Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Strongly agree. As set out in the response to Question 39 national guidance allows the release of land from the Green Belt through the plan-making process, and that exceptional circumstances exist to release land which is related to the significant need for housing and affordable housing in Greater Cambridge and the need to support economic growth. The experience of new settlements and the redevelopment of previously developed land on the edge of Cambridge demonstrates that these options do not deliver policy compliant levels of affordable housing, and in the case of new settlements these types of development typically have much longer lead-in times than originally predicted. Therefore, releasing land from the Green Belt on the edge of Cambridge, including at land off Limekiln Road, is a realistic option. It is considered that in reality the development strategy will be based on a combination of spatial distribution options. Paragraph 68 of the NPPF acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, it is requested that small/medium sized sites such as land off Limekiln Road in Cambridge are allocated to meet the requirement for a mix of sites including those that are easily deliverable; it is predicted that it would take approximately one year for development to be completed at the site once construction has started. Paragraph 102 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 103 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable. As set out in the response to Qu.37, Cherry Hinton is very accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. The promoted development is accessible to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Peterhouse Technology Park and to Cambridge, and all of the services and facilities in Cherry Hinton and Queen Edith’s. As set out in the call for sites submission, there are no significant constraints to development at land off Limekiln Road in Cambridge. The site makes a limited contribution to the Green Belt, and could be released to meet the needs for housing, affordable housing and self-build plots. The promoted development would include additional landscaping to enhance the setting of the site. Cherry Hinton and the promoted site are suitable locations for additional development.