Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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Yes, because it assists in reducing carbon and flood prevention and enhances biodiversity. Additionally, the scale of future needs for homes and jobs reflected in the emerging Plan will necessitate a review of Green Belt boundaries that are clearly defined using physical features, such as woodland, that are readily recognisable and likely to be permanent, thus following the advice in the NPPF paragraph 139(f). However, with up to 74% of the Cambridge Green Belt comprised of monocultural agriculture (Prof. Paul Cheshire, LSE, 2014), provides the opportunity for the Green Belt review to facilitate a programme of significant tree planting both within, and on the periphery of new development.

Grosvenor is committed to bringing forward developments which reflect the principles of social sustainability, good growth and wellbeing amongst local residents. ‘Good growth’ can be achieved through creating compact development sites with high accessibility and opportunities to on site community initiatives. It is obvious that ‘good growth’ includes the provision of a range of homes for all parts of the community, including affordable and specialist housing. Other measures include: easy access to local services and amenities creates inclusiveness, which helps to foster wellbeing; encouraging travel by sustainable modes of transport, including walking, cycling, public transport and electric vehicles, which would also encourage active lifestyles and reduce carbon emissions, leading to positive effects to health and wellbeing.

Grosvenor highly supports the approach taken to the Local Plan consultation and use of alternative tools and methods for gathering responses and engaging local stakeholders. Previous precedents showcase the commitment Grosvenor have made to engage the local community. For example, Grosvenor engaged the public from very early stages during the development of Trumpington Meadows through a range of methods, and their commitment is reflected through it being an award-winning development. Grosvenor propose to follow the same principles of engagement in promoting its interests at Whittlesford, adding co-design of spaces and community elements to ensure enhanced ownership and stewardship of facilities.

New development should consider a wide range of demographics, age groups and the vulnerable to ensure it is offering on-site community initiatives to all local residents.

This can be achieved through creating communities that have a strong sense of identity and maximising their shared value. Specific interventions such as promoting inclusive outdoor spaces, active landscapes and offering community activities for local residents to participate in can all support healthier lifestyles. Residents should all have access to areas for growing foodstuff, caring for the natural environment and open spaces within a short distance.

This could be achieved through thoroughly understanding the air quality position in the region and setting realistic long term targets to achieve. Targets can include the provision of alternative modes of public transport, reducing movements to improve accessibility, improved tree coverage and habitat enhancements.

Grosvenor fully endorse the Building Beautiful Commission’s Report ‘Creating space for beauty : interim report’ and is committed to developing high quality places was reflected through Trumpington Meadows. The scheme mirrors principles of good design and high quality place-making, which made it an award-winning scheme. These would be extended to both Trumpington South and Whittlesford. If the Whittlesford site were allocated, a Masterplan and Design Code would be prepared as part of an outline planning application, reflecting on the localised character of Whittlesford and the South Cambridge villages. The Masterplan and Design Code would assist in the securing the delivery of a high quality sustainable scheme, and would be developed with local residents to ensure aspects of local value were meaningfully reflected in designs moving forward..

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The 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. 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 important 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. Whittlesford is in proximity to the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton, which apart from being an existing major employer has proposals for substantial expansion. The Campus currently employs approximately 2,600 staff which with the expansion plans will increase to 6,800 people. Although the proposals include up to 1,500 new homes specifically for the Campus workers, the overall increase in workforce and indirect jobs created will require a significant additional number of new homes within convenient travelling times. The Wellcome Genome proposals also include a package of transport measures and increased sustainable connectivity to Whittlesford Parkway. Additionally, as referred to on the attached boards and referred to in response to Q2, Whittlesford is located in the epicentre of employment centres and potential growth areas as shown on Fig.4, with access by rail to the employment in and around the City.

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A mix of uses should be offered, which is appropriate to the context of its local community and scale of centre. This should be combined with the opportunity to reduce the need for travel where possible.

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. Providing homes in well-connected areas to main centres of emoloyment can also help to ensure residents can access key services and facilities, as well as encouraging access to these by walking and cycling and train. These modes of travel are key to meeting climate change. 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. Many effects will depend on the location of new housing. In general, allocating higher levels of housing is more likely to have negative effects on environmental objectives, where this leads to increased travel and land take in areas that are not well connected by non-car modes of travel. For the reasons set out in this overall submission, Whittlesford is a sustainable location to meet future housing needs.