Issue - meetings

All documents listed in the report can be found at the following link:

Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Committee Pack | Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

 

Updated appendices can be found here:

Cabinet Pack Additions | Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

 

 

 

Cambridge City Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 6:05pm and Councillor Thornburrow, as Leader and Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, introduced the report.

 

The Leader stated the following:

        i.         Felt as though they were beginning to reach the end of a very long process, which had started soon after the adoption of the current Local Plan in 2018.

      ii.          Believed that reaching this stage with such an outstanding document was a significant achievement and described the document as truly remarkable.

     iii.          Noted that local authorities, architects, and planners across the country had been looking to them because of the ambition demonstrated in the emerging Local Plan, which was supported by a strong evidence base.

    iv.         Not only was the Plan one of the most ambitious in the country, but that the achievement of two local authorities working collectively across boundaries and party lines, in coalition, to deliver it was particularly noteworthy.

      v.         Expressed the Council’s thanks to former South Cambridgeshire District Councillor Tumi Hawkins, for all the time and effort they had devoted over the eight years to help bring the process to its current position.

    vi.         Reminded members of the meaning of sustainable development, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, which was regularly updated and continued to include this principle. Quoted the objective of sustainable development as being to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

   vii.          Often returned to this principle as a reminder of why they were undertaking the work and producing the document.

 viii.          Explained that sustainable development encompassed three key objectives: economic, social, and environmental and that equal weight had been given to all three objectives throughout the preparation of the document, the development of its policies and the selection of sites.

    ix.         Highlighted the economic development objective included not only growth but also innovation and improved productivity and believed that focusing on these areas would help support existing businesses, jobs, and workers across the area.

      x.         Commented on the quality of the planning team, describing them as highly professiondevelopers,dgeable and a pleasure to work with and noted they had listened carefully to all stakeholders, including residents, raising issues such as protected parks and cycling provision, as well as businesses, local organisations, developers and councillors.

    xi.         Emphasised that the Local Plan had been shaped by all those who had contributed to the process. When reviewing the amendments made through successive consultations, it was clear that feedback from scrutiny committees, ward councillors and other stakeholders had been carefully considered and incorporated where appropriate.

   xii.          Concluded by expressing gratitude to the shared planning service thanked Officers for their work.

 

Cambridge City Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 6:10pm.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 6.10 pm to provide an opportunity for the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Councillor Smith, and Councillor Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, to introduce the report on behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 6:14pm.

 

Cambridge City Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 6:14pm.

 

The Leader welcomed the Planning Policy Team. The Planning Policy Manager then delivered a presentation, which was received and noted by both Cabinets and covered the following:

 

      i.         The Greater Cambridge Local Plan had been shaped through several years of work and extensive public consultation. The next stage would be the Regulation 19 consultation, running from 3 August to 25 September, after which responses would be reported back to Members before the plan was submitted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

    ii.         Around 8,000 representations had been received on the draft plan and have informed the proposed submission version. While the overall growth strategy remained largely unchanged, policies have been refined in response to feedback. The Plan continued to prioritise brownfield development, urban extensions, and new settlements, while limiting additional Green Belt release.

   iii.         The plan retained an ambitious approach to climate change, biodiversity, sustainability and active travel, alongside enhanced policies on housing, employment, design, wellbeing, and infrastructure delivery. Further work had strengthened infrastructure planning, particularly in relation to transport and water supply, with ongoing engagement with key partners to support sustainable growth.

  iv.         Highlighted issues raised by each local authority’s scrutiny committees which included mapping, connectivity, EV charging, parking, transport infrastructure, climate adaptation, and stakeholder engagement. Highlighted that a number of these matters would be addressed through delegated amendments before publication of the Proposed Submission Plan.

 

In response to question from Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Operations, the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development said the following:

      i.         Comments made at the Performance, Assets and Scrutiny Committee meeting ahead of the draft plan consultation last year had been considered by Officers and reflected in the latest Local Plan proposals.

 

The Leader then requested that Officers consider the management and maintenance arrangements for the shared-use cycle parking, as referenced in the response to the first public speaker.

 

The Cabinet unanimously resolved the recommendation.

 

Cambridge City Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 6:28pm.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 6.28 pm. Members were invited to ask questions in relation to the officer presentation, but none were asked.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 6:29pm.

