Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Response to Question 2 Marshall has previously submitted details relating to the land at Cambridge East as part of the Call for Sites in March 2019. GCPS should refer to Marshall's completed Call for Sites form, Covering Letter, Supporting Report (prepared by Quod), Glossy 'Overview' Document (prepared by Allies & Morrison) and Letter of Collaboration from Cambridgeshire County Council. Note the Call for Sites document has been resubmitted as part of this response, to ensure references to ‘Cambridge East’ are consistent with the wider response.

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Response to Question 3 As set out in the accompanying Sustainability Vision Statement, Marshall have begun to shape their vision for biodiversity and green infrastructure at Cambridge East. We are considering ways to meet the 10% net biodiversity gain metric and to create green infrastructure that connects the project site to existing natural corridors and nature qualities. Marshall would therefore like to engage with the Councils going forward about their vision for Cambridge East and surrounding land, working in partnership with other nature conservation bodies.

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To help shape our thinking, we have developed a Sustainability Vision Statement, which should be read alongside responses to these questions and Quod's Report. This Statement addresses the four Big Themes and sets out the very high standard to which Marshall intends to hold itself in respect of each of these crucial aspects of delivering sustainable growth. Marshall fully endorse the potential big themes identified in the Issues & Options and has committed to embedding these themes in the development of a masterplan. In addition to the four big themes identified, which are predominantly environmentally focused, it should be noted that paragraph 8 of the NPPF recognises that "sustainable development" encompasses three objectives in the round, notably economic, social and environmental. As such, Marshall consider the provision of new homes, jobs and infrastructure of equivalent importance to the four Big Themes and would welcome increased emphasis on these elements as they are pivotal to the growth and economic prosperity of the area and to achieving sustainable development.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

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Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project. In terms of shaping a policy that addresses biodiversity net gain, the NPPF (paragraph 175) identifies that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the following principle: "if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts, adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, the planning permission should be refused". Marshall would support a policy that encourages individual proposals to achieve a 10% net gain, but this policy should consider mechanisms that enable sites to approach this net gain flexibly depending on the specific site context, e.g. off-site where necessary and appropriate.