Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

4.19 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible. Strategic off site opportunities offer the opportunity to significantly increase biodiversity other than providing site specific biodiversity improvements.

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4.20 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.21 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.

4.22 The Local plan should include a spatial strategy that connects homes with jobs; good quality public transport; facilities/services and high-quality open spaces. Policies should also highlight wellbeing and social inclusion as a key priority for new developments. 4.23 The redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site with a high density mixed use development can help achieve ‘good growth’ that promotes wellbeing (including health) through the following inclusive and anti-poverty measures: ● Energy efficient homes and that delivers low energy and water bills; ● Promotion of commercial development and job creation that offers the Living Wage and opportunities for those on lower incomes to increase wages to easily access jobs; ● A wide range of social infrastructure and open space in new developments that provide pathways to free (i.e. no charge to the user) opportunities for improved health outcomes; and ● Promotion of rented accommodation that meets an identified need for housing that is proportionate to income.

4.24 The Local Plan could help enable communities to shape new development proposals through creating policies and procedures that encourage meaningful consultation and require developers to demonstrate how schemes have been influenced by local communities. 4.25 Community engagement should be sought during the design process, during construction and through opportunities to influence the scheme and /or be engaged in its management and maintenance after completion (where relevant), particularly in circumstances where unforeseen consequences emerge. First Base will ensure that the local residents, businesses and relevant stakeholders have the opportunity to input, influence and review proposals. A range of methods will be employed to ensure that there are multiple opportunities to get involved, including inperson meetings, digital via a website and social media and via an established community liaison group.

4.26 First and foremost, the Local Plan can achieve socially inclusive communities when planning new development by forming a spatial strategy that ensures that new development is accessible or can be made accessible. Providing everyone with the opportunity to walk, bus and cycle to jobs, schools, shops, services and social activities will be vital. 4.27 For the Travis Perkins site, social inclusion can also be delivered by building a safe, accessible and inclusibe public realm that encourages informal meetings, dwelling, natural surveillance and ‘bumping’ into people.

4.28 New developments such as the proposed high density mixed use redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site should support healthy lifestyles by creating a spatial strategy that can support connected spaces where people do not have to rely on the private car for their daily routine of school, work, shopping and leisure. Enabling active lifestyles and opportunities for social interaction is a priority. 4.29 The Local Plan should provide open space within developments where possible, alongside a policy framework to allow for off-site enhancements where appropriate, particularly when they can improve provision for existing communities. Standards within policies that determine the quantity and quality of provision should reflect an evidence-based assessment of need and benefits delivered. 4.30 A further measure to ensure new developments should support healthy lifestyles is for them to consider the needs of all age ranges and abilities in the detailed design of open spaces and public realm. New developments should also encourage healthy eating choices through the provision of healthy options and minimising/preventing fast food outlets.

4.31 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles. For the Travis Perkins site this could include the following measures: ● Locating residential development and places of work that has a high footfall where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security (including the Chisholm Trail link) - achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city by relocating industrial sites such as the Travis Perkins site elsewhere and maximising the site for an alternative high density mixed use development; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

4.32 The Site is located adjacent to but not within the Mill Road Conservation Area, which was allocated as a separate conservation area on 21 November 2018. There are no listed buildings on the site and the site comprises industrial uses. An important tree group is identified along the site’s western boundary and also along parts of the northern boundary. There is a row of ‘positive’ unlisted buildings along Devonshire Road to the west of the site. 4.33 Promoting car-free developments that are designed for pedestrians and cyclists rather than cars; encouraging a move towards more sustainable, healthy forms of transport, such as walking and cycling or using public transport. Car use should be restricted to local car clubs (preferably Electric Vehicles with charging points) and car sharing. 4.34 The proposed redevelopment of the site for a mixed use development would represent a more suitable land use than the current industrial uses on site. A commercial and residential development on the site would offer the opportunity to re-envisage the site’s layout and design and provide buildings that would be more suitable to the heritage context of the area. 4.35 Greater Cambridge has a track record as a place where contemporary design and the historic environment co-exist in harmony. There is a need for densification on such as the Travis Perkins site, to fully utilise brownfield land and maximise opportunities for sustainable development. The impact of the redevelopment proposals would need to be weighed in the balance of the public benefits arising from the proposed redevelopment. There are significant opportunities to maximise the sustainability of the site, providing energy efficient buildings that incorporate exemplar standards and maximising the site’s location to transport links to encourage the use of active modes of transport.

4.36 The proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site will need to sensitively take into account the surrounding Conservation Area and heritage assets. The principle of redeveloping the site for residential uses has been found acceptable through its designation under Policy 24. With the right design, it is considered that a site layout and the proposed massing of the buildings can be formulated that responds sensitively to the surrounding context of the area.

4.37 The proposed redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site can achieve a high quality design by responding to the site’s context and characteristics. Not only is site layout key to achieving a positive design, ensuring that the proposed employment buildings are built to a high standard in terms of sustainability, achieving an energy efficient design.