1. In accordance with the NPPF, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances through the preparation or updating of plans. Given the significant investment and planned growth in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, R2 Developments support the case that exceptional circumstances exist to warrant such a review and consider that a modification to the Green Belt is required to deliver economic and housing growth which is recognised by the Government to be of national and potentially international importance.

2. Our client has commissioned a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) to assess the contribution of their sites (Land the north and east of Barrington Road, Foxton, HELAA Ref: 40412 and Land to the south-east of Cambridge Road, Foxton, HELAA Ref: 40408) to the five purposes of the Green Belt as established by the NPPF. The submitted table extract from the LVA assesses both of the promoted sites’ contributions to the five purposes of the Green Belt.

(SEE SEPERATE SHEET FOR TABLE 1)

3. The content of Table 1 indicates that Land to the north and east of Barrington Road, Foxton (Ref: 40412) does not significantly contribute to Green Belt purposes. Accordingly, the land should be considered for release from the Green Belt and allocation for residential development as part of revised GCLP development strategy which delivers a higher housing requirement to support increased levels of economic growth and development at sustainable rural settlements such as Foxton and other Group Villages.

(SEE SEPERATE SHEET FOR TABLE 2)

4. The content of Table 2 indicates that Land to the south-east of Cambridge Road, Foxton (Ref: 40408) does not significantly contribute to Green Belt purposes. Accordingly, the land should be considered for release from the Green Belt and allocation for mixed use development as part of revised GCLP development strategy which delivers a higher housing requirement to support increased levels of economic growth and development at sustainable rural settlements such as Foxton and other Group Villages.

5. Tables 1 and 2 provide a site specific review of the land’s contribution to Green Belt purposes. The published ‘Greater Cambridge Green Belt Assessment’ prepared by LUC (August 2021) identifies both sites as being within the same parcel reference no. FX2. Our client objects to this approach as the two sites are being promoted separately and are capable of being delivered independently.

6. We note that the Assessment concludes that the release of Parcel FX2 would give rise to ‘moderate high’ harm. The ‘moderate high’ harm conclusion is drawn from the following assessments.

• To preserve the unique character of Cambridge as a compact, dynamic city with a thriving historic centre – Assessment: No contribution

• To maintain and enhance the quality of Cambridge’s setting – Assessment: Relatively Limited Contribution

• To prevent communities in the environs of Cambridge from merging into one another and with the city – Assessment: Moderate

• Release of land as an expansion of Foxton: Assessment: Minor-moderate

7. The individual strands of assessment do not support the overall ‘moderate high’ harm conclusion. The Green Belt Assessment should be reviewed and amended so that the two sites are assessed individually and to ensure that the conclusion reflects the different strands of the assessment. Tables 1 and 2 should also be reflected in any new assessment.

8. Our client strongly advocates that deliverable and sustainable sites found not to contribute to the five purposes of the Green Belt should be released and allocated for development. This includes Land to the north and east of Barrington Road, Foxton, (HELAA Ref: 40412) and Land to the south-east of Cambridge Road, Foxton (HELAA Ref: 40408). The release of these sites from the Green Belt will allow developments to come forward which will assist in delivering a varied and balanced housing supply and meeting the rising housing needs of Greater Cambridge.