Policy I/SD: Servicing and last-mile deliveries

1. All new development must include adequate provisions for servicing appropriate to the scale, form and location of the proposal, including provision for commercial vehicles to park and turn safely within the development with on-street parking bays only being used where this is not possible. Where on-street loading bays are proposed, this must avoid causing illegal or dangerous parking. 

2. A Delivery and Servicing Plan will be required for proposals where the delivery and/or servicing operations and requirements have the potential to negatively impact highway safety and/or the road network. Alternative delivery and servicing practices and emerging technologies should be considered as part of development proposals, for example: use of existing or provision of new micro-consolidation centres; re-timing of deliveries; smart or joint procurement measures; cargo bikes, cycle freight, electric and low or zero-emission vehicles; and delivery lockers in residential developments. 

3. Proposals for new or enhanced micro-consolidation centres will be supported in principle where they will serve local areas that have an identifiable need, provided that they: 

  a. do not cause unacceptable impacts on

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

’s strategic road networks; 

  b. reduce road danger, noise and emissions from freight trips; and 

  c. enable sustainable last-mile movements, including by cycle, electric vehicles and/or innovative delivery solutions. 

4. Proposals for any new industrial and distribution centres that will generate significant freight traffic must provide sufficient facilities for long-term and overnight lorry parking.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

proposals should facilitate safe, clean, and efficient deliveries and servicing to minimise impacts on the amenity of neighbours, the environment, and the safety of the highways network. These should be integrated into the design of any development at an early stage. 

Growth in the demand for home deliveries increased during the COVID-19 Pandemic following the surge in online ordering. The resulting, sustained rise in deliveries generated a greater number of vehicle movements to homes and businesses across the UK. In built-up areas like Cambridge, this can add to vehicle congestion, reduce air quality, and create conflicts between freight movement operations and vulnerable road users. 

Micro-consolidation centres (sometimes called last-mile hubs) are an alternative delivery and servicing practice that can help to mitigate the negative impacts of increased delivery movements. They are small-scale facilities, located within or close to urban or neighbourhood centres, where parcels and other orders can be grouped before they are delivered to their final destination. Micro-consolidation centres help to reduce the number of separate, individual deliveries that are made to homes and businesses. Their location means that last-mile trips in the delivery chain can be made in a more sustainable, less impactful manner, for example, using cargo bikes or electric vans for bulkier goods. Micro-consolidation centres can also help to ensure that deliveries are targeted at off-peak travel periods, thereby further helping to reduce traffic congestion during peak travel periods. 

Other innovative and flexible solutions to local delivery needs and last-mile logistics are also encouraged. Digital and online infrastructure can support better management of delivery timing and vehicle movements. Future proofing consolidation facilities will also help to facilitate the integration of technological improvements such as the use of drones and autonomous delivery vehicles. 

Delivery and Servicing Plans will help to ensure that an appropriate strategy is in place for delivery and servicing operations to be undertaken safely and without significant detriment to local communities and the environment – these can be integrated into wider Travel Plans. Delivery and Servicing Plans will typically include: 

• the physical design and layout of the site, and how it provides adequate provision for delivery and servicing activity from the commencement of the site’s use; 
• the day-to-day policies and measures that will be implemented so that deliveries and servicing are appropriately managed, and how the local disruption and environmental impacts of that activity will be minimised over time. It should set appropriate targets for continuous improvement; and 
• the forecast trip rates for the site. 

Delivery and Servicing Plans should be incorporated into a

A long-term management strategy for an organisation or site that seeks to deliver sustainable transport objectives and is regularly reviewed. 

where they are required. 

Planning conditions and planning obligations will be used to help secure and enforce appropriate arrangements.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Topic Paper 8:

  Includes transport, energy, water, waste, digital/smart, social and green infrastructure.

  (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

.

All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.