Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 208389

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The Bell Education Trust

Agent: Turley

The Bell Educational Trust is broadly supportive of the allocation of the Site at Babraham Road for residential uses. This is a highly sustainable site which is ideally suited for a range of uses that could make a valuable contribution to the NPPF requirement for 10% of the overall housing from sites under 1 hectare.

Comment

Representation ID: 208390

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The Bell Education Trust

Agent: Turley

To date, the Site has been part of a wider allocation for residential development and student accommodation. The
residential element (known as Ninewells) has now been built out, and this parcel of land remains undeveloped. The proposed allocation is for this remaining part of the Site which benefits from an extant planning permission for student accommodation. the site can only accommodate students associated with the Bell Educational Trust which historically meant the Bell School. Up until last year, this
had been the intention of the Trust, but due to Bell going into administration, it is no longer an option.

Comment

Representation ID: 208391

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The Bell Education Trust

Agent: Turley

Paragraph 127 of the NPPF makes it clear that planning policies need to reflect changes in the demand for land. In circumstances where allocated land has not been brought forward for approved uses. Given the current position with the cessation of trading for Bell, the future owner, operator, use and activities are unknown. The Bell Educational Trust asks the Council to consider amending this requirement to allow for greater flexibility regarding future occupiers and uses. Moreover, the requirements for student accommodation if any are unknown. The policy as worded would hinder the site being developed for other appropriate uses whether this be for student accommodation, other residential uses or even healthcare uses to contribute to housing need set out in Policy S/JH.

Comment

Representation ID: 208392

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: The Bell Education Trust

Agent: Turley

It is therefore suggested that the wording of the policy be amended as follows:
- Site area of 0.38 hectares
- Capacity for approximately 100 student bedrooms or other residential uses or healthcare related uses in the
alternative
1. Development proposals must demonstrate how they will meet the following requirements:
a. With regard to new student bedrooms the need to contribute towards meeting the needs of
the adjacent educational site or other existing educational
institutions in line with Policy H/SA: Student accommodation whilst being carefully integrated; or
b. Residential development and/or healthcare uses which sensitively respond in height, mass, density
and landscaping to its immediate residential context.