Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

2.27. New proposals should include a strong element of public consultation with the local community. Preapplication engagement is encouraged by the National Planning Policy Framework as it is recognised that it can help to gain buy-in from the community 2.28. Engagement the Council’s Officers is also an important part of the process to shaping the delivery of new development.

2.29. This is a key question for new development and is achieved through various strands of consideration (as listed at page 43) throughout the planning process. In respect of residential development, inclusivity is achieved by planning for a range of homes for all parts of the community and ensuring that infrastructure, services and facilities are provided alongside development. Detailed design also plays a vital role in the safety of the new residential schemes.

2.30. There is a significant body of evidence emerging3 that shows healthy lifestyles are best supported by developments that are able to provide:  ‘Gentle density’ that is only achievable in more urban areas;  Where public transport is available;  Walkable neighbourhoods;  Shops, services and places to meet;  Leafy and with regular green spaces. 3 Spatial Planning for Health – an evidence resource for planning and designing healthier places, Public Health England, 2017

2.31. It is acknowledged that air quality is a key consideration for Greater Cambridge. In seeking to improvements in air quality the Councils need to be informed by robust technical evidence base. Additionally it is noted that the Councils have recently introduced the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD, a review of the successes of this document should inform emerging policy.

2.32. Existing landscape and settlement patterns should inform new development, in conjunction with other environmental constraints, potential opportunities and public consultation.

2.33. The National Planning Policy Framework and National Design Guide reiterate the importance of good design. There are various opportunities throughout the development process to shape design ranging from preapplication consultation to detailed material considerations. 2.34. Where applicants have taken to the time to seek pre-application advice it is crucial that the advice provided is aspirational but pragmatic to enable the timely delivery of development.

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2.35. The Issues and Options report identifies at page 50 that the Greater Cambridge economy is of national importance. It is clear that Greater Cambridge has a crucial role to play in the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor; as well as the Cambridge – Norwich tech corridor. Supporting the continued growth of the economy is a crucial role for the emerging Local Plan. Planning for sufficient housing to support such economic growth is therefore also critical. 2.36. The ability for Greater Cambridge to provide economic growth, and therefore improvements in standards of living for those in the area, are highlighted thought the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER), September 2018. The CPIER indicates that employment growth has been faster than envisaged. The Councils should look to draw on this opportunity to deliver better lifestyles for all those living and working in the wider region, and in particular to deliver benefits across the communities of Greater Cambridge.

2.37. It is acknowledged that the local housing need as informed by the Standard Method calculation identifies a need for a minimum of 1,800 homes per year within Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. It is strongly recommended to the Councils that the emerging Local Plan should be planning for an increased supply of housing in order to support economic growth aspirations for the area and to ensure the full range of housing is provided to meet the needs of the area particularly with regard to student accommodation. 2.38. The CPIER indicates that in order to realise the growth that could be delivered, a total of some 2,900 homes per year will be needed. If such levels cannot be reached, the Local Plan will fail in its ambitions to deliver other key aspects of the Local Plan, which necessarily need to be accompanied by housing growth. 2.39. It is also recommended that the emerging Local Plan is informed by a robust evidence base to establish the size, type, and tenure of housing needed in the area.

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2.37. It is acknowledged that the local housing need as informed by the Standard Method calculation identifies a need for a minimum of 1,800 homes per year within Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. It is strongly recommended to the Councils that the emerging Local Plan should be planning for an increased supply of housing in order to support economic growth aspirations for the area and to ensure the full range of housing is provided to meet the needs of the area particularly with regard to student accommodation. 2.38. The CPIER indicates that in order to realise the growth that could be delivered, a total of some 2,900 homes per year will be needed. If such levels cannot be reached, the Local Plan will fail in its ambitions to deliver other key aspects of the Local Plan, which necessarily need to be accompanied by housing growth. 2.39. It is also recommended that the emerging Local Plan is informed by a robust evidence base to establish the size, type, and tenure of housing needed in the area.

2.40. To ensure the Local Plan is inclusive there is a need for the Local Plan to provide for a wide range of housing including a diverse range of tenures. It is also recommended that the emerging Local Plan is informed by a robust evidence base to establish the size, type, and tenure of housing needed in the area.