Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

3.43 Local Plan policies can require a high standard of design for new residential development, leading from Government policy and guidance. Appropriately worded design policies should require a high-quality design for new dwellings. This could include sustainable design principles including measures to improve the energy efficiency of new homes, water saving measures, use of efficient insultation material and heating systems, the reduction and recycling of construction materials, provision of appropriate amenity space and accessibility. Policy should not be prescriptive for precisely how it will be accomplished, it can set a policy-level, but developers should be able to use a host of options to achieve the target.

3.44 Development on the edge of Cambridge provides the greatest opportunity to change behaviours, encouraging more sustainable living to reduce impact on the climate and work achieving net zero carbon. Only by giving residents genuine and convenient alternatives to using private cars and providing an environment, which really stimulates healthy and energy-efficient living right from the start, can a change in behaviours and habits be formed. 3.45 On balance, new development on the edge of Cambridge is best placed to do this and this will require releasing suitable land from the Green Belt. 3.46 This accords with Para. 138 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019, which states that Green Belt boundaries should be reviewed to reflect the need to promote sustainable patterns of development, as follows: “When drawing up or reviewing Green Belt boundaries, the need to promote sustainable patterns of development should be taken into account. Strategic policymaking authorities should consider the consequences for sustainable development of channelling development towards urban areas inside the Green Belt boundary, towards towns and villages inset within the Green Belt or towards locations beyond the outer Green Belt boundary. Where it has been concluded that it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give first consideration to land which has been previously-developed and/or is well-served by public transport. They should also set out ways in which the impact of removing land from the Green Belt can be offset through compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of remaining Green Belt land.” 3.47 Green Belt is a planning designation and on balance release from it, at least in part, provides an opportunity to facilitate sustainable development and encourage a shift away from the use of private car.

Yes

4.1 Yes - there is a compelling need for Greater Cambridge to initiate a review of the Cambridge Green Belt in order to meet the transformational level of housing delivery required to support the economic growth potential of Greater Cambridge (please see Housing Delivery Study prepared by Barton Willmore). Green Belt is a planning designation and not an environmental designation. Therefore, on balance, release from it, at least in part, provides an opportunity to facilitate sustainable development that can also enhance biodiversity. 4.2 Growth on the edge of the City, which provides residents and businesses with direct access to an extensive network of walking, cycling and public transport routes, has the immediate benefit of reducing travel distances, fostering sustainable travel patterns and promoting a change in behaviours for people to live and work sustainably. 4.3 This accords with Para. 138 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019, which states that Green Belt boundaries should be reviewed to reflect the need to promote sustainable patterns of development, as follows: “When drawing up or reviewing Green Belt boundaries, the need to promote sustainable patterns of development should be taken into account. Strategic policymaking authorities should consider the consequences for sustainable development of channelling development towards urban areas inside the Green Belt boundary, towards towns and villages inset within the Green Belt or towards locations beyond the outer Green Belt boundary. Where it has been concluded that it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give first consideration to land which has been previously-developed and/or is well-served by public transport. They should also set out ways in which the impact of removing land from the Green Belt can be offset through compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of remaining Green Belt land.” 4.4 Green Belt is a planning designation and on balance release from it, at least in part, provides an opportunity to facilitate sustainable development. There is a compelling need for Greater Cambridge to initiate a review of the Cambridge Green Belt. 4.5 If land is to be released from the Green Belt, then it should be from areas of lowest sensitivity. The Councils 2012 Inner Green Belt Study provided an assessment of parcels of land to the east of Cherry Hinton. It showed that the majority of land to the east of Gazelle Way was to be of ‘low significance’ and was of the lowest significance of all the Green Belt around Cambridge. The proposed new mixed-use community at Land at Gazelle Way has been designed to contain new built development within those areas of low significance. 4.6 Furthermore, the impact of removing land from the Green Belt can be offset through compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of remaining Green Belt land, such as: ● Retention of strategic green breaks between Teversham and Fulbourn. ● New structural landscaping and habitat creation to improve its environmental quality. ● New footpath to links into the surrounding Green Belt to promoting its accessibility.

4.10 As part of a hybrid approach to the spatial growth strategy, the Councils should undertake a review of the inner Green Belt to identify suitable locations for growth. This should identify locations which are of low significance to the Green Belt and allow residents to cycle, walk and use public transport to access the City Centre and other key employment, shopping and leisure destinations. 4.11 The Housing Delivery Study (February 2020) prepared by Barton Willmore demonstrates that a transformational level of housing delivery is required to support the economic growth potential of the Greater Cambridge area, with figures going well beyond the standard method requirement. This could mean a requirement to deliver around 27,363 additional homes in Greater Cambridge until 2040. The transformational level of housing delivery will be required both within Cambridge, the edge of Cambridge and rural areas to balance the development strategy. 4.12 Growth on the edge of the City, which provides residents and businesses with direct access to an extensive network of walking, cycling and public transport routes, has the immediate benefit of reducing travel distances, fostering sustainable travel patterns and promoting a change in behaviours for people to live and work sustainably. 4.13 This accords with Para. 138 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019, which starts that Green Belt boundaries should be reviewed to reflect the need to promote sustainable patterns of development.

