Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Yes, somewhat agree

4.10.1 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allowing for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.10.2 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.

4.11.1 Policies should highlight wellbeing and social inclusion as a key priority for new developments. 4.11.2 Good growth that promotes wellbeing (including health) should be inclusive and include antipoverty measures including: ● Energy efficient homes and employment space that deliver low energy and water bills; ● 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; ● Allow for a wide range of social infrastructure and open space in new developments that provide pathways to free (i.e. no charge to the user) opportunities for improved health outcomes; ● Promotion of low cost housing proportionate to income in the area; ● Promotion of ‘fully accessible’ social housing, within active travel of employment; ● “ensure delivery of planned investment in transport infrastructure that improves connectivity between key employment locations and more deprived areas” Anti Poverty Strategy (DG23) 4.11.3 A spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; good quality public transport; facilities/services and high-quality open spaces. 4.11.4 A policy framework that allows for innovative ways to deliver ‘affordable housing’; being a housing solution that provides for homes that are cheaper to buy or rent, whatever the planning mechanism; so long as the mechanism is robust and can be secured within a planning decision. 4.11.5 Assessment of schemes throughout the combined authority areas 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. 4.11.6 Develop a policy framework 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. Focus policies on what really makes a difference. 4.11.7 Engagement with the combined authority, county council and CCG to understand community care and primary health care issues and needs, and to ensure facilities are available to deliver funded services.

4.12.1 First and foremost, to form 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. 4.12.2 Tenure blind development, with flexible housing mix policies to allow for the right homes in the right location. A clearer policy framework to support housing for elderly persons and increasing need for a range of homes and supported living. 4.12.3 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. Ensure that support systems/management strategies are in place for community infrastructure. In new settlements, community development workers are key to establishing links between people and opening connecting newcomers to the wider environment. 4.12.4 Build in public realm to all forms of development (housing, employment and leisure) that encourages informal meeting and ‘bumping’ into people. 4.12.5 Ensure delivery of truly affordable homes that meet the demands of the locality (village).

4.13.1 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. 4.13.2 Providing 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. 4.13.3 Consider the needs of all age ranges and abilities in the detailed design of open spaces and public realm. The landowner would like to explore the opportunity of land for this purpose under his control. 4.13.4 Ensure that new developments encourage healthy eating choices through the provision of healthy options (including supermarkets).

4.14.1 Principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, 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 rush hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad. 4.14.2 Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

Nothing chosen

5.1.1 It is essential to Greater Cambridge and the surrounding area as identified by CPIER (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review). 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 is a challenging target and needs to be a factor at the heart of the Plan.

5.2.1 A wide variety of space by location, size, function and price needs to be available to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage1. 5.2.2 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas to support growth of local businesses and strengthen opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. 5.2.3 The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. 5.2.4 Notwithstanding this, alongside it is vitally important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on long-distance travel to service the area with goods and services. 5.2.5 Cambridge lacks a distribution hub where goods are consolidated into loads for last mile (5 mile) delivery, thereby reducing the volume of HGVs moving in and through the city and reducing air pollution. Sites along the main distribution arteries, such as the A14 and A428, should be considered to avoid local HGV diversion and disruption to local communities. Delivering firstmile-last-mile connections across the Arc is a strategic priority of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 and recognised in CPIER: “improving the “last mile” – the ability to move around within the city of Cambridge – is of a higher immediate priority than [these] inter-city links, as their effectiveness will be severely blunted without this” CPIER p80. 5.2.6 New communities and urban extensions require flexible space that can be used by local people as need arises for local business growth, provide affordable and temporary space for start-ups and to physically support homeworkers. 5.2.7 All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times, improves the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants, contributing significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38 1 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 p 41

5.3.1 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people.

5.4.1 Whilst the focus of Cambridge is the Science and Technology sector as the driving force of the economy, there is a requirement for a range of job opportunities, in urban and more rural areas. The Local Plan policy framework needs to provide for a full range of opportunities; as planned allocations and windfall employment opportunities. 5.4.2 Availability of suitable sites and premises in excellent locations outside of Cambridge is a key factor in spreading the economic growth.

5.5.1 Locations with high levels of public transport access should be identified for businesses with high employment densities. This would include sites within walking distance of existing settlements, train stations, travel hubs, Park and Ride facilities and along transport corridors. “by ensuring good quality public transport is in place before development, the number of those new residents who will use the transport is maximised. This is also likely to be the best way to stretch some of the high-value businesses based within and around Cambridge out into wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These companies will not want to be distant from the city, but these clusters could ‘grow’ out along the transportation links, providing connection to other market towns.” 2 5.5.2 Non-knowledge intensive companies tend to be more footloose and typically locate where premises are provided rather than through bespoke development, while some companies expand from humbler often rural beginnings in converted buildings. To enable this growth dynamic, employment locations in settlements of all sizes and classification should be allocated or be permissible, with larger concentrations of floorspace in areas with better public transport and access to active modes of travel. CPIER supports this position noting that deeper networks on smaller clusters on the periphery of Cambridge could help spread the ‘Cambridge effect’. 2 CPIER p41