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Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/JH: New jobs and homes
Representation ID: 211217
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra supports the provision of a minimum of 48,195 new homes in the period up to 2045 to meet the objectively assessed needs in Greater Cambridgeshire.
It is noted that the current supply is cited as 37,865 with a requirement for 10,330 additional new homes to be identified as new allocations to meet the housing need.
Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham (HELAA Reference 208866) is sustainably located adjacent to the Development Extents of Cottenham and constitues an appropriate medium size site for housing to come forward.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/DS: Development strategy
Representation ID: 211218
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
The strategy is heavily reliant on carrying forward previous allocations from the adopted Plans.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Object
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/SH: Settlement hierarchy
Representation ID: 211219
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Terra consider that the Council should not downgrade the status of Cottenham as is proposed to a Minor Rural Centre. It should remain with Rural Centre status given the range of services and facilities located within Cottenham and the ability for residents to make full use of these through sustainable transport, in particular through walking and cycling. Retaining Cottenham status as a
Rural Centre will allow for windfall development to come forward on sites that can deliver over 30 new homes, here appropriate, which will also support the existing services and facilities in the village to ensure a strong, vibrant and healthy community.
The proposed change in settlement status is also at odds with the level of services and facilities that are readily available within Cottenham. Paragraph 3.7 of the Settlement Hierarchy Study acknowledges that Cottenham offers a good range of shops and services and acknowledges that it has 28 shops and services, as well as a Primary School and GP Surgery.
Change Cottenham's back to a Rural Centre.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy CC/WE: Water efficiency in new developments
Representation ID: 211220
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
The proposed restriction on water use to 80 litres per person per day (LPPPD) in developments of 100+ dwellings, and 90-100 litres per person per day in developments of less than 100 dwellings is unduly onerous and is not consistent with national policy
requirements.
By Building Regulation standards, the current restriction is 125 litres per person per day (LPPPD) with an optional uplift / reduction to 110 litres per person per day. The 'Water Ready’ report published earlier this year by the Future Homes Hub outlines a framework for new homes to achieve 90 LPPPD by 2035.
Draft Policy CC/IW should be amended to reflect National Building Regulations Standards of 125 LPPPD.
Amend Policy CC/IW to reflect National Building Regulations Standards of 125 LPPPD.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy CC/FM: Managing flood risk
Representation ID: 211221
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra are concerned that this Policy does not reflect the updated Planning Practice Guidance (“PPG”) (updated 17 09 2025) relating to sequential testing. Policy CC/FM states that development proposals will be supported where the sequential test has been passed. However, this is not in line with the updated PPG, which states that a proportionate approach should be taken, applying NPPF Paragraph 175.
The PPG makes clear that where a site-specific flood risk assessment demonstrates clearly that the proposal would ensure that occupiers and users would remain safe from surface water flood risk for the lifetime of the development (without increasing flood risk elsewhere) a sequential test is not required. Terra therefore request that this Policy be amended to reflect the updated PPG.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Support
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy GP/HD: Housing density
Representation ID: 211222
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra supports the Council’s view that for housing density to be appropriate it should reflect the local character and context. Making the efficient use of land through increasing densities is an existing national planning policy requirement. The draft NPPF issued on the 16th December 2025 emphasises the need for intensification in appropriate sustainable locations through building on infill plots, building higher and at a greater density on corner plots and in the more sustainable locations. The emerging Local Plan should align with national policy in order to assist Greater Cambridgeshire in meeting their housing requirement.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Support
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy H/AH: Affordable housing
Representation ID: 211223
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra supports the inclusion of at least 40% affordable housing within major residential developments, and increasing to 50% on Green Belt land, in accordance with the NPPF (2024).
The option for an off-site provision or financial contribution to be considered as an alternative to on-site affordable housing if it is not suitable or viable, is something that is also supported by Terra.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Support
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy H/HM: Housing mix
Representation ID: 211224
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra supports the Council’s approach to securing a varied housing mix within new residential developments and welcomes the flexibility within the policy to allow for alternative mixes where this can be robustly justified. This balanced approach recognises the importance of responding to local housing needs and demographic trends, while also allowing schemes to reflect site-specific
constraints, market demand and viability considerations. Such flexibility will help ensure that developments can respond effectively to changing housing requirements over the plan period.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Object
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy H/SS: Residential space standards and accessible homes
Representation ID: 211225
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
The requirement for all new residential developments to meet and wherever possible exceed, the residential standards set out in the Governments Technical Housing Standards – Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS) is not supported by Terra. The requirement for NDSS compliance on all new dwellings is overly prescriptive and does not comply with National Guidance. In addition, this requirement is not supported by local evidence and would place additional financial burdens on developments which could affect viability of developments.
Dear Sirs
Terra Representations to the Greater Cambridge (Regulation 18) Draft Local Plan Consultation, November 2025
I hereby enclose representations to the above consultation which comprises of the:
- Supporting letter (attached)
I confirm that the enclosure letter comprises our submissions to the current Consultation and identifies Terras land interests at Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham.
It is noted that the Council are also carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise. Terra confirms that Land at Oakington Road, Cottenham is available for development now. The suitability of the site for housing is detailed within the attached representations. Accordingly, please include the above site in the Councils ‘Call for Sites’ and future site assessment exercise.
I trust the above and attached representations are as required and look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt in due course.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/JH: New jobs and homes
Representation ID: 211261
Received: 30/01/2026
Respondent: Terra Strategic
Terra supports the provision of a minimum of 48,195 new homes in the period up to 2045 to meet the objectively assessed needs
in Greater Cambridgeshire.
It is noted that the current supply is cited as 37,865 with a requirement for 10,330 additional new homes to be identified as new
allocations to meet the housing need.
Terra also support that within the total number of homes required, development will be provided to meet the need for specialist
accommodation, including the needs for older people and people with disabilities. In this regard the supporting text to Draft Policy
S/JH sets out that provision is to be made for 1,598 additional nursing and residential care bedspaces. This is supported in principle
given the ageing population, the demographics of South Cambridgeshire which has seen a large increase in persons over 65 and
national policy which sets out that there is a ‘critica’l need for all forms of housing for older people, including care home beds.
In terms of meeting the needs of older people and people with disabilities, the Plan proposes that this can be met within the
existing commitments which include a number of standalone developments for specialist housing for older people as well as within
the proposed strategic sites. It notes however that not all of this specialist housing are anticipated to be delivered in the plan
period. If this is the case due to phasing and if the locations for specialist homes are located as part of wider/ larger proposlas
there is no certainty that they will come forward in the initial 5 year period or the plan period as a whole.
Please Refer to the attachment for the full Draft Local Plan Response.
