Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

4.18 This should come through from an up-to-date base assessment of Greater Cambridge assets, which leads to a Local Plan wide (and beyond) strategy. Development proposals can then be shaped around the identified priorities, as part of a policy framework that allows for off-site mitigation and off-site net gain enhancements which can be used to improve the wider green space network.

4.19 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible. 4.20 The Council should develop a strategic offsetting mechanism. This would allow for new green infrastructure and biodiversity habitats to be strategically planned to provide greater benefit than the provision of small, uncoordinated and connected new habitats across a range of new developments.

Yes, somewhat agree

4.21 Axis support a policy framework to increase tree cover, but this must allow for a planning balance in decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 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.

4.22 ‘Good growth’ can be achieved by planning for new homes, jobs and communities in locations where residents have accessibility to high-quality public transport, new or existing health and community facilities and services, inviting public realms, green open spaces and a network of walking and cycling routes. 4.23 The new Local Plan should allocate sites which can deliver on these elements. For example, a new small-scale village settlement at Station Fields already benefits from being located adjacent to Foxton train station, the proposed Melbourn Greenway and an existing public right of way system which links into the surrounding villages. Furthermore, due to the size of the proposed development, there is greater scope to provide additional facilities and design features to promote wellbeing and social inclusion. 4.24 The new Local Plan should include policies to promote wellbeing and social inclusion. A clear, easy to use and implemented framework would be welcomed. Policies and guidance should reflect changing best practice and acknowledge the role of viability so that it does not constrain the delivery of housing and jobs.

4.25 New development should include a range of new homes and associated infrastructure which can be accessed and enjoyed by all groups in society. 4.26 To achieve this, the Local Plan should include policies which allow for innovative ways to deliver ‘affordable housing’ across a range of tenure types. It should include a clearer policy framework to support housing for elderly persons. 4.27 New developments of scale can be comprehensively planned to provide a range of different types of housing to suit specialist housing needs. For example, new development, such as that proposed at Station Fields can provide a socially inclusive community by:- ● Creating well-used and active public places that will help to foster a sense of community and reduce crime, including the ‘Countryside Park’, sports provision, children’s play areas, and streets and local greens. Places that will offer natural sociability, interaction and neighbourliness; ● Addressing issues of affordability by providing a variety of housing including self/custom build and being adaptable to changing needs of an ageing population; ● Ensuring a high quality of public spaces, buildings, community events, virtual notice boards, seating, meeting places and active streets that people want to use.

4.28 Paragraph 91 of the NPPF seeks to deliver healthy, inclusive and safe places, and identifies a number of approaches to support healthy lifestyles. It promotes social interaction through mixeduse developments, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts that include pedestrian and cycle connections, and active street frontages for example. It enables and supports healthy lifestyles, by providing green infrastructure, sports facilities, local shops, access to healthier food, allotments, and layouts that encourage walking and cycling. 4.29 NHS England Healthy Towns Initiatives identified ten principles to deliver healthy places, which relate to the provision of health services, meeting local and community health needs, and development design matters. In terms of design matters it is suggested that compact neighbourhoods, active travel, healthy eating opportunities, play and leisure facilities would contribute towards the delivery of healthy. 4.30 The location of new development can support healthy lifestyles by providing new homes and jobs which are well 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 should be a priority through: ● Creating different types of spaces within new developments, including areas which offer social interaction or tranquillity and/or access to nature. ● Ensuring a range of shops and services, and facilities like allotments, that ensure communities can access healthy and affordable food. ● Providing open space with integrate walking and cycling routes 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.

4.31 The NPPF recognises the role that the distribution of growth can have on air quality. It states that “significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions and improve air quality and public health.” 4.32 The Local Plan should allocate sites which limit the need to travel and offer a genuine choice of transport modes. A new village settlement at Station Fields which proposes a new Rural Travel Hub and new bypass of the level crossing on the A10 will improve air quality by reducing car emissions from stationary traffic waiting for long periods of time at the level crossing. 4.33 Reduce the use of vehicles by locating development where there is greatest access to active travel by employees, coupled with frequent, reliable and high-quality public transport options for those travelling from outside the city boundary. 4.34 Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme.

4.35 Axis supports the need to protect and respond to the different landscape and townscape characters within Greater Cambridge. Axis believe that contemporary design and the historic environment can co-exist. Planning policies should therefore be flexible enough to allow for a design-led approach to bring forward innovative and creatively designed new spaces and places for both current and future generations to enjoy.

Very important

4.36 The National Planning Policy Framework 2019 states that 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). 4.37 Growth relies on increases in employment and productivity. 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 ambition needs to be at the very heart of the Plan. 4.38 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.” 4.39 The new Local Plan should also support a prosperous rural economy and enhance the vitality and viability of the villages within Greater Cambridge which can be provided for by a new settlement at Station Fields.

4.40 A wide variety of employment space in terms of location, size, function and price, is most needed in Greater Cambridge, to support the growth of the economy, offer choice to meet occupier’s individual needs and strengthen opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. 4.41 There is a need to plan for flexible workspace and co-working hubs, providing shared facilities, which can adapt to fast-changing working practices. 4.42 The new Local Plan should therefore seek to allocate new employment land to provide local employment closer to home, diversify and enhance rural jobs, and help alleviate pressure for those who commute into the current employment hotspots.