Policy S/DS: Development Strategy
The GCLP aims to deliver the majority of development in and around the City of Cambridge and through new settlements. A small amount of development is proposed in the Rural Southern Cluster area in South Cambridge, including Green Belt land. The GCLP does not allocate any growth to sustainable villages such as Gamlingay. I have some concerns regarding this approach as it does not offer the chance for rural villages to continue to thrive and sustain their local services. Sustainable and logical sites have been omitted from the plan in favour of large sites and some Green Belt release.
Housing allocations should serve to maximise housing supply through the widest possible range of sites, including smaller sustainable sites in villages. Though the new settlements and urban extensions could have multiple housebuilders and outlets, these do not provide local, smaller housebuilders the opportunity to acquire sites. I have reservations that the over reliance on large schemes will delay much needed housing coming forward and would encourage the Councils to consider a more balanced approach to their spatial strategy, including allocations in smaller villages such as Gamlingay, Linton, Melbourne, Gransden etc.
With regards to development in smaller sustainable villages, I refer to paragraph 79 which states
‘To promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. Where there are groups of smaller settlements, development in one village may support services in a village nearby.