Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Response to Question 2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Pigeon Land 2 Ltd put forward the site at Land South of St Neots Road at the Call for Sites stage of the Local Plan in March 2019. The submission was accompanied by a Report and Vision Document setting out the concept for development of the site and evidencing its availability and deliverability and the sustainability of the proposals. Further technical work has since been carried out and the further information submitted with this consultation response includes:  A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal;  A Landscape and Visual Appraisal;  A Transportation Appraisal Note;  A Flood Risk and Drainage Statement;  Utilities Appraisal; and  The Vision and Delivery Statement February 2020. The work carried out has led to amendments to the proposed composition of the development with the removal of the proposed elderly persons care home, focusing on a scheme of around 150 new homes including a range of sizes and tenures of dwellings, including policy compliant affordable housing provision.

No uploaded files for public display

Nothing chosen

The logic behind the proposed end date of 2040 is broadly supported. However, given that the end date of the existing plans is 2031 and given the strategic context being provided by the Combined Authority’s Non-Statutory Spatial Framework to 2050 and the delivery timetable for currently envisaged infrastructure and employment/housing growth it is considered that a plan that only adds nine years to the current framework is perhaps failing to address the longer strategic context for this plan period. In addition, NPPF para 22 advises that strategic policies should look forward over a minimum of 15 years. The suggested program for adoption of the Joint Plan by September 2023 is challenging and any slippage could result in a plan that is already on the 15-year minimum at date of adoption. For this reason, 2043 is suggested.

Nothing chosen

Pigeon generally agrees with the cross boundary issues identified. However, under the transport heading, and having regard for the importance of the prospective east-west rail and expressway initiatives across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc we would have expected nearby authorities at Bedford and Milton Keynes to be included on collaboration on strategic cross-boundary issues, rather than limiting the process to the administrative boundary of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. In addition, and with this partly in mind, the cross-boundary issues should also include employment needs given the need for liaison with neighbouring authorities within the various economic corridors and the Cambridge Travel to Work area itself.

Agree

Pigeon broadly agree with the big themes identified. However, it is considered that these themes need to be expanded to include and / or more clearly link to jobs, homes and infrastructure. The provision of the jobs, homes and infrastructure to meet identified needs is a fundamental requirement of Plan Making as set out in Section 2 of the NPPF. There is a risk that by describing and placing the focus on the four big themes currently set out, that the hard realities of delivering homes, jobs and infrastructure will be overlooked by some who are less supportive of the principles of growth in the area. The cover picture on the consultation document highlights the four big themes clearly, whilst the more fundamental drivers for change – jobs, homes, infrastructure growth are illustrated as being below ground level. This could lead many to engage with the important ‘green’ agenda in an aspirational way, without due attention to the ’growth’ agenda and appreciating the requirement for the Plan to meet the needs for new homes, jobs and infrastructure that are fundamental requirements of a ‘sound’ Local Plan. We consider that the conversation needs to be managed positively to make sure that those engaging in the process understand the integrated ‘push and pull’ of the growth and green agendas.

Pigeon fully supports the Local Plan’s need to help the Councils achieve net zero carbon by 2050 in recognition of the Climate Emergency. In this context, a key, major factor for the Local Plan in helping to realise this objective is the choice of sustainable locations for development that encourage and enable lifestyle and travel choices that do not generate carbon emissions. Our proposed site is located on a strategic transport corridor which will allow new residents to travel sustainably, utilizing these new public transport links, helping to reduce carbon emissions and also reduce congestion and delay.

Pigeon supports the objective of achieving biodiversity net gain and is committed to achieving net gain through its schemes. In this context, our understanding of the system for calculating and achieving net gain indicates that it will be much more challenging to achieve net gain where development involves sites of initial high environmental value. A key initial strategy of allocating sites for development that are of lower ecological value should be adopted. The Preliminary Ecological Appraisal accompanying this submission shows the relatively low current ecological value of the proposed site south of St Neots Road, Hardwick. This increases the ability to deliver net gain as part of the development of the site and supports its allocation for housing development.

Yes, strongly agree

Pigeon strongly agree that the Plan should aim to increase tree cover across the area as a key part of achieving net zero carbon emissions within the area by 2050. In this regard, the proposed scheme for Pigeon’s site on Land south of St Neots Road, Hardwick will include extensive tree planting in the form of both tree-lined streets and extensive boundary planting to achieve a significant increase in tree planting across the site.

Pigeon consider that there needs to be a balanced approach to ensure that everyone can be involved but that individuals or narrow interest groups should not be enabled to have disproportionate influence on outcomes. The Statements of Community Involvement of the two Councils set out a clear basis for positive engagement and should be consolidated into a single, shared statement to reflect the integrated nature of the two Councils approach to both Plan Making and Development Management

Pigeon consider that, as a principle, and in order to address criterion d) in para 20 of the NPPF, the Plan evidence base should identify heritage areas and assets clearly and use their presence and values as part of the basis for site selection for development allocations. By focusing new development away from acknowledged heritage assets the best of our existing environment can be protected. Pigeon’s site at St Neots Road, Hardwick is located away from any existing heritage assets and its development would therefore avoid impact on any existing heritage assets. It is also able to ensure the achievement of high-quality design.

As with Q.21, historic buildings and landscapes should be protected by ensuring where possible that new development proposals are located elsewhere. Exceptions would be where there is an identified need for enhancement and this requires introduction of new uses or investment to maintain or improve the fabric or appearance and longevity of the asset. Pigeon’s proposal for the site at St Neots Road, Hardwick avoids any such issues.