Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020
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Results for U+I Group PLC search
New searchOffices, welfare facility and materials/plant storage for A14 improvement works.
N/A
S/1097/05 LDC
Greenfield
Mixed use – part of the site being used to support accommodation for the homeless; the remainder of the site being used for industrial development (potentially linked to the homeless accommodation scheme e.g. providing training and employment), and/or to support relocation of existing industrial uses from Cowley Road Industrial Park or Nuffield Road Industrial Park as part of the wider North East Cambridge regeneration.
Market and Affordable Housing - Yes – accommodation for the homeless, but would also consider an element of market housing too (possibly to cross subsidise the cost of accommodation for the homeless). Other Forms of Housing - Yes – accommodation for the homeless, but would also consider an element of market housing too (possibly to cross subsidise the cost of accommodation for the homeless). Employment Uses - Yes – to support relocation of existing uses from North East Cambridge. U+I have begun early discussions with a local charity for the homeless – It Takes A City – about the possibility of creating approximately 20 homes for the homeless. Homelessness is a significant issue in Cambridgeshire and charities such as It Takes A City are actively seeking opportunities to help address this challenge. An example of a smaller scheme can be found on Newmarket Road, on the Holy Cross site, which has consent for 6no. modular units for the homeless. A similar, albeit larger scheme, is considered for this site.
Not known at this stage, but will be the subject of further feasibility, viability and site testing for the next consultation stage of the Local Plan.
Not Specified
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Access via Cambridge Road, Milton
N/A
Potential noise and air quality issues from the adjacent A14 and nearby Waste Water Treatment Plant, although opportunities for mitigation through design – and removal of odour constraint once the Waste Water Treatment Plant is decommissioned.
It is understood that the site has access to key utilities, although further assessment will be required.
It is understood that the site has access to key utilities, although further assessment will be required.
Site is expected to be vacated shortly.
There is a strong need for homeless accommodation; and it is considered likely that there will be a demand for industrial uses if existing occupiers are relocated from Cowley Road and Nuffield Road Industrial Estates as part of the NEC AAP process.
We don’t believe so.
Not specified.
Not Specified.
Not Specified.
Homeless accommodation: within a year of receiving planning permission; Industrial development: 1-2 years following receipt of planning permission;
Not Specified.
2.01 The Consultation material and publicity seeks to encourage a wide range of individuals and organisations to respond, all of which is positive and to be welcomed. It should be acknowledged that feedback from local communities and organisations is one of a number of factors that will inform decisions about the strategy and policies for emerging GCLP. For example, national planning guidance, technical evidence and feedback from statutory consultees will have a key role in informing decisions, and it would not be a sound approach to ignore these factors.
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Response to Question 2 2.02 As noted in Section 5.2.1 of the Consultation, the Site is a brownfield site in the built-up area of Cambridge, where funding has been secured through the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support redevelopment (for approximately 5,200 new homes) based on the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant (CWWTP). A NEC AAP is currently in preparation (a process that U+I are actively engaged in, and have submitted representations to the Issues and Options 2 consultation in March 2019), and the NEC AAP will show how significant levels of jobs and homes can be created here. Whilst the Site is allocated in both the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Local Plans (2018), neither plan relied on development here to make up its growth targets. This means that all development here will count towards the additional targets for the GCLP. It is important that the GCLP recognises in its policy for NEC that major housing development is acceptable and that relocation of the CWWTP is required. This is particularly crucial in the event that GCLP is adopted in advance of the NEC AAP. 2.03 Accordingly, there is no need to re-submit the Site and development intentions. 2.04 U+I also control other land in the North East Cambridge area, and these will be submitted separately.
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Response to Question 3 2.05 Where U+I have sites that could benefit from, and enhance existing green space and wildlife habitats, steps will be taken to ensure such sites are delivered in a manner that seeks to deliver an enhanced wildlife quality. Projects will seek to create a net biodiversity gain and protect specialist ecological features where needed.
