Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Agree

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. St John’s College, Cambridge strongly supports the need for a review of both Local Plans for the City and the surrounding South Cambridgeshire district despite the fact that both were only recently adopted in 2018. It is certainly the case that there is a need to review not least because of the Inspectors’ clear views expressed in their report to the last lengthy Local Plan Examination which places the onus on both local authorities to move forward with a review and proceed towards Submission by the end of Summer 2022. A Call for Sites stage was undertaken in early 2019 and on the basis of those submissions, we feel the Councils are now in a position to critically analyse those sites having regard to a framework for plan preparation which must meet the above timetable. In terms of the end date of the Local Plan, we are aware that the Combined Authorities Non-Spatial Strategy end date is for 2050 which is some 30 years from now. With the experiences of planning policies being developed in and around the Cambridge area, it is quite clear that needs, demands and circumstances fluctuate even within short periods of time and thus there is concern that moving a Local Plan period out to 2050 provides no realistic strategic direction having regard to a whole series of external factors affecting planning strategy including policies, politics and economics. A plan period to 2040 in our view provides a more realistic timeframe for the consideration of strategic policies and thus the College supports an end date of 2040 which is consistent with National Planning Policy which states that development plans should look ahead at least 15 years from the point of adoption.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. It is the case that both Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council alongside the County Council are committed to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. This is a challenging target and the policies within any new Local Plan are only part of a wider local, national and international strategy to address the climate change impact. In the circumstances where the Councils are committed to achieve a net zero carbon objective, then it remains a fundamental part of any planning policy and will impact upon any adopted development strategy having regard to the agreed pattern for new development, the modes of transport that people will take to move around in and around the Greater Cambridge area and, on a much more local level, the implications for design having regard to the need to drastically reduce our current energy use. The College is supportive of the Council’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon whilst acknowledging that planning policies can only play a limited role in meeting this objective. It is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through the adaptation of existing buildings and incorporating effective climate change mitigation in new developments. A move to net zero carbon must be a key challenge within the new Local Plan and policies within any new development plan will be influenced by such a key objective. Further detail on policy suggestions relating to this topic are provided in the answers to other questions submitted by the College. eg Question 9

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. Reducing climate impact and the implication this has for a new Local Plan is challenging but one that must be considered as a key objective within the future plan period. One particular issue that is key to new development within the plan period will be the design of new communities, infrastructure and buildings to be energy and resource efficient both in terms of the way they are built through construction techniques, the way that they are used over their lifespan and indeed the materials that are being used. It is certainly the case that innovation and technology needs to move forward in parallel with climate change priorities and the consequence of this on planning and development should not be under estimated. Recently we are aware that there has been tension within Local Planning Authorities about the need to address climate change whilst meeting a general objective of protecting heritage assets. This is particularly the case in the Cambridge area where there is a wealth of heritage assets within the College, the historic city and in the wider area including many of the villages. The College supports the drive to improve the environmental performance and recognises that this has to be balanced against the heritage significance. In the circumstances where redevelopment or refurbishment is required and where owners of properties, including the College, are seeking to address the new environmental agenda having regard to regulations including those relating to reducing energy, there must be a commensurate recognition from the authorities as it relates to the conservation values of those proposals. In circumstances where the heritage and conservation credentials are seen to outweigh climate changes, we would ask that a sensible professional balance needs to be struck in the circumstances where the latter becomes a key priority within the Plan. This is not to say that heritage assets and the importance of them are to be dismissed but merely to ensure that the policies affecting design and climate change are recognised as critical as part of the Council’s own commitments to zero carbon by 2050. It would be helpful if the new Local Plan could provide more guidance in reconciling these sometimes conflicting objectives of heritage preservation and improvement in environmental performance. The 2018 Local Plan does not include these guidelines and this can cause genuine difficulties for both the Council Officers and the planning applicants. To support this, enhancing the evidence base to support decision making in these areas, developing an outline methodology within the Local Plan that applicants should follow and give some guidance on how conflicts between these two important aims will be considered and resolved at a Planning Officer level would all be beneficial. As a property owner who has a very significant stock of historic buildings, it is recognised that the College may need to look at other ways of contributing to the goal of net zero carbon within the timeframe of the next Local Plan.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. To support on-going sustainable development across Cambridge, it will be necessary to strengthen the infrastructure within the City Centre. The current restricted electricity infrastructure, drains and water mains in central Cambridge create a challenge in the development and delivery of renewable energy proposals and in meeting broader sustainability targets in development. Further detail is contained in the Colleges response to Question 38 which is the subject of a separate representation.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The new Local Plan could advantageously support the development and implementation of broader landscape initiatives across different landowners such as the Colleges’ Backs Landscape Strategy. A number of the Colleges, including St John’s College, are seeking to increase the ecological value of their green spaces, including initiatives to develop the biodiversity associated with the Bin Brook.

Yes, strongly agree

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. This is a policy that, in principle, the College would support. Tree planting and management is a core part of the Colleges’ Backs Landscape Strategy. The College is also seeking to develop a long-range tree management plan within its own grounds.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The Colleges have a duty of care to support the wellbeing and social inclusion of their members and retaining the sense of being part of a College community is core to the Cambridge University experience. Local Plan policy needs to be favourable towards development of the facilities to enable these non-academic elements of university life as well as Faculty and accommodation buildings. Social, dining and sports facilities play an important part in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the modern student. Adaptation of heritage aspects on more historic sites to enable the evolution and changes in facilities demanded by the current and future College populations will be a key element in maintaining this critically important element of the University offer.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The new Local Plan should encourage the development of integrated masterplans that provide long term strategic development and balance the need to protect heritage assets versus the need to grow. Such plans can also identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact even within a growth setting. The Local Plan could consider how to provide for formal adoption of masterplans, including College masterplans, as part of the planning process to support this approach.

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The Local Plan must enable historic buildings to adapt to meet the requirements of a net zero carbon future and the realities of climate change whilst retaining their heritage value. This can be achieved through alignment of sustainability and conservation policy statements, as set out in Question 9 above. Ensuring historic buildings can be sympathetically adapted and evolve to meet the needs of the modern, technology-enabled and inclusive student experience will be essential to the University retaining its reputation for excellence. The Local Plan policies could also encourage the development of interlinked landscape management strategies such as the Colleges’ Backs Strategy. In this way, it is possible both to honour and retain the historic legacy and maintain and develop the landscape and ecological footprint in a sustainable manner for the enjoyment of future generations.

Somewhat flexible

Savills (UK) Ltd are instructed by St John’s College, Cambridge to make the necessary submissions to the Council’s consultation “The First Conversation” as part of the Issues and Options consultation process for a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The College is a significant landowner in and around Cambridge and accordingly needs to make the necessary representations to the Councils in respect of its assets and on other relevant planning policy issues that will arise in the context of any new development plan for the two administrative areas of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The new Local Plan should include a vision for the future Cambridge City Centre reflecting the changing nature of city centre streetscapes. Given the rapid evolution currently occurring, the policy on city centre development will need to be flexible with regard to new uses to maintain the City as a vibrant centre.