Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.25 In the case of the Site, any replacement tree cover must reflect the needs of the Botanic Garden to safeguard its status as an open air, living laboratory. Tree species must be specified with this in mind and species that are not compatible with those in the adjoining Botanic Garden are not to be introduced into the locality.

The Local plan should include a spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; good quality public transport; facilities/services and high-quality open spaces. Policies should also highlight wellbeing and social inclusion as a key priority for new developments. 4.27 The redevelopment of 104-112 Hills Road with a high-density commercially led mixed-use development will help to achieve ‘good growth’ that promotes wellbeing (including health and mental health) through the delivery of a development which establishes an inclusive and integrated community founded on social equity, civic and community engagement and accessible design. Such principles should be supported within the emerging Local Plan.

The Local Plan could help enable communities to shape new development proposals through creating policies and procedures that encourage meaningful consultation and require developers to demonstrate how schemes have been influenced by local communities. 4.29 Community engagement should be sought during the design process, during construction and through opportunities to influence the scheme and /or be engaged in its management and maintenance after completion (where relevant), particularly in circumstances where unforeseen consequences emerge. 4.30 Pace is committed to providing a positive legacy from the development that it promotes, and this can be achieved from meaningful engagement with the local community to gain their input into the design of the proposed development, including the site layout and provision of specific local infrastructure or contributions towards this. Indeed, this intention has been demonstrated in Pace’s recent exemplar engagement with the local community and other stakeholders. 4.31 Pace is a landowner that takes a long-term view of delivering positive development that provides benefits for the local community.

One simple way to increase the social inclusivity of development is to ensure that it is easy to access for all. In this regard, the Local Plan should support the intensification of development within and around areas of high accessibility by means of public transport. The Station Road, Hills Road CBD is a particularly good example of this. 4.33 Development should also provide safe and efficient means of access by modes of transport other than the private car. This should be achieved by promoting access on foot, cycle and bus and striving to reduce the opportunity for easily accessing developments within a motor vehicle. 4.34 Developments which seek to place the wellbeing of its occupants at the heart of the designer’s brief should be supported. This includes consideration of operational functions and ongoing management of new development. 4.35 Finally, where developments are seeking to deliver wider improvements to the public realm, whether through hard or soft interventions this should be a key consideration of the decisionmaking exercise. Developments must encourage social inclusion and informal interaction.

New developments should support healthy lifestyles by creating a spatial strategy that can support connected spaces where people do not have to rely on the private car for their daily routine of school, work, shopping and leisure. Enabling active lifestyles and opportunities for social interaction is a priority. 4.37 The Local Plan should provide open space within developments where possible, alongside a policy framework to allow for off-site enhancements where appropriate, particularly when they can improve provision for existing communities. Standards within policies that determine the quantity and quality of provision should reflect an evidence-based assessment of need and benefits delivered. 4.38 A further measure to ensure new developments should support healthy lifestyles is for them to consider the needs of all age ranges and abilities in the detailed design of open spaces and public realm. New developments should also encourage healthy eating choices through the provision of healthy options and minimising/preventing fast food outlets.

The operational impact of buildings upon local air quality must be minimised. The Local Plan should support all development which reduces the use of combustion fuels within development. Indeed, it is Pace’s view that policy should seek to be innovative and place its full support behind development that results in zero CO2 emissions. 4.40 As set out elsewhere within these representations, improvements in air quality should also be achieved through the reduced use of polluting vehicles and encouraging the use of other modes of green and sustainable transport.

As set out above, the proposed redevelopment has been subject to extensive discussions with the Council as part of ongoing pre-application engagement to establish the optimal use and design for the site. Pace is seeking to bring forward an innovative and highly sustainable commercial-led development achieving exemplar standards in terms of maximising opportunities for energy efficiency. The heritage assets in and around the site have been considered carefully as part of the design process. The proposed redevelopment will retain certain heritage and cultural elements on the site including the Flying Pig Public House, whilst bringing forward an extremely high-quality design that will add to the vitality of the surrounding area.

As set out above, high standards of design and sustainability are being sought as part of the proposed redevelopment of the site. A significant improvement to the public realm on site will be achieved as part of the proposed development.

As set out above, the proposed redevelopment can achieve a high-quality design by responding to the site’s context and characteristics.

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As referred to in Section 2 of these representations, National Planning Policy confirms “Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development” (NPPF, paragraph 80). The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. 5.2 Cambridge’s hi-technology clusters, particularly in AI, bio-tech and agri-tech are recognised in the UK Industrial Strategy as an essential element of the UK economy to support “…towns such as MK, Oxford and Cambridge (that) have been hot spots for job creation. We must promote growth through fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas.” 5.3 Growth relies on increases in employment and productivity and the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) emphasises the need for productivity growth in this region as employment rates are so high. Economic growth is therefore essential for the next Local Plan. As part of the devolution contract to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a commitment to doubling the economic output of the area (Gross Value Added) over 25 years. This is a challenging target and needs to factor at the heart of the Plan.