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2.06 We agree that 2040 is an appropriate date in the future to plan for.
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2.07 We agree that the right cross-boundary issues and initiatives have been identified, although would also add Economic Development, given that housing, jobs and infrastructure are so closely inter-linked and often carry cross-boundary significance. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Report outlined how certain authority-areas in the region offered very different economic opportunities, such as agriculture in the Fens (Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire), Knowledge-based industry in Cambridge/South Cambridgeshire etc, and harnessing all of these different strengths will benefit the wider region. Accordingly, collaboration with neighbouring authorities is important, as reflected in the Board membership of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
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Response to Question 6 2.08 We strongly agree with the potential big themes for the Local Plan.
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2.10 Carbon Neutral Cambridge identifies a number of actions to achieve net zero carbon. It is anticipated that the emerging GCLP will include policies to deliver net zero carbon. It is considered that the emerging GCLP should support the following to achieve net zero carbon: residential development that is located close to employment opportunities; development that is accessible by walk, cycling and public transport; development that provides green infrastructure including wildlife areas; development that prioritises zero carbon power sources and lowers operational and embodied demands; development that prioritises resource efficiency and reduced demand of resource heavy services, and, development that includes high sustainability standards. 2.11 Development should make priority for more sustainable and lower embodied and operational carbon buildings and infrastructure. Schemes should be supplied by electricity only. Buildings should be designed to be as passive as possible, thus reducing operational demands for heating and cooling from the outset. Technologies such as Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps should be investigated and implemented where feasible in order to provide a low impact means of building treatment and on-site energy generation should also be provided. Ideally, all new permanent developments over 500sqm will be required to undertake full operational energy and comfort modelling in line with CIBSE TM54 for operational energy and TM 59 for overheating risk, using 2050 climate data. Projects should demonstrate that they pass future climate data requirements. 2.12 In addition, steps should be taken to ensure the embodied carbon of projects is minimised. Preference should be made for construction materials and processes that are lower in embodied carbon and resource use, such as timber construction, prefabricated elements and requiring projects to use at least >20% GGBS in concrete. It is recommended that a whole life carbon analysis is undertaken on all permanent projects over 500sqm. 2.13 Where eliminating polluting energy sources (such as gas) is not feasible for existing buildings, provision should be made to ensure that they are treated appropriately to minimise energy consumption and heat losses. 2.14 Finally, we support any recommendations to encourage the use of offsetting (where feasible) in order to support the ongoing decarbonisation of projects. Recommendations include tree planting as well as investment in existing building treatments such as insulation application.
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2.15 The suggested mitigation measures identified in Section 4.1.3 of the Issues & Options consultation document are supported. It is considered that the selection of suitable development sites which could deliver those climate mitigation measures will be key to reducing the impact on the climate. Beyond the recommended mitigation measures, we would also encourage putting in place stakeholder behaviour change initiatives in order ensure sustainable choices become part of everyday life. This might include putting in place neighbourhood Sustainability champions or hubs. 2.16 With regards to offsetting, we would encourage looking to create mechanisms whereby offsetting also looked at providing improved insulation and treatment to existing buildings within the area. 2.17 We would also recommend that when designing new communities and buildings, a maximum kgCO2e/m2 of is set for different building types, i.e. offices, homes, apartments, schools etc. By setting a benchmark level, this will encourage new developments to steer design and construction to solutions to reduce the embodied carbon of the materials they use. Reference can be made to recent RIBA targets: https://www.architecture.com/-/media/files/Climate-action/RIBA-2030-Climate-Challenge.pdf
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2.18 Agree. There will be many opportunities to incorporate additional climate adaptation and resilience features into new development. It will be critical for new developments to capture these opportunities to ensure they are resilient for future climate changes, and so that that can operate successfully in the future. It is likely that those opportunities will emerge at detailed design stage and on a site by site basis, but we support pushing new developments to go further than ‘business as usual’. It is also likely that new solutions and good practice examples will emerge during the plan period for emerging GCLP.
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