East Cambridgeshire Draft Local Plan (Pre-submission version) February 2013 East Cambridgeshire District Council Forward Planning Team, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambs CB7 4EE 01353 665555 [email protected] www.eastcambs.gov.uk East Cambridgeshire Local Plan Pre-submission version (February 2013) 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................7 1.1 What is the Local Plan? ................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Preparation of the Local Plan ........................................................................................................ 7 1.3 Working with neighbouring authorities and key stakeholders ....................................................... 8 1.4 Neighbourhood Plans .................................................................................................................... 9 1.5 How you can comment on the Draft Local Plan ............................................................................ 9 2 A strategic vision for East Cambridgeshire ......................................................................10 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 10 2.2 Description of East Cambridgeshire ............................................................................................ 10 2.3 Key issues and challenges .......................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Spatial vision................................................................................................................................ 13 2.5 Strategic objectives...................................................................................................................... 14 2.6 Monitoring and review.................................................................................................................. 14 PART 1 – Spatial strategy and policies..................................................................................... 16 3 Delivery of sustainable growth........................................................................................... 17 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 17 3.2 Level of growth ............................................................................................................................ 17 3.3 Locational strategy....................................................................................................................... 21 3.4 Infrastructure needs..................................................................................................................... 23 3.5 Delivery of growth ........................................................................................................................ 27 3.6 Presumption in favour of sustainable development..................................................................... 33 3.7 Community-led development ....................................................................................................... 34 4 Housing................................................................................................................................36 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 36 4.2 Housing mix and type .................................................................................................................. 36 4.3 Housing density ........................................................................................................................... 37 4.4 Affordable housing on open market sites .................................................................................... 38 4.5 Affordable housing exception sites.............................................................................................. 40 4.6 Dwellings for rural workers .......................................................................................................... 42 4.7 Residential care accommodation ................................................................................................ 43 4.8 Mobile homes and residential caravan parks .............................................................................. 44 4.9 Extension and replacement of dwellings in the countryside........................................................ 45 4.10 Gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople accommodation............................................ 46 5 Employment.........................................................................................................................51 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 51 5.2 Retention of existing employment sites and allocations .............................................................. 51 5.3 Extensions to existing businesses in the countryside ................................................................. 52 5.4 New employment development in the countryside ...................................................................... 53 5.5 Re-use and replacement of existing buildings in the countryside ............................................... 53 5.6 Equine development .................................................................................................................... 54 5.7 Development affecting the horse racing industry ........................................................................ 56 5.8 Tourist facilities and visitor attractions......................................................................................... 56 5.9 Tourist accommodation ............................................................................................................... 57 5.10 Holiday and seasonal occupancy conditions............................................................................... 58 East Cambridgeshire District Council Page 1 East Cambridgeshire Local Plan Pre-submission version (February 2013) 6 Environment and climate change ......................................................................................60 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 60 6.2 Landscape and settlement character .......................................................................................... 60 6.3 Design.......................................................................................................................................... 62 6.4 Shop fronts and advertisements.................................................................................................. 65 6.5 Energy efficiency and renewable energy in construction ............................................................ 66 6.6 Carbon offset ............................................................................................................................... 68 6.7 Renewable energy development ................................................................................................. 68 6.8 Biodiversity and geology.............................................................................................................. 69 6.9 Flood risk ..................................................................................................................................... 71 6.10 Pollution ....................................................................................................................................... 74 6.11 Green Belt .................................................................................................................................... 75 6.12 Conservation Areas ..................................................................................................................... 77 6.13 Listed Buildings............................................................................................................................ 78 6.14 Locally Listed Buildings ............................................................................................................... 79 6.15 Archaeological sites and monuments .......................................................................................... 80 6.16 Historic parks and gardens.......................................................................................................... 81 6.17 Enabling development associated with heritage assets.............................................................. 81 7 Community services and infrastructure ............................................................................ 83 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 83 7.2 Retail and town centre development ........................................................................................... 83 7.3 Retail uses in town centres.......................................................................................................... 85 7.4 Retaining community facilities ....................................................................................................