Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

2.39 The matters raised in regard to safe and inclusive communities have been addressed in the responses to other questions but can be summarised as follows:- • The proposals for this site comprise a later living village of up to 200 units and up to 200 dwellings, of which a percentage will be a form of affordable tenure. This could include a mix of build to rent, starter homes; and discounted market sales housing as well as the opportunity to incorporate First Homes; • Homes of all tenure will be constructed to a high standard of energy efficiency; • The provision of the later living community will address a specific area of housing need and will also bring community facilities that can also be enjoyed by the existing and new residents of Comberton; • The later living provision will be based on a centralised heat network giving excellent opportunities to utilise renewable energy sources and ensure energy efficiency; • The later living provision will also create full-time permanent jobs. There is the potential for links to Comberton Sixth Form college and work experience in areas such as catering and groundskeeping etc; • The development will be highly sustainable with good links to existing services and facilities within Comberton, and to bus services and the proposed Greenway to Cambridge giving sustainable transport options. There is also the ability for existing residents to utilise facilities provided as part of the development, all of which will reduce the need to reduce travel by the private car; and • Provision of new areas of formal and informal green space including the provision of allotments all benefiting from natural surveillance and the potential to enhance the existing sports pitch provision on the existing playing fields.

2.40 Responses to previous question have established how the development will support healthy lifestyles. The development will provide whole life housing provision from homes for first time buyers through to the later living provision allowing it to meet a wide range of intergenerational housing needs. 2.41 By providing the residential dwellings and the later living with open green space and pedestrian connections to the various facilities within Comberton, this will allow for people to walk more and socialise outside thus leading to a healthier lifestyle as there will be opportunities for residents to walk, cycle and generally exercise on a daily basis. 2.42 The development will be within close proximity to the proposed Greenway into Cambridge, providing a safe cycling environment not only for commuting into Cambridge but for recreational cycling tying into the wider greenway links. The location of the site more generally allows for easy access to the countryside and wider public footpath network. 2.43 It is also considered that with regards to the retirement village, by providing specialised facilities for the elderly, this will encourage the residents to socialise reducing loneliness and other mental issues caused through isolation. This will be further enhanced by the ability for existing Comberton residents to access the facilities ensuring a high level of integration. 2.44 Finally, the site offers the potential for facilities such as an extension to the existing allotments to the immediately east of the site.

2.45 Air quality matters are more prevalent in Cambridge City centre and there are no particular issues in Comberton that would have implications for our site. However, it is clear that the location of new housing development in villages such as Comberton can take advantage of the proposed Greenway provision and local bus services, which can have positive implications for air quality by encouraging commuting by cycle and public transport. This supports the wider aims and aspirations for sustainable development and seeking to reduce climate change. 2.46 We have set out earlier that development should be located in locations such as Comberton where it can take advantage of the investment into sustainable infrastructure such as the Greenway. 2.47 Comberton also benefits from a good range of local services and facilities including a Sixth Form College and the Concept Plan demonstrates a highly permeable development with good links to these facilities. This should limit short car journeys, for example the Primary School is immediately south of the site and therefore avoid issues around air quality in Comberton itself. 2.48 In addition, in discussions with potential retirement village operators, it is common for residents to be served by electric vehicles for trips. We would also anticipate new development to incorporate EV vehicle charging points, as well as provision of a dedicated EV car-sharing car club space for public use.

2.49 It is considered that the proposals set out within the Concept Masterplan and Vision Document set out the ability for a high-quality design response to the site. The later living proposals will include a centralised district heating source and attractive, architect-designed buildings within a high-quality landscaped environment. This and the residential development will be focused around the green heart central open space which will benefit from natural surveillance. There will be green corridors through and around the site as part of multifunctional green infrastructure with the enhanced boundary screening setting the site within the surrounding landscape.

2.50 A specific response has been provided to questions 31 & 32 in the accompanying representations by Barton Willmore on behalf of our client with regard to the amount and type of housing provision. However, in summary our view is that enough allocations need to be made in sustainable locations with clear policies on the market housing mix and facilitation of the broadest range of affordable housing tenures as set out by the NPPF. In particular it will need to ensure the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area is not hampered by inadequate housing delivery and transport infrastructure and tackle sustainability in a holistic way, rebalancing growth in the area to respond positively to the identified four big themes. 2.51 In that context, we would advocate allocating the widest possible range of sites in order to provide a more sustainable development strategy and rebalance Greater Cambridge growth needs. This will include allocating sufficient land for small-medium housing sites in rural settlements, which can deliver quickly and improve the rate at which houses can be absorbed by the market. As has been set out previously within this consultation response, the proposals for Comberton will see the provision of housing to meet a wider range of needs from homes for first time buyers through to later living provision, all successfully integrated into the master plan and Comberton more generally. The development will also provide affordable housing across a range of tenures, and also has the potential to meet any demand identified for self-build plots.

