Central Council Priory House Monks Walk Shefford Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ

Our ref: CBC 29.08.17 CU-Draft LP Your ref: 29th August 2017

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Central Bedfordshire Council Draft Local Plan Consultation 2017 Representation

This representation has been prepared on behalf of Cranfield University who welcomes the opportunity to comment on Council’s (CBC) Draft Local Plan (DLP) which has been published for consultation until 29th August 2017.

This representation relates to Cranfield University and , both of which are significant assets to Central Bedfordshire and key contributors to the local and regional economy. Cranfield generates an estimated £360 million in GVA for the UK and supports over 4,200 FTE jobs. Alongside these contributions, the University is one of the top performing higher education institutions in the UK in terms of working with business, in 2015/16 Cranfield had the fourth largest number of research contracts with SMEs of any UK university and generated the eighth highest income from the provision of courses for businesses.

In line with adopted planning policy DM11, masterplans are being prepared for both Cranfield University Campus (including the area formerly known as the Cranfield University Technology Park) and Cranfield Airport. Both masterplans are being progressed in partnership with CBC and once finalised will be submitted to the Council for formal endorsement as Technical Planning Guidance. Once endorsed each masterplan will be a material planning consideration in all relevant future planning applications.

In terms of the Cranfield University Campus Masterplan, this is intended to provide an integrated development strategy for the University’s academic and Technology Park estates, providing a framework for development opportunities totally £330 million, significantly de-risking future development projects whilst guiding future planning proposals.

The key feature of the Masterplan is the blurring between academic research and commercial facing activity. Although a long-held objective in all knowledge-transfer strategies, this can be Central Bedfordshire Council 2 Cranfield University Representation on CBC Draft Local Plan 29th August 2017

difficult to realise due the physical separation between campus and Technology Park. The Cranfield University Campus Masterplan seeks to restructure the greater campus area so that traditional distinctions between technology park and university campus will disappear in favour of a thematic plan. Cranfield’s four Schools are now structured around the eight crosscutting themes that define Cranfield University’s research mission. These thematic zones within the greater campus will play host to aligned commercial organisations and collaborations that traditionally have been situated within Cranfield Technology Park.

Although the term ‘Technology Park’ is evolving, this will be on the basis of further encouraging employment and economic activity. Innovation and technology will be subsumed into a wider campus community where university partners can enjoy a closer and more integrated relationship with academia.

It is recognised that the DLP is an important step forward for the Council and sets out ambitious growth objectives for the area up to 2035. The University supports the broad Vision and Spatial Strategy within the DLP however it is concerned about the limited reference to the University, out-dated references to the Technology Park and the fact that Cranfield Airport is not referenced at all. The latter of which is a significant step back from the current position of the adopted North Local Development Framework (2009).

The remainder of this letter sets out our requested changes to the DLP on a chapter by chapter basis specifically in relation to Cranfield University (including the area formerly known as the Cranfield University Technology Park) and Cranfield Airport to ensure each continue to be adequately promoted and protected through planning policy.

Chapter 7 – The Spatial Strategy Chapter 7 of the DLP identifies four Proposed Growth Locations for the region, Areas A – D, with Cranfield being situated within Area C.

Paragraph 7.6.14 of the DLP identifies the growth opportunities for Area C and the corresponding table on page 65 then summarises the area, its growth potential and environment. Whilst this table references Cranfield University Technology Park in connection to research and development there is no reference to Cranfield University or Cranfield Airport in this light. This is considered to be a clear omission as both also contribute significantly towards research and development activities within the region.

The wording of the table on page 65 has been tracked changed overleaf to reflect our requested changes.

Central Bedfordshire Council 3 Cranfield University Representation on CBC Draft Local Plan 29th August 2017

Area Overall Growth Environment AREA C - Limited potential small scale With the right infrastructure Much of the landscape has East/West growth for existing settlements. investment, this area may been restored and the Potential for medium up to be able to accommodate Forest of Marston Vale is an Corridor strategic scale growth including significant growth, important asset. Extending new settlements subject to potentially in the form of the Forest of Marston Vale investment in infrastructure and new settlements but the and the potential to viability of sites at this scale. timing and commitment of canal are The north of Central further transport strategic scale Bedfordshire is an important investment will be crucial. environmental projects in economic area with advanced Many of the smaller this area. research and development at settlements have already Cranfield University campus grown significantly over (including the area formerly the past few years. known as Cranfield University Technology Park), and Additional employment Millbrook Proving Ground and opportunities will be close links with Milton Keynes. provided at the University The area is well connected with campus including what the improved A421, and the M1 was formerly known as the and the planned section Cranfield University upgrade for East West Rail Technology Park in line between Oxford and Bedford. with the Cranfield Campus Masterplan, to help reinforce its importance as a sub-regional employment location and the continued use and development of Cranfield Airport will be protected.

