The Policy
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To provide maximum development where it is most
wanted, i.e., the City of Cambridge, and to protect the remainder of the area surrounding
the City from further development.
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No additional buildings beyond existing planning
permissions except within the City.
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Similar new development allowed in key market towns
such as Ely, Huntingdon, St Ives and St Neots.
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Replacement of buildings encouraged within the City
(e.g., replacement of two storey houses by four storey buildings, low rise offices by
higher buildings, etc).
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Transport improved within the City e.g. (bus and
cycle priority lanes, improved junctions etc).
There would
still be a slight increase in households outside the City, despite the restrictions. This
is due to existing permissions for development, subdivision of houses into flats, and
reductions of household size. Large (50% by 2016) increase in the City. A major increase in employment within the City is supported.
Employment continues to grow slightly outside the City serving local residents.
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Housing costs fall within the City but continue to
increase elsewhere.
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Housing becomes more affordable for lower
socio-economic groups within the City and thus a more balanced social mix is achieved.
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Employment costs increase slightly within the City,
mainly due to congestion, with more pronounced increases in other districts.
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Improved prospects for employees in traditional jobs
in the City due to lower labour costs.
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Increased concentration of jobs and houses which
would reduce commuting into Cambridge but increase congestion within the City.
Cost of living increases within the City would stop
and eventually reduce, due to increased housing supply limiting price and rental
increases; the cost of goods and services would be contained.
The cost of production within the City and across
the districts would increase more evenly, due to more stable labour costs, floorspace
rentals and congestion.
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Greater concentration of jobs and housing in the City
would generate increased levels of congestion, despite the expected higher use of public
transport, cycling and walking.
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Traffic delays within the City rise substantially.
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Emissions and thus pollution increase within the
City.
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Significant improvements to the City’s transport
network would be necessary, which would affect the buildings next to the road widening
schemes.
Efficiency
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Economic efficiency would be maintained, facilitating
the competitiveness of the region.
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Export-oriented firms such as those in the high-tech
sector would find it easier to compete with the rest of the world, facing only about 1%
per year increase in production costs (between 2001 and 2016).
Equity
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Social equity would be largely maintained in the City
of Cambridge through the supply of more affordable housing, thus achieving a balanced
increase in households from different socio-economic groups.
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South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire and
Huntingdonshire would also maintain their current social mixes.
Environment
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Good protection of the environment outside the City.
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Reduction of private open space within the City, thus
becoming more compact and changing in appearance.
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Substantial traffic congestion.
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Increase in emissions and pollution in the City due
to the concentration of population and employment.
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Before and after
©Cambridge Futures & METAPHORM - 3D model based on Ordnance Survey © CCC and Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.
In this sample area in the
south of the city the key developments are i) the building of new dwellings on public open
space and in larger gardens (in the top left of the area), and ii) additional storeys on
existing - or replaced - dwellings
©Cambridge Futures & METAPHORM - 3D model based on Ordnance Survey © CCC and Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.
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