Support is expressed for the Council’s Vision to “create thriving neighbourhoods with the variety of jobs and homes we need; increase nature, wildlife and green spaces; and safeguard our unique heritage and landscapes” (page 20-21).

However, as it currently stands, the proposed vision is centric to the sustainability of the City of Cambridge and the transport patterns involved with commuting. Simultaneously, there is insufficient regard for Greater Cambridgeshire’s rural settlements, with settlements such as Meldreth that by virtue of their infrastructure connectivity and scope for sustainable travel, offer the opportunity to deliver much needed sustainable development.

To ensure that the Vision to “create thriving neighbourhoods with the variety of jobs and homes [that Cambridgeshire] needs” is fully achieved, it is crucial that rural areas receive a suitable amount of development to meet local housing need and enable the benefits of development to reinvigorate and regenerate communities.

Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) supports a suitable level of development should being delivered at rural settlements, by stating that “housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities”.

With regards to the Council’s aims, support is also expressed towards the provision of ‘Great Places which sustain the unique character of South Cambridgeshire’ and ‘Homes which meet the needs of the diverse community’. The stated aims should be applicable to every settlement class (as listed in the settlement hierarchy), and therefore to fully achieve these aims, it is important that the Council ensure that the needs of rural communities are not overlooked and that suitable development opportunity sites are positively planned for and not predicated from being brought forward through negative, restrictive and unwieldly policies.

The council should consider refining the vision to ensure that it does not ignore or underplay the potential of rural areas and the need for sustainable development in rural areas to meet local needs and support the vitality and viability of rural communities.

Distributing a suitable amount of housing to rural areas of Cambridgeshire would help the council meet its housing requirements in a balanced way. It would also avoid an overreliance on housing allocations at Cambridge.

This is supported by paragraph 62 of the NPPF which seeks to ensure that the size, type and tenure of housing required by different groups in the community is reflected in planning policy, including in particular for affordable housing, families with children and older people. In addition, paragraph 78 of the NPPF states that in the delivery of rural housing, “planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs.”