Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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RE Q7: UDC has declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency and considers that we must act now to prevent a climate and ecological catastrophe. UDC support the four big themes identified in the GCLP, in particular the themes ‘Responding to climate change’ and ‘Increasing Biodiversity & Green Spaces’. The plan should proactively address climate change in innovative ways in line with paragraphs 150, 151 and 152 of the NPPF the plan. How the GCLP responds to these themes will be a key measure of its ambition.

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UDC considers that this should be a top priority for all Local Plans in preparation in order to contribute to responding to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

The report to the Committee on Climate Change ‘Behaviour change, public engagement and Net Zero’ identifies that surface transport currently accounts for 27% of UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, over half of which is from cars. While heating hot water of UK homes make up 25% of total UK energy use and 15% of our GHG emissions. The GCLP will have to plan for the development requirements of the Greater Cambridge area, and in doing so has the ability to do so in a way that minimises the impacts on climate change. UDC support the actions identified, and in particular the managing the actions detailed below will be important: - Through the location of development: by planning for development so as to maximise options for transport by means other than the car. This will mean that new residents are not locked into car dependant lifestyles. - Through the planning of new transport infrastructure: the infrastructure that is planned to support new and existing development should focus in the first instance on support trips by means other than the car. Increasing the capacity of the highway network for trips by the car should be the last stage option considered when supporting new development. - Through sustainable design and construction, while the government has indicated that its preferred route for managing energy efficiency in new buildings is through Building Control there is still a role for planning.

10. Are there any other things we should be doing to adapt to climate change? We want to hear your ideas! The plan should prepare more frequent and more intense flood events, the Environment Agency has previously warned about the impacts of Climate Change on flooding events, see here. Furthermore, as indicated in the plan, ensuring buildings are designed to cope with hotter summers will be an important. The plan should also take into account the water stress in the region. The Water Cycle Study supporting the GCLP (or other appropriate evidence base) will be an important document that should consider the impacts of development on water supply, including extraction from aquifers and on chalk streams in the area.