east cambridgeshire district council to...1.1 the purpose of this statement is to demonstrate how...

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EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Draft Duty to Co-operate Statement

February 2013

CONTACT: Forward Planning TeamTel. 01353 665555

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.eastcambs.gov.uk/local-development-framework/east-cambridgeshire-local-plan

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Contents

1 Introduction 4

The purpose of the statement 4Background to the Duty to Co-operate 4

2 Former strategic planning process 7

3 Current strategic planning process 8

Joint Planning Policies 9Existing working groups and joint partnerships 9Cambridgeshire Chief Planning Officers (CPOs) 10Planning Policy Forum (PPF) 10Other working groups and joint partnerships 10Joint evidence base 13Formal responses on Duty to Co-operate fromlocal authorities and prescribed bodies 15

4 Key Strategic Priorities for East Cambridgeshire District 17

Homes and jobs needed in the area 17Provision of retail, leisure and other commercial development 21Provision of infrastructure for transport 23Provision of infrastructure for telecommunications, wastemanagement, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal changemanagement, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat) 24Provision of health infrastructure 27Provision of security, community and cultural infrastructure and other localfacilities 29Climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation and enhancementof the natural and historic environment, including landscape. 29

The Sustainability Appraisal 31

The Habitats Directive Screening Document 32

5 Conclusions 32

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Joint Statement on The Development Strategy For CambridgeshireBy The Cambridgeshire Authorities (May 2010)

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Appendix 2 - Joint Statement on The Development Strategy For CambridgeshireBy The Cambridgeshire Authorities (July 2012)

Appendix 3 - Letter sent to local authorities and prescribed bodies as defined inthe Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (asamended)

Appendix 4 - Responses received from local authorities and prescribed bodies(to be completed following consultation)

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1 Introduction

The Purpose of the Statement

1.1 The purpose of this statement is to demonstrate how East CambridgeshireDistrict Council has successfully addressed the legal Duty to Co-operate in theproduction of the Draft Local Plan (Pre-submission Version).

1.2 This is a draft statement which has been prepared and published at the pre-submission stage of the District Council’s Local Plan. It is anticipated that thisstatement will be updated prior to the submission of the Local Plan to theSecretary of State to reflect comments received from relevant local authoritiesand prescribed bodies as part of the current consultation and to detail any furtherongoing joint working.

Background to the Duty to Co-operate

1.3 Section 110 of the Localism Act transposes the Duty to Co-operate into thePlanning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and introduces section 33A, whichsets out a duty to cooperate in relation to the planning of sustainabledevelopment (“the Duty”). The Duty applies to all local planning authorities,county councils and prescribed bodies and requires that they must co-operatewith each other in maximising the effectiveness with which development plandocuments are prepared.

1.4 The Localism Act 2011 states that in particular the Duty requires thatengagement should occur constructively, actively and on an on-going basisduring the plan-making process and that regard must be had to the activities ofother authorities where these are relevant to the local planning authority inquestion.

1.5 The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012(as amended) sets out the ‘prescribed bodies’ for the purposes of sections 33Aand 33A (ix) of the Act which are as follows: the Environment Agency, the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (known as

English Heritage), Natural England, Mayor of London, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Homes and Communities Agency, the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust1, the Office of Rail Regulation,

1 Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities are to be abolished and replaced by ClinicalCommissioning Groups and the NHS Commissioning Boards by April 2013.

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Transport for London, the Integrated Transport Authority, the Highways Agency, Marine Management Organisation, the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership

and the Greater Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership2

1.6 The National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) provides further detail inrelation to how the Localism Act should be implemented. It states that localplanning authorities should:

work collaboratively with other bodies to ensure that strategic priorities acrosslocal plan boundaries are properly co-ordinated and clearly reflected in individualLocal Plans (paragraph 179).

work together to meet development requirements which cannot be wholly be metwithin their own areas (paragraph 179).

take account of different geographic areas, including travel-to-work areas. In twotier areas, county and district authorities should cooperate with each other onrelevant issues. Local planning authorities should work collaboratively onstrategic planning priorities to enable delivery of sustainable development inconsultation with Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Nature Partnerships.Local planning authorities should also work collaboratively with private sectorbodies, utility and infrastructure providers (paragraph 180).

demonstrate evidence of having effectively cooperated to plan for issues withcross-boundary impacts when their Local Plans are submitted for examination.This could be by way of plans or policies prepared as part of a joint committee, amemorandum of understanding or a jointly prepared strategy which is presentedas evidence of an agreed position. Cooperation should be a continuous processof engagement from initial thinking through to implementation, resulting in a finalposition where plans are in place to provide the land and infrastructure necessaryto support current and projected future levels of development (paragraph 181).

1.7 Two tests of soundness in the NPPF (paragraph 182) relate directly to the Duty:

Positively prepared – the plan should be prepared based on a strategy whichseeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructurerequirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities whereit is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development

2 Local Nature Partnerships have also been included as a prescribed body following an amendment to theLocal Planning regulations which came into effect on the 12th November 2012.

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Effective – the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effectivejoint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities

1.8 The Council considers that there is a need to demonstrate the following as part ofthe preparation of the Local Plan:

Constructive engagement with local authorities and prescribed bodies hasoccurred, actively and on an ongoing basis as set out in Section 33A of thePlanning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

That the basis and results of this co-operation have been positively preparedand are effective. This is necessary to demonstrate that relevant crossboundary issues have been identified and addressed as outlined in theNational Planning Policy Framework.

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2 Former strategic planning process

2.1 This section outlines the Council’s involvement in the Regional Spatial Strategy(RSS) Review process which was previously the main vehicle for addressingsignificant strategic matters prior to the introduction of the Duty to Co-operate.

2.2 The strategy outlined in the East of England Plan (May 2008) was largely acontinuation of the previous development strategy outlined in the Cambridgeshireand Peterborough Structure Plan. This strategy was developed with the supportof the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough authorities including the district council.

2.3 The former East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) subsequently agreed toundertake a review of the RSS Revision published in 2008. To assist with thisprocess the Cambridgeshire authorities3 established a joint member group(Cambridgeshire RSS Review Panel) with representation from each of the localauthorities including East Cambridgeshire to oversee the work undertaken byofficers (RSS Study Group) as part of the RSS Review.

2.4 Key outputs from this process were as follows:

Publication of the Cambridgeshire Development Study (July 2009)4 onbehalf of the Cambridgeshire authorities and Cambridgeshire Horizons toinform the advice provided to the Regional Assembly.

Preparation of joint responses submitted on behalf of Cambridgeshireauthorities to the RSS Review including suggested changes to Cambridgesub regional policies (July and December 2009)5

2.5 The final response to EERA's Growth Scenarios consultation was based upon theoutcome of technical studies, stakeholder events and consultation with bothresidents and businesses within the County. This response proposed that theDistrict should plan for 550 homes to be delivered annually from 2011 to 2031.

