Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Paragraph 8 of the NPPF identifies the three overarching objectives of sustainable development as economic, social and environmental. It is noted that the social strand of sustainable development specifically relates meeting housing needs with strong, vibrant and healthy communities. It is considered that meeting housing and affordable housing needs must be part of the well-being and social inclusion theme of the emerging GCLP, since housing falls within the social objective of sustainable development. There are substantial affordability issues in Greater Cambridge associated with the high cost of buying housing, and those that cannot afford to live in Cambridge or South Cambridgeshire close to employment opportunities often having to endure longer, more costly and unsustainable commuting. Therefore, ‘good growth’ must include meeting housing and affordable housing needs within emerging GCLP by allocating suitable sites that can meet those needs in the most sustainable locations. It has long been recognised by the Councils that the most sustainable locations in the GCLP area are the City of Cambridge and its urban edge. As set out in Paragraph 8 and Chapter 8 of the NPPF the other factors that relate to the wellbeing and social inclusion theme are about creating well-designed and safe developments, providing access to services and facilities, and providing open space. It is suggested that the emerging GCLP will need to allocate suitable sites that are accessible to services and facilities or can provide those facilities on site. Marchingdale Developments Ltd is promoting the land at NIAB Headquarters on Huntingdon Road for a high quality Build to Rent scheme; the site falls within the land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road Area of Major Change (Policy 20 in the adopted Cambridge Local Plan 2018) and planning permission has been granted for a new neighbourhood in this location. In summary, there is a need to provide purpose-built private rented sector accommodation in Cambridge for those that cannot afford to buy houses in Cambridge. The site is in a highly sustainable location for development, which is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport to the services and facilities in the local area and to employment opportunities in Cambridge. It is requested in these representations that the buildings and land at NIAB Headquarters is specifically allocated in emerging GCLP for a Build to Rent scheme, which would be consistent with the wellbeing and social inclusion theme, and would contribute towards the delivery of ‘good growth’.

Very important

The National Infrastructure Commission, the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership also acknowledge and support the economic growth potential of the Greater Cambridge area. The Cambridge and Peterborough Devolution Deal commits the authorities in the area to planning to double economic output by 2040. The Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review acknowledges the relationship between economic growth and new housing. Therefore, it is requested that economic growth aspirations are matched by the delivery of housing. The provision of Build to Rent accommodation should be part of the mix of housing tenures because it would meet the housing needs of those employed in Cambridge who cannot afford to buy a house and want to avoid the cost of commuting.

The emerging GCLP will need to be consistent with national guidance on meeting housing needs. Paragraph 61 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need and renters. Section Id.61 of the Planning Practice Guidance provides advice on assessing the housing needs of different groups, including those seeking housing in the private rented sector. Section Id.60 provides specific advice on build to rent developments. As set out in Paragraph 001 (of Id.60) it is advised that development plans should include a policy setting out the approach to promoting and accommodating build to rent, including the circumstances and locations where build to rent developments will be encouraged. It is requested that the emerging GCLP will need to assess the demand for private rented accommodation in Greater Cambridge and seek to meet that need during the plan period through a build to rent policy and site specific allocations. Marchingdale Developments Ltd is promoting the land at NIAB Headquarters on Huntingdon Road for a high quality Build to Rent scheme. Marchingdale Developments Ltd commissioned a report to assess the demand for this type of housing in Cambridge. The Build to Rent in Cambridge: Market Research Report (Iceni Projects Limited – March 2019) is submitted with these representations. Please note that both reports are commercially sensitive and should not be made publicly available. In summary, there is recent evidence of a significant increase in the private rented sector, which is driven by strong house price growth exceeding incomes resulting in increasing numbers of younger households unable to buy and therefore renting for longer. The delivery of high quality purpose-built Build to Rent accommodation, as proposed at the NIAB Headquarters site, would increase tenant choice, provide more secure tenancy arrangements, and deliver a proportion of affordable rented accommodation.

As set out in the response to Qu.31, it is requested that the need and demand for purpose-built private rented accommodation is assessed for emerging GCLP, which is consistent with the advice in Paragraph 61 of the NPPF. Marchingdale Developments Ltd is promoting the buildings and land at NIAB Headquarters on Huntingdon Road for a Build to Rent scheme, and it is requested that this site is specifically allocated for this use in emerging GCLP. Marchingdale Developments Ltd commissioned a report on a Build to Rent scheme on this site. The Benefits & Opportunities of Build to Rent Development at Huntingdon Road Report (Iceni Projects Limited – October 2019) is submitted with these representations. In summary, the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy (April 2019) recognises the need for purpose-built private rented sector accommodation in Cambridge. Build to Rent schemes have a number of benefits, including longer-term tenancies, providing a higher standard of rented accommodation, meeting housing needs, and retaining employees that would otherwise be unable to afford to live locally. In summary, the benefits of a Build to Rent scheme at the NIAB Headquarters site are as follows: socio-economic benefits including construction jobs and support for the local economy; meet the demand for purpose-built private rented sector accommodation; meet the housing needs of younger households and those that cannot afford to buy a house; provide a mix of dwelling sizes, including studios, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom accommodation; and, provide affordable private rented accommodation – fixed at 80% of market rent. For all these reasons it is requested that the buildings and land at the NIAB Headquarters site on Huntingdon Road is allocated for a Build to Rent scheme in emerging GCLP. As outlined above, the two reports that accompany these representations are commercially sensitive and should not be made publicly available.