The big themes

The new Local Plan must provide a positive vision for the future of Greater Cambridge and ensure sustainable development. This means meeting the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

To meet our present and future needs, we must ensure that the places and communities in our area are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations. We have grouped the key issues into 7 themes and we are developing a robust, in-depth evidence base about each of the themes. 

• Climate change  
• Biodiversity and green spaces 
• Wellbeing and social inclusion
• Great places 
• Jobs
• Homes
• Infrastructure

Overarching themes

Climate change  

This theme covers how the plan should contribute to achieving net zero carbon, and living within resource constraints such as water, and the mitigation and adaptation policies that may be required to achieve this. 

Evidence being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Implications for carbon emissions (Bioregional and Etude) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Integrated Water Management Study (Stantec) November 2020 (pdf)

Biodiversity and green spaces 

This theme covers how the plan can contribute to our ‘doubling nature’ vision, the improvement of existing and creation of new green spaces. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Green Infrastructure Opportunity Mapping Baseline Report (Land Use Consultants) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment Green Infrastructure Opportunity Mapping (Land Use Consultants) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Habitats Regulations Assessment (Land Use Consultants) November 2020 (pdf)

Wellbeing and social inclusion 

This theme covers how the plan can help spread the benefits of growth to everyone across different social and economic groups, helping to create healthy and inclusive communities. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Equalities Impact Assessment (Greater Cambridge Planning Service) November 2020 (pdf)

Great places  

This theme covers how the plan can protect our existing built heritage and historic landscapes, and design new developments to create special places and spaces that will be well-loved in the future. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Landscape & Townscape (Chris Blandford Associates) November 2020 (pdf)  

Jobs  

This theme covers how many jobs, and what kind of jobs, will be created – and what kind of space is needed for those businesses. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Employment Land Review & Economic Evidence Base Study (GL Hearn, with SQW, Cambridge Econometrics, and Iceni Projects) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options appraisal: Employment (GL Hearn, with SQW, Cambridge Econometrics, and Iceni Projects) November 2020 (pdf)

Homes 

This theme covers how many affordable and market sale homes are needed, and what kind of homes they should be. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Housing and Employment Relationships Report (GL Hearn with Iceni Projects, Justin Gardner and Cambridge Econometrics) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Housing Delivery Study – Interim Findings (AECOM) November 2020 (pdf)  

Infrastructure  

This theme covers what transport, utilities, services and facilities are needed to support new development. 

Evidence studies being developed for this theme: 

• Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Existing Transport Conditions Report (Cambridgeshire County Council Transport Infrastructure Policy and Funding Team) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Transport Evidence report (Cambridgeshire County Council Transport Infrastructure Policy and Funding Team) November 2020 (pdf)
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Stantec) November 2020 (pdf) 
• Greater Cambridge Local Plan strategic spatial options assessment: Viability Assessment (Aspinall Verdi) November 2020 (pdf)