2.6 In May 2010 the Government announced its intention to revoke the RegionalSpatial Strategies which previously had set out the homes and jobs targets foreach local authority within the East of England region. Further work on the reviewof the East of England Plan which had been initiated by EERA ceased as a resultof this announcement. The East of England Plan was subsequently revoked byGovernment on the 3rd January 2013 and no longer forms part of the developmentplan for East Cambridgeshire.

3 Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire DistrictCouncil, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council4 http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/planning/projects/Cambridgeshire+Development+Study.htm5 Response submitted by Cambridgeshire County Council on behalf of Cambridgeshire authoritieshttp://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/planning/projects/Our+representations+on+the+Regional+Plan.htm

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3 Current strategic planning process

3.1 As set out above the Cambridgeshire authorities have a long history of workingtogether through the preparation of the Cambridgeshire and PeterboroughStructure Plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy Reviews. To ensure that thiscontinues the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough authorities have recentlyestablished a Joint Strategic Planning Unit.

3.2 The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough authorities issued a ‘Joint PlanningStatement for the Development Strategy’ which had been prepared in partnershipwith the Joint Strategic Unit in July 2012 (to replace the earlier version publishedin May 2010). This statement sets out the local authorities continuing support forthe development strategy established in the Cambridgeshire and PeterboroughStructure Plan and approved RSS. It also emphasises the continuing need forclose collaboration and joint working between the local authorities includinggathering appropriate evidence which will be supported by the newly formedJoint Strategic Planning Unit.

3.3 The full text of this statement and the earlier version dating from May 2010(which also emphasised continued joint working) is set out full in Appendices 1and 2.

3.4 The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint Strategic Planning Unit hasdedicated staff and facilitates a quarterly meeting of members acrossCambridgeshire and Peterborough (Joint Strategic Planning & Transport MemberGroup) which is intended to steer the development of joint strategic planningwork following the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

3.5 The member group met for the first time in July 2012 and has considered thefollowing issues to date:

Purpose and scope of a non-statutory spatial planning framework forCambridgeshire and Peterborough (part of which is providing furtherevidence to demonstrate compliance with the Duty to Co-operate).

Options for future levels of dwellings and jobs growth being considered bythe Cambridgeshire authorities.

3.6 The terms of reference for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint StrategicPlanning and Transport Group Member Group and papers are available to viewat the following address:

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/Committees/Committee.aspx?committeeID=61

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3.7 A key task for the Joint Strategic Planning Unit will be the preparation of a non-statutory planning framework on behalf of the local authorities (a final draft isexpected to be published in March 2013). The scope and content of thisframework has yet to be agreed but is expected to include the following keyoutcomes:

Demonstrating that emerging district-level development strategiescontribute to an area-wide strategic vision and objectives and thereforemake a coherent whole.

Providing additional evidence that the Duty to Cooperate has activelybeen addressed.

Reflecting strategic elements of national policy. Providing a clear strategic context to bolster and support local strategies

and policies. Drawing out the synergies and functional relationships across district

boundaries. Enabling co-ordination of strategic infrastructure delivery. Providing a stronger approach to defending against unplanned major

development. Providing a unified approach to Government for funding or influencing

policy.

3.8 Since its establishment the JSPU has already been involved with and helped tofacilitate various areas of joint working between the local authorities. This hasincluded commissioning economic forecasting, modelling and economic andpopulation technical studies. Further details are set out in Chapter 4 below.

Joint Planning Policies

3.9 The National Planning Policy Framework requires Local Planning Authorities toconsider ‘producing joint planning policies on strategic matters’ (paragraph 179).Part of Newmarket is located in East Cambridgeshire which consists of thesouthern suburbs of the town including Ditton Lodge First School and NewmarketTown Football Club. The rest of Newmarket lies within the Forest Heath District.Therefore the District Council has considered the potential for preparation of jointplanning policies relating to the Newmarket area with Forest Heath DistrictCouncil.

3.10 However this has not been feasible due to the different Local Plan timescaleswith Forest Heath District currently undertaking a single issue review relating tothe scale and distribution of housing following a successful legal challenge of theadopted Core Strategy in 2011. Forest Heath District Council are alsoundertaking joint planning policy preparation with St Edmundsbury BoroughCouncil. The District Council will continue to work closely and liaise with ForestHeath District Council in relation to strategic matters including the futuredevelopment of Newmarket.

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Existing working groups and joint partnerships

3.11 East Cambridgeshire District Council is committed to joint working and co-operation with others in the production of the Local Plan and related planningdocuments. The Council is involved in numerous working groups andpartnerships which were established some time before the legal duty to co-operate came into effect.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Chief Planning Officers (CPOs)

3.12 The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Chief Planning Officers Group (CPOs)was established in 1974 and comprises Heads of Planning who oversee twoofficer groups: the Planning Policy Forum (PPF) and the DevelopmentManagement Managers Forum. Recently CPOs has met with neighbouring localauthorities (outside of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough) on issues of sharedinterest in relation to development plan preparation and considered crossboundary evidence which has been prepared.

Planning Policy Forum (PPF)

3.13 The Planning Policy Forum (PPF) comprises local authority representatives fromeach of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough authorities (planning policymanagers or equivalent) and was originally established in the 1990s during thepreparation of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan. The mainitems on the agenda at each quarterly meeting are the progress of eachdevelopment plan and key issues arising. Recently PPF has considered newarrangements for cross-boundary planning and the commissioning andpreparation of shared evidence (including that being led by the Cambridgeshireand Peterborough Strategic Planning Unit).

Other working groups and joint partnerships

3.14 The following table outlines the other groups and partnerships which are relevantto the preparation of the Local Plan:

Name of body Purpose of body Organisations representedMonitoringLiaison Group(Moli)

Joint working relating tothe monitoring ofdevelopment and relatedresearch projects.

Cambridgeshire and Authoritiesand Peterborough City Council(Monitoring Lead Officers )

Cambridge SubRegionalHousing Board

Collaboratively workingon strategic housingissues (includingoverseeing thepreparation of the

Cambridgeshire Authorities,Forest Heath District Council andSt Edmundsbury BoroughCouncil (senior housing officers)

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Name of body Purpose of body Organisations representedSHMA) acrossseven districts.

