1. The settlement of Impington and Histon is located immediately to the north of Cambridge and lies within South Cambridgeshire. Its proximity to the city has the consequence of it functioning as part of the wider city urban area. Policy S/8 of the adopted Local Plan (2018) identifies Histon and Impington as a Rural Centre, this designation is to be carried forward through the GCLP. Rural Centres are classed as the largest, most sustainable villages in Greater Cambridge and are only behind Cambridge and New Settlements in the proposed GCLP Settlement Hierarchy. Indeed, as set out in the submitted Site Promotion Document (SUBMITTED WITH UPDATED CALL FOR SITES FORMS) , the settlement possesses a wide range of shops, services, infrastructure, employment opportunities and public transport links. Our client supports and endorses Histon & Impington’s status as a Rural Centre and this designation should be continued in GCLP.

2. Whilst adopted and proposed policy approach resists development outside of the settlement boundary at Rural Centres, there is no development limit (in terms of no. of dwellings) for sites within the settlement boundary. This policy reflects the positive sustainability credentials of Rural Centres such as Histon & Impington.

3. As set out in our representations on the Development Strategy, sustainable settlements in rural areas have an important role to play in accommodating growth to allow for a flexible and varied supply to be development and to ensure established settlements continue to grow incrementally and thus support the long-term vitality of local services upon which residents rely. The level of growth afforded to each sustainable settlement should be based on:
- Size of the current settlement;
- Service provision and any planned improvements to local community infrastructure such as schools;
- Access to Cambridge Bus Way and rail links;
- Access to high quality local bus services;
- Access to employment opportunities
- Proximity to Cambridge
- Proximity to key public transport corridors

4. As set out in our submitted Site Promotion Document Histon and Impington performs exceptionally well in respect of these key criteria. It is of vital importance that the Councils adopt a highly flexible approach to directing growth to the edge of sustainable villages in the emerging GCLP; especially the Rural Centres, such as Histon & Impington, which have sound and robust sustainability credentials.