South Cambridgeshire District Council - Hinxton AgriTech Park appeal – economic expert advice

Tender description

An outline planning application was refused by South Cambridgeshire District Council planning committee in March 2018 for development of an AgriTech technology park at Hinxton in South Cambridgeshire, comprising up to 112,000 sqm (gross) employment floorspace, supporting infrastructure, amenities and landscape works. An appeal was lodged on 24 August 2018 with the expectation of the appeal inquiry being held in June 2019. One of the key factors informing the Council’s reasons for refusal was that the economic benefits claimed by the promoters did not outweigh the proposal’s in-principle conflict with the adopted and emerging Local Plans. In particular the evidence supporting the proposal did not justify the need for a development of that nature, in that location, at this particular time. Greater Cambridge Planning Service therefore seeks to appoint a consultant to defend the economic aspects of this appeal, including • developing further detailed evidence to support the Council’s position • liaising with Counsel and the appeal team regarding strategy • contributing to a statement of case and writing a proof of evidence, and • acting as an expert economic witness at the Inquiry Keywords: planning appeal