Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

The relationship between homes and jobs has the most influence over travel patterns. Therefore, far more attention should be paid to locating housing and jobs more closely together allowing alternative modes of transport to the car to access jobs in and around Cambridge. We suggest that new employment allocations should be made in all key settlements in the rural areas so as to disperse more jobs away from Cambridge. Those settlements should be key rural centres where there are: • A certain level of existing or planned housing growth; • A good range of services and facilities; • An existing employment base, which can be built upon; and • Settlements within reasonable proximity of Cambridge – because of the market for land and premises (i.e. viability). We suggest that settlements such as Fulbourn and Abington Park Farm would be appropriate locations for such allocations

Very flexible

We believe a flexible approach is desirable. Over time, employment in established settlements tends to decline and so it is important that as many forms of employment are allowed in villages consistent with environmental concerns. It is not simply the uses but the scale too. Some uses, on a modest scale, may be perfectly acceptable in or close to existing settlements.

No specific comments but tourism needs to be considered widely so that such consideration embraces the general leisure and recreation needs of the growing population are met. Experience has shown that the planning authorities have sometimes not been readily supportive (in principle) of cafes, garden centres, and other similar ‘passive’ leisure destinations in the rural areas.

No specific comments. Location is key for this plan – new housing should always be located close to existing and proposed employment areas and infrastructure and vice versa. To create a modal shift in transport and the delivery of a significant level of housing, strategic Green Belt releases need to be considered, particularly those located adjacent to public transport corridors and hubs. This would be in line with the Edge of Cambridge Green Belt Option and Public Transport corridors as presented under Q42.

Yes, strongly agree

Yes, but there needs to be a corresponding level of employment allocations.

All forms of accommodation, including the needs of the young, families and the elderly. In terms of elderly residents housing allocations need to be at locations with good public transport, medical facilities and settlements with a wide range of local facilities.

The question pre-supposes that additional provision is required. The Consultation Paper indicates that further need was not identified for those meeting the ‘planning’ definition. Given that it is a local plan that is being discussed – does that local plan need to cater for what might be termed ‘non-planning definition’ needs? If there is a need for further provision, then such provision should be dispersed across the whole plan area to avoid concentrations in particular areas.

Existing arrangements appear to work satisfactorily, although there needs to be more coordinated working between the different growth bodies.

It is possibly beyond the scope of the Local Plan but Greater Cambridge needs a considerably enhanced approach to public transport, including increases in capacity and reductions in fares to encourage use, and a strategic network of public transport, pedestrian and cycle routes linking key settlements with employment locations and Cambridge itself

Yes

Yes – there are clear opportunities to undertake strategic releases of Green Belt land adjacent to settlements located on public transport corridors, which will unquestionably allow a significant modal shift in transport from the private car.