Cambridge SubRegionalSHMA ProjectTeam

Responsible for thepreparation of theCambridge Housing SubRegion SHMA

Cambridgeshire Authorities,Forest Heath District Council andSt Edmundsbury BoroughCouncil

CambridgeshireFlood RiskManagementPartnership

Established to bringtogether keystakeholders in flood riskmanagement to meet theduties outlined in theFloods and WaterManagement Act 2010

Cambridgeshire Authorities,Anglian Water, EnvironmentAgency and the Internal DrainageBoards

GreaterCambridgeGreaterPeterboroughLocal EconomicPartnership(LEP)

To determine localeconomic priorities andlead economic growthand job creation withinthe LEP area6

Cambridgeshire Authorities,Peterborough City Council,Rutland County Council, KingsLynn and West Norfolk BoroughCouncil, Forest Heath, StEdmundsbury Borough,Uttlesford District, NorthHertfordshire, Anglian RuskinUniversity, University ofCambridge and Businessrepresentatives

GreaterCambridgeshireLocal NaturePartnership(LNP)

Developing a sharedvision and priorities forthe restoration andenhancement of thenatural environmentwithin Cambridgeshireand Peterborough

Cambridgeshire authorities,Peterborough City Council,Buglife, Environment Agency,,Forestry Commission, NaturalEngland, National Trust, RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birdsand Wildlife Trust forBedfordshire, Cambridgeshireand Northamptonshire

6 Cambridgeshire County, Peterborough City Council, Rutland County Council and parts of Norfolk, Suffolk andHertfordshire

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Name of body Purpose of body Organisations representedCambridgeshireandPeterboroughBiodiversityPartnership*

Strategic andcoordinated approach tothe implementation ofBiodiversity Action Plans

Cambridgeshire authorities,Peterborough City Council,Buglife, Butterfly Conservation,Cambridge and PeterboroughEnvironmental Records Centre,Environment Agency, East ofEngland Apples and OrchardsProject, FWAG East, ForestryCommission, Froglife, MiddleLevel Commissioners, NaturalEngland, Plantlife, Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds andWildlife Trust for Bedfordshire,Cambridgeshire andNorthamptonshire

CambridgeshireGreenInfrastructureForum*

Preparation andimplementation ofCambridgeshire GreenInfrastructure Strategy

Anglian Water, Cambridge CityCouncil, Cambridge Past Presentand Future, Cambridge SportsLake Trust, Cambridgeshire andPeterborough BiodiversityPartnership, Cambridgeshire andPeterborough EnvironmentalRecord Centre, CambridgeshireCounty Council, English Heritage,Environment Agency, FenlandDistrict Council, ForestryCommission, Farming andWildlife Advisory Group,Huntingdonshire District Council,Natural England, NHSCambridgeshire, PeterboroughEnvironment City Trust, RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds(RSPB), South CambridgeshireDistrict Council, the NationalTrust, the Wildlife Trust forBedfordshire, Cambridgeshireand Northamptonshire and theWoodland Trust.

Forest HeathJoint Updatemeetings

LDF Managers meetregularly (3 times a year)

East Cambridgeshire DistrictCouncil and Forest Heath DistrictCouncil

*The roles of these groups and how these relate to Local Nature Partnership Board are currentlyunder review following the creation of the Greater Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership. It is

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also proposed that the Green Infrastructure Forum is merged with the Peterborough NaturalNetworks group in the near future.

Joint Evidence Base

3.15 Partnership working has been an essential part of the Local Plan process, inparticular, joint working to carry out evidence base work. The following are keyexamples:

Title ofreport/study

Bodies involved (inaddition to EastCambridgeshireDistrict)

Outputs

Cambridge SubRegionStrategicHousing MarketAssessment(2008, 2011and 2012onwards)

Cambridgeshireauthorities, ForestHeath District Counciland St EdmundsburyBorough Council

Consistent approach toidentifying housing needs andaddressing overlapping housingmarkets

Population,Housing andEmploymentForecastsTechnicalReport (TBC –expected March2013)

Cambridgeshire JointStrategic Planning Unit,Cambridgeshireauthorities andPeterborough CityCouncil

Robust and consistent approachto the setting of local jobs anddwelling targets.

East of EnglandForecastingModelForecasts(2012)

East of England LocalGovernmentAssociation (EELGA),Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil

Projections of the estimatednumbers of households, jobs andhomes in East of Englandincluding Cambridgeshire andPeterborough to 2031

ScenarioProjections forCambridgeshireandPeterborough(November2012)

Cambridgeshireauthorities andPeterborough CityCouncil

Projections of the expectednumber of jobs in Cambridgeshireand Peterborough to 2031 (basedupon the Local EconomyForecasting Model)

CambridgeshireLocal EconomicAssessment(2012)

Cambridgeshireauthorities, ForestHeath District Counciland St EdmundsburyBorough Council

To enable local authorities to havea clear understanding of theeconomic conditions within theGreater Cambridgeshire area(Cambridgeshire and part of

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Outputs

Suffolk County).CambridgeArea Gypsy andTravellerAccommodationAssessment(October 2011)

Cambridgeshireauthorities,Peterborough CityCouncil, Forest HeathDistrict Council and StEdmundsbury BoroughCouncil and Kings Lynnand West NorfolkBorough Council

Need for additional pitches/plotsfor Gypsies, Travellers andTravelling Showpeople from 2011to 2031(Cambridgeshire,Peterborough and part of Norfolkand Suffolk County).

CambridgeshireGreenInfrastructureStrategy (2011)

CambridgeshireHorizons andCambridgeshire GreenInfrastructure Forum

Identification of strategic greeninfrastructure projects withinCambridgeshire which form part ofa countywide network (some ofwhich relate to neighbouringauthorities)

CambridgeshireRenewableEnergyInfrastructureFramework(February 2012)

Cambridgeshireauthorities,CambridgeshireHorizons, HertfordshireCounty Council, SuffolkCounty Council, RSLs,Energy Sector, EEDAand Sustainability East

Examined potential opportunitiesfor renewable energy generationin Cambridgeshire.

EastCambridgeshireStrategic FloodRiskAssessment(February 2011)

Fenland DistrictCouncil, EnvironmentAgency andCambridgeshireHorizons

Identified flood zone maps forEast Cambridgeshire District

EastCambridgeshireLocal Plan TestResults(October 2012)

Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil

To identify the transport impacts ofthe scale of growth anticipated inthe Local Plan (which was sharedand discussed with Suffolk CountyCouncil and Highways Agency).

Ely TransportModelling Study(June 2009)

Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil

Identified potential transportimpacts of further development atEly (principally North Elydevelopment).

Water CycleStudy Stage 1and Stage 2

Anglian Water,Environment Agency,Fenland District Council

Assessment of water supplycapacity, flood risk, wastewaterinfrastructure and water quality.

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Outputs

reports(December2010 andSeptember2011)

and CambridgeshireHorizons

EastCambridgeshireInfrastructureInvestment Plan(January 2013)

Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil,Cambridgeshire PrimaryCare Trust, NetworkRail, Highways Agency,Anglian Water,CambridgeshireConstabulary,Cambridgeshire Fireand Rescue Serviceand UK PowerNetworks*

To identify the key infrastructurerequirements within the District asa result of the scale of housingand employment growth set out inthe Draft Local Plan.

