The proposed policy direction to include settlement boundaries around settlements is supported. Settlement boundaries play an important role in controlling development, however they should not be used as a basis for preventing otherwise sustainable development from coming forward.

It is noted that the First Proposals states that boundaries will be defined to take into account the present extent of the built-up area and planned new development. However, the proposed development strategy to restrict the number of dwellings in certain tiers of the settlement hierarchy and the low number of site allocations proposed for the rural areas will prevent sustainable development from being brought forward unless further sites are allocated for development and included within the settlement boundary.

Should the Councils wish to continue to apply a heavy reliance on windfall development to accommodate growth, the settlement boundaries will need to be drawn more loosely around existing settlements, particularly those beyond the outer Green Belt boundary, to allow for speculative development to come forward.

Fowlmere
In particular, the adopted settlement boundary for Fowlmere is tightly drawn around the existing built edge of the settlement, restricting the ability for additional greenfield sites to come forward as windfall development.
On the basis that the settlement boundary remains unchanged through the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, it is assumed that windfall development within the settlement is anticipated to be delivered through brownfield sites.
Fowlmere predominantly comprises residential development on small plots serviced by a number of facilities, including but not restricted to a church, public house, primary school, business units and business park. There are no clear opportunities for redevelopment of previously developed land within the settlement.

A review of the sites promoted through the recent call for sites also emphasises the lack of brownfield sites available, with only one previously developed site promoted for development.

This, together with the way in which the settlement boundary is shown, suggests that there is very limited opportunity for additional growth to be delivered within Fowlmere during the emerging Local Plan period and we raise concerns with regards to the Councils’ overall spatial strategy, which could be detrimental to the vitality of these Group Villages.

Land West of London Road Fowlmere lies adjacent to the existing settlement boundary as well as to employment opportunities at the Manor Farm Business Park to the north, is suitable for development and is immediately available, thereby able to contribute to the vitality of this Group Village. In addition, the proposed development would deliver low carbon housing, electric vehicle charging at every dwelling and promote low water consumption, therefore positively contributing to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.