Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

It is recommended that the GCA consider and appreciate the opportunities that are on offer within Essex and the level of growth that is expected within our county over the next 20 years. It is important to note that within Essex there are key locations of growth and economic activity located within proximity to the South Cambridgeshire District boundary, these include (but are not limited to) Harlow (and the wider Harlow Gilston Garden Town), London Stansted Airport, Great Chesterford Research Park and emerging proposals for garden communities within Uttlesford District Council. The key transport corridors of influence include the M11, A120 and the West Anglian Mainline. ECC recommends that the GCA engage with ECC officers and members on an active and ongoing basis to ensure the Joint Local Plan is deliverable and viable and takes account of relevant cross boundary strategic matters in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This covers ECC’s role as the strategic transport and highways authority, Local Education Authority (including Early Years and Childcare), Lead Local Flood Authority, Minerals and Waste Planning Authority (MWPA), a provider and commissioner for adult social care, and lead advisors on public health. ECC can provide advice to ensure that the evidence supporting the emerging Joint Local Plan is consistent from an Essex perspective. ECC recommends that consideration is given to cross-boundary matters and an acknowledgement of how the GCA are engaging with the lower and higher tier authorities that adjoin the GCA located in Essex. ECC would be eager to ensure that discussions seek to establish the expectations for delivering sustainable growth through the timely provision of infrastructure aligned with development, delivery of high quality garden communities, provision for employment opportunities, and ensuring sustainable travel for all that live and work in the locality. ECC also recommends that the GCA liaises with Highways England in both the Essex and Cambridgeshire areas as the M11 is a key conduit to London and the wider region, and its constraints and the need for improvement need to be recognise

Agree

ECC notes that the NPPF recommends that Local Plans provide the policy framework for at least 15 years from adoption. The GCA anticipate that their plan will be adopted in 2023. The recommended timescale is to devise a Joint Local Plan with an end date of 2040. This would provide for 17 years and ECC agrees with the proposal.

Disagree

No. Section 3.6.5 refers to ‘Working with our Neighbouring Local Authorities’. ECC supports reference to Uttlesford and Braintree District Councils, however there is no mention of ECC as the upper tier authority. The GCA will need to ensure engagement takes place in accordance with the duty to cooperate in our role as the strategic transport and highways authority, Local Education Authority (including Early Years and Childcare), Lead Local Flood Authority, Minerals and Waste Planning Authority, a provider and commissioner for adult social care, and lead advisors on public health. It is considered that the Local Plan may be strengthened by demonstrating greater collaborative working with wider organisations on major infrastructure improvements and proposals such as ECC and Highways England. It is also recommended that that Local Plan appreciates the wider relationships outside of Cambridgeshire and into Essex, London and other surrounding areas. ECC notes that figure 7 highlights the key economic corridors. ECC supports reference to the UK Innovation Corridor (London-Stansted-Cambridge). However, it is recommended that the Joint Local Plan contains further reference to the Corridor and how the objectives may influence the emerging strategy. The London Stansted Cambridge Consortium (LSCC) was formed in June 2013 as a strategic partnership of public and private organisations. The role of the LSCC is to organise and promote the UK’s Innovation Corridor. The corridor stretches from the Royal Docks in London, into Tech City, the City Fringe, Kings Cross and the Olympic Park, up through the Lee Valley, the M11, A1 and A10, the East Coast and West Anglia Mainline rail routes to Stevenage, Harlow and London Stansted through to Cambridge and Peterborough. ECC further recommends that figure 7 includes reference to key neighbouring economic locations including Harlow and Gilston Garden Town; the ports of Felixstowe (Suffolk), Harwich and Tilbury (Essex) given their international significance; and London Southend airport. ECC welcomes that the GCA have identified transportation and flood risk as matters where cross-boundary collaboration and joint working will be required. Depending on the chosen spatial development strategy adopted by the GCA and the neighbouring Essex authorities with emerging local plans, consideration should be given to cross boundary matters in relation to education and Early Years and Child Care. ECC notes that paragraph 3.4.1 entitled Gathering the Evidence outlines where the GCA are seeking to gather evidence. ECC supports the evidence list. Given there is no glossary of terms at this stage, ECC encourages the GCA to ensure that consideration is given to Early Years and Child Care and education comprising primary, secondary, Post 16 and further education as part of the ‘infrastructure’ category. ECC recommends that consideration is given to the emerging Cambridge and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Local Plan, as it forms part of the statutory Development Plan for the GCA. Elements of the Minerals and Waste Plan, particularly the approach to safeguarding unexcavated mineral resources and minerals and waste infrastructure, relies on effective partnership working at both the site allocation and planning application stages. As an adjoining County Council, the Essex Minerals and Waste Planning Authority has an interest in ensuring that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough use mineral and waste infrastructure and resources sustainably.

