Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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 Land at Fishers Lane, Orwell would address the four big themes as follows: ● Climate Change – new dwellings will be designed and constructed in a manner to be energy efficient and incorporate renewable technologies. The site is also in a sustainable location where future residents could meet some of their daily needs locally and can access existing public transport infrastructure via active modes of travel; ● Biodiversity and Green Space – through the provision of on-site green infrastructure. The proposals include a substantial amount of on-site open space, providing linkages to the existing Local Green Space, which would be an ecological and recreational 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, including build to rent, 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 – a landscape-led approach is central to the design and layout of the scheme, as shown in the Illustrative Masterplan which shows how the site could come forward. Furthermore, the promoter, Countryside Properties, are a leading national housebuilder who have won numerous design awards and are committed to delivering a high quality development.

No choices made

RESPONSE TO QUESTION 7 The four big themes are all considered to be important aspects to achieving positive development. All four themes should be used to inform the spatial strategy within the Local Plan in terms of distributing growth and determining planning applications to deliver growth. It is therefore not considered necessary to rank the options in order of preference.

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 at Fishers Lane, Orwell is considered to present an opportunity to contribute towards 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 energies are used. The site is also located in a sustainable location (a matter that was confirmed through appeal in 2018 at Hurdleditch Road), whereby future residents would not be reliant on the private car to meet all their daily needs or full commute. Orwell provides some services and facilities within walking distance of the site, whilst Shepreth station is within cycling distance of the site. The proposals also look to enhance pedestrian connectivity into the centre of the village.

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

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 at Fishers Lane, Orwell 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 would include multi-functional public open spaces which are connected by green corridors to enhance and build upon the landscape features. This will contribute to providing increased habitat for a range of wildlife and plant species. 5.12 The open space could be configured in a manner to provide an extension of the Local Green Space which lies adjacent to the site's eastern boundary. As a new recreation asset, the site could also alleviate recreation pressures on the nearby SSSI. The site therefore contributes to supporting biodiversity, increasing opportunities for recreation, mitigating and adapting to climate change and enhancing landscape character.

5.13 This should come through from an up to date base assessment of Greater Cambridge, 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 to be used to improve the wider green space network. 5.14 Land at Fishers Lane, Orwell presents an opportunity to improve the green space network through the delivery of on-site green infrastructure. As part of the proposals, a substantial amount of on-site open space would be included. The open space would include various typologies, such as woodland, grassland, formal play space and allotments and could be configured to provide an extension to the existing Local Green Space adjacent to the site’s eastern boundary. 5.15 The on-site open space will create a new recreation asset for the village and provide a walking opportunity for those that may have otherwise considered the need to travel to SSSIs for that activity, therefore protecting nearby SSSI’s from increased recreational pressure. 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.

5.16 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. 5.17 Land at Fishers Lane, Orwell 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. Open spaces will incorporate habitat creation, such as field margins, meadow grassland and woodland copses which will provide important habitat for a range of wildlife and plant species.

Nothing chosen

5.18 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. 5.19 Land at Fishers Lane, Orwell 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.

5.20 The Local Plan should deliver a spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs and ensures that development improves accessibility to good quality public transport, facilities and services and high quality green spaces. 5.21 The Local Plan should also establish a policy framework that allows for innovative ways to deliver ‘affordable housing’ across tenure types. Housing mix policies should also be flexible to allow for the right homes to come forward in the right location. 5.22 Land at Fishers Lane, Orwell presents an opportunity to deliver development which can contribute to achieving ‘good growth’. The site is located adjacent to existing employment and Local Green Spaces and is within walking and cycling distance of a range of services, facilities and public transport modes. Future residents would benefit from easy access to employment, onsite green space, shops, education and community facilities, maximising opportunities for positive influences on their overall health and lifestyle. 5.23 The proposals also seek to deliver affordable housing which would be tenure blind, providing a significant amount of affordable housing in a sustainable location.