Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020
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New searchLand to the east of Oakington Road, Dry Drayton
54.31
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Agriculture
N/A
N/A
Greenfield
Employment
The proposed employment development of the site would boost the local economy through the provision of thousands of jobs, therefore supporting the existing high tech cluster which surrounds Cambridge.
Unknown
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The site benefits from being located off a newly-constructed highway which links to the A14, which in turn is currently being upgraded. However, modifications to this access will be required in order to facilitate the development.
Land stability and geological investigations have not yet been undertaken.
The southern portion of the site is located in Flood Zone 2. However, this flood zone is largely concentrated along an existing drainage channel. Should the site be developed it is anticipated that extensive upgrades to the existing drainage system will be made, therefore resulting in the risk of on-site flooding being reduced. Consequently, this may culminate in the downgrading of the on-site flood zone to level 1. It is unknown as to whether protected species are present on-site. Any future planning application would be accompanied by a Phase 1 Ecology Assessment, which would assess the likelihood of protected species on-site. Should there be a likelihood of protected species on-site, the further surveys would be undertaken and mitigation measures would be proposed eg the provision of bat/bird boxes. No heritage assets are located on or adjacent to the site. It is unknown as to whether the land is contaminated. Any future planning application would be accompanied by a Phase 1 Contamination Assessment, which would assess the likelihood of contamination and recommend mitigation measures (if necessary). A footpath and bridleway run along the site's southern and eastern boundaries respectively (REF: 66/13 and 66/12). These Public Right of Ways present an opportunity to create a pedestrianised greenway and thus encourage future occupiers to access the surrounding countryside.
Two electricity pylons and overhead power lines are located in the southern portion of the site, and run from the south-west to the south-east. Any proposed built development would be set back away from these utilities, with appropriate landscape buffering also being incorporated. There would also be a requirement to increase/provide electricity, gas, drainage, sewerage and broadband services. The development is considered to benefit from being located off a newly-constructed highway which links to the A14, which in turn is currently being upgraded. The site is therefore considered to be well-suited to accommodating employment development due to being well-connected to an emerging regional highway network.
The landowner wants to develop the site as soon as feasibly possible.
Proximity to Cambridge and existing and emerging regional transport links; available in the short term; and all constraints are considered to be minor and/or easily overcome
N/A
N/A
2022/2023
2027/2028
5
See "G-Suitability - site features and constraints"
Response to Question 2 2.1.1 Please see accompanying three Additional Sites and Broad Locations response forms with accompanying site locations plans (Drawing No.’s B.16,348, B.16,348a, and B.16,348b), included at Appendix 1. 2.1.2 Specific information in respect of the uses proposed is outlined on the response forms together with the associated site location plans.
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3.1.1 Agree - The proposed Local Plan period up to 2040 is considered appropriate and to accord with the requirements set out within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for local authorities to identify strategic policies looking ahead over a minimum 15 year period from Plan adoption, to anticipate and respond to long-term requirements and opportunities, making sufficient provision for housing, employment, retail, leisure and other commercial development (Para.’s 20, 22).
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4.1.1 Agree - The four big themes for the Local Plan (climate change, biodiversity and green spaces, wellbeing and social inclusion, and great places) are considered suitable and all are considered to be important in the consideration of the spatial distribution of growth in the district, and for the determination of planning applications. The four big themes will generate a new way of planning, this may require a different way to make decisions; to allow other impacts to happen in order to achieve these four priorities. The Local Plan policy framework will need to allow for a clear planning balance to take place to assess and prioritise impacts.
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4.3.1 The increased focus on climate change is welcomed. Climate change policy and good practice is changing quickly, and the plan will need to build in suitable flexibility to accommodate these changes within the lifetime of the plan. Climate change scenarios predict extensive changes by 2050, much of which is dependent on government and human action so there is substantial uncertainty over outcomes. 4.3.2 A needlessly stringent policy may inadvertently impede progress towards later years in the plan, or undermine results by not allowing for site-specific refinement. For example, policy for electric vehicle charging points should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate that quickly changing technology, as well the current grid challenges in implemented EV charging places. Energy policies should include flexibility for changing legislation, and technology, as well as the opportunity to refine a plan-wide policy for site specifics. As the Zero Carbon Futures Symposium Report (2019) submitted within the evidence base notes on page 10: where targets are too limited, and without consideration of project contexts, policy can drive dysfunctional behaviour such as photovoltaic solar panels being installed on North facing roofs merely to achieve policy compliance not to produce effective carbon reductions. 4.3.3 Allowing for changing technologies and approaches should also help with viability as technology and approaches improve and are more widely adopted, thereby reducing costs. Escalating targets and policies may be able to accommodate these changes, while providing clarity to developers on the costs of development over time. 4.3.4 The local plan Sustainability Appraisal (SA) should address variable climate change scenarios, as we would expect that different climate change scenarios will be of interest at examination. Lack of rigorous assessment of these scenarios in the SA could lead to the plan being found unsound.
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4.4.1 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Adopted January 2020). This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework that recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.
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4.5.1 A policy approach with multiple options for delivering net zero carbon is likely to be most effective in delivering development, as well as carbon neutrality. A multi-pronged approach should allow different solutions for different developments, reflecting context. For example, for some developments, Passivhaus energy standards may be achievable (going well above and beyond minimums set out in the Building Regulations), but for others, Building Regulations may need to be followed but an offset solution, such as a green bond or offset fund, could be used to achieve a net carbon reduction. Possible options need to be worked up in more detail as the Plan progresses and must build in flexibility.
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4.6.1 To form a flexible policy framework, so as not to stifle the benefits of new technology or modern methods of construction.
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4.7.1 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.
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4.8.1 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.
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