Agree

2.1 We would agree with the proposed big themes for the Local Plan and as our response below sets out, these are all interlinked to a certain extent in the provision of new homes, infrastructure and jobs. Therefore, in response to question 7 we would not look to prioritise these themes in any way. We have continued to evolve our proposals for Comberton from those submitted at the call for sites stage, which includes ensuring that they are consistent with the four big themes as set out further below, consistent with the Vision Document submitted with these representations. Climate Change 2.2 The consultation document defines climate change as “how the plan can contribute to achieving net zero carbon, and the mitigation and adaption measures that should be required through developments.” 2.3 Comberton comprises a sustainable location in good proximity to Cambridge with a regular bus service with increased frequency in peak times and real-time travel information, together with easy access to the proposed Comberton Greenway off-road footway and cycleway. It therefore represents an excellent opportunity for a modal shift away from the use of the private car and encouraging commuting by cycle and bus. In addition, Comberton is also highly sustainable in terms of its local services and facilities, including the Sixth Form college that are all within easy walking and cycling distance from the site. 2.4 The move away from the use of the private car will be further encouraged by the high permeability built into the masterplan connecting into the existing footpath network and allowing easy access to local facilities, bus stops and the Comberton-Cambridge Greenway. This will be further supported by enhancements to Long Road and Branch Road with footway and cycleway provision. 2.5 The proposed retirement village will also bring its own facilities in the form of flexible social and meeting space, health spa and gym which will be made available to existing local residents who will be able to walk and cycle to these facilities given the site’s high permeability removing the need to travel longer distances to such facilities by private car. 2.6 The provision of the retirement village will have a centralised heat network and it is anticipated that both the later living and residential development will be constructed in a high energy performing manner. Biodiversity & Green Spaces 2.7 The consultation document defines this as ”how the plan can contribute to our ‘doubling nature’ vision, the improvement of existing and creation of new green spaces.” The Comberton site is currently in arable production with limited habitat and vegetation restricted to the field margins at the edge of the site. 2.8 The concept masterplans demonstrate how the proposals will demonstrate a net biodiversity gain with the inclusion of blue/green corridors around and through the proposals and new formal and informal public green space. This will include enhanced boundary planting with the potential for a community woodland and other community benefits can include an extension to the existing allotments and also an enhancement to the current playing field facilities. The retirement village will also be established in a high-quality soft landscape providing further green space within the development. 2.9 A fundamental component of the green space and biodiversity provision is that this will be multi-functional with boundary landscaping enhancing biodiversity, tree cover and with the ability to delivery green trails, informal play and community woodland. Similarly sustainable drainage can also provide biodiversity benefits together with enhancement to the ditch along the western boundary. Wellbeing and Social Inclusion 2.10 The consultation document defines wellbeing and social inclusion as ”how the plan can help spread the benefits of growth creating healthy and inclusive communities.” 2.11 It is considered that well-being and social inclusion are at the core of the proposals for Comberton. 2.12 The southern part of the site includes the provision of a later-living retirement village. This location has been specifically chosen to ensure that residents can easily access existing services and facilities within the village, as well as ensuring existing residents can easily access facilities within the retirement village. 2.13 A number of services and facilities within the retirement village core will be available for all existing and future residents within Comberton to access and enjoy. Such provision could include the clubhouse which will provide flexible space for a variety of uses and spa facilities, as well as a gym. 2.14 It is considered that by providing these facilities it will allow for the existing and new communities to integrate and allow for social inclusion and the wellbeing of all residents. 2.15 The residential proposals will include affordable housing to meet the identified demand within Greater Cambridge with the potential to include, for example, ‘First Homes’ which is currently being consulted on by the Government until 3rd April but seeks to get more people onto the housing ladder. Self-build homes are also being considered as part of the housing mix. 2.16 The proposal shown on the Concept Plan demonstrates a high degree of permeability linking into the existing footpath and cycleway network, again encouraging integration but also promoting opportunities to walk and cycle, including enhancements to Branch Road and Long Road. In particular the site can benefit from the proposed Comberton Greenway which will provide safe off-road cycling opportunities to commute into Cambridge. Indeed, with the infrastructure investment into the Greenway, we would suggest this should assist the delivery of sustainable growth in Comberton with the site uniquely positioned to take advantage of such development and commute by alternatives to the private car. Great Places 2.17 This is defined as ”how the plan can protect what is already great about the area, and design new developments to create special places and spaces.” 2.18 The responses above and the Concept Masterplan and Vision Document set out the ability to provide a high quality development that with the inclusion of later living provision, will meet demand across generations, contributing to wellbeing and social inclusion. The Vision Document in particular provides some examples of high-quality care village developments both in terms of the building design, layout and soft landscaping undertaken by providers who we are in conversation with to bring forward the provision on this site. 2.19 The site has development on 2 sides and will not encroach into the wider countryside but will complement the form of Comberton augmented by the multi-functional landscaping. In addition, the permeability of the site and ability for existing residents to access facilities within the retirement village will assimilate the proposals into Comberton and also see the proposals benefit from the committed Comberton Greenway.

