The initial meeting in Cambridge will set the scene for how a series of hearings over the coming months will be carried out, the expected programme, and the content they will cover.
The Local Plans of South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council will be assessed by the inspector separately, but due to the interdependence of the two, the initial meeting will cover how both examinations will be run and it is expected to start with some joint hearing sessions.
Both councils have carried out extensive public consultation over the last three years and assessed hundreds of possible sites before agreeing their draft Local Plans to submit to government. The inspector, Miss Laura Graham, will now review the plans to see if they meet the development needs of the two areas, or whether changes are needed to make the plans sound.
The councils have worked closely throughout the preparation of the two Local Plans and together they set out a clear development strategy for the Greater Cambridge area.
South Cambridgeshire’s Local Plan proposes 22,000 new jobs and 19,000 much-needed new homes including a new town north of Waterbeach, a new village at Bourn Airfield and a major extension to Cambourne. The plan also includes 900 homes in six of the district’s larger villages which have the best services and public transport links.
Around 14,000 out of the 19,000 homes needed in South Cambridgeshire by 2031 have already been committed to in locations mainly on the edge of Cambridge and at the new town of Northstowe.
For Cambridge, the Local Plan makes provision for 22,100 jobs and 14,000 new homes, with the overall approach of focusing development in and around the built up area of the city. This includes the continued development of the area around the station and sites on the edge of Cambridge.
The pre hearing meeting will be held at 2pm on Thursday 11 September at the Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge. The details of the Local Plans or the evidence presented for the examination will not be covered at the meeting.
Cllr Kevin Blencowe, Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport said: “The council needs an up to date Local Plan to provide much-needed homes and jobs, and to improve the quality of life for all in Cambridge. The Local Plan has involved extensive public consultation and it’s right that it is now independently reviewed. We look forward to working with the Inspector and other parties throughout the examination process and moving towards adoption of the Plan as quickly as possible. ”
Cllr Robert Turner, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “We have worked hard with communities for over two years preparing the Local Plan and now look forward to testing what we have put forward with the inspector.
“It is simply not possible to put forward a plan which everyone locally will agree on as we have heard from people on all sides of the debate during all the public consultations. Our economy and the new jobs being created mean homes are in great demand and we must make sure our plan meets the future needs of the area so we can continue to provide local people with a good quality of life.”
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