Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Location of Growth In terms of where growth across the Greater Cambridge area is delivered, CBC welcomes the six options identified within the I&O document. We would obviously support the development of Brownfield sites as a priority, in line with sustainability objectives. We would suggest the option for delivering growth along public transport corridors is widened to consider key strategic transport corridors, including the A1 corridor and in relation to the preferred corridor route for East West Rail, as recently announced.

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Working relations Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the early stages of the new local plan for the Greater Cambridge area and we look forward to continuing the good working relations that CBC has already forged with the two substantive authorities.

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Cross boundary issues CBC welcomes the recognition early on in the Issues and Options Paper (I&O paper) of the strategic position of the Greater Cambridge area, particularly in relation to the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, within which Central Bedfordshire also sits. The level and delivery of growth across this spatial area is of great importance to all constituent authorities and is a key component of our current local plans as well as the focus for current and future reviews. The recognition of the importance of working with neighbouring authorities is particularly welcomed. CBC supports the identification at 3.6.5 of the I&O Paper of the strategic cross-boundary issues. However, in addition to working collaboratively to assess housing need, including Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs, it is considered that the delivery of such needs is also a strategic cross-boundary issue that should be a consideration in both our respective plans moving forward.

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Big themes The ‘Big Themes’ identified within the I&O Paper are welcomed and whilst it is recognised that these broad themes cover a multitude of issues and challenges, CBC considers that connectivity both within and beyond the Greater Cambridge area should be considered as a fifth Theme within the plan moving forwards. CBC welcomes the recognition of the numerous issues and topics that need to be addressed within the local plan and looks forwards to future discussions as to how many of these can be achieved and delivered complementarily across a much wider area.

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Economic growth It is noted within the paper that is it identified that the local economy across the Greater Cambridge area has been growing continuously and at a faster rate than previously envisaged, and that this rate of growth is expected to continue. CBC welcomes economic growth of neighbouring authority areas, particularly where there are opportunities for complementary economic growth within our own administrative area. However, it is also recognised that the I&O identifies that more recent housing and infrastructure delivery across the area has not been able to keep pace with the demands resulting from such economic growth.

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Housing growth To combat this, the I&O Paper identifies two potential levels of housing growth to be considered within the plan – the housing growth arising as a result of the Standard Methodology which would require 1,800 homes per annum and a plan target of 41,000 homes; or a significantly higher target of 2,900 homes per annum and a plan target of 66,700 new homes in order to provide flexibility and support the expected continuation of economic growth. Whilst CBC recognises the benefits of delivering the requirements established through the Governments Standard Methodology, the need to meet more locally identified demand and need is also supported. However, we would not support a level of growth that could detrimentally impact upon the ability of neighbouring authorities, such as Central Bedfordshire, to meet and deliver their own economic ambitions and growth aspirations. CBC very much supports a collaborative, complementary approach to growth and therefore looks forward to future discussions as to how the aspirations of both areas can be achieved.

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