*This work has not been jointly commissioned by these bodies (which has been prepared in-house by theDistrict Council) but has been developed in co-operation and input/verification of these bodies.

Formal responses on Duty to Co-operate from local authorities andprescribed bodies

3.16 The District Council has written to local authorities and prescribed bodies asdefined in the Localism Act in relation to whether:

they consider the Council has met the duty to cooperate; the Local Plan is based upon effective joint working on cross boundary

strategic priorities; and the Pre-Submission Draft Local Plan in general supports or complements

the objectives of their organisation.

3.17 It is anticipated that the responses received to this consultation will be included ina final version of the Duty to Co-operate Statement which will be submitted withthe submission version of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State. Theseresponses are expected to respond to the legal requirements of the Localism Actand the NPPF as outlined in Section 1 of this document. This is different from theissues raised by these bodies in relation to the content of the Local Plan asoutlined in the following section.

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3.18 A copy of the letter which has been sent to the relevant local authorities andprescribed bodies is set out in Appendix 3 of this document.

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4 Key Strategic Priorities for East Cambridgeshire District

Homes and jobs needed in the area

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s approach

4.1 The NPPF requires Local Plan authorities to set out strategic policies outliningthe number of homes and jobs needed within the area. The Cambridgeshireauthorities have been involved in regular ongoing dialogue on appropriate targetsover the last two years, through the Planning Policy Forum and Chief PlanningOfficer meetings. The local authorities are committed to working with each otheron this matter, and together with the Joint Strategic Planning Unit, havecommissioned a Technical Report relating to the available population, housingand employment forecasts which will outline the housing needs acrossCambridgeshire and Peterborough and within each local authority area. TheCambridgeshire authorities and the Joint JSPU have also been liaising with theCambridge Sub Region Housing Board and the Housing Strategy Coordinator forthe Housing Sub Region on an update of the SHMA for the Cambridge SubRegion. This area also includes parts of Suffolk (Forest Heath and StEdmundsbury).It is anticipated that the Technical Report and the updated SHMAchapters (relating to need for new homes) will be published in March 2013. Thefindings of the Technical Report and the SHMA will be used to inform theidentification of the housing targets by individual local planning authorities andensure a coordinated response.

4.2 The District Council has reached a critical stage in the preparation of the Localhaving prepared a Pre-submission Draft Local Plan for public consultation. All ofthe Cambridgeshire districts are currently in the process of reviewing theirdevelopment plans to different timescales as set out in the following table:

Local Authority Current/next stage Expected adoptiondate

Cambridge City Issues and Options: Sites OptionsConsultation including jointconsultation with South Cambs(January/February 2013)

April 2014

EastCambridgeshire

Pre-submission Draft Plan(February/March 2013)

Late 2013

Fenland Proposed SubmissionConsultation (Late February –April 2013)

November 2013

Huntingdonshire Pre-submission PublicConsultation(TBC – estimated at January2013)

March 2014

South Joint Consultation on Post January 2014*

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Cambridgeshire Development Strategy & siteoptions on the edge of Cambridge(January/February 2013)

South Cambridgeshire FurtherSite Options (January/February2013)

*No precise timescale given for the adoption of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan.

4.3 Given the different timescales as highlighted above there will be a continuingneed for liaison and joint working between the Cambridgeshire districts andPeterborough City Council in relation to the need for housing withinCambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is anticipated that this will be undertakenby a number of existing groups including the Planning Policy Forum, ChiefPlanning Officers and the Joint Strategic Planning Unit.

4.4 Cambridge Econometrics and SQW were commissioned in March 2012 by theCambridgeshire and Peterborough local authorities to update the previouseconomic forecasts undertaken as part of the preparation of the CambridgeshireDevelopment Study. This work has been considered as part of the more recentTechnical report referred to above.

4.5 Cambridgeshire County Council published a Local Economic Assessment (LEA)for the Greater Cambridge area in 2012. The findings of the LEA have been usedas part of the preparation of the District Council’s Job Growth Strategy togetherwith other more recent evidence to inform the number of jobs expected to begenerated within the district over the plan period.

4.6 The Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnershippublished a draft growth prospectus for public consultation in July 2012. Thisdocument outlines the partnership’s strategic priorities and actions for the nextthree years. The Council has responded to this consultation and has reflected anumber of the LEP's draft priorities in the Local Plan.

4.7 The District Council has also worked with a number of other local authorities onresearch relating to the need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeopleaccommodation and produced an updated Gypsy and Traveller NeedsAssessment. This work was undertaken by Cambridgeshire County Council onbehalf of the local authorities within the Cambridge Housing Sub Region andneighbouring local authorities (Peterborough City Council and Kings Lynn andWest Norfolk Council).

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Approaches of neighbouring authorities

4.8 Fenland District Council in their emerging Core Strategy7 seeks to provide 11,000new homes from 2011 to 2031. This is consistent with the housing targetpreviously identified in the RSS. It is proposed that the majority of developmentwill to be focused at the market towns of March, Wisbech, Chatteris andWhittlesey.

4.9 Huntingdonshire District Council is currently reviewing the existing developmentplan for the district and has recently published a strategic options and policiesconsultation paper. This seeks views on potential housing options based uponthe results of the East of England Forecasting Model8. Three options werepresented for consultation which ranged from 7,275 to 11,150 homes from 2011to 2036. It is also proposed to focus the majority of development at the markettowns of Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots and Ramsey (although the scale ofgrowth has yet to be established).

4.10 South Cambridgeshire District Council is currently undertaking a review of itsexisting development plan documents and has published an issues and optionsconsultation which sought views on the scale of housing and employment withinthe district. Three options for the scale of housing growth were presented forconsultation which ranged from 18,500 to 23,500 homes (based upon the East ofEngland Forecasting Model and other available evidence).

4.11 Forest Heath District Council has an adopted Core Strategy which makesprovision for 10,100 dwellings between 2001 and 2031. However this CoreStrategy was subject to a legal challenge which quashed the policy relating tohousing distribution within the district. However the settlement hierarchy policyremains part of the development plan and focuses the majority of housing growthin the market towns of Newmarket, Brandon and Mildenhall and the key servicecentres of Lakenheath and Red Lodge.

4.12 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council has an adopted Core Strategywhich makes provision for 16,500 dwellings between 2001 and 2036 (basedupon the approved RSS published in May 2008). The majority of thedevelopment is to be focused at Kings Lynn, Hunstanton, Downham Market andWisbech (majority of which is located in Fenland district).

4.13 St Edmundsbury Borough Council: has an adopted Core Strategy which makesprovision for 15,400 dwellings and 18,000 jobs between 2001 and 2031 andfocuses the majority of development at Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill.

7 Fenland Core Strategy – Further Consultation Draft July 20128 http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/research/economylab/Economic+forecasts.htm

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4.14 Cambridge City Council is currently undertaking a review of its existing LocalPlan and has published an issues and options consultation which sought viewson the scale of housing and employment within the city administrative area. Fiveoptions for the scale of housing growth were presented for consultation whichranged from 12,700 to 25,000 homes.