2.20 Allocation of the site at Comberton allows for both the creation and connection of green spaces. The site is currently within arable production with the habitat provided by trees and hedgerows entirely restricted to the site boundaries. These boundary treatments and their associated biodiversity value will be enhanced through the creation of new blue/green corridors and open spaces within the site, should it be allocated. 2.21 The Illustrative Concept Plan demonstrates how the proposed development will include green corridors running around and through the site which then link to the existing areas of public open space to the south east, which have the potential for enhancement as a result of the site’s development. 2.22 An area of formalised open green space the ‘Central Green Heart’ will create a communal space which will allow people to socialise, relax and exercise. This is a key aspiration of the proposals and will be central to both the later living and community uses as well as the residential development of the site. 2.23 This will ensure that the development will encourage social integration of people and increase the opportunity for active and creative recreation and play for children and teenagers; 2.24 The development will also include allotments to meet the demands of the development. Green spaces within the development will also be multifunctional as set out within the consultation document. We have set out above how enhanced boundary screening will also see a biodiversity gain but these can also include trails for public access, natural green play and with the potential for inclusion of a community orchard. 2.25 The proposals for later living will also include a high standard of soft landscaping through the development. 2.26 It is important to note that the residential- led development of sites such as these is critical to the delivery of enhancements to the green-space network on land that would otherwise remain in intensive arable production with limited biodiversity value and no public access.

2.27 The response to question 13 above sets out how the residential-led development of the site will achieve biodiversity net gain from the current intensive arable production which sees limited ecology restricted to the field margins. 2.28 This will be seen with the inclusion of green corridors, enhanced boundary planting, formal open green space, allotment provision and the potential community woodland. As previously stated, such provision will be multifunctional contributing to biodiversity net gain and this will include SuDS provision. 2.29 Finally, it should be noted that those areas shown as development on the illustrative masterplan will also contribute to biodiversity net gain. This will include the rear gardens of new homes and the more formal soft landscaping associated with the later living provision which will all enhance the position from the current arable production. 2.30 Biodiversity net gain can be measured through the emerging DEFRA toolkit and we would be confident that the proposals shown on the concept masterplan would demonstrate a biodiversity net gain through that method. In the event that an off-site payment to support biodiversity net gain is required, we would support the Authority putting in place a formal mechanism through which such contributions can be pooled to provide material beneficial improvement to biodiversity within the District, through the delivery of strategic projects.

Yes, somewhat agree

2.31 We would support the increase of tree cover across the area and this will be brought forward through residential-led development such as that proposed at Comberton with the enhancement of boundary planting including the potential community woodland.

2.32 It is considered that well-being and social inclusion are at the core of the proposals for Comberton. 2.33 The southern part of the site includes the provision of a later-living retirement village. This location has been specifically chosen to ensure that residents can easily access existing services and facilities within the village, as well as ensuring existing residents can easily access facilities within retirement village. 2.34 A number of services and facilities within the retirement village core will be available for all existing and future residents within Comberton to access and enjoy. Such provision could include the clubhouse which will provide flexible space for a variety of uses and spa facilities, as well as a gym. 2.35 It is considered that by providing these facilities it will allow for the existing and new communities to integrate allow for social inclusion and the wellbeing of all residents. 2.36 The residential proposals will include affordable housing to meet the identified demand within Greater Cambridge with the potential to include ‘First Homes’ which is currently being consulted on by the Government until 3rd April but seeks to get more people onto the housing ladder. Self-build homes are also being considered as part of the housing mix. 2.37 The proposals shown on the Concept Plan demonstrates a high degree of permeability linking into the existing footpath and cycleway network, again encouraging integration but also promoting opportunities to walk and cycle, including enhancements to Branch Road and Long Road. In particular the site can benefit from the proposed Cambridge-Comberton Greenway which will provide safe off-road cycling opportunities to commute into Cambridge. Indeed, with the infrastructure investment into the Greenway, we would suggest this should assist the delivery of sustainable growth in Comberton with the site uniquely positioned to take advantage of such development and commute by alternatives to the private car.

2.38 These proposals were submitted within the previous call for sites consultation in March 2019. By submitting at the early stage, it maximises the chance for local residents to provide their thoughts and help shape the final masterplan of the site prior to it being included within the adopted version of Greater Cambridge Plan.