Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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Response to Question 42 6.18 The spatial strategy that will inform the emerging Greater Cambridge Plan must be realistic in ensuring that the housing requirement can be met on appropriate and deliverable sites across the area. As set out in the NPPF (paragraph 67), planning policies should identify a sufficient supply and mix of sites, taking into account their availability, suitability and likely economic viability. 6.19 The Issues and Options consultation document presents a range of location options, as follows: • Densification of existing urban areas; • Edge of Cambridge: outside Green Belt; • Edge of Cambridge: Green Belt; • Dispersal: new settlements; • Dispersal: village; and • Public transport corridors. 6.20 Given the scale of new housing required over the plan period, site selection will require a mix of locations. No single option from the above list can provide the spatial strategy for the forthcoming plan period. For example, densification alone cannot accommodate the level of housing provision needed; some greenfield land will also be required.

6.21 The South Cambridgeshire villages have played an important role in delivering new housing, as Figure 23 (page 75) of the Issues and Options document demonstrates: this illustrates that 35% of growth within the adopted Local Plans (2011-2031) will be in the Rural Areas of Greater Cambridge. The current trend indicates that the villages will continue to have a key role in achieving anticipated future growth. 6.22 The Issues and Options document highlights two specific advantages associated with allowing development in villages (page 87). Firstly, new development can help to sustain existing facilities and infrastructure in the village. This is relevant to a number of villages in South Cambridgeshire, where there is typically an ageing population and limited new development, restricting opportunities for the community to grow. As set out in the NPPF (paragraph 78): “To promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services.” 6.23 Secondly, the Issues and Options document highlights that development in villages can provide for a diversity of population in the village. New housing developments will be expected to provide affordable housing in accordance with development control policy (currently set at 40%), with an appropriate mix of rented and intermediate tenures. A mix of dwelling sizes would also be required. This creates a natural mix of population, bringing greater diversity to villages that would otherwise continue to experience an ageing population. 6.24 The Issues and Options document sets out four specific challenges that development within villages may face (page 87). These are considered below with particular reference to Hardwick and the proposed allocation of land east of Cambridge Road. 6.25 The first challenge identified is that village development can result in increased commuting by car with travel required to access services and facilities, particularly if the village is away from main transport corridors. In the case of Hardwick, the village has excellent connections to Cambridge and Cambourne, with existing bus services along with pedestrian and cycle routes. The village will also benefit from improved connectivity associated with the new Cambourne-to-Cambridge public transport project, with the latest plans showing the route along St Neots Road with the potential for a stop in Hardwick, either adjacent to or very close to the Site east of Cambridge Road. It is planned that improved cycleways will be provided alongside the new public transport route, facilitating cycling into the City Centre. In addition, a new Park and Ride facility is proposed at Scotland Farm to the northwest of Hardwick. 6.26 The second challenge set out is that small sites are unlikely to significantly contribute to improvements to infrastructure. However, the Site in Hardwick provides an opportunity for a strategic-scale development which will deliver a range of local benefits to the existing village. Compared to a piecemeal approach, a planned village extension would provide a unique opportunity to provide improvements to local infrastructure, including the village’s green infrastructure. 6.27 The third challenge presented is potential impact on village character. This could be considered to include heritage, landscape and visual impact. With reference to Hardwick, these issues have been assessed with reference to the Site east of Cambridge Road. The Site lies to the north of the Conservation Area and associated historic core of the village along Main Street, with a low likelihood of adverse impacts on heritage assets. Landscape and visual assessment of the Site has identified areas where mitigation will be built into the landscaping strategy. The Site provides a unique opportunity to create a well-planned, high-quality village extension that will positively enhance the village character, promoting sustainable lifestyles and transport choices and facilitating access into the countryside. 6.28 The fourth challenge identified by the Issues and Options document is Green Belt. It acknowledges that some of the larger, better-served villages are surrounded by Green Belt. The Preliminary Green Belt Assessment undertaken by Terence O’Rourke demonstrated that the Site makes a low contribution to the Cambridge Green Belt when measured against the five Green Belt purposes set out in the NPPF (paragraph134). The proposed site allocation provides an opportunity to create a new defensible boundary. 6.29 Hill and Chivers consider that a robust and thorough approach to Green Belt review is required through the Local Plan process. This should include a detailed consideration of Green Belt boundaries in Hardwick, as the village’s evolution and development has been adversely impacted by the Green Belt designation to the east. 6.30 In considering the advantages and challenges that the Issues and Options document highlights in relation to development in villages, the village of Hardwick scores well in terms of sustainability. 6.31 Directing growth to villages that are well-located and have the potential to accommodate and benefit from growth should be a key element of the Local Plan’s spatial strategy for the plan period. The planned expansion of villages such as Hardwick could provide new housing whilst also boosting the local economy, creating the critical mass for improved services and facilities which in turn will assist in rejuvenating the local community and creating an improved sense of place. This will also reduce the need to travel, promoting sustainable lifestyles and reducing the impact of development on the environment.

6.32 The Issues and Options document sets out the approach of focusing homes and jobs along key public transport corridors and around transport hubs, extending out from Cambridge. It suggests that this strategy could include expanding or intensifying existing settlements, or creating more new settlements (page 88). We wholeheartedly support this as a sustainable option. 6.33 As the consultation document states, the advantages of this approach include utilising opportunities for high quality public transport whilst also supporting the expansion of economic benefits outwards from Cambridge. Promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport is key to reducing road congestion and associated negative environmental impacts, including climate change. These factors weigh strongly in favour of a strategy of focusing development along public transport corridors. 6.34 With reference to the proposed development of land east of Cambridge Road, Hardwick, to create a village extension, this Site is located on the Cambourne-to-Cambridge public transport route (including a new Park and Ride facility at Scotland Farm). It also lies adjacent to the A428, which will form part of the future Cambridge-to-Oxford Expressway. In addition, East-West Rail will have a station at Cambourne, providing strategic links to other locations on the CAMKOX corridor. 6.35 The Issues and Options document highlights challenges associated with the use of land along transport corridors, including implications for Green Belt. However, this approach does not necessitate continual linear development along chosen transport corridors. Sites within and adjacent to existing villages and new settlements should be identified for development, whilst retaining countryside gaps to ensure the appropriate setting and amenity of settlements. Another identified challenge is the weight to be given to proposed new strategic transport infrastructure, including the level of certainty relating to delivery and timing. In this regard, the Councils will need to work closely with their strategic partners and other infrastructure providers. As the statutory development plan for the area, it is important that transport projects included within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan are realistic and have a clear timescale for delivery. 6.36 Directing growth to public transport corridors should focus on the sustainable development of existing villages. This should be a key element of the Local Plan’s spatial strategy for the plan period. Focusing development on transport corridors and within the best-connected villages will promote sustainable travel options, reducing dependence upon private vehicles and assisting in the creation of zero carbon communities in keeping with strategic policy objectives.