economic benefits of the urban area. It maintains the strength of the city core whilst locating jobs and homes along transport links and providing connections to other market towns. This option should, however, form part of a blended spatial strategy in order to meet the growth aspirations of the area. 3.65 Trumpington South sits along a highly accessible transport corridor and is within close proximity to the existing Park & Ride, the emerging Cambridge South Railway Station and the proposed Cambridge South West Travel Hub. With its proximity to the city centre and other significant employment bases, people living here would have a mobility choice. This is clearly identified in the Mobility Strategy which sets out the key benefits of the location, with its accessibility to existing facilities and employment but also its local transport services.

3.66 Connected to Q32, delivering the right numbers of homes and in the right locations can support the economy both by housing the workforce and by boosting spending in the local area, as well as supporting the vibrancy and vitality of centres and neighbourhoods. As recommended by the CPIER report, a blended spatial strategy is required. Providing homes in central, well-connected areas can also help to ensure residents can access key services and facilities, as well as encouraging access to these by waking and cycling. Co-ordinating economic and housing growth, including considering the needs of people who work from home, could result in people working more locally and reducing in- and out-commuting, leading to reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Furthermore, provision of diverse, specialist housing and self-build plots could help to reduce inequalities by ensuring everyone has access to suitable housing.

Nothing chosen

3.67 Altogether it has been estimated that more than 30,000 extra homes, above those already in the pipeline, could be built in the Greater Cambridge area by 2040. Grosvenor and USS support a plan for a higher number of homes to support the growing economy. However, it should be complimented with additional infrastructure and public services so that it does not compromise quality of life. Both Councils should carefully consider the priorities of their area to ensure local needs are being met. For example, a top priority for the South Cambridgeshire District Council is to reduce commuting travel and ensure the provision of homes specifically targets essential local workers. In addition, the demographic profile is also changing, with the proportion of those aged over 65 significantly increasing. Therefore, the Councils should promote a range of housing options across all tenures to accommodate for the growth of people and families. 3.68 The CPIER makes it clear that the area can plan for significant employment and housing growth successfully but acknowledges that each area needs to carry out their own detailed modelling work which will form part of a concrete evidence base. This in turn helps to inform the strategic planning requirements of the area. Higher levels of housing, where delivered in the most sustainable locations, such as at Trumpington, will have positive impacts on social, environmental and economic factors.

3.69 A mix of different tenures and products should be offered to cater the needs of all in Cambridge. Trumpington South has the potential to deliver an innovative, bespoke housing solution with supporting community and work facilities to meet the specific needs of Southern Cambridge, the establishing Cambridge Biomedical Campus and beyond. This would include a diverse mix of housing types and tenures which are accessible to a wide range of local people, with houses and apartments which are affordable to buy, rent or share. Grosvenor and USS would seek to work with major employers – creating a pathway to the right housing for all levels of staff – in a location that removes the need to own a car. We would welcome further discussions with the Councils as to the type of housing that could be provided in this location.

3.70 Ensuring sufficient infrastructure is provided to support growth and in a timely manner will contribute positively towards the sustainability objectives of the Plan. A range of infrastructure projects are being promoted by Cambridge Ahead and the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) and development should be identified that can best utilise and contribute towards those initiatives. Development should maximise links to existing and proposed infrastructure to ensure walking, cycling and public transport trips are made but also provide the necessary support to allow for its provision at the appropriate time. 3.71 The Trumpington area already has an established active travel culture, with 61% of residents choosing to cycle to work and Trumpington South is particularly well suited to continue to improve upon this culture as the Mobility Strategy prepared by Vectos demonstrates: • It is exceptionally well connected to Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the City Centre via cycle networks, the guided busway and Park & Ride, all within a 10 to 15 minutes cycle ride or guided busway journey from Trumpington South. • Sustainable connections are set to improve with a planned extension of the busway to the new South West Travel Hub to the south of the site, trials of Autonomous vehicles on the busway, and a planned new railway station at Cambridge South. • Trumpington South is well placed to take maximum advantage of proposed transport infrastructure and can build on these sustainable credentials, extending them and delivering a distinctive residential quarter with a thriving active travel culture. 3.72 Providing the right community infrastructure to support development is also important. Trumpington South will benefit from existing infrastructure at Trumpington Meadows which will be available from day one of occupation. Trumpington South will provide facilities on-site to support the new and existing communities, including a primary school, a mobility hub with community concierge services, co-working and community spaces and recreation facilities. 3.73 Trumpington South residents will also benefit from direct access to the existing Trumpington Meadows Country Park, alongside the significant on-site green infrastructure proposals, which include 23 Hectares of new parkland with multi-functional open spaces, community gardens, functional water attenuation features and significant areas of biodiversity. The provision and access to Green Infrastructure in development can assist with early place-making.

