Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Nothing chosen

We broadly agree with your paper and welcome the acknowledgement of the new railway and its role in 3.6.1. As set out in Figure 1 above, there are proposals for new stations in the Cambourne and Sandy to St. Neots areas (located either in the broad area around Tempsford or to the South of St Neots). These locations potentially cover areas in South Cambridgeshire, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire. EWR would welcome the opportunity to work with all relevant authorities to consider the implications of the new stations and the potential opportunities for associated housing and economic development. Recommendation We would like to work with the combined and neighbouring authorities to progress effective cross boundary working in relation to the EWR project.

East West Rail (EWR) represents a unique opportunity for the combined authority to set and deliver an aspirational target for housing growth in the local plan area. The railway has the potential to unlock land for housing delivery, providing a significant opportunity to allocate high numbers of residential allocations, in line with national aspirations for the Arc. Recommendation The combined authority should seek to allocate significant land for housing (as well as employment) on land unlocked by the EWR project in order to meet the aspirations of the UK government for the Arc. This is consistent with the aims as set out in 4.6 of the Issues and Options Paper, which states that “If we do not plan for enough homes, this could worsen affordability, limit our local economy, damage social inclusion, and have implications for climate change as people travel further to access jobs.”

We welcome the acknowledgement in paragraph 4.7 that EWR will play a key role in addressing the growing requirement for sustainable modes of transport in order to achieve the net zero carbon challenge. EWR would welcome the opportunity to work with the combined authority to ensure that key decisions regarding the preferred route option supports ambitions for employment and housing growth. Recommendation EWR is exploring opportunities on how best to engage with the host local planning authorities for the new railway. It is recommended that the joint local plan explicitly acknowledges that EWR and Greater Cambridge will be working collaboratively.

Paragraph 4.7.2 of the Issues and Options Paper states the following: “Government-led plans for a new rail line linking Oxford to Cambridge include a station at either Bassingbourn or Cambourne. The choice of route, expected soon, could significantly influence future growth patterns in Greater Cambridge, while the rail line itself will have major environmental implications for South Cambridgeshire's communities. In particular, the Councils are lobbying the East West Rail Company for the project to achieve biodiversity and wider environmental net gain. The Councils are also involved in a project to improve rail services between Cambridge and the east.” The preferred route option has now been identified with a new station proposed at Cambourne. EWR will be a new, environmentally sustainable way to travel across the region. We know how important it is that the railway is constructed, operated and maintained in an environmentally responsible way that minimises negative environmental impacts and in fact realises opportunities for improvement. We aim to become a net-zero carbon railway and are committed to achieving biodiversity net gain. We are looking at ways to advance low carbon design and green energy to power our trains. Recommendations 1. EWR works with the combined authority to share our nine environmental principles. 2. In answer to the question 37, it is recommended that the combined authority explicitly supports the delivery of EWR as a key driver of sustainable travel.

Nothing chosen

As set out above, government aspirations for the Arc are clear, and the combined authority can plan for a significant amount of housing and employment land. EWR represents an opportunity to unlock land that would previously have not been considered for development. This may include some Green Belt land. Recommendation The combined authority should factor the EWR preferred route option in developing its revised Green Belt policy.

Local Plan Representations – Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues and Options Paper East West Rail (EWR) wishes to congratulate you on your progress with the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. As you are aware, on 30 January 2020 EWR announced the preferred route option between Bedford and Cambridge (Preferred Route Option Announcement_Summary_290120). This preferred option will link existing stations in Bedford and Cambridge with communities in Local Plan Representations – Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues and Options Paper East West Rail (EWR) wishes to congratulate you on your progress with the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. As you are aware, on 30 January 2020 EWR announced the preferred route option between Bedford and Cambridge (Preferred Route Option Announcement_Summary_290120). This preferred option will link existing stations in Bedford and Cambridge with communities in Local Plan Representations – Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues and Options Paper East West Rail (EWR) wishes to congratulate you on your progress with the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. As you are aware, on 30 January 2020 EWR announced the preferred route option between Bedford and Cambridge (Preferred Route Option Announcement_Summary_290120). This preferred option will link existing stations in Bedford and Cambridge with communities in Cambourne and the area north of Sandy, south of St Neots. Now that the preferred route has been announced, it is the right time to engage with relevant spatial planning teams with a view to achieving a joined up and collaborative approach to delivering the railway in a way that will maximise opportunities for all host authority areas including the Greater Cambridge plan area. Potential implications of EWR infrastructure in your area EWR will influence the development of the places it serves in terms of economic growth, investment and jobs and supporting the delivery of new homes by potentially unlocking land for development and providing more sustainable transport connections. We are committed to ensuring that in developing the preferred railway alignment our work will complement emerging spatial frameworks and drive sustainable growth across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. A key consideration for future spatial plans will be the location of new stations and the expansion of existing facilities as we develop our options and select a preferred railway alignment. The National Infrastructure Commission report, ‘Partnering for Prosperity: A new deal for the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Arc’, acknowledges EWR stations will act as a “beacon for development” that will enable the creation of sustainable communities in previously isolated locations, and its central finding (Page 3, paragraph 1 of the report) is set out as follows: “Rates of house building will need to double if the arc is to achieve its economic potential. This requires a new deal between central and local government – one which aligns public and private interests behind the delivery of significant east-west infrastructure and major new settlements, and which seeks commitment to faster growth through a joined-up plan for jobs, homes and infrastructure. Any deal must give local areas the certainty, freedoms and resources they need to create well-designed, well-connected new communities.” It is our ambition to work proactively with your authority and your neighbours to ensure the new railway plays an integral role in unlocking land for sustainable housing and job growth, to meet the government’s aspirations for the Arc. Representations This representation letter provides our response to your Issues and Options Paper consultation (closing 24 February 2020). We wish to comment on five of your fifty questions which are outlined below.

No uploaded files for public display