Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 211868

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

The Club’s stated preference to date is to remain at a redeveloped Cledara Abbey Stadium. However, given the many and obvious constraints, the Owners and Board recognise that this might be neither financially viable nor deliverable. The Club is open-minded about relocation to
a site elsewhere. In this situation, the Club would like to work in partnership with the Council and others to help identify an appropriate alternative site that meets both the Club and the city’s needs. The Abbey Stadium is the only home Cambridge United has ever known and, whilst securing the Club’s future and maximising the moment of opportunity the city is now in may require a move, we know this is a very sensitive and emotive issue.

Should a defined allocation not be forthcoming, it would be helpful to include a broad statement of support for the Club’s relocation (in the correct circumstances) either within draft Policy S/AMC/AS, or within a bespoke policy that explicitly deals with the Club’s relocation within the
Plan. This would be in line with Paragraph 98 of the NPPF, which requires Councils to plan positively for the provision of cultural facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 211869

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

Should the Club find an appropriate alternative site, and develop a new football stadium on it, it would be appropriate for the current site to be redeveloped for residential or commercial use.

In such a scenario, the need to protect the pitch as open space would fall away. As such, to make best use of the land (which is brownfield) the draft policy should recognise the development potential of the site should the Club find an alternative site. This approach would be consistent
with paragraphs 104 b) and 124 of the NPPF.

Comment

Representation ID: 211870

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

The supporting information confirms that sports stadia are to be considered through this draft policy. It should be explicitly stated in the supporting text that the redevelopment or relocation of the Cledara Abbey Stadium is addressed under a specific allocation, and Policy WS/CF does not apply to the current Stadium or a relocation site.

Comment

Representation ID: 211871

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

It should be recognised that football stadia are not Main Town Centre Uses, and that Part C does not apply to ancillary retail, food and beverage provision.

Object

Representation ID: 211872

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Whilst we appreciate that allocating the pitch as open space might help prevent an unscrupulous owner seeking to redevelop the Abbey Stadium to leave the Club homeless, as noted above, the stadium is owned by the Club, and the stadium as an entity is protected by Policy WS/CF and paragraph 104 of the NPPF.

Therefore, including the Abbey Stadium’s pitch as protected open space is not necessary and could make delivering improvements to the stadium more complicated.

If the Club to need to relocate, the pitch will be replaced elsewhere, and it is appropriate for the current pitch to be redeveloped for alternative uses, and not be safeguarded. It is crucial that redevelopment can secure the best and most effective use of land, in accordance with paragraph 124 of the NPPF.

For these reasons, the pitch at the Abbey Stadium should not be identified as Protected Open Space.

Comment

Representation ID: 211873

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge United Football Club

We have reviewed the other site allocations in the emerging Plan. Given our current location and history in the Abbey ward, an appropriate location could be within any major new urban extension at Cambridge East. This draft allocation allows for the provision for a wide range
and scale of cultural, leisure, shops and community uses to meet the needs of the wider city and sub-region. The allocation notes that this may include civic uses, a conference centre, concert hall, arts centre or leisure facilities.

Although this list would cover a new football stadium, it would be helpful to refer explicitly in the Plan to Cambridge East being a potential appropriate location for a new stadium for Cambridge United.