Nothing chosen

ECC welcomes the big themes identified. However, given how brief the introductions are to each theme it is uncertain where the substantive matters in relation to transportation would sit. ECC acknowledges that transportation may be addressed within the context of climate change, wellbeing and social inclusion and great places, but it is recommended that it features prominently as local plan preparation progresses and whether consideration be given to it being its own theme. Similarly, to transportation ECC considers that it is unclear where education matters (Early Years and Child Care, primary, secondary, Post 16 and Adult Community Learning) would be addressed within the emerging local plan.

ECC recommends that priority be given to delivering sustainable transportation in determining the future spatial development approach throughout GCA. Attention should be given to delivering sustainable travel and transportation infrastructure (walking, cycling and public transport). It is recommended that development be future proofed to provide for autonomous vehicles and other innovations that may be accommodated in the future without major re-investment in infrastructure.

ECC acknowledges that paragraph 4.1.3 refers to ‘promoting patterns of development that enable travel by low-carbon modes such as walking, cycling and public transport’. It is recommended that actions are incorporated to promote low-carbon forms of transport to key centres, including London Stansted, Harlow Gilston Garden Town and Great Chesterford. This would ensure that consideration is given to minimising the future impact of growth on climate change and the environment. ECC considers that a logical approach would be to ensure that travel by low-carbon modes is enhanced to key centres.

ECC notes that its states “both Councils have recognised the pressure on the natural environment and want to explore how the next Local Plan can do more to improve the green infrastructure network. This will form a key part of the overall development strategy for the area and will be an important part of the wider response to climate change” (page 34). ECC supports this approach. To assist it may be worth noting that the restoration of mineral extraction sites offers an almost unique opportunity to dictate the final form of a landscape. There is the opportunity to consider existing mineral workings as part of emerging Green Infrastructure assessments to understand how their after-uses may best contribute to the delivery of the wider green network and/or deliver biodiversity net-gain within the GCAs and beyond.

ECC recommends that the optimum use of social infrastructure (e.g. Early Years and Child Care, and primary and secondary schools) is considered in developing the future spatial development strategy for the GCA. ECC welcomes that the GCA are seeking to work collaboratively with the NHS as demonstrated at the new town of Northshore which is part of the NHS Healthy Towns Initiative. ECC notes that this considers how health, and the delivery of healthy communities, can be a key driver in the planning and design process for a new community. It acknowledged that it has provided an opportunity to explore innovation and best practice. The principles explored include; • promoting inclusive communities, • good access to health services, • walkable neighbourhoods, • high quality public transport and cycling links, and • opportunities for physical activity.

ECC recommends the future spatial development for GCA should focus on the delivery of sustainable transport and locating development in locations where there is existing employment and/or growth potential. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the delivery of infrastructure to facilitate the use of low carbon transportation modes. Higher and more stringent standards should be expected in areas at risk of air quality issues. Development should be future proofed to ensure that autonomous vehicles and other innovations can be accommodated. Consideration should be given to low emission zones in AQMAs.

Very important

ECC considers that facilitating the delivery of economic growth in future spatial plans is paramount. It is important to note the opportunities available in Essex and ensure future growth in Greater Cambridge maximises the synergies and opportunities provided from key locations in both counties. ECC recognises the need for the Local Plan to take a holistic approach to job provision. It is also recommended that the Local Plan supports the need to provide a range of employment land and protect some typologies of employment land.