Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

3.16 It is important that biodiversity net gain is secured as part of new developments and a minimum of 10% target is considered to be an appropriate requirement for greenfield sites. 3.17 The site 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 (as shown on the Opportunities and Constraints Plan), will seek to deliver open space that is functional whilst also creating resilient habitats which will provide important habitat for a range of wildlife and plant species.

Yes, strongly agree

3.18 Yes, we strongly agree with this requirement. The land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton has space to accommodate substantial tree planting, as an integral part of the landscaping scheme. Tree planting as part of this development, would also assist in contributing to wider tree planting targets as set out in the plan.

3.19 A number of measures can be introduced to tackle air quality. Provision for polices which place minimum requirements on electric vehicle charging spaces will assist with promoting a step change from petrol/diesel to electric cars. 3.20 Contribution to improvements in air quality can also be made by dispersing development across sustainable settlements and in locations on growth corridors to disperse congestion and increase reliance on public transport. In this regard the allocation of land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton is on a site that is not within or near to an air quality management area, but is within a sustainable settlement with good public transport links.

Nothing chosen

3.21 It is considered that continued economic growth is important, provided that it is facilitated sustainably. 3.22 According to the ‘big themes’ of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, it is important that local village centres, provide suitably sized employment hubs. The National Planning Policy Framework 2019 (NPPF), reflect this with its focus on sustainable development, stating in paragraph 84 states that: “Planning policies and decisions should recognise that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing settlements”. 3.15 The application site at Balsham Road is exactly the type of site the NPPF is referring to; a medium sized site, located adjacent to the development limit, and provides a proposed rural hub in conjunction with housing, to accommodate small and medium sized local businesses. It is also located outside of the Green Belt, adjacent to Linton, which is one of the most sustainable and largest villages within the District.

3.16 It is important that employment is dispersed within the Greater Cambridge area, with not all employment just focused on Cambridge. As identified in the SPIER report, Cambridge has had extensive economic growth in recent years, which has put substantial pressure on house prices and infrastructure within and around the City. It is important that employment growth is dispersed to larger village settlements outside of the Green Belt, such as Linton. 3.17 Linton is a substantial sized village with considerable services, categorised as a Minor Rural Centre in the adopted Local Plan 2018. There is capacity for Linton to provide an increased amount office space for local business, or start-up businesses from the village, or surrounding villages to work. The employment site would provide the opportunity for residents within the new housing on the site or within the existing village to have a premise for the start-up of new businesses and could include additional facilities such as a nursery and café. 3.18 The proposed employment hub of 1 hectare on land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton is consistent with the size of the settlement and its position within the settlement hierarchy.

3.19 It is important that the new Local Plan seeks to allocate a suitable number of medium sized sites that can be developed in the short term. It is also important that growth is dispersed to some of the larger and most sustainable villages outside of the Green Belt. 3.20 According to the NPPF, the Planning Practice Guidance, and Planning Inspector’s Report on the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018), the Greater Cambridge Local Plan should meet housing needs through development of medium sized sites, as well a large strategic sites. Medium sized sites present an under-utilised opportunity for both residential and commercial development, overlooked and undercapitalised in the adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) and the Cambridge City Local Plan (2018). 3.21 In the Planning Inspectors’ Report of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018), it was recognised that “a significant proportion of the overall housing requirement will be provided in major allocations”. Considering this, the potential of smaller sites have in helping to “diversify the house building sector by providing a boost to small and medium sized developers” was recognised, with a recommendation to allocate housing in individual villages. 3.22 In order to be considered sound, regard should be given to the Planning Inspectors’ Report, along with NPPF paragraph 68, which states that: “Small and medium sized sites can make an important contribution to meeting the housing requirement of an area, and are often built-out relatively quickly”. 3.23 Paragraph 68 goes onto state that this can be achieved by allocating a higher amount of small to medium sized sites, rather than less large strategic allocations, or working with developers to encourage the sub-division of large sites, helping to speed up the delivery of homes. Additionally, the Planning Practice Guidance identifies the need to consider a range of sites for development, including medium sized sites in villages and towns. The land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton is of a size that could be delivered quickly, within the short term and within the first 5 years of the Local Plan. 3.24 It is also very important that a suitable quantum of growth is dispersed to the most sustainable and largest villages outside of the Green Belt, such as Linton. 3.25 Linton is located in a very sustainable location and benefits from being very close to key employment clusters to the east of Cambridge. Reflected in both national policy and the themes of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, is the location of residential development being in proximity to a variety of employment opportunities, which will minimise the need of residents to commute long distances to work. Only 4.5 kilometres north-west of Linton is Granta Park, a 24 acres a science and business park with a direct commuter bus running from Linton. Furthermore, Genome Campus, a genomics and biodata park consisting of over 2,600 students and employees, is located approximately 6.5 kilometres south east if Linton. 3.26 At 9.8 hectares, the site promoted in the Call for Sites is an example of a medium sized site adjacent to an existing sustainable village, which is able to make an important contribution to local housing requirements in a relatively quick time frame. Countryside Properties have a proven track record of the delivery of mixed use housing led sites and are committed to delivery of the development early on within the plan period.

