Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020
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New searchFarmland
N/A
N/A
Greenfield
Residential development
Much needed market and affordable homes
Approximately 300 dwellings
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Access could be provided from either Long Road or Barton Road
Site has topography suitable for residential development
The western edge of the site is at risk from surface water flooding. No development will be proposed in the area at risk of surface water flooding
The site adjoins the existing built-up area for Comberton. It is, therefore, anticipated that the site has good connections to existing infrastructure. There are power cable/phone lines running down the Long Road site boundary. Existing utilities will be incorporated in to scheme designs
The site is vacant and available
The site is under option to a developer who is committed to developing the site without delay.
No known constraints
N/A
Assuming the site secures an allocation in the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan following adoption in 2023 an application could be progressed immediately and could start to deliver 2024/25.
2029/30
5
No known constraints to development
I am writing on behalf of Thakeham Homes Ltd (Thakeham) with a general response in respect of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council’s (“the Councils”) Greater Cambridge Local Plan – The First Conversation: Issues and Options 2020. The comments made in these representations do not prejudice any other representations that are submitted by Thakeham Homes relating to a specific site. Introduction Thakeham is pleased to be participating in the current consultation and have outlined our position below in response to the specific questions raised in the Councils’ Issues and Options 2020 paper, particularly on the Councils’ approach to locating new development, in order to deliver a Local Plan that supports sustainable development across the district. Thakeham has completed the Council’s questionnaire template for each of the relevant questions. These forms are enclosed with this letter under the Appendix. About Thakeham Thakeham do not just build houses; Thakeham are infrastructure-led placemakers and are committed to creating new, extraordinary places, where the highest attention to detail makes a positive difference. Thakeham build for the future, for communities and for individuals. Our approach sets us apart from our competitors. We deliver our schemes with a focus on sustainable development, looking ahead of current housing standards. From 2025, all Thakeham Homes will be carbon neutral in construction and zero carbon in lifetime use. Each development we build is tailored to its locality, with careful consideration of the area’s character, as well as the environment. As a sustainable placemaker first and foremost, Thakeham’s commitment to creating or improving existing communities means its schemes are design and infrastructure-led; engaging with education, healthcare, highways, utilities and other stakeholders from the start of a project. The delivery of a large volume of homes facilitates the delivery of physical, social and green infrastructure which benefits the wider surrounding area, as well as the new residents, and ensures that Thakeham create sustainable places to live and work. At every stage, our approach is one that ensures we leave a legacy behind that everyone can be proud of.
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Agree Thakeham agree with the Councils’ approach to collaborate with neighbouring authorities, especially in relation to assessing housing need. Whilst Section 4.6.3, details the Councils’ objectively assessed housing need, there appears to be no allowance for any shortfall in delivery that has been identified in neighbouring Local Authorities. Thakeham would like to raise concern that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan consultation document has not mentioned the wider housing market area and how this unmet need by neighbouring Authorities, impacts Greater Cambridgeshire’s housing need. Given the affordability issues in Cambridgeshire, it is highly likely the housing market area for Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire is shared with neighbouring authorities. In accordance with the NPPF, the Council has a duty to co-operate on housing issues crossing administrative boundaries. Local Plans are required to meet their “full objectively assessed need for market and affordable housing in the housing market area, as far as consistent with the policies set out in this Framework” (NPPF, paragraph 47). Whilst it is pleasing that the Councils’ appear to be looking to meet their housing needs in full it is important to consider whether any unmet needs from other authorities in the housing market area can be met within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.
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Summary of Comments for Question 5 (Do you think we have identified the right cross-boundary issues and initiatives that affect ourselves and neighbouring areas?): To an extent. Should also consider whether any unmet needs from other authorities in the housing market area can be met within the Greater Cambridge.
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Strongly Agree Thakeham agrees that the four big themes for the Local Plan are appropriate and important in considering the spatial distribution of growth and policy formation and will follow through to applications in the future. Thakeham strongly agree that ‘Climate Change’ should be a key theme for the Local Plan with a focus on development which can provide both new and improved sustainable transport links, new zero-carbon homes, and new employment opportunities which link to and sustain settlements. Thakeham would also like to urge the Councils’ to work with environmentally focused developers, such as ourselves, to deliver high quality, sustainable developments. Thakeham also strongly agree with the key theme ‘Wellbeing and social inclusion’ and strongly urges the Councils’ to ensure the plan supports development and growth across the wider district. As a sustainable placemaker, Thakeham also strongly agree with the theme ‘Great Places’ as Thakeham are not just a housebuilder, but are committed to creating new, extraordinary places, where the highest attention to detail makes a positive difference. In accordance with Paragraph 124 of the NPPF, the creation of high-quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve, and good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, which creates better places in which to live and work.
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Summary of comments for Question 6 (Do you agree with the potential big themes for the Local Plan?): Thakeham agrees that the four big themes are appropriate and important for considering the spatial distribution of growth and policy formation.
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Climate Change, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion, Great Places, Biodiversity and Green Spaces
Whilst Thakeham is of the view that all the above themes should be given equal weight as they are all important, it is also key that climate change should be a priority, with a focus on development which can provide both new and improved sustainable transport links, new zero-carbon ready homes, and new employment opportunities which link to and sustain existing villages and settlements. Thakeham would like to urge the Councils’ to work with environmentally focused developers to deliver high quality, sustainable developments. Thakeham is also over the view that development should focus on improving wellbeing and social inclusion for both residents in existing settlements and new development. This can be achieved through allocating development and new facilities (open space, community and employment uses) across the wider district to include villages, in order to allow them to grow and thrive in accordance with Paragraph 78 of the NPPF. It is also key that new development is of high quality and centred around placemaking. In accordance with Paragraph 124 of the NPPF, the creation of high-quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve, and good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, which creates better places in which to live and work.
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Thakeham is of the view that the Local Plan should focus on delivering growth across the District, in order to provide new sustainable transport links, new homes, including affordable homes, and new employment opportunities which link to and sustain existing and new settlements. The provision of new sustainable transport links and flexible employment spaces in settlements will reduce the reliance on travel across the wider district, especially by private car. Thakeham also urge the Councils’ to review potential allocation sites based on the credentials of the developer, and work with environmentally focused developers like Thakeham to deliver high quality, sustainable developments. Thakeham are forerunners in creating sustainable communities and have committed that from 2025, every Thakeham home will be zero carbon in its lifetime use. In addition, we have committed to reducing carbon from the production of every Thakeham home, mitigating any remaining impact through offsetting schemes. As a business, we have committed to being zero carbon by 2025, and are well on the way to achieving this. Thakeham believes in a proactive approach and as a result of our commitments we are streets ahead of other developers in the industry and are demonstrating a capacity to change the future of UK new housing, 25 years ahead of current UK Government targets.
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Summary of comments for Question 8 (how should the Local Plan help us achieve net zero carbon by 2050?): Thakeham believes that development should be sustainable-led and focus on placemaking to ensure people can live, work and play in the same place.
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Thakeham believes that the Councils’ should ensure the Local Plan locates new development where it can bring wider benefits to existing communities in terms of access to services, facilities and green space. Development should also enable access to new employment spaces for both existing and new communities. Thakeham urge the Councils’ to allocate development and growth across the wider district including existing villages and via new settlements, in order to allow them to grow and thrive in accordance with Paragraph 78 of the NPPF. The key is to ensure new development focusses on placemaking, with open space and sustainable living and movement at the heart of development principles.
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