Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Response to Question 2 4.3 We have already submitted two sites for consideration and stated there is flexibility within our clients ownership regarding the land identified within the red line and other land highlighted in blue.

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Response to Question 3 4.4 No comment.

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4.10 We agree with the four big themes set out within this section as follows: Climate change Biodiversity and green spaces Wellbeing and social inclusion Great places

4.12 The Local Plan is one of many elements in the overall development process that is required to work effectively to help achieve net zero carbon by 2050. The Local Plan influences new development but it can also ensure that development that would improve existing settlements is considered in a more favourable light. The councils should also lobby Government to take a more proactive approach to development and include higher standards for example within Building Regulations to ensure there is a level playing field for all types of development in councils across the country to avoid the current patch work of standards. 4.13 We agree with the approach that in order to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 it is essential to reduce energy usage, promote renewable forms for energy and encourage the use of sustainable forms of transport to reduce the reliance on the use of the private car. We support the pro-active approach of promoting the planting of trees and the use technology such as carbon capture and storage. Proposals that are able to bring land into a more efficient and effective use that capture these elements should be considered favourably in the Local Plan.

4.14 We agree with the approach that aims to: • Design new communities, infrastructure and buildings to be energy and resource efficient, both in the way they are built and the way they are used over their lifespan. • Using renewable and low carbon energy generation. • Promoting patterns of development that enable travel by low-carbon modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. • Discouraging our communities from using private cars where possible, and other lifestyle choices that affect the climate. • Retrofitting existing buildings to be more energy efficient. • Considering the role of the plan regarding materials used in the construction process. • Investigating how carbon offsetting can be supported through tree planting and other measures. • Supporting local and community opportunities for growing food 4.15 The councils previous approach has often been large scale significant developments but this does not allow existing areas to improve. The opportunity to support development within existing communities that would improve the impact on climate change should be considered within the Local Plan. The current focus has not allowed the overall benefits to be dispersed amongst the existing community as the councils have focused on the belief that only these significant developments can bring sustainable communities. This ignores the significant impact that existing development may have and without new development and the potential to change, no improvement for these residents will take place without moving house or travelling to work. There is a need to balance the growth strategy to ensure existing settlements are improved along with the offering from large new developments.

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4.16 It is important to ensure that new developments are resilient and can be adapted in the future. There is a balance in relation to what should be carried out now and the ability to adapt as and when it is required in the future. The research and technology are continuing to evolve and the requirements and methods of addressing climate change will alter accordingly. There is also reference to tree and shrub planting that would be resilient to warmer and drier climates. With regard to planting and biodiversity/resilience, clear guidance should be provided as there is often conflicting advice. The impact also needs to be considered in relation to existing species and the potential impact of such a changes.

4.17 The overall approach to development should be considered with an emphasis on how existing settlements can also be supported and improved. With the current emphasis on large scale, standalone developments, this does not provide the opportunity for improvements to existing settlements.

4.18 Page 34 of the GCLP acknowledges that in recent decades biodiversity in the area has been decreasing and states “The rural area is dominated by agricultural land, which is often not biodiverse, and in urban areas the loss of gardens and increase in urban uses reduces biodiversity.” In addition, development has often been required to ensure that certain densities of development are met. This can lead to a dense style hard urban environment. Flexibility should be allowed to developments that allow a greener approach to take place including planting and habitat improvements not only on the application site itself but other land with the immediate area. This would allow biodiversity improvements with net gain. 4.19 The site the subject of this representation has the opportunity to improve biodiversity in the area. There are several parcels of land that are segregated from the main fields and whilst designated as countryside in the Local Plan, they make little contribution to the wider landscape character. This land is also under the landowners control and could be used to support green infrastructure in relation to creating semi-natural spaces, allotments, additional woodland, scrubland and grassland areas etc to improve biodiversity in the area rather than low-value agricultural fields.

4.20 The councils need to have a flexible overall approach to green spaces and a wider interpretation of how land can contribute to green spaces and the associated uses that may be public or private areas. At present land is often defined by a line on the proposals map that accompanies a Local Plan, but this can lead to land for example being allocated as “countryside” but in reality, has no real beneficial use in its current state. Opportunities should also be taken to improve public access through pedestrian and cycle networks in existing settlements. 4.21 The current landowners have a variety of land with their ownership that could contribute to a number of community benefits, not just in relation to new housing/employment but using land that has little beneficial use to increase biodiversity and provide additional tree cover. This would allow a pro-active improvement that could take the form of connecting spaces, improving existing pedestrian/cycle routes to support healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

4.22 It is important that the councils balance the level of density of a development and the variety of habitats that could be included within the development site itself. There is also the possibility of providing planning contributions for off-site improvements if there is clear evidence that a public area nearby would benefit from investment to increase the wider biodiversity of a development site or within the wider area.