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A mix of water supply and transport issues, alongside national plan-making changes, pose challenges to Greater Cambridge’s planning.
As a result, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council, who share planning services, agree on the necessity to extend the Greater Cambridge Local Plan (GCLP) timetable.
Originally working to a timetable agreed in 2022, those participant local authorities involved in the GCLP have now agreed an indicative revised timetable that is set to start the formal 30-month local plan process by autumn/winter 2025.
The previous timetable set out that consultation on a draft local plan was due to take place in autumn 2023, with proposed submission this autumn (2024) and submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination in summer/autumn 2025.
The reasons for the delay to the GCLP set out by the two councils are the water supply issue in the region, ongoing work on the wider transport strategy, and a new plan-making system where emerging plans under the current system can continue only if they are submitted for independent public examination by the end of June 2025.
In addition, in the Spring Budget earlier this month, the Government announced funding to address the water supply issue and proposals for further growth in the Greater Cambridge area that are to be driven by a dedicated Development Corporation.
According to Eddisons’ planning professionals in the region, while the delay is frustrating, it is important that the issues flagged-up by the local authorities are resolved to assist with the formal local plan process.
Lydia Pravin, Associate Planning Director, explains, “Water supply issues already affect current planning applications in the Greater Cambridge area, so the funding and continued co-operation across local and national governments are welcomed.
“The relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) from the north east side of the city is also a turnkey project with implications for both water supply & transport strategies, as well as the redevelopment potential of this key edge of city site. A decision on this, through a Development Consent Order, is expected by the end of this year.
“The forthcoming General Election introduces another level of uncertainty in anticipating the actions of any future administration regarding a Development Corporation for Cambridge.
“In involving so many organisations and statutory authorities, not to mention landowning and development interests, it’s vital that the GCLP addresses all matters in a holistic and strategic way.
“It is important that collaboration continues at pace, given the region’s importance as one of the country’s economic powerhouses.”