4.15 The following table outlines the main issues which have been raised by localauthorities or prescribed bodies as part of formal and informal consultationresponses:

Local Authority orPrescribed Body

Main Comments

CambridgeshireCounty Council

Housing growth should be focused at the markettowns.

Further transport modelling is essential to determinethe level of housing growth that can beaccommodated by the transport network.

Resulting Outcomes

4.16 As a result of discussions and/or correspondence with neighbouring authoritiesand prescribed bodies throughout the plan-making process has led to thefollowing key outcomes:

Commissioning of up to date economic forecasts by the Cambridgeshire andPeterborough authorities.

Further assessment of available population, housing and economic forecasts toinform housing and job targets within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to beused as part of the preparation of Local Plans.

Agreement to prepare a non-statutory planning framework for Cambridgeshireand Peterborough.

Continued joint working relating to the identification of appropriate housing andjobs targets to be included in Local Plans.

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Provision of retail, leisure and other commercial development


4.17 The town centres of Ely, Soham and Littleport are key areas for shopping, leisureand business activity in the district.

4.18 The main cross boundary issues are with Cambridge City and Newmarket whichare larger retail and leisure centres which are easily accessible from the majorityof settlements within East Cambridgeshire district. Littleport also serves a smallercatchment which includes settlements within Kings Lynn and West NorfolkBorough.

Approaches of neighbouring local authorities

4.19 Fenland District Council in their emerging Core Strategy9 focuses the majority ofemployment and retail growth at March and Wisbech both of which are locatedsome distance from the East Cambridgeshire boundary.

4.20 Huntingdonshire District Council is currently reviewing the existing developmentplan for the district and has recently published a strategic options and policiesconsultation paper. It is proposed that Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives, Ramseyplanning areas10 and a number of villages which are designated as Key ServiceCentres including should be the focus of employment and retail development.

4.21 South Cambridgeshire District Council has an adopted Core Strategy11 whichfocuses employment and retail development on the edge of Cambridge, the newsettlement at Northstowe and a number of larger better served villages (retailonly). The District Council has also recently sought views on the potentialalternatives to the existing development strategy for the district which couldinclude further growth at villages.

4.22 Forest Heath District Council has an adopted Core Strategy which identifiesNewmarket and Mildenhall (both of which are accessible from EastCambridgeshire) as the focus for new employment and retail development withinthe district.

4.23 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council has an adopted Core Strategywhich focuses employment, retail, leisure and cultural development at KingsLynn (as the principal settlement within the district) with Downham Marketidentified as location for a significant amount of employment development.

9 Fenland Core Strategy – Further Consultation Draft July 201210 The Planning areas are as defined in the Huntingdonshire Draft Strategic Options & Policies Paper August 201211 South Cambridgeshire Core Strategy Core Adopted January 2007http://www.scambs.gov.uk/content/core-strategy-dpd

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4.24 St Edmundsbury Borough Council: has an adopted Core Strategy which focusesretail and commercial development at Bury Edmunds and Haverhill which arelocated some distance from the East Cambridgeshire boundary.

4.25 Cambridge City Council: The current Cambridge City Local Plan indicated thatthere was not a need for additional retail floorspace within the city centrefollowing the development of the Grand Arcade scheme. Cambridge City Counciland South Cambridgeshire District Council are currently consulting on potentialsite options in Cambridge and a number of settlements within SouthCambridgeshire for the location of a community stadium, ice rink and concert hallwhich are sport and leisure facilities of sub regional importance.

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4.26 The following table outlines the main issues which have been raised by localauthorities or prescribed bodies as part of consultation responses and/or frominformal correspondence:


Main Comments

Kings Lynn and WestNorfolk BoroughCouncil

Role of Littleport as a service centre for nearbysettlements in the south of Borough should beretained.

Ely and Downham Market will have a higher orderrole.

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Provision of infrastructure for transport


4.27 The Council has worked closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and theHighways Agency in terms of its approach to strategic and local highways. Aspart of which the District and County Councils commissioned transport modellingwork relating to scale of housing and employment growth envisaged in the DraftLocal Plan. The outputs from this work were shared and discussed with theHighways Agency and Suffolk County Council (as neighbouring highwayauthority).

4.28 There have also been specific discussions relating to the delivery of a number ofkey transport infrastructure projects:

Ely Southern bypass (required to alleviate existing and future trafficcongestion on the A142);

Ely Rail Station (as part of masterplanning process for the redevelopment ofthe area); and

Soham Rail Station (to reinstate rail services to Soham following closure ofstation).

4.29 The Council has met, liaised and consulted with the Highways DevelopmentControl Team at Cambridgeshire County Council on a continuous basis throughthe preparation of the Local Plan. This has highlighted the need to includeappropriate criteria relating to the provision of safe vehicular, pedestrian andcycle access and related improvements in allocation policies.



Main Comments


Transport improvements required as a result offurther housing and employment growth (some ofwhich relate to the strategic road network e.g. A14).

Highways/access issues relating to potentialallocation sites (District wide).

Greater CambridgeGreater CambridgeLocal EnterprisePartnership (LEP)

Highlighted the need for transport infrastructureimprovements (as part of the Draft Growthprospectus).

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Main Comments

Kings Lynn and WestNorfolk BoroughCouncil

Rail link from King’s Lynn to Cambridge/London andA10

Highways Agency Need for robust evidence to demonstrate thatimplications for strategic road network (A14 and A11trunk roads) are reasonable and manageable.

Network Rail Support a largely comprehensive approach beingtaken to the Station quarter lands, and that itsupports future provision of retail, residential,interchange and station parking.

Resulting Outcomes

4.31 Discussions and/or correspondence with local authorities and prescribed bodiesthroughout the plan-making process which has led to the following key outcomes:

Assessment of potential transport impacts as a result of scale of housing andemployment growth anticipated in the Draft Local Plan.

Highway/pedestrian/cycle access issues considered as part of assessment ofhousing and employment allocation sites. Please see Sites TechnicalBackground Paper for further details.

Inclusion of reference to highway/access issues in relevant housing andemployment allocation policies (district wide).

The Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan lists the key transportimprovements in detail and these are also summarised in Policy GROWTH 3of the Local Plan.

Provision of infrastructure for telecommunications, waste management,water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal change management, andthe provision of minerals and energy (including heat)


4.32 Of particular importance to East Cambridgeshire District is the availability of nextgeneration access for super fast broadband given current deficiencies in theavailability of high speed internet access. The Council has been part of the‘Connecting Cambridgeshire’ project which is led by Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil to bring access to superfast broadband to at least 90% of homes andbusinesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with better connections forall other premises and has ensured that the Draft Local Plan complements thisinitiative.