 

Cambridge City Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 6:29pm to enable constitutional speaking rights of other speakers.

 

      i.         Noted the comments made by Councillor Young, Chair of the Performance, Assets, and Scrutiny Committee which were as follows:

·      Supported the internalisation of transport within the Cambridge East development, as far as possible, residents could access schools and facilities within the development itself. However, concern was expressed about the impact this approach, and the associated transport links, might have on existing traffic levels in Cambridge.

·      Supported the flexibility built into the Plan, particularly in relation to North East Cambridge and Hartree. If these proposals were to come forward, having a policy framework within the Plan would be welcomed. The proposal could deliver a significant amount of highly sustainable housing in a location close to public transport and Cambridge city centre.

·      Commended the Plan’s overall approach to climate change, including its level of ambition and the measures proposed to mitigate overheating and reduce urban heat island effects.

·      Expressed strong support for the proposed 20% biodiversity net gain requirement, particularly the Urban Greening Factor.

·      Commended the introduction of new measures to support neurodiversity in the design of new developments.

·      Welcomed the emphasis on ensuring that infrastructure delivery kept pace with new development and recognised this was a key concern frequently raised by members of the public.

·      Reiterated concerns regarding the transport assumptions underpinning the Plan, particularly those relating to the delivery of a supporting transport strategy by the CPCA.

·      Noted ongoing concerns regarding water scarcity and the implications this may have for future growth and development.

 

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport responded that the Joint Local Planning Advisory Group had strongly supported retaining the 20% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement and advocated for its continued protection in light of any proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

Officers then noted the following comments made by Councillor Bennett, Leader of the Green Group, main opposition party:

·      Thanked officers for their diligent work in preparing the Plan despite challenging national circumstances.

·      Raised a question about the implications of economic growth on the need for data centres/processing and its consequent implications for water consumption in the area.

·      Questioned the proposed deletion of the flexible working policy. Although home working had declined since the pandemic as stated by Officers, it remained at a relatively high level and continued to be particularly important for people with protected characteristics, including disabled people and carers.

·      Flexible working also supported business resilience during periods of disruption and could remain important in responding to future public health or other unforeseen events. Therefore, the flexible working policy should remain within the Plan.

·      Noted that a number of assumptions had underpinned the plans preparation including around the availability of infrastructure not all of which had yet been delivered.

·      Stated that the priority was not necessarily to make incremental improvements to the Plan, but to ensure that its policies would withstand scrutiny by the Planning Inspectorate and that key elements of the Plan would be retained through the examination process.

·      Noted the Sustainability Appraisal report had stated the hotels were non-viable, yet two hotel planning applications were currently coming forward in Abbey ward and if an adjustment was required.

·      Had received lobbying regarding alternative sites along the A14 and asked how robust the site selection was.

·      As responsibility for implementing solutions to address water scarcity rested with Anglian Water and DEFRA, over which the Council has no direct control, how secure was the Plan given its dependence on actions by external bodies.

 

In response questions and comments raised by Councillor Bennett, the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development and Planning Policy Manager said the following:

      i.      The forecast growth of the Cambridge economy presented a number of complex issues, as data and related technologies are a key part of the region's knowledge intensive based economic strength. As growth continues, non-domestic water consumption and the effectiveness of water-saving technologies (including for data processing) would need to be monitored.

    ii.      The Council considered a standalone remote working policy unnecessary, as home working and co-working opportunities could already be facilitated through permitted development rights and existing planning policies.

   iii.      Hotels were identified as relatively less viable than some other uses, but the evidence did not suggest they were undeliverable or unable to meet policy requirements.

  iv.      Following assessment of multiple options for A14 logistics sites, two sites had been selected on the A14 corridor for which had been considered deliverable, justified by evidence of need, and sound.

    v.      With regards to water infrastructure: Updated evidence had been prepared with the Government and water industry partners. Development was dependent on the delivery of the necessary water infrastructure.

  vi.      No specific allocations are proposed for data centres. Any future proposals would need to comply with the Plan's water efficiency requirements and demonstrate appropriate water management.

 vii.      Officers had engaged extensively with the Planning Inspectorate, including discussions with a senior inspector over a two-day period discussing the challenges and robustness of the Plan. Believed the Plan to be robust and evidence-based, although soundness would be determined through examination.

