Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Yes, somewhat agree

4.16 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.17 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. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.

4.18 The Local plan should include a spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; good quality public transport; facilities/services and high-quality open spaces. Policies should also highlight wellbeing and social inclusion as a key priority for new developments. 4.19 The Local Plan should include for a policy framework that requires a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) throughout the Greater Cambridge area, using a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) methodology that reflects best practice. Thresholds for HIAs should reflect the scale of the scheme and its ability to effect health outcomes. 4.20 The Local plan should ensure a policy framework is developed that is based on empirical evidence of how good growth is delivered, rather than rely on policies based on perceived, and sometimes unproven, determinants of wellbeing and social inclusion. Policies should focus on what really makes a difference. 4.21 Engagement with the combined authority, county council and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will also be required to understand community care and primary health care issues and needs, and to ensure facilities are available to deliver funded services. 4.22 Development on Land at Capital Park could help achieve ‘good growth’. Good growth that promotes wellbeing (including health) should be inclusive and include anti-poverty measures. The proposed development on the site would help to promote measures to improve welling by including of anti-poverty measures including: ● Energy efficient homes that deliver low energy and water bills; ● Access and walkability to local services; ● Access to key cycle routes to enable healthy means of travel to employment areas; ● Promotion of low-cost housing proportionate to income in the area; ● Allow for a wide range of social infrastructure and open space in new developments that provide pathways to free (i.e. no charge to the user) opportunities for improved health outcomes; and ● Promotion of ‘fully accessible’ social housing, within active travel of employment.

4.23 The Local Plan could help enable communities to shape new development proposals through creating policies and procedures that encourage meaningful consultation and require developers to demonstrate how schemes have been influenced by local communities. 4.24 Community engagement should be sought during the design process, during construction and through opportunities to influence the scheme and /or be engaged in its management and maintenance after completion (where relevant), particularly in circumstances where unforeseen consequences emerge. 4.25 Janus Henderson is committed to providing a positive legacy from the development that it promotes, and this can be achieved from meaningful engagement with the local community to gain their input into the design of the proposed development, including the site layout, house types and provision of specific local infrastructure or contributions towards this. This has been evidenced through the extensive engagement that took place with residents during the determination of the application adjacent to the site for a 72-bedroom care home, which was also submitted by Janus Henderson, in which the views of the local community were used to shape the proposals which resulted in the granting of planning permission. 4.26 The site is adjacent to a major employment site and hospital on the edge of Cambridge and a consented care home that was granted permission at Committee on 7 March 2018 (ref: S/3418/17/FUL) for the demolition of the existing Fulbourn social club and the construction of a 72-bedroom care home on land adjacent to the site.

4.27 Providing a mix of housing types including a range of dwelling sizes and a proportion of affordable housing is key to achieving socially inclusive communities. Allocating Land at Capital Park for residential development would provide opportunities to promote social inclusion as it is proposed to provide a proportion of affordable housing (40% under currently Local Plan requirements). The proposed homes would be designed to form a suitable site layout and to provide a broad mix of housing types, based on local need. It is recognised that homes need to be designed to be accessible for disabled people, either by achieving Lifetime Homes standards or being able to be easily adapted for disability access, and it is considered that this can be explored in more detail as design proposals advance for Land at Capital Park in order to deliver housing that is suitable for a range of people with varying needs.

4.28 New developments should support healthy lifestyles by creating a spatial strategy that can support connected spaces where people do not have to rely on the private car for their daily routine of school, work, shopping and leisure. Enabling active lifestyles and opportunities for social interaction is a priority. 4.29 The Local Plan should provide open space within developments where possible, alongside a policy framework to allow for off-site enhancements where appropriate, particularly when they can improve provision for existing communities. Standards within policies that determine the quantity and quality of provision should reflect an evidence-based assessment of need and benefits delivered. 4.30 A further measure to ensure new developments should support healthy lifestyles is for them to consider the needs of all age ranges and abilities in the detailed design of open spaces and public realm. New developments should also encourage healthy eating choices through the provision of healthy options and minimising/preventing fast food outlets. 4.31 Open space would be provided as part of the proposed development on Land at Capital Park which would be accessible to residents or employees. Access to open space on site provides opportunities for exercise and recreation to help promote healthy lifestyles. Not only are there physical benefits to having a large proportion of open space within close proximity of homes, there are also benefits in terms of mental wellbeing by providing areas for residents to relax and enjoy outdoor activities.

4.32 Improvements in air quality could be achieved on Land at Capital Park principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly residential development and places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options. The site offers these sustainable transport connections through active modes of transport and public transport connections. ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme. ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties. A specific planting and landscaping scheme has not yet been devised for the site however an appropriate strategy would be to include a reinforced landscape buffer along the site frontages.

4.33 The Local Plan should include for a policy framework that sets out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. New development within or in proximity to heritage assets can be appropriate and make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. This is supported by the NPPF (paragraph 185). 4.34 Greater Cambridge has a track record as a place where contemporary design and the historic environment co-exist in harmony. The site is within Fulbourn Conservation Area, however, there are no listed buildings on or near to the site. With the right design, including a suitable layout and design concept, the proposed development on the site could be accommodated without having a significant impact on the surrounding heritage context of the site. The consented care home that is due to be constructed adjacent to the site was found acceptable in heritage and design terms.

4.35 New development can provide opportunities for improvements in the quality of the historic environment. For example, the setting of heritage assets often has elements that detract from the significance of the asset. However, it will be important for the Local Plan to balance heritage protection with the demands of growth and proposals affecting heritage assets should continue to be required to include for an assessment of significance of any heritage assets affected.

4.36 ‘Place-making’ – creating and sustaining a positive and distinctive character in an area – is important to the economic success of the Greater Cambridge area, as identified by the CPIER. Page 13 This is also supported by the NPPF (paragraph 124) which confirms that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. 4.37 The NPPF continues by advising that plans should set out a clear design vision and expectations and design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations. To provide maximum clarity about design expectations at an early stage, plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes. The Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth sets out core principles of the level of quality to be expected in new developments in Cambridgeshire and the four ‘C’s’ of Community, Connectivity, Climate and Character align well with the four big themes of the emerging Local Plan. This forms a good basis to set out a design vision for the new Local Plan.

Nothing chosen

5.1 As referred to in Section 2 of these representations, National Planning Policy confirms “Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development” (NPPF, paragraph 80). The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. 5.2 Cambridge’s hi-technology clusters, particularly in AI, bio-tech and agri-tech are recognised in the UK Industrial Strategy as an essential element of the UK economy to support “…towns such as MK, Oxford and Cambridge (that) have been hot spots for job creation. We must promote growth through fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas.” 5.3 Growth relies on increases in employment and productivity and the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) emphasises the need for productivity growth in this region as employment rates are so high. Economic growth is therefore essential for the next Local Plan. As part of the devolution contract to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a commitment to doubling the economic output of the area (Gross Value Added) over 25 years. This is a challenging target and needs to factor at the heart of the Plan. 5.4 Allocating part or all of Land at Capital Park for employment development in its location would help to meet the target of doubling GVA in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.