Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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5.17 An overly prescriptive policy framework can harm the viability and vitality of centres. A modern, responsive policy approach is welcomed to allow for a wider range of services and facilities. A flexible approach to the density and heights of development that will be provided on sustainable sites such as the Travis Perkins site is welcomed.

6.1 There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. It is important to identify a baseline housing need but there should be scope for further development to come forward if it meets a particular housing need. This would support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes to ensure that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed and that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed (NPPF Para. 59). 6.2 There is an identified need for Build to Rent housing in Cambridge. The redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site offers an opportunity to provide a significant amount of rented accommodation in a highly sustainable location, making the best possible use of a brownfield site that is already allocated for residential development.

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6.3 To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, a sufficient amount and variety of land needs to be identified to meeting housing needs within the Joint Local Plan area. The Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) (September 2018) suggests that higher housing target numbers are likely to be needed in Cambridgeshire if the potential for higher growth in employment is to be met. 6.4 Housing requirements are minimums, not maximums to stay under at all costs. There is a wellevidenced affordability problem in Greater Cambridge; a greater supply of homes will be part of the solution. “Too many of the people working in Cambridge have commutes that are difficult, long and growing: not out of choice, but necessity due to high housing costs.”8

6.5 There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. Consideration of individual site circumstances and the circumstances of a local area should be taken into account to determine the appropriate type of housing for development sites. Separate housing needs assessments should be used to inform the appropriate size, type and tenure of housing needed for different sections of the community, as set out within the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy 2019-2023. 6.6 Flexibility will be key to a successful Local Plan; through market housing, low-cost and affordable housing. Allocations for Build to Rent housing would be welcomed on sites such as the Travis Perkins site.

6.7 Local Plan policies can require a high standard of design for new residential development, leading from Government policy and guidance. Appropriately worded design policies should require a high quality design for new dwellings. This could include sustainable design principles including measures to improve the energy efficiency of new homes, water saving measures, use of efficient insultation material and heating systems, the reduction and recycling of construction materials, provision of appropriate amenity space and accessibility. Policy should not be prescriptive for precisely how it will be accomplished, it can set a policy-level, but developers should be able to use a host of options to achieve the target.

7.1 National Planning Policy advises (paragraph 102) that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals so that: a) the potential impacts of development on transport networks can be addressed; b) opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure, and changing transport technology and usage, are realised – for example in relation to the scale, location or density of development that can be accommodated; c) opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued; d) the environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure can be identified, assessed and taken into account – including appropriate opportunities for avoiding and mitigating any adverse effects, and for net environmental gains; and e) patterns of movement, streets, parking and other transport considerations are integral to the design of schemes, and contribute to making high quality places. 7.2 The NPPF continues, at paragraph 103, in stating that the planning system should actively manage patterns of growth in support of the above objectives. “Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions, and improve air quality and public health.” 7.3 It is important for the Local Plan to ensure developments create an environment where accessibility to day to day services and other facilities is easy and a choice of transport modes is available. This will enable the local community to choose the more socially inclusive and sustainable methods of travel. New developments need to be designed so that this can happen from first occupation when habits start to form. 7.4 Travis Perkins is an ideal example of a site that has the opportunities to accommodate additional growth and encourage a shift away from car use and towards more sustainable modes of transport. Cambridge train station is located approximately 650 metres to the south of the site (an 8-minute walk or 2-minute cycle ride from the site).

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8.1 A combination of approaches to the distribution of spatial growth are considered likely to be necessary in order to allow for sufficient flexibility when considering the locations of new housing and employment development in the Greater Cambridge area.

8.2 Densification of existing urban areas has many advantages as outlined in the consultation document; ● Reduces the need to use greenfield land to accommodate growth; ● Living in central, well-connected and vibrant areas is important for many people; ● Reduces the need to travel by car and so makes a positive contribution to addressing climate change; ● Sites growth near to existing centres, which can continue to support their vitality and viability. 8.3 The principle of densification is supported. The NPPF confirms, at paragraph 118, that planning policies should “give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes and other identified needs” and “promote and support the development of under-utilised land and buildings”. The NPPF continues, at paragraph 112, in advising that planning policies should support development that makes efficient use of land, taking into account, inter alia, the identified need for different types of housing and other forms of development, and the availability of land suitable for accommodating it. 8.4 As set out above, a combination of approaches for the spatial distribution of growth in the area is likely to be required. However, opportunities for densification of existing urban areas in locations well served by public transport should be maximised wherever possible. 8.5 Travis Perkins is in single ownership and provides an opportunity to meet an identified need for Build to Rent housing, retirement housing and commercial uses. The Site presents a significant opportunity for redevelopment whilst still being able to respond to local character and protect the historic environment. The Site is proposed for allocation in the emerging Local Plan on this basis.

8.6 Development is best suited to being located along transport corridors to promote sustainable development and transport issues should be considered from the earliest in accordance with Para. 102 of the NPPF. 8.7 First Base support the principle of siting development along transport corridors, in accordance with national planning policy and guidance which encourages development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. 8.8 The Travis Perkins site is located on a key public transport corridor, being within easy walking distance of Cambridge central station which 650 metres to the south of the site (an 5-minute walk or 2-minute cycle ride from the site), and the city centre is only one mile to the north west of the site. The site is therefore in a highly sustainable location for growth.

‘Mill Road Opportunity Area’ (Policy 24) Cambridge Local Plan 2018 9.1 The Travis Perkins site falls within the ‘Mill Road Opportunity Area’ (Policy 24) of the adopted Cambridge Local Plan (2018). 9.2 Policy 24 confirms that development proposals within the Mill Road Opportunity Area will be supported if they add to the vitality and viability of the street and protect and enhance its unique character, including the development of arts and cultural facilities. Travis Perkins, Devonshire Road is allocated as Site R9 (1.23 ha). 9.3 The supporting text to this policy states: “There are a number of sites with potential for redevelopment for residential uses, these include 315–349 Mill Road and Brookfields (R21), Mill Road Depot (R10) and the Travis Perkins site on Devonshire Road (R9).” 9.4 Within Appendix B of the Local Plan, the Travis Perkins site is proposed for an indicative number of 43 dwellings (35 dwellings per hectare). The site is in a central location with excellent transport links. It is capable of accommodating a much higher density development than currently indicated within the Local Plan. 9.5 The densification and redevelopment of brownfield sites such as the Travis Perkins site offer opportunities to maximise energy efficiency measures on site and achieving low carbon development, thereby helping to achieve the Council’s climate change targets. The opportunities for achieving low carbon development, net gain and energy efficiency development are more tangible if the indicative housing density for the site allocation is increased, and if the site allocation is expanded to include commercial uses. 9.6 First Base are supportive of the aims and objectives of Policy 24. This policy objective should be followed through to the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan and the Site should continue to fall within the Opportunity Area. The Policy should however allow for more development on the site. ‘Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change’ (Policy 21) Cambridge Local Plan (2018) 9.7 The site is located to the north of the Station Areas West and Clifton Road Area of Major Change. The Policy should recognise the importance of areas that contribute to the growth of Areas of such as the Travis Perkins site.