The proposed development strategy, in line with the Plan’s vision and aims, is to direct development to where it will have the least climate impact.
Alongside this, there is an aim to ensure that development is directed to areas where active and public transport is a “natural choice” and where new green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live, whilst ensuring all necessary utilities can be provided in a sustainable way. This proposed policy direction is supported and we consider that the sites we have previously submitted to the Council (land east of Cambridge Road, Sawston Ref: 531, and land east of Haverhill Road, Stapleford Ref: 530) are both capable of accommodating housing developments which would accord with the aims of Policy S/DS.
In terms of the rural area south of Cambridge, which Stapleford (with Shelford) and Sawston are a part, it is proposed that “some” development will occur within the area, where homes and jobs can be located close to each other and served by good quality public transport, cycling and walking links.
The proposed policy direction proposes that there will be “new smaller sites for housing and employment in villages that have very good public transport access and are close to jobs, some of which are through the release of land from the Green Belt”. In addition to this, allocations will be continued for existing sites allocated in previous plans.
We support the allocation of sites in villages with very good public transport access. This is particularly the case for Sawston and Stapleford. However, we consider the policy should also reflect on the merits of planned public transport provision also, as this further strengthens the sustainability of villages. In the case of Stapleford and Sawston, both villages are proposed to be linked by Phase 2 of the Cambridge South East Transport project (which will run from Cambridge Biomedical Campus to a new travel hub near the A11, close to both Babraham Research Campus and Granta Park). This route will connect the villages with three existing strategic employment areas which are highly likely to continue growing and providing jobs throughout the plan period. We therefore believe the connections the Transport Project will provide to these villages, further emphasises why they should be considered appropriate locations of housing growth.
Regarding the land east of Haverhill Road, Stapleford Ref: 530, this will contain a stop for the South East Transport Route. We believe that allocating a portion of this site, next to the proposed stop, would provide an opportunity for the Council to deliver new homes in a location that is both accessible to existing strategic employment sites and has potential to deliver its own limited amounts of employment development/retail or community uses. This would create a development that is both attractive to new residents as well as providing services and facilities which would benefit Stapleford.
The release of land from the Green Belt in order facilitate development in sustainable villages such as Stapleford is supported. The NPPF states that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified, through the preparation or updating of plans. We consider that the need to deliver new homes in sustainable locations, close to excellent public transport routes and employment opportunities comprises an appropriate justification for Green Belt release at these villages