The Joint Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) convened to discuss and approve standing orders for the group and to review progress on the draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan. Councillor Katie Thornburrow was appointed Chair, and the group approved standing orders with an amendment to include a paragraph on voting procedures. Members also received an update on the draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan, including key issues impacting its delivery and the timeline for public consultation.

Greater Cambridge Local Plan

The Joint Planning Advisory Group received an update on the progress of the draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which aims to set out a development strategy for the area until 2045. The plan is being prepared jointly by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, and the current aim is to submit it for examination by the end of 2026.

The Planning Policy Manager provided an overview of the work undertaken to date, including a request for sites information exercise in March 2025. This exercise involved reassessing existing sites and assessing new proposed sites to gather evidence on land availability for development. This information is intended to be published as part of the draft Local Plan.

A public consultation on the draft Local Plan and associated documents is scheduled to run from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026.

Key issues impacting the delivery of the Local Plan include:

• Water Supply: Concerns about water availability have led to objections from the Environment Agency to development sites in adopted Local Plans. Cambridge Water adopted the Cambridge Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24) in March 2025, and the draft Local Plan will be supported by evidence regarding water availability, including the timing of development relative to supply improvements such as the Grafham to Cambridge Pipeline and the Fens Reservoir.
• Transport: Strategic transport solutions are crucial for the Local Plan. The Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy (GCTS), being produced by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, will provide the transport evidence underpinning the Local Plan. The East West Rail scheme is also progressing, with a statutory consultation expected in late 2025.
• North East Cambridge Area Action Plan: Following the withdrawal of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) funding for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant, alternative plans for the area need to be considered. Anglian Water is assessing options for upgrading the plant, and the Local Plan may need to respond to the timing of these improvements.
• Government Growth Plans for Cambridge: The government has expressed its intention to significantly increase levels of development in Cambridge. The Cambridge Growth Company, established by Homes England, is exploring how to support the delivery of homes, business space, and infrastructure.

The group discussed the implications of the government's decision not to provide further funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant. Members noted that the Brookgate development near Cambridge North Train Station had demonstrated that development was not contingent on the plant's relocation. However, the withdrawal of funding means that Anglian Water is now looking at upgrades to the existing plant in North East Cambridge.

The group also discussed the introduction of grey belt land in national planning policies and the need for Local Plan policies to align with these policies.

Officers clarified that the description of the sewage works as a brownfield site reflected the wording used in the Decision Letter for the Development Consent Order for the Waste Water Treatment Relocation.

Approval of Standing Orders

The JPAG approved standing orders to establish public and transparent rules of procedure for its meetings. Councillor Heather Williams proposed an amendment to include a paragraph on voting, which was seconded by Councillor Katie Thornburrow and approved. The additional paragraph covers:

• Majority: Decisions are made by a simple majority of members physically present.
• Chair's casting vote: The Chair has a second or casting vote in case of a tie.
• Method of voting: Voting is typically by show of hands or affirmation.
• Voting on appointments: A process for eliminating candidates with the fewest votes is outlined, with a coin toss to resolve any continuing ties.

Other Business

• Councillor Katie Thornburrow was appointed Chair of the JPAG.
• Councillor Simon Smith proposed, and Councillor Heather Williams seconded the appointment of Councillor Tumi Hawkins as Vice-Chair of JPAG. This was approved unanimously. As Councillor Tumi Hawkins sent apologies for this meeting, Councillor Katie Porrer proposed, and Councillor Naomi Bennett seconded the appointment of Councillor Anna Bradnam as Vice-Chair for this meeting only. This was approved unanimously.
• Apologies were received from Councillor Tumi Hawkins and County Councillor Ian Manning. County Councillor Ros Hathorn attended as substitute.
• There were no declarations of interest.
• The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2023 were noted.
• The next meeting was scheduled for 8 October 2025.