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Endurance Estates is promoting land off Old House Road in Balsham for residential development, and in representations has requested that the site is allocated in emerging GCLP. These representations to Policy S/DS are focussed on the preferred development strategy for the rest of the rural area, and specifically the decision to allocate a very limited amount of development to the more sustainable villages.

The overall development strategy is very reliant on the delivery of an extension to an existing new settlement (Cambourne West + an additional 1,950 dwellings at Cambourne), planned new settlements (Northstowe, Waterbeach and Bourn Airfield) and new communities on the edge of Cambridge (North East Cambridge and Cambridge East). It is acknowledged that the principle of development at most of these strategic sites is already established through adopted development plan documents; the additional dwellings at Cambourne is proposed through emerging GCLP and associated with East West Rail. However, it is considered that there are a number of risks associated with the preferred development strategy, which relate to housing delivery rates and whether these can be increased at some new settlements, the relocation of existing uses from some sites, and the delivery of affordable housing.

There is monitoring data, evidence from other examinations, and national research (see Start to Finish Report and updates by Lichfields for example) that provides information on housing delivery rates. The most recent housing trajectory for Greater Cambridge (published April 2021) already predict high average annual housing delivery rates for the new settlements; Northstowe and Waterbeach are predicted to deliver 250 dwellings per annum, and Cambourne West and Bourn Airfield are predicted to deliver a combined total of 300 dwellings per annum. According to monitoring data Cambourne has historically delivered approximately 230 dwellings per annum. Hampton (in Peterborough) has historically delivered 259 dwellings per annum. Cranbrook (in East Devon) which has the highest annual delivery rate of current new settlements is delivering at approx. 295 dwellings per annum. The Inspector for the Huntingdonshire Local Plan recommended that the combined housing delivery rates Alconbury Weald (the former Alconbury Airfield and Grange Farm) should be no higher than 300 dwellings per annum, and for St Neots East (Loves Farm and Wintringham Park) should be no higher than 200 dwellings per annum. The predicted average housing delivery rates at Northstowe, Waterbeach and Cambourne West/Bourn Airfield already appear to be at levels comparable to or higher than other new settlements elsewhere. Based on the evidence and examples set out above, it is clear that current predicted delivery rates are already optimistic, but there is no credible evidence that faster housing delivery rates can be achieved at Northstowe or Waterbeach (i.e. what site-specific circumstances are present on these sites that mean they will deliver an above-average number of dwellings a year, consistently over a prolonged period of time. It is noted that Cambourne, Hampton and Cranbrook all had multiple housebuilders on site at the same time and delivered affordable and market housing in conjunction with one another. It is requested that predicted housing delivery rates for the new settlements take into account the above comments, and the assumption that faster housing delivery rates can be achieved at Northstowe and Waterbeach should be deleted from the development strategy.

North East Cambridge and Cambridge East are allocated in both Local Plans as strategic sites. It is acknowledged that these sites involve the re-use of previously developed land. However, the redevelopment of these sites is complex and involves the relocation of the existing uses; the relocation of a sewage treatment works and existing businesses in the case of North East Cambridge, and the relocation of airport related uses and businesses in the case of Cambridge East. It is considered that the delivery of development at these sites will need to be realistic, taking into account all of the challenges that need to be overcome prior to the commencement of development. It is requested that realistic assumptions about delivery are applied for North East Cambridge and Cambridge East.

It is noted that most of the new settlements will deliver less affordable housing than the statutory policy requirement of 40%, mainly because of the need for these developments to also deliver significant levels of new transport and community infrastructure in initial phases. The affordable housing contributions that have come forward on major strategic sites to date are as follows: 20% at Northstowe (Phases 1 & 2), 30% at Waterbeach, 30% at Cambridge East (Wing), 30% at Cambourne West and 40% at Bourn Airfield, although all are subject to a review mechanism that could result in adjustments to the level of affordable housing. The proportion of affordable housing that will be provided from the developments at North East Cambridge and Cambridge East are unknown at this stage, but because of the costs associated with the relocation of existing uses and the delivery of new transport infrastructure it is very unlikely that 40% affordable housing will be provided at least in the initial phases. It is clear that the existing and planned new settlements and new communities in the edge of Cambridge are not and will not provide enough affordable housing, which should be a concern in an area such as Greater Cambridge which has significant housing affordability issues. It is requested that, in order to address the under-delivery of affordable housing from Northstowe, Waterbeach, Cambourne West, North East Cambridge and Cambridge East, the development strategy should allocate additional sites that are capable of providing policy compliant levels of affordable housing including small and medium sites in the villages.

