Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Amenity, Climate change mitigation, Policies map should all include Rights of Way in the definition. Sustainable modes of transport should specifically include equestrians otherwise they will be excluded. Transport assessment should include equestrians and recognise leisure journeys. Wheeling - should include carriages drivers who are often disabled or have mobility challenges.

Rights of way are included in the Glossary under Green Infrastructure, but not mentioned elsewhere. References to green spaces to access opportunities to benefit new homes and jobs but not the importance of rights of way for health and well being, BNG opportunities, the environment. Rights of way are the inclusive leisure network distinctive from urban style walking and cycling active travel provision. Vision does not meet NPPF para 105 December 2024, PPG policies promoting inclusion of rights of way and users. Nothing to highlight the need for this provision.

The policy should require inclusive access for all legitimate users, including equestrians. Development proposals should ensure that open space design and access ensures bridleway connectivity through open spaces are fully realised.

The British Horse Society supports the objectives of Policy BG/EO in protecting and enhancing open spaces for recreation, health and wellbeing. The BHS objects to the policy because it does not explicitly recognise the role of public rights of way and equestrian access within or to these spaces.

The policy should encourage the protection and delivery of natural-surface rights of way such as bridleways and byways within green infrastructure networks, ensuring access provision supports climate objectives alongside sustainable, low-carbon recreation and travel.

The British Horse Society supports the objectives of Policy CC/CS in promoting land-based carbon sequestration. The BHS objects because the policy should recognise that natural-surface public rights of way, including bridleways and restricted byways, can contribute positively to these objectives when appropriately designed and managed. Retaining grassed, soil-based and permeable surfaces supports soil health, carbon storage, water infiltration and biodiversity, in contrast to sealed or heavily engineered surfacing.

Sustainability Statements should be required to demonstrate how development proposals protect, enhance and connect rights of way and provide for inclusive access, including equestrians, in order to fully support the policy’s sustainability objectives.

The British Horse Society supports the objectives of Policy CC/SD in addressing the climate emergency through sustainable development. The BHS objects because the Sustainability Statement requirements omit consideration of public rights of way and equestrian users, despite their relevance to low-carbon travel, health and wellbeing, and green infrastructure delivery. Rights of way, including bridleways, enable sustainable, non-motorised movement and access to green spaces, reducing reliance on motor vehicles.

The Plan should clearly distinguish and link active travel and rights of way, and explicitly recognise and provide for the the rights of way network as a key health and wellbeing amenity.

The British Horse Society supports the Plan’s objectives for improving wellbeing and social inclusion. However, there is a lack of clarity between policies promoting “active travel” and those relating to the public rights of way network. Active travel is largely framed around walking and cycling, while rights of way are not consistently recognised as a distinct and valuable health and wellbeing asset in their own right.
Public rights of way provide accessible opportunities for physical activity, social connection and contact with nature for a wide range of users, including equestrians.

The policy should be amended to recognise rights of way explicitly and require developments to deliver multi-user access that supports pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians alike.

While the British Horse Society supports the intent of Policy WS/HD, it objects because the policy’s focus on walking and cycling as the primary forms of active travel is overly narrow and risks excluding other legitimate users. Public rights of way, including bridleways, are established health and wellbeing assets and provide inclusive opportunities for physical activity and social connection. The omission of equestrian access creates an imbalance that is inconsistent with inclusive and equitable placemaking.

The British Horse Society notes that while the Local Plan includes references to rights of way within sustainable transport and green infrastructure policies, these are not reflected clearly in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. The IDP should be updated to include rights of way enhancements as a defined infrastructure requirement, with explicit reference to multi-user and equestrian access. This would ensure consistency with Policies I/ST and BG/GI and provide a clear mechanism for securing rights of way improvements through planning obligations and development delivery, rather than relying on ad hoc or discretionary provision.

The British Horse Society objects because it considers that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan is not fully effective or justified as it does not explicitly identify public rights of way as infrastructure to be delivered alongside growth. Rights of way, including bridleways, are essential to achieving the Local Plan’s objectives for sustainable transport, green infrastructure, health and wellbeing. Their omission from the IDP risks inconsistent delivery and missed opportunities to secure improvements through development. The IDP should explicitly include rights of way and equestrian access, aligned with the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, to ensure coordinated and effective infrastructure delivery.

The British Horse Society recognises that large-scale development site opportunities may come forward in a piecemeal manner. However, in such circumstances, planning permission should require a comprehensive rights of way masterplan for the whole site to be prepared and agreed at an early stage. This would ensure that the cumulative impact on the public rights of way network is properly addressed and that opportunities to protect, enhance and improve the network are not lost. Securing a site-wide rights of way masterplan as part of the permission, would enable coherent delivery of safe, inclusive multi-user access meeting national and local policies.

The British Horse Society notes that Policy S/GF presents a significant opportunity to deliver an integrated movement network but does not explicitly require public rights of way or equestrian access to be considered. Existing rights of way, including byways and footpaths, should be safeguarded and embedded within the masterplan. In addition, proposed transport and active travel infrastructure linking Grange Farm with surrounding communities must be designed as inclusive, multi-user routes accommodating pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. This would ensure new infrastructure supports connectivity, health and wellbeing, and aligns with inclusive green infrastructure objectives across the wider area.