 

The following comments from Councillor Bick, Leader of the Liberal Democrats were noted:

·      Praised the quality of the evidence base, public engagement, and collaborative work behind the Plan.

·      Expressed concern that future planning processes may involve less local control despite national commitments to devolution.

·      Focused on transport infrastructure and highlighted the importance as a key dependency for delivering the Plan and welcomed the emerging Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy.

·      Questioned whether the Combined Authority could be relied upon to deliver necessary transport improvements, noting that its leadership had publicly opposed schemes such as the Cambourne to Cambridge busway and the Cambridge South East Transport project.

·      Enquired whether the Council should place greater weight on the transport strategy itself or be concerned about opposition to infrastructure projects that are important to deliver the plan's objectives.

 

Comments by Councillor Tong were noted:

·      Thanked both Officers and Members for their work on the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

·      Welcomed that more was being done to try and regulate and monitor HMOs in the emerging Plan (policy H/MO).

·      The Greater Cambridge Local Plan specifically acknowledged that HMOs were often housing for low-income people. Often people were forced to use HMOs due to the lack of social housing.

·      Believed there was an uneven distribution of housing types across Cambridge, with social housing concentrated in areas such as Abbey and Arbury, while wards including Castle and Newnham had very limited provision.

·      Stated the Council should promote a more balanced mix of housing across the city rather than concentrating particular tenures or housing types in specific areas. Reference was made to Local Plan paragraph 9.97, with concern that the approach to HMOs could reinforce existing patterns of segregation and limit housing options for lower-income residents.

·      Declared that Officers had acknowledged no proven correlation between HMOs and antisocial behaviour, yet HMOs had been much singled out for this behaviour.

·      Overall, while monitoring of HMOs was supported, a more equitable distribution of such housing across the city was encouraged.

 

Councillor Porrer, Chair of Planning Committee and Joint Development and Opposition Spokes for Planning was then invited to speak and the following points noted.

·      Emphasised that development should be infrastructure-led, with growth only taking place where adequate water and other infrastructure were available.

·      Welcomed strengthened policies on data centres, retrofit, carbon reduction and co-living, and supported a robust 20% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement.

·      Highlighted the importance of HMOs as part of Cambridge's housing mix and welcomed stronger controls through the Article 4 Direction to improve standards.

·      issues sometimes associated with HMOs were often management rather than tenant-related and called for further assessment of the Article 4 Direction's impacts.

·      Noted that HMOs were commonly located in sustainable locations where residents are more likely to rely on public transport and less likely to own cars.

 

Cambridge City Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 7:00pm.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 7:00pm to invite non-Cabinet Members to address the meeting.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 7:14pm.

 

Cambridge City Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 7:14pm to enable Cabinet Members to consider and vote upon the recommendations within the report.

 

Councillor Moore, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment moved the recommendations. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Bird, Cabinet Member for Housing.

 

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

 

a.    Agreed the Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan (Regulation 19) (Appendix A), and Proposed Submission Policies Map (Appendix B) for Public Consultation;

b.    Noted the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix C) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (Appendix D) and agreed them as supporting documents that will also be subject to public consultation;

c.    Agreed to the publication of the following supporting documents to the public consultation:

                                                i.     Statement of Consultation (including summaries of representations received and responses to issues raised) (Appendix E);

                                              ii.     Duty to Cooperate Statement of Compliance (Appendix F);

                                             iii.     Draft Duty to Cooperate Statement of Common Ground (Appendix G);

                                             iv.     Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix H);

                                              v.     Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (Appendix I)

                                             vi.     Topic papers for each theme (Appendix J);

d.    Agreed that any subsequent material amendments to be made to the plan prior to consultation commencing will be approved by the Lead Member for Planning and Transport in Cambridge City Council and Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council;

e.    Agreed that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Lead Members for Planning; and

f.     Agreed the Update to the Local Development Scheme (Local Plan Timetable) (Appendix K).

 

Cambridge City Council adjourned its Cabinet meeting at 7:17pm.

 

At 7.17pm, South Cambridgeshire District Council's Cabinet reconvened to consider and vote on the recommendations set out in the report.

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet meeting was then formally closed by Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council at 7:19pm.

 

Cambridge City Council reconvened its Cabinet meeting at 7:19pm to enable Councillor Katie Thornburrow, Leader and Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport to formally close the meeting at 7:19pm.