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4.33 The Council has worked closely with the Environment Agency both through thework on the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (February 2011) and the WaterCycle Studies (2010 and 2011). More recently the Council has liaised withAnglian Water regarding water supply and waste water capacity issues in relationto the scale of growth envisaged in the Local Plan. This has highlighted the needto consider further the availability of waste water treatment capacity over the planperiod to accommodate further growth as part of the preparation of the LocalPlan.

4.34 Cambridgeshire County Council has an adopted development plan whichidentifies suitable sites for future mineral extraction and waste management to2026. The District Council has liaised with the County Council to ensure thatproposals in the Draft Local Plan do not prejudice mineral resources and/orexisting and proposed minerals and waste management sites.



Main Comments


Identification of minerals and waste managementdesignations/allocations which should be consideredas part of site allocations process (District wide).

Greater CambridgeGreater CambridgeLocal EnterprisePartnership (LEP)

Highlighted the need for broadband infrastructureimprovements (as part of the Draft Growthprospectus).

Environment Agency Considers that the estimated levels of housinggrowth identified in the Ely, Soham and LittleportMasterplans would be achievable based upon theevidence provided in the District Council’s StrategicFlood Risk Assessment and Water Cycle Strategy.

Detailed comments relating to the risk of flooding atproposed sites for housing, employment andeducational facilities (district wide).

Anglian Water Planned improvements for Soham and LittleportWaste Water Treatment Work (WWTWs).

Confirmed that improvements to existing WWTWsmay also be required elsewhere within the district (by

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Main Comments

settlement).

Resulting Outcomes


Reference to on-site infrastructure to accommodate high speed broadbandprovision as part of development sites.

Reference to wastewater treatment capacity and foul network issues relatingto development in market towns and villages (district wide).

Mineral and waste management allocations/designations considered as partof the identification of the proposed housing and employment allocation sites(District wide). Please see Sites Technical Background Paper for furtherdetails.

Current wastewater treatment and water supply capacity considered as partof assessment of housing and employment allocation sites. Please see SitesTechnical Background Paper for further details.

Highlighted the potential need for phasing of housing and employmentdevelopment within the district where there is an identified need forwastewater treatment capacity issues at particular settlements within thedistrict which is reflected in Local Plan policies (district wide and specificallocations).

Highlighted the need to consider the proximity of housing allocations atBarway and Pymoor to pumping stations owned by Anglian Water due topotential residential amenity issues.

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Provision of health infrastructure


4.37 East Cambridgeshire has a relatively strong coverage of GPs and dentistslocated in the market towns of Ely, Soham and Littleport and the majority ofvillages within the district. However there is a need for a number of existingfacilities to be expanded or provided elsewhere to accommodate the expectedlevel of housing growth set out in the Local Plan. The Cambridgeshire PrimaryCare Trust has been consulted on the capacity of existing healthcare facilitiesand expected infrastructure requirements as part of the preparation of the LocalPlan and the Infrastructure Investment Plan.


Main Comments

CambridgeshirePrimary Care Trust

Confirmed healthcare improvements and/or newhealthcare facilities required as a result of housinggrowth.

Resulting Outcomes


The Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan lists the healthcare infrastructurerequirements in detail and these are also summarised in policy GROWTH 3 ofthe Local Plan.

Provision of security, community and cultural infrastructure and other localfacilities


4.39 The Council has met, liaised and consulted with the County Council’s Educationteam on a continuous basis throughout the preparation of the Local Plan. Thishas highlighted the potential impacts of the proposed levels of housing growth inthe Local Plan on existing pre-school, primary and secondary facilities in theDistrict.

4.40 There have also been specific discussions relating to the following issues:

Location of proposed primary and secondary schools at Littleport. Expansion of primary school provision at Fordham and Isleham to

accommodate housing and population growth.

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4.41 The County Council is also currently undertaking a review of post 16 capacitywithin the Cambridge Partnership area12which will determine the need for newpost 16 facilities within the district and the rest of the partnership area.

4.42 The following table outlines the main issues which have been raised as part ofconsultation responses and/or from informal correspondence:


Main Comments


Confirmed available school capacity andImprovements and new educational facilities (earlyyears, primary and secondary) required to supporthousing growth and/or expected population growth

Resulting Outcomes


The Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan lists the educational infrastructurerequirements in detail and these are also summarised in policy GROWTH 3 ofthe Local Plan.

Amendments to wording of Fordham and Isleham visions to include referencefor the need for existing primary schools to be expanded.

Inclusion of policy relating to the need for a new primary and secondaryschool at Littleport (Policy LIT 6).

12 Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire

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Climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation and enhancementof the natural and historic environment, including landscape.


4.44 The approach to renewable energy generation set out in the Local Plan has beeninformed by the Cambridgeshire Renewable Energy Infrastructure Framework.

4.45 The Council has met, liaised and consulted with English Heritage and the HistoricEnvironment Team at Cambridgeshire County Council during the preparation ofthe Local Plan. This has highlighted the potential impacts of proposed housingand employment allocation sites on the historic environment as defined in theNPPF.

4.46 The Greater Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership (LNP) was established onthe 10th January 2013 and will have responsibility for developing a shared visionand priorities for the restoration and enhancement of the natural environmentwithin Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Council will work with the LNP toensure the priorities of the partnership for the natural environment are reflected inthe Local Plan.

4.47 The Council is a member of number of natural environment bodies which existedprior to the creation of the LNP for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Anexample of which is the District Council’s approach to strategic greeninfrastructure which has been informed by the work which was undertaken by theCambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Forum13 to prepare a county level strategy.

4.48 The following table outlines the main issues which have been raised as part ofconsultation responses and/or from informal correspondence:


Main Comments


Detailed comments relating to the archaeologicalimplications of proposed housing and employmentsites included in Village Vision consultationsconducted in 2011/12.

Suggested wording for inclusion in policies ENV 14(sites of archaeological interest) and housing andemployment allocations policies (district wide).

English Heritage Concern relating to the potential detrimental impact

13 This body led the successful bid for the establishment of the Greater Cambridgeshire Local NaturePartnership.

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Main Comments

on the setting of Ely and its cathedral of some of theoptions being considered to address congestion atEly crossing and the need for improvements on theA142.

Plans should include strategic policies covering,conservation and enhancement of the historicenvironment, including landscape.

Local Plan should contain a clear strategy forenhancing the historic environment.

Concern relates to the potential detrimental impact onthe setting of the Isleham Priory scheduledmonument as a result of housing development atPound Lane, Isleham.

Natural England Environmental constraints should be consideredwhen allocating sites for development.

Planning policies should take a strategic approach tothe conservation, enhancement and restoration ofgeodiversity, and promote opportunities for theincorporation of geodiversity interest as part ofdevelopment.

We advise that any development proposals shouldaim to avoid damage to existing biodiversity features,particularly statutorily designated sites, and to createopportunities for enhancing biodiversity through thedelivery of Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP)targets.

