Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 203608

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

The British Horse Society considers that Cambourne North presents a significant opportunity to enhance the public rights of way network but this is not clearly reflected in the policy requirements. Existing public rights of way should be safeguarded and fully integrated into the masterplan. In addition, new transport and active travel infrastructure linking Cambourne North with Cambourne, surrounding villages and the wider countryside should be required to function as inclusive, multi-user routes, accommodating pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. Explicit policy support is needed to ensure connectivity, health and wellbeing benefits, and alignment with green infrastructure inclusive objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 203611

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

The British Horse Society notes that the Babraham Institute site offers opportunities to enhance connectivity but the policy does not explicitly address public rights of way or equestrian access. Existing rights of way should be protected and integrated into the site layout. In addition, new transport and active travel routes linking the site with Babraham village, surrounding employment areas and the wider countryside should be designed as inclusive, multi-user routes accommodating pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. Explicit policy requirements are needed to ensure that new infrastructure supports inclusive access, health and wellbeing, and aligns with green infrastructure and sustainable transport objectives.

Object

Representation ID: 203613

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

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.

Object

Representation ID: 208653

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

BHS supports the overall aims of the policy in promoting sustainable transport, reducing car dependency, and improving connectivity through non-motorised routes. We welcome the recognition that new development should connect to the wider Rights of Way Network.

While the policy refers to walking, cycling and wheeling, equestrian users are only referenced inconsistently and in places, conditionally ("where appropriate") this risks equestrians being omitted in detailed design and delivery stage, despite horse riders and carriage drives being recognised nationally as legitimate non-motorised and vulnerable road users.

Object

Representation ID: 208654

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The policy should be strengthened to ensure equestrian access is embedded as a core requirement rather than an optional consideration.

The policy should:
- Include equestrian users wherever non-motorised, active travel or sustainable transport routes are referenced.
-Require new and improved routes to be designed as multi-user routes that are safe and accessible for pedestrian, cyclists and equestrians.
-Require development proposals to demonstrate how equestrian connectivity to the existing bridleway and restricted byway has been considered and delivered.

Policy wording amendment:
“Development proposals must provide high-quality, safe and convenient multi-user routes for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and equestrians, connecting to other settlements and the existing and proposed Rights of Way network.”

Object

Representation ID: 208655

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The BHS supports the policy in principle.

The BHS considers that stronger alignment with Policy I/ST is required. While green infrastructure includes access routes, the policy does not clearly reference public rights of way or equestrian users.

Requested modification:
To ensure consistency with sustainable transport objectives, BG/GI should explicitly require protection and
enhancement of bridleways / byways and other rights of way.

Suggested Policy wording:
- Development proposals must protect and enhance existing public rights of way, including bridleways and byways and deliver new or improved multi-user routes as part of green and blue infrastructure networks. Routes should be designed to safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, including carriage drivers, and provide inclusive connections to the wider rights of way, other settlements and the transport network.

Object

Representation ID: 208656

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

BHS supports the ambition of the policy to create inclusive, well designed public spaces that promote health, wellbeing and accessibility.

However, the BHS is concerned that the policy focuses heavily on pedestrian and cycle movement but does not explicitly recognise equestrian users where green corridors, public realm routes and landscape connections link to the wider countryside or ROW network. Without inclusion, there is a risk design features such as narrow paths, unsuitable surfacing, exclusionary signage will unintentionally prevent equestrian use, even where routes logically connect to bridleways or rural access networks.

Object

Representation ID: 208657

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The policy should:
- Explicitly recognise equestrian as legitimate users of landscape corridors and public realm routes where these connect to the Rights of Way network.
-Require route design to avoid physical or legal barriers that exclude horse riders, unless there is an
exceptional, clear and justified reason.
-Promote consistent, inclusive design standards that accommodate a range of users safely.

Suggested Policy Wording:
“Public realm and landscape routes should be designed to support safe and inclusive movement for pedestrians,
cyclists and equestrians, particularly where they connect to existing or proposed Rights of Way.”

Object

Representation ID: 208658

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Requested modification:
-Explicitly include equestrian activity within the definition of active travel, unless there is an exceptional
justified reason for exclusion.
-Recognise the contribution of equestrian access to physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social inclusion
by improving accessibility for diverse demographic groups, including women and older adults.
-Apply design criteria that allow safe horse movement alongside other users.
-Signage and wayfinding must be clear for multiple user groups.

Object

Representation ID: 208659

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: British Horse Society

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

There is insufficient clairty that Rights of way improvements will deliver new bridleways, upgraded routes and safe crossings for equestrians, rather than primarily on pedestrian and cycle infrastructure.

Requested Modification:
Policies relating to green infrastructure and connectivity should:
-Commit to creation of new bridleways/restricted byways and upgrading of footpaths to bridleways. restricted byways where appropriate.
-Ensure that new bridges, underpasses, crossings are suitable for horses.
-Prevent the loss/downgrading of existing equestrian access.