Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

We act for, Anderson O&U Limited, an operating subsidiary of the Anderson Group, and the owners of Land South of Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge (“the Site”). Their ownership includes the majority of the undeveloped land identified at Policy 16 of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan 2018, as South of Coldham’s Lane Area of Major Change (see attached Land Ownership Plan). Policy 16 sets out that the Council is seeking the wider regeneration of this Area of Major Change, with appropriate redevelopment (commercial uses) and the creation of an urban country park to serve the east of the city. This Policy advocates the development of the Site, which is currently underutilised land in the existing urban area. On behalf of our client, we submit representations to the Regulation 18: Issues and Options consultation version of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. We understand that the purpose of the consultation is to explore the big themes that will influence how homes, jobs and infrastructure are planned. It also looks at how engagement with communities, neighbouring local authorities and other important groups will be coordinated. Our client’s Site has the potential to contribute significantly to the key objectives of the emerging development plan. The ‘big themes’ The consultation document (Section 1) explains the four big themes which are considered central to future development across the Greater Cambridge Local Plan area. The four themes are:  Climate change  Biodiversity and green spaces  Wellbeing and social inclusion  Great places Our client is supportive of the general principles of the four ‘big themes’ and the growth in the number of homes and jobs which should be accommodated over the Plan period. The identified options for growth consider the potential to utilise underused land in existing urban areas, develop the edge of Cambridge (within or outside of the Green Belt), creation of new settlements, or directing new development to existing villages and along public transport corridors. Whilst the Local Plan sets out these concepts in high level spatial terms only at this stage, it is important that the proposed options for positive place making and continued economic growth align with wider strategic opportunities, especially in respect of key infrastructure such as highways and public transport. Employment Land At Section 4.5.3 of the Issues and Options document, it identifies that protecting existing employment land is an important matter for local residents. The Site is subject to an existing designation in the Adopted Development Plan, with Area A identified for commercial uses. A planning application for development has not yet been submitted. It should be noted that Land South of Coldhams Lane Area of Major Change (Policy 16) – Area A - is not identified as an existing employment site on Figure 24 (Existing planned growth in the adopted 2018 Local Plans) in the Issues and Options draft. We presume that this is an administrative error. It is requested that this allocation is included within any future diagrams and policy documents, to accurately reflect the adopted planning policy position for the Site. The Issues and Options document considers the unique employment opportunities in Cambridge, including traditional office, industrial and warehouse space, alongside education, technology, innovation and small ‘start-up’ businesses (Section 4.5.3). The Plan identifies that a wide range of employment opportunities should be provided for, with spaces which are adaptable and respond to fast-changing working practices. We support the principle of a flexible approach, and believe that the Council should carefully consider the type of employment space and where it is located. Whilst we support the continued identification of existing allocations, we consider that these should be re-evaluated in the context of the potential to create longer term mixed use developments across the Greater Cambridge area where people can live and work thereby maximising the limited opportunities available. Housing The Issues and Options document utilises the Governments ‘standard method’ in order to calculate the anticipated housing need over the Plan period. The Council have calculated a need for 40,900 homes for the suggested plan period of 20172040 (1,800 per annum). The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) showed that recent job growth had been faster than expected, and that growth is likely to continue. As a result, demand for new housing has been exceptionally high. The Council’s indicative calculation based on CPIER suggest that if the forecast jobs growth is achieved, around 2,900 homes a year would need to be built in Greater Cambridge, an indicative total of 66,700 homes over the Plan period. This is significantly higher than the allocations already identified in the 2018 adopted Local Plans, and the calculated need using the Government’s standard methodology. This target housing figure is therefore likely to be subject to change as the Plan preparation progresses. Question 32 of the Issues and Options consultations asks if the Council should plan for the additional number of homes, to support the growing economy. We believe that the Councils should utilise its evidence base to determine the number of homes required. Should this evidence that significantly more dwellings are required over and above the Government’s standard methodology, the Councils need to carefully identify additional sites at an early stage, which are available, deliverable and do not result in the inappropriate release of the Green Belt. The Council’s should avoid the need for an early review of the Plan. The Issues and Options document (Section 4.6.3) notes that the Council’s current pipeline forecasts do not include the Cambridge Airport site, which could provide a significant number of new homes. This site is located directly to the north of Coldhams Lane, opposite the land owned by Anderson O&U Limited. Should the Council proceed with an allocation for the Cambridge Airport site, we would suggest that it would present an opportunity for a holistic approach to the strategic planning of this area on the edge of Cambridge including our clients land as part of a wider mixed use, residential led development. The Land south of Coldhams Lane is surrounded by a mix of residential and employment uses, hence it is suitably located to compliment the wider Cambridge Airport allocation, as these proposals develop. Adopting a holistic approach could also give rise to a range of alternative Infrastructure, place making and sustainability options. Approach to Locating Development The Council’s historic approach has been to focus development on previously developed land, and sustainable locations on the edge of Cambridge. As part of the Issues and Options consultation, Section 5.3 looks at options for growth. In particular, option 5.3.2 Edge of Cambridge – outside the Green Belt is of relevance to the Land South of Coldhams Lane. We support the opportunity this option brings to create a holistic extension to the edge of Cambridge, with new homes and jobs. We would welcome the opportunity to propose how mixed use development and transport infrastructure improvements could be brought forward in a comprehensive manner, to the north and south of Coldhams Lane. Closings These representations made on behalf of Anderson O&U Limited seek to ensure that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan appropriately represents existing relevant policy allocations, and delivers a robust and effective strategy for delivering new development over the Plan period. Our primary points are:  We support in principle the four key themes and the Council’s approach to place-making;  We would highlight that Land South of Coldham’s Lane is not shown as an existing employment allocation (figure 24) and respectfully recommend that it is included in future iterations of the Local Plan;  We support the Councils intent to encourage a range of employment opportunities and the need to respond to fast-changing working practices;  In respect of housing numbers, we encourage the Council to complete further evidence based assessments on housing numbers, which plan appropriately for the future, taking into account the Government’s standard methodology and planning beyond this where supported by the evidence base; and  Supports the identification of the Cambridge Airfield site (subject to it being available and deliverable) and would highlight the potential for a complimentary design approach to mixed use residential and employment development with appropriate infrastructure improvement, to the north and South of Coldhams Lane. We trust that the above comments are of use in the formulation of the Local Plan preparation. Please ensure that we are on the Council’s consultation register.

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