Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Object

Representation ID: 208347

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Thakeham Homes Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The current wording is unsuitable and unnecessary as a blanket policy across the authority area. On larger schemes for example, the quantum of M4(2) and M4(3) dwellings would be extensive and would far outstrip local need, across such developments this would lead to viability concerns and be prohibitive to maximising housing deliverability and supply. The footprint of such homes is significantly larger and more land hungry, this is particularly more noticeable in flatted development due to the space required for lifts.

This would therefore impact on the density of developments and the ability to make efficient use of land to meet the Councils housing requirement. There are also the added costs of the enhanced build to consider further. Therefore, the Councils should incorporate flexibility to ensure that such policies do not require quantum’s of M4(2) and M4(3) which outstrips demand in a particular location.

Object

Representation ID: 208348

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Thakeham Homes Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Thakeham recognises that there is a need for self and custom build homes, the requirement within draft Policy H/CB does not reflect the Council’s evidence base. Paragraph 12.74 of the Housing Needs of Specific Groups in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire (August 2025) states that there is an unmet need of 456 plots. Since October 2022, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people being added to the register, with only 32 people being added in base period 9 and 23 people being added in base period 10. This therefore suggests the demand for self and custom-built homes is significantly decreasing. The draft policy requirement of at least 5% over 20 dwellings would therefore significantly over supply the current evidenced demand.

Object

Representation ID: 208349

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Thakeham Homes Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The Councils need to consider the practicality and desires of those on the register. In our experience, residents who register interest for self and custom-build homes are seeking plots that are more isolated in location and are part of a small scale development; rather than seeking a self-build plot on a larger housing scheme. The draft policy would therefore not only deliver a significant over supply but would also result in the delivery of plots that are not desirable by those on the register.

Thakeham has seen this firsthand within our own developments, where self-build plots have been delivered on our developments with there being no interest from those on or off the register for those plots.

Comment

Representation ID: 209757

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Thakeham Homes Ltd

These representations are accompanied by site details for HELAA Reference 208915, HELAA Reference 208916 and HELAA Reference 208917.

Thakeham controls circa 1,800 hectares of land in South Cambridgeshire, located between Shepreth to the east and Kneesworth to the west, that is intended to deliver a zero carbon new town of more than 25,000 new homes, alongside new employment, services, amenities and requisite infrastructure to support a thriving community, the details of which can be found in our accompanying Vision Document. Furthermore, we have the potential ability to increase this to circa. 40,000 homes with the inclusion of the adjacent Ministry of Defence land at Bassingbourn. The 40,000 homes proposed are therefore an upper limit on the potential for Wetherbrook.

Wetherbrook New Town will support the growth spirations of the region, providing much needed housing to support economic growth but also provide production and manufacturing facilities, incubator and flexible workspace supporting the life science, bio-tech and medical sectors.

Comment

Representation ID: 209758

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: Thakeham Homes Ltd

Whilst the Council has used the Standard Method to derive its housing requirement, the Council has failed to consider the unmet needs of neighbouring authorities and the role the Council can play in supporting these unmet needs.

A number of these Local Authorities cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, with Huntingdonshire having a 1,562-home shortfall and North Hertfordshire having a 3,347-home shortfall. There is therefore a shortfall of 4,909 dwellings currently being unmet by adjoining local authorities.

Whilst the 27 November 2025 Written Ministerial Statement suggests that Duty to Cooperate will cease following changes to the necessary regulations, Local Planning Authorities will still need to undertake cooperation with adjoining authorities to demonstrate ‘soundness’.