Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

Object

Representation ID: 212894

Received: 24/09/2026

Respondent: Gentian Development Ltd

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

This representation relates to a site submission (HELAA Reference 201683: Land West of Old North Road, Kneesworth, SG8 5JN).

Given the site was not assessed in any detail, this means that the Local Plan fails to comply with section 2A of Section 102 of the Environment Act 2021, which outlines that Local Authorities must have regard to any relevant Local Nature Recovery Strategy for planning policies and decisions.

It would have been reasonably expected for the Council to assess potential sites being proposed as part of the LNRS to see if there were any potential synergies between these documents, which after applying the uplift multiplier may be able to deliver an ambitious target. Whilst, the Council may say they have had regard, given they have an ambition to adopt a planning policy which seeks 20% on site BNG on all development sites, Paragraph: 006 Reference ID: 74-006-20240214 of the NPPG should be noted.

See attached Document which outlines full representations but we feel the local plan has not been positively prepared, is not consistent with National Policy, is not justified or effective.

Object

Representation ID: 213911

Received: 24/09/2026

Respondent: Gentian Development Ltd

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

A number of the allocations either have permission or are ‘rolled over’ allocations from previous Local Plans.

Has this Local Plan really explored reasonable alternatives or looked at any other sites which could deliver housing within this plan period, as opposed to continuing with sites which clearly have issues coming forward?

Attention is drawn to the Housing Trajectory Report 2026, which is a useful update on the status of the various allocated sites within the Local Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 213912

Received: 24/09/2026

Respondent: Gentian Development Ltd

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

The Plan does not update the Settlement Hierarchy, which defines the Parish as two settlement conurbations with significantly different development frameworks, even though table 7 of the Settlement Hierarchy Study Topic Plan (Appendix 18 of the Reg 19 submission) includes the Population of Kneesworth within the Minor Rural Centre assessment.

The settlement hierarchy creating a distinction between the Bassingbourn and Kneesworth needs to be addressed in this Local Plan. Bassingbourn and Kneesworth should not be seen as 2x separate settlement types given they have coalesced long ago. Logically when taken together and assessed against the definition of the Rural Centres – the fact Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth benefits from a range of services and its own primary and secondary school, the Local Plan should redefine the settlement as a Rural Centre.

Object

Representation ID: 214169

Received: 24/09/2026

Respondent: Gentian Development Ltd

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

The Emerging Local Plan seeks to Deliver a significant amount of housing within the Local Plan Period; the majority of which will be delivered on sites of strategic importance.

Whilst the Local Plan is clearly ambitious in its approach, it is considered that the delivery of such large new settlements and urban extensions within the Local Plan Period is ill conceived.

Moreover given that the plan period won’t start from adoption but from when the plans stated this puts far greater pressure on the delivery of such strategic sites. The general thrust of the Local Plan does not deliver on an immediate 5 year supply of housing, and as such fails to comply with wider national policy goals. It could leave the Greater Cambridgeshire Area open to speculative development, which the Government insists
having an up-to-date local plan tries to avoid.