Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Nothing chosen

3.89 Issues in Greater Cambridge and Peterborough area identified in the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) include: doubling its economic growth in the next 25 years, catering for an ageing population, clean growth and creating an inclusive society where economic growth works for everyone. 3.90 The need for new housing in Cambridge is high and the adopted Local Plan sets out how the objectively assessed need for 14,000 additional homes between 2011 and 2031 can be achieved. The Councils’ agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding that the housing trajectories for both areas be considered together for the purposes of housing delivery, including calculations of 5 year housing land supply. 3.91 Other cross boundary initiatives includes the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, which signifies an area of significant economic potential, including a joint declaration of ambition between government and local partners. The emerging Local Plan should promote policies which encourages the growth of this joint declaration and build on its economic potential. 3.92 The NPPF is very clear that Local Plans must be “based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground” (paragraph 35). Any Plans that fail in this regard would be found to be unsound. For this reason and given the geographical nature of the Greater Cambridge area, it will be essential that the Local Plan Review is prepared in very close collaboration not only between Cambridge and South Cambridge but other adjoining local authorities to assist in meeting the strategic housing requirement of the wider area.

Nothing chosen

3.93 The CPIER notes that the wider Cambridge region is committed to doubling its economic output over the next 25 years which is a strategy that Grosvenor and USS would endorse. On this basis, continuing economic growth should be captured and addressed in the next Plan. However, this economic growth should be captured in an appropriate spatial strategy which balances employment growth with housing development. Cambridge already has a significant range of key employment areas, many of them in South Cambridge. Many of those employment areas have expansion plans and therefore it is the sustainable option to direct housing development in close proximity to them. The location of new employment opportunities and housing needs need to be considered in the context of their relationship to sustainable transport links.

3.94 Grosvenor and USS’s key concern related to the previous assessment of the Cambridge Green Belt which formed part of the evidence base for the current Local Plan. As mentioned elsewhere in the representations, the nature of the site and its environs are changing. The alterations to the landscape will alter the contribution of the site to Green Belt purposes. This should be recognised in any Green Belt review the Council undertakes to support future stages of the Plan. Please see Terence O’Rourke’s Green Belt and Landscape Appraisal prepared in support of these representations, which makes references to the conclusions made in the LDA Inner Green Belt Assessments (2012 and 2015).

Nothing chosen

It is clear that the themes arise from local needs, the Councils’ priorities set out in the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District corporate plans, and by taking into account national and local planning priorities and requirements. The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) sets out 15 objectives. The SA objectives have been developed to ensure all Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) topics are covered. This reflects the fact that an integrated approach is being taken to the Local Plan. The four big themes encompass all the SA objectives. USS support the Council in achieving the big themes of the emerging Plan.

Given Cambridge’s historic and natural environment, a strategy was previously developed as a tool to aid the ongoing management of the city’s heritage assets, including Cambridge’s Historic Centre Conservation Area. The Historic Core Conservation Area Appraisal acknowledges that the Grand Arcade scheme has been largely successful in regenerating this area as a prime commercial area of the city centre. It has provided modern facilities that are attractive for multiples, leaving greater opportunity within the city’s historic streets for locally distinctive independent retailers. This provides the evidence that commercial development and the protection of heritage assets can go hand in hand successfully. In promoting a new Plan which is likely to advocate significant growth in the GCP area, it is important that the balance of supporting commercial growth whilst protecting heritage assets continues.

Nothing chosen

The Cambridge Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) notes that the wider Cambridge region is committed to doubling its economic output over the next 25 years. On this basis, continuing economic growth should be captured and addressed in the next Plan. However, this economic growth needs to be captured in an appropriate spatial strategy which balances employment growth with housing development and supporting commercial uses. Cambridge City Centre is the primary focus for developments attracting a large number of people and for meeting retail, leisure, cultural and other needs appropriate to its role as a multi-functional regional centre. Grand Arcade contributes to the role of this multi-functional regional centre. To support the emerging Local Plan, it is recommended that an up-to-date Retail and Leisure Study is commissioned. The traditional relationship between growth, retail expenditure and increases in demand for new retail floorspace no longer apply as online shopping will take an ever larger share of that growth. This will ensure that the level of retail provision in the PSA is reflective of the continual changes and advances in the retail industry and is not over optimistic. Without this exercise being undertaken there is a significant risk to the Historic Core from the incorrect retail capacity figures being relied on as a result of the changing retail environment and decrease in retailer demand. It is vital that any future retail strategy which accommodates significant economic and housing growth retains the Historic Core and City at its centre. Transport is key in securing an appropriate spatial strategy which accommodates significant growth. USS would not support an approach which seeks to reduce car parking and access to the City Centre without significant investment and development of public transport infrastructure in advance. This was clearly set out in USS’s representations to the Making Places SPD.

Very flexible

Flexibility to enable town centres to respond to change, particularly during a period of rapid structural change, is vital. Policy support should be provided to convert spaces within Main Town Centre uses to follow market demands and new tenant trends. In particular, leisure is a suitable compatible use. The changing retail context means that other uses should also be considered. By encouraging more mixed use development in the city centre including office and residential uses there will be more footfall which would help to support the existing retail space. It also supports the principles of sustainable communities and being able to work, live and play in one area.

Transport infrastructure, which includes the infrastructure to encourage more sustainable modes of travel, can have positive impacts on people’s health and wellbeing, and can also reduce transport related emissions on the environment. This can result in healthier communities and a have a positive effect on air quality, all contributing towards sustainability objectives of the emerging Local Plan. However any reduction or restriction in car parking should be supported by public transport improvements as well as cycle routes. It is vital to ensure that people are still able to access the city and use the commercial space at an affordable rate which will in turn support the city centre economy. Development in the city centre has the opportunity to contribute towards improving the capacity and quality of the public realm throughout the city centre. For example, improving connections between the historic core, such as the Grand Arcade, and Fitzroy / Burleigh Street areas of the city centre, and connections between the city centre and the railway station. Providing the right community infrastructure could help with social inclusion. Co-locating these community and leisure facilities, and providing these services in a sustainable location can promote healthy lifestyles. Allowing mixed-use communities in the City Centre which include office, retail, leisure and residential, will provide more sustainable communities that will fund better infrastructure as part of redevelopment.

The Cambridge Local Plan 2018, Policy 11 ‘Primary Shopping Area’. As mentioned before the Retail and Leisure Study should be reviewed and updated and Policy 11 reviewed accordingly to address the changing face of the high street. We would like to discuss the Councils aspirations for the future of the city centre in the new Plan and welcome a meeting in particular to Policy 11.

No choices made

The four themes are all equally important in the context of changing infrastructure and economic growth in the area, effect on housing need and other aspects of spatial and transport planning and how this translates in to a coherent strategic framework for the next 15-20 years.