Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

The aims set out are ambitious and wide-ranging. It is important that the plan is not overly long and complex. Too often, planning policies are over-prescriptive and subsequently lead to protracted debates when a planning application is submitted. The plan should be kept as simple as possible and focus on key priorities. Local Plan policies should not duplicate or repeat the scope of matters better controlled by other legislation e.g. Building Regulations. Viability testing is important. The need for carbon reduction is appreciated but if additional demands are placed on the development industry in respect of climate change, public transport needs or renewable energy generation for example, then there will be additional costs which feed into rents and values – thus potentially exacerbating some of the issues identified for the Plan to address. For local employers, attracting qualified young professionals is becoming more difficult as a result of very high house prices. However, those skilled employees (professional/educated/trained) would not qualify for social housing and, in any event, aspire to homeownership. There is therefore a case for an element of affordable housing provision to be in the form of low-cost starter homes i.e. discounted purchase.

Disagree

"We would suggest a plan period of 15 years from the date of adoption of the new local plan, as advised by paragraph 22 of the NPPF. If that is what the two planning authorities have in mind, then it is disappointing to note that it is expected to take 5 years for a new plan to be adopted? We do not fully understand, and it is not explained, why the start date is 2017, especially as the current Local Plans were not adopted September 2018. This should be set out in the next stage of the Local Plan. The plan should also include appropriate mechanisms to allow early reviews of the plan if there is a shortfall in housing delivery or significant economic changes."