Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

4.12 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 4.13 For reference as to how Land at Frog End could improve the natural environment, please refer to Section 2 of these representations, the Vision Document prepared by Bidwells, the Transport Appraisal prepared by Cannon Consulting Engineers, the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal prepared by Geosphere and the Arboricultural Survey prepared by Geosphere.

4.14 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 can be used to improve the wider green space network.

4.15 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. 4.16 M Scott Properties Ltd is a member of the Natural Cambridgeshire Developers’ Forum, seeking to understand the best practice and to understand where opportunities exist to increase biodiversity on sites. Their sites are assessed against the Developing with Nature Toolkit, with a view to exceeding the proposed ‘Charter Mark’ threshold. Through the proposed development at Frog End, Shepreth, there is scope to work with the Wildlife Trust and double the SSSI adjacent to the site. M Scott Properties Ltd are also committed to the ‘doubling with nature’ initiative promoted by Natural Cambridgeshire.

Yes, somewhat agree

4.17 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. 4.18 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.

4.19 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. 4.20 Good growth that promotes wellbeing (including health) should be inclusive and include antipoverty measures. The allocation of Land at Frog End, Shepreth would help to promote measures to improve wellbeing 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 commercial development and job creation that offers the Living Wage and opportunities for those on lower incomes to increase wages to easily access jobs; ● Provision of social infrastructure including community use land and a large area of open space to provide opportunities for improved health outcomes; ● Promotion of low-cost housing proportionate to income in the area; and ● Promotion of ‘fully accessible’ social housing, within active travel of employment. 4.21 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. 4.22 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. 4.23 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. 4.24 For reference as to how Land at Frog End could help achieve ‘good growth’, please refer to Section 2 of these representations and the Village Assessment prepared by Bidwells.

4.25 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. 4.26 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. 4.27 M Scott Properties Ltd 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 and provision of specific local infrastructure or contributions towards this.

4.28 First and foremost, the Local Plan can achieve socially inclusive communities when planning new development by forming a spatial strategy that ensures that new development is accessible or can be made accessible. Providing everyone with the opportunity to walk, bus and cycle to jobs, schools, shops, services and social activities will be vital. 4.29 Socially inclusive communities are created by people, but it helps if infrastructure is provided in time for first residents, either as a temporary facility or a smaller version of the final product. It will be important to ensure that support systems and management strategies are in place for community infrastructure. 4.30 Social inclusion can also be delivered by building in public realm to all forms of development (housing, employment and leisure) that encourages informal meeting and ‘bumping’ into people. 4.31 Providing a mix of housing types including a range of dwellings sizes and a proportion of affordable is key to achieving socially inclusive communities. Allocating Land at Frog End for mixed use development would provide opportunities to promote social inclusion as it is proposed to provide an enhanced level of affordable housing. The proposed homes would also 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 Frog End in order to deliver housing that is suitable for a range of people with varying needs.

4.32 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. 4.33 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. 4.34 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. 4.35 With respect to Land at Frog End, Shepreth, the Site is able to provide in excess of 10% Net Environmental Gain as a result of the extensive network of retained and proposed green spaces providing opportunities for an increase in natural habitat and ecological features, including the potential to double the L-Moor Shepreth SSSI that lies to the south-west of the site through consultation with the Wildlife Trust. 4.36 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.

4.37 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, close to existing public transport corridors, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties; and ● Encouraging the provision of electric car and cycle parking infrastructure in new developments.

4.38 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). 4.39 An Initial Heritage Assessment has been prepared in respect of Land at Frog End, Shepreth and accompanies these representations. This has informed the emerging proposals for the site to ensure the significance of the Shepreth Conservation Area and nearby Listed Buildings is protected through careful and sensitive design. Further detail on this assessment and how it has informed the site design is included in Section 2 of these representations.