Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

This development is inconsistent with national policy on the protection of BMV agricultural land. The evidence presented does not adequately prove that no alternative sites exist on lower grade sites.

This evidence presented underestimates the intrinsic landscape sensitivity of the site due to its topography on an elevated ridge. Introducing a high density urban settlement to the open countryside will cause irreversible, prominent visual harm. This is not consistent with national policy regarding the protection of the natural and historic environment.

The policy is not demonstrably deliverable due to its explicit reliance on the delivery of the CSET Phase 2 transport link. CSET funding is unconfirmed, with no statutory approvals in place. The detailed plans for segregated connections to the policy area are incomplete and un-costed, further questioning whether CSET Phase 2 will be able to support this development in the plan period. The use of undefined developer contributions to bridge funding shortfalls would compromise the financial viability of the development.

This development is unsound because its delivery relies on speculative future offsite water infrastructure. Without this uncommitted additional supply there are direct threats to rare chalk stream habitat’s that local authorities must protect and enhance. No evidence is provided that local chalk aquifers can sustain the build-out phase without causing irreversible ecological harm which questions the viability of the whole scheme in the plan period.