10. LAND AND SOIL The key issues addressed in this theme relate to land as a resource: o Efficient Use of Land o Agricultural Land o Waste o Minerals Resources 56 10.1 Issue: Efficient Use of Land Policy Context 10.1.1. The National Planning Policy Framework requires planning policies to encourage the effective use of land, by reusing land that is previously developed, provided it is not of high environmental value. Local planning authorities should set out their own approach to housing density to reflect local circumstances. 10.1.2. SUBJECT TO ANTICIPATED REVOCATION OF RSS: The East of England Plan 2008 includes the specific target of delivering 60% of development on previously developed land. What is the Situation Now? Reuse of previously developed land (PDL) 10.1.3. The percentage of development taking place on previously developed land in the district has been increasing in recent years. The upward trend was caused by affordable housing redevelopment schemes in a number of villages, whilst the number of completions on the large greenfield sites of Cambourne and Orchard Park slowed. 10.1.4. The area of previously developed land available in the district to accommodate development is relatively limited. The Core Strategy DPD 2007 set a target that at least 37% of new dwellings between 1999 and 2016 should either be located on PDL or utilise existing buildings. This target was rolled forward from the 2003 Structure Plan and was set lower than the regional and national target of 60% (formerly part of PPS3 Housing), reflecting the rural nature of the district and the location of the planned growth sites. Planned major developments such as Northstowe include large areas of previously developed land, and were anticipated to assist achievement of the target over the plan period, however, as the development has yet to commenced it is likely that this target will not be achieved. It should be noted that the data is based on the PPS3 definition of Previously Developed Land prior to the changes made in June 2011, which excluded residential gardens from the definition. 57 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% % of completions on PDL 10% South Cambridgeshire 5% LDF Target (Policy ST/3) 0% 1999-2001 1999-2002 1999-2003 1999-2004 1999-2005 1999-2006 1999-2007 1999-2008 1999-2009 1999-2010 1999-2011 Figure 1: Annual percentage of new and converted dwellings completed on Previously Developed Land in South Cambridgeshire Source: Research & Monitoring – Cambridgeshire County Council 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% % of completions on PDL South Cambridgeshire 10% LDF Target (Policy ST/3) 0% 1999-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Figure 2: Cumulative percentage of dwellings completed on Previously Developed Land in South Cambridgeshire Source: Research & Monitoring – Cambridgeshire County Council 58 Efficient Use of Land 10.1.5. Efficient use of land is about making the best of this limited resource by maximising the amount of housing or other development provided on a site, compatible with the character of the local area. A key measure of efficient use of land is development density, i.e. how much development is achieved on a given area of land. Housing density is measured by the number of dwellings achieved per hectare of development. This is a ‘net’ figure, which means it excludes non-residential uses from the calculation, such as major roads or public open spaces serving a wider area. 10.1.6. The overall trend in South Cambridgeshire has been increasing housing densities. This reflects the nature of recent developments such as urban sites like Orchard Park, and planning policy in the Development Control Policies DPD 2007 (Policy HG/1) which requires that residential developments should achieve average net densities of at least 30 dwellings per hectare (dph), and that in more sustainable locations higher average net densities of at least 40 dph should be achieved. It should be noted that PPS3: Housing was amended in June 2010 to remove the national minimum of 30 dwellings per hectare, although the principle of making effective use of land has been included in the National Planning Policy Framework. Figure 3: Net Density of completed new housing developments on sites of 9 or more dwellings in South Cambridgeshire 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% % of dwellings completed 20% 10% 0% 1999-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Less than 30 dph Betw een 30 dph and 50 dph More than 50 dph Source: Research & Monitoring – Cambridgeshire County Council 59 45 40 35 30 25 20 density (dph) density 15 10 5 0 1999-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Source: Research & Monitoring – Cambridgeshire County Council Figure 4: Average net density of completed new housing developments on sites of 9 or more dwellings (in dwellings per hectare, dph) in South Cambridgeshire 10.1.7. The other relatively large land take for development in South Cambridgeshire is employment. Monitoring data regarding density of new employment development is not available. However, the District has a number of relatively low density business and research parks that have grown up as a result of the success of the Cambridge economy over the last 20 years. What will be the Situation Without the Plan? 10.1.8. Without locally developed policies development proposals would be considered against national planning policy. Opportunities would be lost to address development needs in a planned way to make best use of previously developed land to accommodate development, and to use land efficiently. There could also be more pressure on greenfield land resources. What are the Key Sustainability Issues and Problems? Limited supply of previously developed land 10.1.9. The district has a limited supply of available previously developed land, and significant areas of high quality agricultural land (see next issue). The need to 60 identify and maintain a large supply of land for development to meet the long term development needs of the District means there is pressure for greenfield development. 10.1.10. A key sustainability issue for the sustainability appraisal and the Local Plan is therefore to make best use of previously developed land. It must also consider how land can be used efficiently, whilst reflecting local character and other sustainability issues. Cross Cutting Issues 10.1.11. Landscape and Townscape - It is important that achieving efficient use of land is balanced with creating quality environments that meet the needs of people and reflect local landscape and townscape character. 61 10.2. Issue: Agricultural Land What is the Policy Context (Summary)? 10.2.1. Government Strategies, Safeguarding our Soils – A Strategy for England (DEFRA 2009) and Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food (DEFRA 2009), highlight the value of soils and the need to protect soil resources. Soils are under threat from erosion, compaction and organic decline. The strategy seeks effective protection for soils during construction and development, protection for agricultural soils, and the prevention of soil pollution. 10.2.2. This is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework, which requires plans to take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality. What is the Situation Now? 10.2.3. South Cambridgeshire has a significant resource of good quality agricultural land. Agricultural land classification provides a uniform method for assessing the quality of farmland to enable informed choices to be made about its future use within the planning system. The most productive and flexible land falls into Grades 1 and 2 and Subgrade 3a and collectively comprises about one- third of the agricultural land in England and Wales. About half the land is of moderate quality in Subgrade 3b or poor quality in Grade 4. The remainder is very poor quality land in Grade 5, which mostly occurs in the uplands. Figure 5: Map of Agricultural Land Classification in South Cambridgeshire Source: Agricultural Land Classification - Provisional (England) – Natural England 62 What will be the situation without the plan? 10.2.4. Without locally developed policies development proposals would be considered against national planning policy. Opportunities would be lost to address development needs in a planned way to minimise the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land. What are the Key Sustainability Issues and Problems? Significant areas of high quality agricultural land 10.2.5. Within the district there are significant areas of high quality agricultural land. Much of the best agricultural land lies around Cambridge and the larger settlements, which may be the most sustainable locations for future development. The need to identify and maintain a large supply of land for development means there is pressure for development of agricultural land. In addition, the impact of development on soils and the protection of soil quality must be considered 10.2.6. A key issue for the sustainability appraisal and the Local Plan will be how to protect the best and most versatile agricultural land, whilst meeting the development needs of the district, and ensuring impact on soil is considered through the development process. Cross Cutting Issues 10.2.7. Landscape and Townscape – loss of agricultural and could impact on landscape character, and biodiversity. 63 10.3. Issue: Waste What is the Policy Context (Summary)? 10.3.1. The European Framework Directive on Waste sets a five-step hierarchy of waste management options, with waste prevention as the preferred option, and then reuse, recycling, recovery (including energy recovery) and safe disposal, in descending order.