Whilst settlement boundaries are supported, these should be comprehensively reviewed, especially in those settlements where no growth is proposed, and are located beyond the Green Belt.

Those settlements where it is desirable to retain existing services and facilities through maintenance or enhancement of vitality, in Minor Rural Centres such as Gamlingay, should have revised boundaries that allow for limited growth and respect the existing form of the settlement.

This will allow for some flexibility so that there is choice in terms of where people wish to live, and not just where it is considered people should live.

Paragraph 78 of the NPPF confirms that in rural areas, planning policies should be responsive to local circumstances, with policy 79 stipulating that to promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning Policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services.

Therefore, it is considered that without a review of the settlement boundaries of Minor Rural Centres and the provision of additional sites that have been put forward through the call-for-sites, Policy S/SB would not comply with the aims of the Framework.