3.74 Opportunities for active travel such as walking and cycling should be heavily promoted to reduce the impacts of climate change, promote healthy lifestyles and ensure a good quality of life. New developments should be self-sustaining with a good mix of land uses, with opportunity to access locally places such as schools, leisure facilities, homes, healthcare services and jobs. 3.75 Evidence identifies that within Trumpington Meadows, as referenced in the Mobility Strategy prepared by Vectos that this is already happening, with 61% of residents cycling to work and 100% of primary school trips made by foot or bike. Therefore, there is a very good foundation to build on this active travel culture at Trumpington South. 3.76 The location of Trumpington South provides a unique opportunity to shape a community that is able to achieve mobility sustainably. In terms of existing infrastructure, Trumpington South starts from an excellent base, with mobility infrastructure such as the Trumpington Park and Ride, the guided Busway and an extensive network of cycle paths is already in place. Planned transport infrastructure including the Cambridge South Railway Station and the South West Travel Hub will improve the connectivity and sustainable travel credentials of Trumpington South. 3.77 The key benefit of Trumpington South is its location. Its proximity to local schools and employment centres ensures that active travel patterns through walking and cycling are viable options. It will also help reduce in commuting into the city. The Councils have identified this as a key issue to resolve with new employment expected to increase in the future, particularly within Southern Cambridge. The opportunity to live closer to your place of work has immediate benefits in terms of addressing issues associated with peak hour commuter trips. For those trips that are more distant, locating development within easy access of transport corridors, such as existing cycleways, the busway and future CAM network, will minimise car use. 3.78 The Masterplan for the site will incorporate an approach that embraces local living and active and shared mobility, with car free zones. The principles start with low car parking provision and centralised parking locations, with electric charging points. 3.79 This approach places less priority on the car and frees up opportunity to create environments that encourage walking and cycling, making these the most obvious and convenient choice of travel. The provision of active travel corridors through the development with priority over vehicles can be provided making vehicle movements a secondary consideration. This allows for greater green infrastructure and safer neighbourhoods. Furthermore, in the event that car use drops, the space will be flexible to provide opportunities for other uses. 3.80 Mobility Hubs are one of the best ways of providing and managing services, acting as a multi-modal interchange, including connecting with public transport for seamless journey planning. The Mobility Strategy provides further information on the proposed Trumpington South hub proposed, but it is envisaged it could also offer travel information, co-working space, café, bike repair, lockers and other facilities to act as a community hub and offering a financing model which is sustainable. 3.81 The proposed mobility strategy promoted for Trumpington South addresses all four of the Local Plan themes in terms of managing climate change, providing opportunities to increase biodiversity, promotes health and wellbeing and supports quality places.

3.82 Priorities for new infrastructure should promote a reduced reliance on cars and promotion of active and sustainable travel. There are a number of initiatives in the pipeline for new infrastructure, which are steering towards the right direction, including: • Cambridge South West Travel Hub • Cambridge South Railway Station • East-West Rail • Cambridge Autonomous Metro (CAM) • Smarter travel initiatives • Cambridge South East Transport corridor 3.83 Active travel corridors within and beyond developments should take priority over vehicles, prioritising walking and cycling. In addition, infrastructure such as a micro consolidation centre to help promote virtual mobility, a community concierge in a high profile location or a mobility hub are all alternative methods of promoting sustainable travel within new transport related infrastructure. These form part of the proposals for sustainable travel at Trumpington South, including the Cambridge South West Travel Hub which Grosvenor is supporting the delivery of.

3.84 Grosvenor supports the innovative and extensive approach the Councils have taken to the Local Plan consultation and use of alternative tools and methods for gathering responses and engaging local stakeholders. 3.85 Grosvenor has a successful record of working with the Councils and local employers. Furthermore, as part of its Corporate Responsibility principles, Grosvenor has been exploring ways to encourage broader and deeper engagement on its development proposals.

Nothing chosen

3.86 Planning for a 20 year period time scale allows for recognition and appreciation of some of the longer term strategic issues facing the region. However, being able to create certainty beyond the 15 year time period on issues such like housing is more challenging and difficult. Technology will also change immensely over this period so we cannot be certain that the mobility solution for today will be suitable in 20 years’ time. 3.87 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that strategic policies should be prepared over a minimum 15 year period and a local planning authority should be planning for the full plan period. This is particularly relevant to the Greater Cambridge area where major improvements in infrastructure are likely to happen in that period and there is a need to anticipate and respond to them. 3.88 Grosvenor and USS broadly agree that this plan period is an appropriate response to the Government’s guidance on meeting housing needs. Even though a plan period to 2040 is supported, the importance of regular reviews at least every five years in accordance with paragraph 33 of the Framework should be adhered to. Such reviews will be important in ensuring that the Plan remains relevant to local circumstances and able to effectively guide the long-term growth and development of the Greater Cambridge area. We note that the above plan period is based on adoption of the Local Plan in 2023, and would suggest that the plan period is reviewed if the timeframe for the preparation of the Local Plan Review were to slip.