Object

Representation ID: 56543

Received: 19/11/2021

Respondent: Cambridgeshire County Council

Agent: Carter Jonas

GAM7 – DESIGNATION OF THE FORMER FIRST SCHOOL FIELD, GREEN END AS A LOCAL GREEN SPACE (TL 23582 52417) AND NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN MAPS

Policy GAM7
Policy GAM7 designates the former First School Field as Local Green Space with pedestrian access. Cambridgeshire County Council objects to Policy GAM7 under basic Condition A as the policy is not realistic or deliverable. Paragraph 16(b) of the NPPF states that plans should “be prepared positively, in a way that is aspirational but deliverable”. This is repeated in Paragraph 005 (Ref. 41-005-20190509) of the NPPG which specifically covers neighbourhood plans. Paragraph 002 (Ref. 10-002-20190509) of the NPPG also
states that “it is the responsibility of plan makers in collaboration with the local community, developers and other stakeholders, to create realistic, deliverable policies”.

The former First School Field is private land with no public access (including no public rights of way across the land). Access is only granted through private agreements with Cambridgeshire County Council. Cambridgeshire County Council, as landowner, clearly
stated within their Regulation 14 consultation response that “access to the play fields will be granted, on permission only basis, to documented authorised users”. A Local Green Space designation does not confer any rights of public access over what exists at present
(NPPG, Paragraph 017, Ref. 37-017-20140306).
Therefore, there is no public access and the inclusion of “with pedestrian access” is neither realistic nor deliverable. Consequently, Policy GAM7 is not appropriate and does not meet basic Condition A.

Cambridgeshire County Council also object to the boundary of the proposed Local Green Space designation which includes the Scouts Hut and car park. Having regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance, the inclusion of the Scouts Hut and car parking within the proposed Local Green Space designation is considered inappropriate and does not meet basic Condition A.

The purpose of Local Green Space designations is to provide special protection for green areas of particular importance to local communities (NPPF, Paragraph 101; NPPG, Paragraph 005, Ref. 37-005-20140306). It is not considered that the Scouts Hut or associated car park fall within the definition of “green areas” to which Local Green Spaces designations apply.
While the definition of green areas includes “land where sports pavilions, boating lakes or structures such as war memorials are located, allotments, or urban spaces that provide a tranquil oasis” NPPG, (Paragraph 013, Ref. 37-013-20140306), the Scouts Hut and car park comprise built development that does not read as part of the former First School Field green area. Rather, the Scouts Hut and car park form part of the built-up area including the
former school. Therefore, they are considered to fall beyond the definition of a green area. Assets such as the Scouts Hut are covered under different areas of protection including through the existing Asset of Community Value (ACV) listing.

Neighbourhood Plan Maps
The following maps show the boundary to the proposed Local Green Space designation which includes the Scouts Hut and car park. This includes:
 Map 4: Landscape Setting
 Map 7: Key Policy Areas 1-12
 Map 9: Community Amenities and Facilities
 Map 10: Walking Cycling and Horse-Riding Routes
 Map 11: Gamlingay Wood – GAM12
As set out above, having regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance, the inclusion of the Scouts Hun and car parking within the proposed Local Green Space designation is considered inappropriate and does not meet basic Condition A.