The intention to direct development to where it has the least climate impact, where active and public transport is the natural choice, where green infrastructure can be delivered alongside new development, and where jobs, services and facilities can be located near to where people live is supported. We also consider the principle of this strategy to align with the NPPF and principles of sustainable development.

The First Proposals document states:
“We want our rural villages to continue to thrive and sustain their local services, but we don’t want to encourage lots of new homes in places where car travel is the easiest or only way to get around. We therefore propose some development in and around larger villages that have good transport links and services, and to support important employment clusters. In smaller villages, we’ll continue to support infill development and affordable housing on suitable sites, but we do not propose lots of village growth”.

Across the rural areas, owing to their location, communities are not usually served by public transport links that are as well connected or indeed frequent as urban areas. However the reduced services should not be seen as a barrier or restriction to growth as rural areas provide a variety of other services and facilities and work as a network to meet local needs.

Land East of Cambridge Road, Melbourn offers a sustainable location for accommodating residential development. The Site’s position on the edge of Melbourn provides local public transport connections and pedestrian and cycle links, as well as proximity to nearby local amenities including jobs, services and facilities within the village centre.