Policy J/NE: New employment development proposals

1. New employment development of an appropriate type, scale and character will be supported where it is appropriate to the location as set out below.

Cambridge

2. Within the Defined Development Extent of Cambridge (as defined on the Policies Map), new employment development of an appropriate type, scale and character will be encouraged where proposals reflect the site allocation, Public Realm Improvement Area and Areas of Major Change. Outside of these areas, proposals will be considered on their own merits.

Towns and villages in South Cambridgeshire

3. New employment development in accessible locations within the Defined Development Extent (defined on the Policies Map) within South Cambridgeshire’s towns and villages will be supported where they are of a scale and character that reflect their location and the settlement in which they are located.

On the edges of South Cambridgeshire’s towns and villages

4. Subject to Green Belt policy, proposals for employment development will be permitted on sites adjoining or very close to the Defined Development Extent of towns and villages in South Cambridgeshire (defined on the Policies Map) where:

  a. It is demonstrated that there are no suitable existing buildings or sites within the settlement or close to the settlement, or suitable existing buildings to reuse or replace in the countryside nearby;

  b .The site comprises previously developed land. If greenfield sites are proposed they will need to demonstrate no suitable previously developed sites are available;

  c. The proposal is justified by a business case, demonstrating that the business of the named user and its proposed use of the development is viable, and demonstrating the named user’s need for the development;

  d. The named user for the development shall be its first occupant. Occupation and use of the building by the named user will be secured for at least 1 year through a S106 agreement.

  e. The proposal is well related to the built form of the settlement, the scale and form of the development would be in keeping with the category and scale of the village;

  f. The proposal would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area and in particular the settlement edge, and is in scale with the location; and

  g. The site can be easily accessed on foot or cycle.

Established employment areas in the countryside

5. Within Established Employment Areas in the countryside, proposals for employment development will be permitted where they are of a scale and character that reflects their location.

6. The following Established Employment Areas in the countryside are defined on the Policies Map:

  a. Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne

  b. Cambridge Research Park, Landbeach

  c. Brookfields Business Estate / Park, Twentypence Road, Cottenham

  d .Land at Hinxton Road, South of Duxford

  e. Eternit site, Meldreth

  f. Site to North of Cambridge Research Park, Landbeach

  g. Daleshead Foods Ltd, Cambridge Road, Linton

  h. Norman Way Industrial Estate, Over

  i. Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey

  j. Convent Drive / Pembroke Avenue site and Cambridge Innovation Park, Waterbeach

  k. TTP Campus Melbourn

Expansion of existing businesses in the countryside

7. Subject to Green Belt policy and outside both employment allocations within this Plan and Established Employment Areas, development for the expansion of established existing businesses whose principal place of business is located currently outside or on the edge of development frameworks will be granted where:

  a. The proposal is justified by a business case, demonstrating that the business of the named user and its proposed use of the development is viable, that the business has been operating successfully for a minimum of 2 years, and demonstrating the named user’s need for expansion through the form of the development proposed;

  b. The named user for the development shall be its first occupant. Occupation and use of the building by the named user will be secured for at least 1 year through a S106 agreement;

  c. The proposal is of a scale appropriate in this location, adjacent to existing premises and appropriate to the existing development;

  d. There is no unacceptable adverse impact on the countryside with regard to scale, character and appearance of new buildings and/or changes of use of land;

  e. Existing buildings are reused where possible;

  f. The proposed development would not (by itself or cumulatively) have a significant adverse impact in terms of the amount or nature of traffic generated.

Large scale warehousing and distribution facilities

8. Proposals for large scale warehousing and distribution facilities providing for national or regional needs will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that:

  a. there is an unmet need for such facilities that must and can be appropriately met within Greater Cambridge, having regard to other policies and priorities within and arising from this Plan; and

  b. the proposal will not impede delivery of warehousing and distribution and industrial space that meets local market needs in market sector priority locations.