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How much housebuilding is proposed for the area?

Last month, the planning inspectorate looked at the region in its examination of the East of England draft Regional Spatial Strategy. It concluded that 507,000 homes should be built over a 20-year period, and 98,300 of those are destined for the Cambridge and Peterborough areas.

With so much housebuilding being proposed, how will green spaces be protected?

Local delivery body, Cambridgeshire Horizons, has published a green infrastructure strategy. The strategy looks at how green spaces can be preserved and enhanced, and new green spaces can be created over the next 20 years and beyond. It reinforces work that is already being done, and its message, according to Cambridgeshire Horizons director for sustainable communities, Peter Studdert, is that “good townscapes can also bring good landscapes”.

What is classed as “green infrastructure”?

The study looked at all kinds of green spaces, from protected natural areas to urban parks and churchyards and cemeteries. Its recommendations cover: green networks and corridors, major projects and area-based initiatives. For example, in Cambridge, the main features of the strategy include: creating an orbital recreational route with radial access linkages to the city, and development and enhanced access to the Coton Countryside Reserve, to the north-west of the city.

Healthy greens: good townscapes can also bring good landscapes

How will the strategy be implemented?

It is embodied in the Local Development Framework and will be secured through Section 106 agreements – or green infrastructure could be funded through a planning gain supplement if that goes ahead. A lot of plans for major housebuilding sites do now take green spaces into account, but the green infrastructure strategy underpins that and makes sure that everything is delivered.

Is there any cash behind this?

The strategy work follows £4m of government grant funding for greenspace projects in the region. Cambridgeshire Horizons’ Studdert says: “We hope it will help us to get more funding from government.”

What do they say about it?

Jonathon Porritt, chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission, said: “It is essential that this is delivered. Green spaces are an integral part of sustainable development and help to improve people’s health and wellbeing.”