Early consideration should be given to the quality ofsoil resource on potential development sites andtherefore the Local Plan process provides a usefulopportunity to consider soils and to ensure theirprotection during the plan making process.

The Local Authority should consider landscapecharacter when allocating sites for development,particularly designated landscapes, including historiclandscapes, to protect their natural beauty andamenity, wildlife and cultural heritage.

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Main Comments

A landscape character approach should be used tounderpin and guide decisions on development andset out criteria based policies for landscape characterareas.

Full consideration should be given to theCambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy.

National Trust14 Inclusion of Wicken Fen Vision as strategic greeninfrastructure project in Local Plan

Resulting Outcomes


Inclusion of reference to pre-determination archaeological conditions inrelevant housing and employment allocation policies (district wide) followingcomments from Cambridgeshire County Council.

Revisions to wording of policy ENV 14 (Sites of Archaeological Interest) as aresult of discussions and correspondence with Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil.

Identification of key strategic green infrastructure projects within the districtincluding Wicken Fen and Ely Country Park as set out in the CambridgeshireGreen Infrastructure Strategy (policy COM 5).

Changes to Ely policies following discussions with English Heritage. Revisions to wording of policy BOT1 (Land east of Bell Road, Bottisham)

which is located within close proximity to a scheduled monument as a resultof discussions with English Heritage (TBC).

Revisions to wording of policy ISL4 (Land west of Pound Lane, Isleham)which is adjacent to a scheduled monument following discussions withEnglish Heritage and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Draft Final Sustainability Appraisal

4.50 East Cambridgeshire District Council has prepared a Draft Final SustainabilityAppraisal report relating to social, economic and environmental effects of theobjectives and policies set out in the Draft Local Plan. The District Councilconsulted Natural England, Environment Agency and English Heritage (asstatutory consultees) on the content of this report and the previous SA Scoping

14 Member of the Greater Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership

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Report. This has resulted in changes to the content of the Final SustainabilityAppraisal Report prior to publication with the Local Plan for public consultation.

The Habitats Directive Assessment Screening Document

4.51 East Cambridgeshire District Council has also prepared a Habitats RegulationAssessment Screening Document to assess the likely significant effects onNatura 2000 sites of the Draft Local Plan as required by the Habitats Directive.The District Council consulted Natural England (as a statutory consultee)together with the RSPB on the content of this report. This has resulted inchanges to both the content of the document and the wording of a number ofDraft Local Plan policies (Policies ENV18, LIT1 and LIT2).

5 Conclusions

5.1 This paper has been prepared in response to the requirements relating to theduty to co-operate as outlined in the Localism Act and the National PlanningPolicy Framework. It sets out how the Council has addressed this requirement byworking with local authorities and prescribed bodies on strategic matters and howthis has resulted in more effective Local Plan policies.

5.2 This paper outlines the following:

Continuing joint working on strategic planning issues between theCambridgeshire and Peterborough authorities.

Groups and partnerships which have been used to discuss strategic planningissues with neighbouring local authorities, County Councils and prescribedbodies.

Joint evidence has been prepared with other local authorities and bodies. The District Council has considered the objectives of other bodies in the

preparation of the Draft Local Plan. Specific policy approaches that have come about as result of discussions with

local authorities and/or prescribed bodies.

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Appendix 1 - Joint Statement On The Development Strategy For CambridgeshireBy The Cambridgeshire Authorities (November 2010)

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR CAMBRIDGESHIREBY THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE AUTHORITIES

1 Introduction

1.1 This statement has been prepared by the Cambridgeshire authorities to set out ourposition regarding the development strategy for the County in light of theGovernment’s recent announcement of the revocation of Regional SpatialStrategies and aspiration for a locally based planning system.

1.2 The Cambridgeshire authorities have a long history of joint working on planningissues and will continue to work together to share information and develop goodpractice. A significant evidence base has been built up that provides the authoritieswith important information to guide further work. An important outcome of thisapproach was the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan - asustainable strategy for growth that was tested at Examination and adopted in2003. This strategy was adopted largely unchanged in the Regional SpatialStrategy (2008) and the authorities’ response to the RSS review in 2009. TheStructure Plan strategy has also informed the development of the City and DistrictCouncils’ Local Plan and Local Development Frameworks and is currently beingimplemented by the authorities through their development decisions.

2 Cambridgeshire strategy

2.1 The Cambridgeshire authorities remain committed to the strategy for planning inthe County, including the provision of housing, as originally established by theStructure Plan and as now partially set out in saved Structure Plan policies and asreflected by the policies and site proposals in the Cambridge Local Plan andDistrict Councils’ Development Plan Documents and developing strategies formarket towns.

2.2 The key objective of the strategy is to locate homes in and close to Cambridge,following a comprehensive review of the Cambridge Green Belt, and to other maincentres of employment, while avoiding dispersed development which increasesunsustainable travel and makes access to services and community facilitiesdifficult. Further sustainable locations for growth focus mainly on Cambridgeshire’smarket towns.

2.3 This strategy makes provision for development:

within Cambridge or as sustainable extensions to the urban area, subject toenvironmental capacity and compatibility with Green Belt object ives.

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at the new town of Northstowe, linked to the guided busway; within, or as sustainable extensions to, the market towns of Wisbech, March,

Ely, Huntingdon and St Neots, subject to the potential for regeneration and theprovision of essential infrastructure and public transport improvements15; and

within, or as extensions to, other market towns, where development wouldincrease the towns’ sustainability and self-containment, improvements toinfrastructure and services are planned or will be provided and high qualitypublic transport provision can reduce the impacts of out-commuting.

2.4 This strategy has met with considerable success so far and a large number of siteshave already been delivered throughout the County or are under construction, withmore remaining to be developed. Despite the recession, construction hascontinued and Cambridgeshire is identified as one of the key areas of the countrylikely to lead the national economy into recovery.

2.5 Despite recent announcements about the relocation of Marshalls from Cambridgeairport, the authorities consider that Cambridge East retains great potential forsustainable development and currently remains part of the strategy. The authoritiesalso consider that there is sufficient availability of housing land over the short tomedium term. Cambridge East will be considered alongside other sites as part of afuller review of the strategy.

3 Looking forward

3.1 The Cambridgeshire authorities remain committed to the strategy for planning inthe County outlined above, as embedded in the Cambridge Local Plan and DistrictCouncils’ Development Plan Documents. However, with factors such as fragileeconomic growth, the need to rebalance the economy towards the private sector,changing demographic pressures, the challenges of climate change, uncertaintyover infrastructure provision and emerging proposals for the Greater Cambridgeand Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership, there remains a need tokeep the strategy under review.

