The draft of the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan has now been published. It has been reviewed by the PAS Scrutiny Committee and was approved by Cabinet on 25 November for release for public consultation.
This plan has been around seven years in the making and, together with its evidence base, runs to around 8,000 pages. Below is a straightforward guide to what’s in it, what happens next, and how it affects Cambridge and the surrounding villages.
What Happens Next?
The next steps are:
- Public consultation – from 1 December 2025 to 30 January 2026, when residents and stakeholders can give their views.
- Officers review responses and make changes based on the feedback.
- Formal second consultation in summer 2026.
- Submission to government together with all supporting evidence.
- Independent examination by a Planning Inspector, who checks it is lawful and “sound”.
- Adoption – the final plan is voted on at a full Council meeting.
It is essential that the plan is submitted by December 2026. National planning rules are changing, and missing this deadline would mean starting the entire process again under the new system.
Why Your Views Matter
Developers, landowners and businesses will certainly be submitting their opinions—so it’s important that residents do too. Your comments will directly influence the final version of the Local Plan.
You can access the documents here: https://consultations.greatercambridgeplanning.org/draft-greater-cambridge-local-plan-consultation
What the Evidence Says We Need
Jobs
The plan responds to a forecast of 73,300 new jobs. Recent data suggests job growth may be even higher, so the plan allows flexibility.
Homes
The evidence shows a need for 48,195 homes. There is already a supply of 37,865 under the existing plan, leaving a need for around 10,330 additional homes.
The draft plan identifies:
- 13,463 new homes on various allocated sites
- Up to 3,950 homes at North East Cambridge (Hartree), if that site goes ahead
There is no need for new retail (no surprises there) or leisure floorspace, but there is a clear need for more hotels.
Employment Space
To support future jobs, the plan proposes:
- 302,600 sqm of office space
- 600,000 sqm of Research & Development space
- 317,000 sqm of industrial / warehousing space
Where New Development Will Go
The plan follows a simple principle: larger, more sustainable places should take most of the growth. These are locations with good public transport, cycling routes, and services.
Order of priority for new housing sites:
- Cambridge urban area
- Edge of Cambridge
- New settlements outside the Green Belt
- Villages
Key development sites include:
- North East Cambridge / Hartree – redevelopment of the existing sewage works site (if government funding for relocation is restored)
- Land south of Coldhams Lane – new Urban Park and mixed uses
- Cambridge Airport – once Marshalls fully relocates
Green Belt
Only two Green Belt releases are proposed:
- Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) expansion
- Babraham Research Campus
These are judged to meet the “exceptional circumstances” test due to the unique benefits of expanding world-leading research clusters i.e. the combination of clinical practice, medical research and commercial enterprise all on one site.
The Major New Housing Areas
Most new homes are directed to places with low flood risk and good transport links:
- Cambourne North – 13,000 homes
- Northstowe – 10,180 homes
- Waterbeach – 11,000 homes
- Grange Farm new settlement – 6,000 homes
- Bourn Airfield new village – 3,500 homes
Placing homes near jobs is important. For example, Grange Farm is within walking and cycling distance of Babraham Research Campus and on the Cambridge South East Transport route.
Water: A Serious Challenge
Water supply remains one of the biggest concerns.
The plan relies on:
- Retrofitting existing homes to reduce water use
- A future water efficiency credit scheme (requires national legislation)
From the 2040s, more radical measures such as a desalination plant may be required, which will be expensive and energy-intensive.
Foul water
The existing wastewater treatment system is already under strain.
Anglian Water currently has a standing objection to large developments for this reason, and many permissions are being granted with Grampian conditions, meaning development cannot proceed until foul water capacity issues are resolved.
Transport
A key principle of the plan is reducing car dependency. New homes are therefore located near:
- East West Rail
- The busways
- Greenways and active travel routes
This aims to prevent new pressure on already busy roads.
Climate Change and Sustainability
Climate change was the top priority raised by residents in earlier consultations, and the draft plan includes ambitious measures.
All major developments must produce a Sustainability Statement covering:
a) Climate change adaptation
b) Net-zero carbon design
c) Integrated water management
d) Sustainable travel
e) Waste management
f) Nature-based design
g) Materials and circular economy
h) Carbon sequestration
i) Whole-life carbon assessment
Cooling and overheating:
New buildings must prepare for hotter summers. A preferred “cooling hierarchy” is set out:
- Passive design first – green infrastructure, shading, cool roofs
- Natural ventilation
- Mixed-mode cooling
- Full mechanical ventilation as a last resort
Net-Zero Carbon
Buildings should:
- Reduce the need for heating
- Generate energy on-site where possible
If this is not economically viable, developers must get as close as possible and may make payments to a local energy offset fund. The fund will finance local renewable energy projects.
Sustainable Water, Drainage and Flood Management
Developments must integrate water management from the start, using nature-based solutions that protect neighbours and local environments.
Priority order for surface water drainage:
- Re-use for non-potable purposes
- Infiltration into the ground
- Discharge to a waterbody
- Surface water sewer
- Combined sewer
Flood risk must be managed using the national sequential approach, ensuring developments do not increase flood risk elsewhere and that long-term maintenance is secured.
Renewable Energy
The plan strongly supports renewable and low-carbon energy projects, as long as they do not significantly harm:
- Key landscapes and views
- Biodiversity
- Water quality or flood resilience
- High-quality agricultural land
- The historic environment
- The Green Belt
- Aviation safety
- Road safety or neighbours’ amenity
Renewable energy on existing buildings and community-led schemes are particularly encouraged. Heat networks are also supported in suitable zones.
Have Your Say
The Local Plan will shape Cambridge and the surrounding villages for decades—where we live, how we travel, and how we protect our environment. It will influence everything from housebuilding to water supply to how the city responds to climate change.
We intend to hold discussion groups with residents in January to assist with questions and hear people’s concerns.
The consultation is now open and concludes on 30 January, please take part. Your feedback genuinely helps shape the future of our area.
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