Infrastructure

10.1.  In the Infrastructure theme, we set out policies which require infrastructure to support development proposals, delivered when it is required.

Our strategic priority for our infrastructure policies

10.2.  Strategic Priority: Plan for transport, water, energy and digital networks; and health, education and cultural facilities; in the right places and built at the right times to serve our existing and growing communities.

10.3.  The relationship between homes, jobs, and sustainable transport opportunities has been a key influence on the development strategy proposed. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is preparing a Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy which will identify measures needed to support the development identified in the Local Plan. A range of transport measures and transport corridor improvements are already planned, such as those being brought forward by the Greater Cambridge Partnership. The policies in this Local Plan require developments to be located and designed so that sustainable travel choices are available. They also require developments to contribute towards the cost of these transport schemes, to mitigate the impact of development.

10.4.  The Local Plan has been informed by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Through engagement with a range of stakeholders, this identifies the infrastructure, services and facilities that are needed to support proposed development. This Plan has also been subject to a Viability Assessment, which tests a variety of development types and the policy requirements of this plan, to demonstrate they are viable and can help fund the infrastructure that is needed. Even with contributions for development, the scale of infrastructure needed means that government funding, such as the £500m secured for transport improvements through the Greater Cambridge City Deal, will be needed.

10.5.  Our policies require developments to enable the consolidation of goods to support local deliveries, charging points for electric vehicles, and broadband infrastructure. With electricity demands in the area expected to triple, a Cambridgeshire Local Area Energy Plan has been prepared to help ensure that the right energy infrastructure is in place to support growth and the transition to a low carbon future. Large developments will be required to prepare energy masterplans.

10.6.  Finally, our policies safeguard important existing local infrastructure, such as the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, and land associated with planned infrastructure schemes that will support the plan, including three proposed public transport corridor schemes. They also ensure the impact of proposals for aviation related activities are fully considered.

What our infrastructure policies do

• Detail how the transport impacts of development should be managed, and how new development should be designed and connected to the transport network to enable travel by sustainable modes;
• Support the development of new mobility hub sites of different scales at different locations, and improvements to the quality and attractiveness of existing mobility hubs, including park and ride sites;
• Set out the requirements for cycle and vehicle parking, including infrastructure for electric vehicle charging;
• Ensure adequate provision for servicing and deliveries, the approach to micro-consolidation centres, and overnight and long-term lorry parking on industrial and distribution centres;
• Identify important existing and planned infrastructure that should be safeguarded from adverse impacts that may arise from development;
• Control development related to aviation to take account of potential impacts on quality of life, amenity, aviation safety and the environment;
• Establish requirements for energy infrastructure masterplanning for large scale developments, to help facilitate decarbonisation and make best use of grid infrastructure;
• Require developers to deliver and contribute towards infrastructure delivery, to meet the requirements arising from the new development;
• Set out how developments should provide access to broadband, telecommunication infrastructure and smart infrastructure;
• Detail the construction management measures required to ensure that the environment and residential amenity are properly protected.