The Greater Cambridge Local Plan

A list of possible sites for new homes, jobs and green spaces has just been published as part of the work to create a new joint (Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council) Greater Cambridge Local Plan. These Preferred Options will be reviewed by Committees and Cabinet before going to public consultation in November.

This is the result of two years intensive work by councillors to shape the priorities and spatial options used by the planners to propose these sites. Crucially this plan is informed by a (first time ever) study on the water cycle in recognition of the crisis facing our water supply, rivers and chalk streams, and a study on the carbon emissions that would result from the different options for sites. Sites for homes and jobs have been chosen to minimise carbon emissions and protect water supplies. And following our first ever Call for Green Sites, the proposals also include suggested new green spaces and wildlife projects.

The preferred options has a good balance of locations with only 4% of the proposed new homes in rural areas, helping to preserve the precious character of our villages. In addition, only four of the sites put forward met the rigorous tests demanded for any changes to the Green Belt; two are extensions to research sites of national importance and the other two are housing allocations close to excellent public transport. There are always difficult trade-offs though in trying to find a balance and some sites will raise sensitive issues locally. This proposal goes our to public consultation in November and we really want to hear your views. You can find all the papers and supporting evidence here.

In the meantime, we have identified that the plans put forward are contingent on significant improvements to water supplies and, critically, to reducing the amount of water taken from the groundwater aquifer. We are calling on the water industry, supported by the Government, to set out its intentions for addressing this key infrastructure issue at an early point in the ongoing planning process and before the next stage of a full draft Local Plan. Councillors are continuing to engage with relevant bodies responsible for water supply planning to ensure they understand the seriousness of the issue, and pushing for the necessary Government support. Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of the South Cambs District Council said

“The preferred options for the Local Plan puts constraints on the amount of development if the water problem is not solved and Central Government has to step up and invest in advance of any further growth. There must be sufficient water to meet all demands and critically to guarantee that our valued chalk streams are able to recover and thrive”.

Finally, I can’t write about our Local Plan without again highlighting the potentially disastrous impact of the proposed changes in the forthcoming planning bill due to be voted on in Parliament later this year. The proposed “Growth Zones” would only allow local voices to be heard at outline stage on indicative plans for a Thakeham-size development. No local voices would be heard on individual planning applications in a neighbourhood or area. I put a motion to Full Council, which received unanimous support, which urges government to stop this stripping away of local voice in planning for both local authorities and residents. I have also called on Anthony Browne to stop attacking the Council and to speak up in Parliament for our residents to vote against these dangerous reforms. This will ensure that the public consultation - which has already been central to development of the Local Plan in this region - can continue to actively inform, challenge and improve individual planning decisions.