Firstly, the site at Steeple Morden is surrounded on three sides (north, west and south) by built form, with the settlement boundary for Steeple Morden being immediately adjacent to the west and south of the site.
The context of the site is key as the Councils’ reasoned justification for the proposed approach in the policy is to “help guard against incremental growth in unsustainable locations. (our emphasis)” Given that the site is encompassed by built form, it follows that the land forms part of the settlement form of Steeple Morden. Development on the site would be in a sustainable location within Steeple Morden, consistent with the existing settlement pattern and that would not result in the encroachment of the countryside. Furthermore, the site is residential curtilage and paddock land, which when read in the context of the wider site does not align with the features and characteristics of the surrounding countryside and is more akin to the settlement of Steeple Morden. Development of the site could therefore be achieved without adversely effects upon the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.
Definition of the settlement boundary for Steeple Morden is therefore unsound on the grounds of being not justified and not consistent with national policy.
The northern portion of Steeple Morden is largely linear in terms of development along a single road; however, the southern portion of the settlement is more clustered in terms of its built form which extends eastwards from Hay Street.
The site lies in an area of transition between the two distinctive areas so could be designed in a way that would support the transition without overtly impacting upon either of the two areas. The eastern boundary of the site if developed would follow the existing built form edge of Steeple Morden (along Craft Way) to the south of the site, which would act as a continuation of the settlement northwards, highlighting the relationship of the site to Steeple Morden. Therefore, given the characteristics of the site in relation to the identify of Steeple Morden it would be appropriate for it to be included within the settlement boundary to enable a smooth transition for the defined areas, in a sustainable location.