Chapter 13 Employment and Economy Chapter 13 of the DLP includes specific policies on how the Council proposes to continue to support existing and new job creation thus strengthening the economy. This chapter correctly recognises that Cranfield University is a large employer for the area however makes no reference to the Technology Park or Airport which are both significant to the economy in their own right. It is suggested that paragraph 13.1.3 be revised as follows:

‘The area is home to world leading companies such as B/E Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Amazon, Whitbread, Superdrug and The Jordan and Ryvita Company. The largest employer in the area is Central Bedfordshire Council, when taking into account all education/school based employment. Other large employers in the area include Cranfield University and Airport which support upwards of 70 other businesses on its estate, Millbrook Proving Ground, Woburn Enterprises, Kier and the RSPB. There are also a number of smaller businesses within Central Bedfordshire which make a significant contribution to the local economy.’

Section 13.10 refers to ‘Significant Facilities in the Countryside and Green Belt’ and identifies Cranfield University (including the area formerly known as Cranfield University Technology Park)

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as one such site. Paragraph 13.10.3 makes positive references to supporting development of innovation, research and development industries particularly around the existing cluster of high technology centres of excellence of Cranfield University and Technology Park. However again there is no reference to the Airport. It is requested this paragraph be amended as follows:

‘The NPPF is clear about the need to secure economic growth. It recognises that the challenges presented by a low carbon future can still be met while also delivering this core objective. In order to proactively plan for businesses in within the key growth sectors emerging sectors like the green economy, the Council supports the development of innovation, research and development industries, particularly around the existing cluster of high technology centres of excellence of Cranfield University (including the area formerly known as Cranfield University Technology Park), Cranfield Airport and Millbrook Proving Ground.’

Policy EMP6: Significant facilities in the Countryside and Green Belt requires extensive expansion of such sites to be subject to a management plan, development brief or masterplan. This is not contested by the University and is the same position as the current adopted policy DM11. However Policy EMP6 is vague in articulating the benefits of preparing such documents for sites and it does not identify the added value these provide to the planning process.

We suggest that Policy EMP6 should include a clear link between the policy requirement to produce a management plan, development brief or masterplan and the weight these carry in relevant planning decision. It is suggested where such documents have been prepared and subsequently endorsed by Central Bedfordshire Council they should either be listed at the bottom of Policy EMP6 or the following text added ‘Where a management plan, development brief or masterplan has been agreed and endorsed by Central Bedfordshire Council these should be considered as material planning considerations in all relevant future planning decisions.’

Chapter 15 Transport Chapter 15 of the DLP focuses on Transport, and primarily road and rail. We consider the DLP should also reference air travel given the existence of and potential future development at Cranfield Airport. It is requested that paragraph 4.6.18 of the adopted Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Document (2009) be inserted after paragraph 15.3.4 of the DLP. The re-interested paragraph would read as follows:

‘A number of local airfields are located in the district. Cranfield Airport has world-class training facilities linked to Cranfield University’s Aerospace Thematic Zone and also provision for private charter flights for both business and recreational purposes. Other smaller airfields at RAF and Park are also used for training and recreational use. It is recognised that these facilities all make an important contribution to the local economy by facilitating air travel for business users in the case of Cranfield Airport, and tourism in the case of Old Warden and the wider Shuttleworth Collection. The

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Council will therefore ensure that development proposals do not compromise their continued use for aircraft purposes.’

In summary, the University is pleased to see the progress made by CBC on the DLP. However, some amendments are requested to ensure the current and future activities and development opportunities at the University campus and Airport are fully promoted and protected. Greater recognition must be given to the Airport within the DLP and specific references should be made within Policy EMP6 to the value of endorsed masterplans to the planning process.

We trust the above letter is helpful in setting Cranfield University’s comments on Central Bedfordshire Council’s Draft Local Plan, however if you have any specific queries please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Yours sincerely,

Stephanie Gray