2.52 The comments made in response to question 31 are also applicable here and the Comberton proposals assist in meeting the varied needs. 2.53 As has been set out previously within this consultation response, the proposals for Comberton will see the provision of housing to meet a wider range of needs from homes for first time buyers through to later living provision, all successfully integrated into the proposals and Comberton more generally. The development will also provide affordable housing across a range of tenures, and also has the potential to meet any demand identified for self-build plots. 2.54 The consultation document specifically references a need for more specialist housing for older people and the proposals demonstrate a distinct offer with the later living housing provision at the heart of this development. 2.55 The later living proposals are based on direct discussions with potential providers with an interest in this location to design a carefully considered Care Village with ancillary open community space, garden and leisure areas, and landscaping. 2.56 The Village is intended to offer a retirement lifestyle built on knowledge, expertise and ethics where passion and understanding are designed into the fabric of every building with the health and happiness of the residents at the heart of the proposals. Proposals are designed to encourage residents to have an active and engaged lifestyle with services aligned to support wellness and well-being. Such proposals are the future of retirement accommodation where age matters less and loneliness, anxiety and boredom are replaced by fun and peace of mind. The intention is that the risk of institutionalised care is greatly reduced if not avoided completely. 2.57 Part of this process is for the village to be located within a beautiful and tranquil setting allowing people to flourish in their later years either independently for longer, or with varying degrees of support in the form of specifically tailored extra care units. 2.58 A key aspiration of such facilities is the retention of the link with the existing village, with the location towards the southern end of the site specifically chosen for that reason with physical footpath links. A central core comprising gym, spa and other leisure, fitness, health and wellbeing provision together with creative space facilities are to be shared with Comberton and allow residents to retain their connection with the village and prevent isolation. 2.59 A report has been prepared by Healthcare Property Consultants (HPC) and submitted as part of these representations. It summarises a forecast demand far higher than established through Greater Cambridge’s assessments which are based on demand rather than need. The HPC report is to 2035, due to a limit on available data, showing a rising need and therefore it should be noted that the demand to 2040 in the plan period is even greater than that set out within the submitted report. 2.60 Across Greater Cambridge, the report highlights a cumulative growth rate of over 65s at 40%, comfortably ahead of the 36% nationally. Indeed, given the high student population within Cambridge City, the position in South Cambridgeshire and villages such as Comberton is more acute and demonstrates a significant demand for the retirement living proposed here.

2.61 Again, many of the issues raised by question 35 have been addressed elsewhere within our response in terms of the potential for a high quality development that with the inclusion of later living provision, will meet demand across generations, contributing to wellbeing and social inclusion. The later living proposals in particular will reduce water and energy consumption. The Vision Document in particular provides some examples of high-quality care village developments undertaken by providers who we are in conversation with to bring forward the provision on this site, also considered in more detail in response to question 34. 2.62 Dwellings will be designed to comply with the National Space Standards, as well as providing energy efficiency throughout the development including water saving technology and adaptable dwellings which can take into account modern needs such as working from home.

2.63 Whilst this question is phrased in terms of the infrastructure to be provided with development, it is important to recognise that with particular regard to Comberton, infrastructure requirements are limited and the development is viable and deliverable without significant infrastructure provision. 2.64 There is commitment to the delivery of the Greenway and Comberton is well-served by facilities and local services including the Sixth Form college. Therefore, the right infrastructure is already in place or committed and, therefore, development should come forward to make best use of such provision. 2.65 The development of sites such as Comberton will also see the provision of any additional infrastructure deemed necessary through a Section 106 agreement in accordance with the tests set out within Paragraph 56 of the Framework.

2.66 We would consider that the allocation of the Comberton site would encourage a shift away from car use to sustainable modes of transport. 2.67 As previously set out the location of new housing development at Comberton can take advantage of the proposed Greenway provision and local bus services with positive implications for air quality by encouraging commuting by cycle and public transport. 2.68 We have set out earlier that development should be located in locations such as Comberton where it can take advantage of the investment into sustainable infrastructure such as the Greenway. 2.69 Comberton also benefits from a good range of local services and facilities including a Sixth Form College and the Concept Plan demonstrates a highly permeable development with good links to these facilities including enhancement to Branch Road and Long Road. This should limit short car journeys, for example the Primary School is immediately south of the site. 2.70 The Services and Facilities Study 2014 which formed part of the previous evidence base for the current South Cambridgeshire Local Plan summarises the following good range of facilities with the village which are within walking and cycling distance of our site:- • Regular Bus Service; • Comberton-Cambridge Unsegregated Pavement Cycle Route; • Secondary School & Sixth Form; • Primary School; • Comberton Surgery; • Library; • Mobile Library; • Butcher; • Village Store & Post Office; • Community Pavilion; • Play Group; • Dentist; • Florist; • Hairdressers; • Lamps and Light Store; • Chartered Accountants; • Garage; • Garden Nursery; • Public House; • Solicitors; • Village Hall & Community Centre; • Comberton Leisure including all weather football pitch, Badminton Courts, Dance Studio, Fitness Suite, Gymnasiums and Tennis Courts; • Recreation Ground with ‘LEAP’ play area, football pitch (including extended area); cricket pitch, bowling green, tennis courts and skate park; • Small areas of informal open space; and • 2 sets of allotments. 2.71 In addition, in discussions with potential retirement village operators, it is common for residents to be served by electric vehicles for trips. We would also anticipate new development to incorporate EV vehicle charging points, as well as provision of a dedicated EV car-sharing car club space for public use. 2.72 Both the Vision Document and the Transport Review submitted with these representations demonstrate the ability for access to a range of services and facilities, together with the ability to link into the Greenway by alternative to the private car. It should, however, be noted that safe vehicular access with the required visibility splays can be delivered and there is sufficient local highway capacity as set out in the Transport Review.

2.73 We have previously identified that the site is very well positioned to utilise the proposed Comberton Greenway both for commuting into Cambridge by cycle as an alternative to the private car and also access to the wider cycle network for leisure purposes and promoting a healthy lifestyle. We would therefore suggest that delivering the greenway commitments should be a priority. 2.74 In addition, whilst the development is within an appropriate walking distance to the bus stop, we are exploring opportunities for a small diversion through Comberton to maximise opportunities for bus travel from Comberton. 2.75 The site is otherwise not reliant on infrastructure provision for its successful delivery and it is understood that there are no restrictions at this stage in terms of utilities. Discussions will continue through the development of the proposals for the site, particularly in the context of broadband to maximise opportunities for homeworking and again reduce commuting requirements.