The supporting text for policies S/RRA and S/RRP states that the GCSPS wants rural villages to thrive and sustain their local services. However, this unfortunately has not been reflected within policy S/RRA or Policy S/RRP, which proposes a very limited number of allocations. In addition, the vast majority villages have had no growth allocated to them at all, which will not assist in thriving or sustaining rural services, nor meet local housing need.
For reasons outlined above within section 3 we consider that the strategy needs to be revised, to include appropriate distribution of growth in the villages. In particular, this additional growth should be focused on sustainable villages, such as Orwell, which benefit from a range of services and are located outside of the Cambridge Green Belt.
The proposed strategy for growth is considered to be over reliant on a few large sites, with which there are associated risks in relation to delivery. The larger sites are particularly complicated in of the infrastructure requirements, associated with the early stages of delivery. As required by the NPPF 2021, a more balanced approach is urged, which spreads growth more evenly, reducing risk, providing choice and competition for market land, and providing more homes where they are needed.
It is worth noting that recently the St Albans Local Plan was withdrawn in November 2020 following a number of serious concerns raised by the Inspectors which included an overreliance on a small number of large strategic allocations (500 dwellings or more, or over 14 ha) at the expense of smaller scale subareas. The Inspectors noted that such sites, provide choice and flexibility in the housing market and secure affordable housing more immediately as advocated in national planning policy. The findings of the Inspector in 2020, in respect of the examination of the Uttlesford Local Plan were very similar and also resulted in the local plan being withdrawn.
Accounting for the recent decisions on the St Albans and Uttlesford Local Plans, it is unclear why the GCSPS appear to be adopting a similar approach. The current GCSPS housing growth strategy is reliant on a handful of very large allocations to deliver the proposed proportion of the growth in predominantly urban areas. It is considered that it would be more sustainable to distribute a wider range of housing growth/allocations across the Greater Cambridge area, as this will provide sustainable benefits for the existing settlements and communities in terms of existing businesses, facilities, and give people greater choice over where to live. National planning policies recognises that rural communities need to be able to grow and thrive to avoid decline. The inclusion of smaller sites will also aid delivery and more competition in the housing market.
It is important that a range of housing, jobs and facilities are provided within villages as part of new allocations to allow them to thrive and remain vibrant. Endurance Estates are responsible for the promotion of Land Rear of Fisher’s Lane, Orwell and have a track record of promoting high quality housing developments and setting clear parameters for future housebuilders. Endurance Estates are fully committed, to engagement with the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and Orwell Parish Council regarding the mix and type of housing to be delivered on Land Rear of Fisher’s Lane, Orwell. The proposals also include the provision for the delivery of an area of public open space.