3.2 The authorities will continue to work together on place-shaping issues and willbegin gathering evidence to inform decisions on future development levels andlocations, so that the strategy that emerges will be based on a thoroughunderstanding of the issues the County faces, including cross-County boundaryimpacts. Moves to a more locally based planning system will provide theauthorities with much greater freedom. We will ensure that under this new systemthe future strategy is driven by the needs and aspirations of local communities, isfully deliverable, ensures the County’s continuing economic success and protectsand enhances Cambridgeshire’s unique environment.

15 Huntingdon and St Neots in this policy refers to the Spatial Planning Areas as defined in the adoptedHuntingdonshire Core Strategy

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Appendix 2 - Joint Statement On The Development Strategy For CambridgeshireBy The Cambridgeshire Authorities (July 2012)

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR CAMBRIDGESHIREAND PETERBOROUGH BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES16

1 Introduction

1.1 In 2010 the Coalition Government announced its intention to abolish RegionalSpatial Strategies (and by extension any ‘saved’ Structure Plan policies) andintroduce a wholly locally-based planning system. In response to this changingpolicy environment the Cambridgeshire authorities issued a joint statement inautumn 2010 to set out their position in support of the existing, establisheddevelopment strategy for the County.

1.2 This statement updates and replaces that earlier one in the light of events sinceits publication in 2010. It is expanded to cover Peterborough in addition toCambridgeshire, reflecting the history of joint working between the two areas, theshared objectives within the Local Enterprise Partnership, and the recentagreement to co-operate effectively and work together on strategic planningissues.

2 Background

2.1 The existing development strategy originated in the Cambridgeshire andPeterborough Structure Plan 2003 and with the support of all of theCambridgeshire local authorities was incorporated in the East of England Plan(the Regional Spatial Strategy) published in 2008. These strategic plansinformed the development of the City and District Councils’ Local Plan and LocalDevelopment Frameworks, which currently are being implemented.

2.2 The key objective of the strategy is to secure sustainable development bylocating new homes in and close to Cambridge and Peterborough and to othermain centres of employment, while avoiding dispersed development whichincreases unsustainable travel and restricts access to key services and facilities.Further sustainable locations for growth focus mainly on Cambridgeshire’smarket towns and Peterborough’s district centres, with one large new town(Northstowe) to be connected to Cambridge and other key locations through anew dedicated public transport option, the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.

2.3 Implementation of the strategy is on-going, with new urban extensions beingdelivered in Cambridge and Peterborough. With the Busway now up and running,significant development activity is underway in Cambridge’s southern and north-

16 Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland DistrictCouncil, Huntingdonshire District Council, Peterborough City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

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west fringes and an application for a first phase for the new town of Northstowehas been submitted. Major developments, essential regeneration andinfrastructure provision in Cambridgeshire’s market towns continue to makepositive progress.

3 National and Local Developments

3.1 The National Planning Policy Framework, published recently, requires all localauthorities to plan for sustainable development including planning positively foreconomic growth, with their local plans being prepared on the basis thatobjectively assessed development needs should be met. With the enactment ofthe Localism Act in 2011, all local authorities are now under a Duty to Co-operatein the preparation of their plans, both with each other and a range of otherbodies.

3.2 The national economic situation has presented significant challenges inmaintaining the pace of growth and the delivery of sufficient investment where itis most needed. In the face of these challenges, the Cambridgeshire andPeterborough local authorities have continued to take a positive attitude todelivery of the development strategy and have taken innovative approaches tofunding challenges - for example, the equity investment in the southern fringesites. This has enabled development to start earlier than would otherwise havebeen the case, whilst still securing a future financial return for the authorities,which can then be reinvested to support future high quality growth for the benefitof local communities.

3.3 The Greater Cambridge-Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership isnow well-established and has secured the designation of an Enterprise Zone atthe former Alconbury airfield. The County Council has also announced it isputting in place the funding to deliver a new rail station in the north of Cambridge,which will enhance public transport accessibility and provide some relief tocongestion within the city. Work is now underway, led by the Department forTransport but working in partnership with the County and District Councils, to finda way forward for delivering improvements along the A14 corridor. The outcomesare critical in order to support a range of key development locations, including atNorthstowe. An announcement from Government on the way forward is expectedthis summer.

4 The Response to these Challenges

4.1 Despite the clarity of and support for the existing development strategy, the localauthorities realise the need to keep the broader, strategic perspective underconsideration. As a result, all authorities except Peterborough City Council,which last year adopted a Core Strategy running to 2026, are undertaking areview or roll forward of their local plans.

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4.2 The need for this work results from a range of factors, including fosteringcontinued economic growth, providing sufficient housing and the need fordelivery of the necessary infrastructure to support the development ofsustainable communities. The review or roll forward of plans will also need totake account of the fundamental changes that are likely to impact on the existingstrategy – for example, the current unavailability of Cambridge Airport for housingdevelopment or the introduction of the Enterprise Zone at Alconbury. With regardto the Enterprise Zone the local authorities will need to consider and effectivelyrespond to the wider spatial implications of that designation as a matter ofurgency Nevertheless, it is critical that a combined clear focus and effort remainson the effective delivery of the existing ambitious strategy and the majordevelopments that are part of it; and to recognise that Cambridgeshire andPeterborough, as a whole, still have more than adequate land coming forward toeffectively deliver sustainable growth, which can be continued as the strategy isupdated .

4.3 Preparation of these updated plans will take account of policies outlined in theNational Planning Policy Framework, including wide community engagement inaccordance with the principles of localism. This will enable engagement arounda range of development needs, including community-based, locally-generatedproposals as well as those of more strategic significance. Furthermore, the localauthorities will continue their long history of close collaboration and joint workingas part of their Duty to Co-operate. This will include jointly gathering appropriateforms of evidence to both inform their plans and to shape the formulation of theirstrategies. Their work will be supported and constructively challenged at astrategic level by a newly-formed Joint Strategic Planning Unit. Close links to theLocal Enterprise Partnership will also be further developed.

4.4 In undertaking the review or roll forward of their plans, the local authorities areclear that fundamentally they will continue to be guided by the strategic principleswhich underpinned the original growth strategy, first set out in the 2003 StructurePlan. Locating homes in and close to urban areas and to other main centres ofemployment is critical to ensure appropriate, sustainable development. It isessential, therefore, that the future development needs of the wider area areconsidered and agreed through a strategic plan-led approach, which takesaccount of identified local and national priorities.

4.5 Pending this review of the strategy, the local authorities are clear that theyremain committed to delivering the existing planned strategy, and that significantcapacity exists in terms of housing and employment land supply as we recoverfrom the recession. During the transition period leading up to the introduction oftheir new, updated local plans, the local authorities will continue to give fullweight to current, adopted planning policies.

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Appendix 3 - Letter sent to local authorities and prescribed bodies as defined inthe Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (asamended)

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Appendix 4 - Responses received from local authorities and prescribed bodies

[TO BE COMPLETED – FOLLOWING CONSULTATION]