It has been clear for a long time that one of the most valued aspects of living in or near Cambridge are the large areas of green space within the city. Obvious examples are Parker’s Piece, Jesus Green, Midsummer Common and The Backs, but there are numerous other small areas of green space that make Cambridge an attractive place to live and work.

In order for these green spaces to have survived for hundreds of years as Cambridge has grown, people have had to actively take the decision not to develop these areas, but to preserve them for future generations.

GSPC is concerned that many recent developments and many of those proposed in the First Proposals do not address this aspect adequately. Indeed, GSPC is very concerned that the developments in and around Great Shelford could threaten the very significant amount of green space and rural environment around our village. Two areas of particular concern are:
1. The ‘green finger’ between Great Shelford and the A1307 that extends from the Gog Magog Hills all the way into Cambridge at the Botanical Gardens.
2. The area of Stone Hill between Cambridge Road, Great Shelford and the River Cam.

Members would welcome proposals to protect these areas in perpetuity. Unfortunately, we believe that the developments in the First Proposals threaten these sites, if not directly then by a slow creep towards these areas.