The preferred development strategy for the rest of the rural area is based on the assumption that the villages in this area are unsustainable because existing and future residents would need to travel by car to access services and facilities and employment opportunities. It should be noted that the three objectives of sustainable development – environmental, economic, and social – are interdependent and one objective is not more important than the others. It is considered that the assumption about unsustainable travel is incorrect for some villages, including Bassingbourn which contain a range of services and facilities, are in close proximity to other centres and employment opportunities, and are accessible by sustainable modes of transport and the bus services are due to be improved. In addition, the preferred development strategy for the rest of the rural area provides no support for existing services and facilities in villages and provides no strategy to meet current identified affordable housing needs of villages. Endurance Estates are not advocating a dispersed development strategy whereby most development is directed to the villages, but is requesting that a sufficient amount of land is allocated at the more sustainable villages to support services and opportunities are identified to make villages more sustainable through the delivery of housing development and services/ facilities alongside, to ensure that identified affordable housing needs are met.

There are three paragraphs in the NPPF that suggest a different approach is required in the development strategy for the rest of the rural area. Paragraph 105 seeks to ensure that development is located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised, but acknowledges that the opportunities will be different in urban and rural areas. Paragraph 79 seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas by locating housing where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and enable villages to grow and thrive. Paragraph 62 expects the size, type, and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters, and self-builders.

Balsham contains a good range of services and facilities, including a primary school, village shop, post office, and public houses. The promoted development by Endurance Estates at land off Old House Road would support the existing services and facilities in the village, which are all within walking distance of the site – see attached Services & Facilities Plan including walking distances. Balsham is also on a bus route, with regular services to Haverhill and Linton and a limited daily service to Cambridge. There is a school bus service from Balsham to the secondary school at Linton Village College. It noted that the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Making Connections project proposes a more frequent rural bus service including for Balsham, providing alternatives to car travel for some journeys. Balsham will have a direct link to the ‘A11 Travel Hub’ significantly increasing the opportunities for use of sustainable modes.

South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for 21 affordable dwellings in Balsham for those with a local connection to the village – see https://www.scambs.gov.uk/media/18316/affordable-housing-housing-statistical-information-leaflet-december-2019.pdf. This identified need would not be met without allocations in Balsham. It is noted that there is no neighbourhood plan being prepared for the village, no community land trust, and rural housing exception schemes are typically very small and are reliant on a landowner willing to offer land up at existing use value. The promoted development by Endurance Estates at land off Old House Road in Balsham would include housing and affordable housing to meet local needs of the village.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area, because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

The following changes are requested to Policy S/DS: Development Strategy:

It is requested that predicted housing delivery rates for the new settlements take into account the evidence from similar development elsewhere.

It is requested that the assumptions about faster housing delivery rates for Northstowe and Waterbeach are deleted from the development strategy.

It is requested that realistic assumptions about delivery, including for affordable housing, are applied for North East Cambridge and Cambridge East.

It is requested that additional sites that are capable of providing policy compliant levels of affordable housing are identified in the development strategy, including small and medium sites in the villages, in order to address the under-delivery of affordable housing from Northstowe, Waterbeach, Cambourne West, North East Cambridge and Cambridge East.

It is requested that small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area, including Balsham, because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages.

As requested in the Endurance Estates representations to Section 2.6: Rest of Rural Area, the land off Old House Road in Balsham should be allocated in emerging GCLP for residential development.