Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 208460

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

The website used to publish the Draft Local Plan is hard to navigate and the language is not easy for casual users, which may limit residents’ understanding of the process. Councillors added that Longstanton was not selected to hold a public exhibition of these proposed changes, although the Village Institute (often used for planning consultations) is available. This meant that without traveling out of the village, residents would need to rely on printed and digital matter to understand the proposed changes. This has put our residents without means of travel and/or internet access, particularly the elderly at a
disadvantage.

Comment

Representation ID: 208461

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

Councillors expressed great concern over the categorisation of the green spaces which currently separate Longstanton from the new development of Northstowe. It is concerning for all residents that these areas which are of historic significance for the village, may be developed upon. It should be noted that in October 2025, permission was refused by GCP for the construction of a single self-build property at Grove Cottage, adjacent to the paddocks. Similar applications have been refused in the past and it now appears that the re-categorisation of this land is a 'goal-moving' exercise.

Comment

Representation ID: 208462

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

Written confirmation is requested by the Parish Council that the area known as 'The Paddocks' in Longstanton, between Rampton Road, The Manor, Grove Cottage and Toad Acres will remain as an open green space and will not be developed for any purpose. These areas of beauty and historic importance within the Parish of Longstanton will remain that way and will not be designated as areas to locate further housing in addition to those already provided within the main body of Northstowe.

Comment

Representation ID: 208463

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

The council requests the GCP to clarify the difference between 'The Paddocks' and 'Western Park' in Northstowe. Both are green open spaces, which are publicly accessible, however 'The Paddocks' is listed a 'Heritage Asset' on the interactive map provided on the GCP website. Could the same categorisation not be applied to 'Western Park' which in comparison to 'The Paddocks' is a modern, man-made area also providing green separation between Longstanton and Northstowe? Maps should be re-drawn to clearly outline areas listed as ‘Heritage Assets’ and areas listed as ‘Green Separation’ without the confusion caused by the ‘Pink Shading’ of the existing maps.

Comment

Representation ID: 208464

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

Concerns extend to other parts of the village which currently provide green separation from current and future development, these include strips of land at the St. Michael's end of Longstanton, the meadow adjacent to Western Park and Magdalane Close, currently believed to be designated sports land, Longstanton and an area separating Prentice Close, Longstanton from Northstowe.

Comment

Representation ID: 208465

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

The Parish of Longstanton has provided the backbone for a significant amount of new housing in this area, notably the 'Home Farm' development within the village and now the development of Northstowe. The village's infrastructure cannot support further development. Councillors continued to raise concerns that this would not be the limit of land which is reclassified and that this process would be repeated as the need for housing arises.

Comment

Representation ID: 208466

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

Residents have aired concern that some or all of the proposed 24 Traveller Pitches at Northstowe that would be located on any of the previously mentioned Green Separation Areas. While the council respects the need to provide facilities for all parts of the community, the historic significance and existing infrastructure within the village must be considered when locating these new facilities. These areas are not suitable for pitches. Confirmation is provided that the proposed Traveller Sites will be located within the Northstowe Defined Development Extent and not on adjacent land outside of the NDDE.

Comment

Representation ID: 208467

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Longstanton Parish Council

It has been confirmed by SCDC that there has been irreparable damage to the hydraulic ecosystem underneath our village, we must insist that no further development of any sort should be permitted within the Parish of Longstanton or the surrounding parishes without full and transparent public consultation to get ahead of any potential issues.