3.27 With the plan period being proposed up to 2040, it is important that housing policies provide an ability to flex to a variety of housing tenures which is ever evolving. Land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton is likely to include low cost home ownership, traditional affordable and outright market sale housing as well as privately rented homes, in order to meet the needs of a range of different proposed residents from different demographics.

3.28 Housing allocations should be located in proximity to key infrastructure, local infrastructure that reduces residents need to travel, and well connected to public transport infrastructure such as bus and train routes. The land adjacent to Balsham Road Linton, is located in a sustainable village with considerable service provision, with many key services such as schools, shops and health facilities within walking distance. 3.29 Growth in Linton would also be consistent with the vision of the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which is proposing an off-road public transport route, running services from Addenbrookes to Haverhill, via Linton. This also includes provision for a new Travel Hub (park and ride) adjacent to the A11/A1307. Even without this route, Linton is considered to be a very sustainable settlement for growth, however this infrastructure will further enhance Linton’s sustainability credentials as a suitable village for growth. The scheme will provide for very easy and sustainable access from Linton direct to Addenbrookes by off road bus. 3.30 The application site is located approximately 5.4 kilometres from the A11, providing connection onto the M11. Just 0.44 kilometres from the site is a bus stop, with the 13 and 13A bus services running from Cambridge to Haverhill 7 days a week. The 13 bus also provides direct and quick access to Granta Park. 3.31 In line with the ‘big themes’ in the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the development of this site would reduce the reliance on cars, decreasing the number of cars on the road, due to the proximity to multiple public transport services. Additionally, the development of office space aimed at small and medium sized local businesses would reduce the need of local residents to travel as they would have sufficient work space available within walking distance. Further information on this is contained within the Transport Appraisal prepared by Richard Jackson Partnership, refer to Appendix 2.

3.32 As reflected in the NPPF (2019) and Planning Inspectors report on the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018), a shift away from our reliance on cars and towards more sustainable transport can be achieved by locating development in existing villages, with established transport connections. The development of new, large settlements is less likely to be able to be served by existing transport networks, whereas existing villages have established services and transport links which can serve an increased population. 3.33 Considering this, medium sized sites appear to be more in keeping with the objectives of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, as well as national policy. Although, it is important to recognise how a mix of large, medium and small sites can contribute to a sustainable and varied housing supply.

Somewhat flexible

3.34 The GCP Local Plan should contain some flexibility on the development of both employment and residential sites, evaluating each site on their merits and considering the sites sustainability, rather than a standardised approach. This is particularly the case for villages that are located outside of the Cambridge Green Belt. Many villages with considerable services, capacity and existing transport connections are often overlooked, despite their suitability.