Object

Representation ID: 56542

Received: 19/11/2021

Respondent: Cambridgeshire County Council

Agent: Carter Jonas

GAM6 – COMMUNITY AMENITIES AND FACILITIES

Policy GAM6 states that the loss of amenities and facilities will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that efforts have been made to secure their continued use and alternatives are provided. Cambridgeshire County Council objects to Policy GAM6 under basic
Condition A as the policy is not considered clear and unambiguous as required under Paragraph 16(d) of the NPPF and Paragraph 041 (Ref. 41-041-20140306) of the NPPG.
The policy does not define what falls within “amenities and facilities” for the purpose of the policy, or what an applicant is expected to demonstrate to show that “efforts have been made to secure their continued use”. Furthermore, it has not taken into account the
existing level of provision within the settlement. In line with the Local Plan, it is suggested that the wording be updated to “village services and facilities, including village pubs,shops, post offices, banks and building societies, community buildings and meeting
places, sports venues, cultural buildings, places of worship or health facilities, where such loss would cause an unacceptable reduction in the level of community or service provision in the locality”. This change in wording is also required to meet basic condition E (see below).

Policy GAM6 also does not meet basic condition E which requires general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan. This includes Local Plan Policy SC/3: Protection of Village Services and Facilities which seeks to protect village services and facilities. However, as set out above, Policy GAM6 does not include the same definition of facilities and services as Policy SC/3. Furthermore, Policy SC/3 sets out clear guidance on what will be considered in determining the significance of the loss of a village service or facility:

a) “The established use of the premises and its existing and potential contribution to the social amenity of the local population;
b) The presence of other village services and facilities which provide an alternative, with convenient access by good local public transport services, or by cycling or
walking; and how these remaining uses will cope with displaced users; and any unacceptable impact of those alternative services or facilities;
c) The future economic viability of the use including the results of marketing of the premises for a minimum of 12 months at a realistic price and in appropriate cases
financial information.”
Neighbourhood Plan Policy GAM6 does not provide this clarity which is considered important for the application of the policy. Policy GAM6, therefore, does not conform with
Policy SC/3 of the Local Plan.