Greater Cambridge Local Plan: Proposed Submission

We, Longstanton and District Heritage Society (LDHS), are pleased that the latest revisions to the policy for Northstowe New Town have taken account of many of the concerns we raised in the previous consultation relating to the importance of heritage, the need for clarity over green separation between settlements and for conservation area protection.

LDHS is, though, concerned that there still seems to be inconsistency in the labelling of the policy for Northstowe New Town, for instance between Figures 65 and 69 where it is labelled Policy S/NS, and the text of the policy itself where it is actually labelled Policy S/NST. We hope that this inconsistency will not cause confusion in the future.

LDHS applauds the implicit reference in Paragraph 3 of Policy S/NST to the heritage Northstowe shares with neighbouring fen-edge market towns and the objective of ensuring good integration of the new town into the surrounding landscape as stated in Paragraph 4.

LDHS is somewhat reassured that the areas marked as being covered by Policy S/SEA/NST on the “Indicative Spatial Framework for Policy S/NST” Figure 70, will help ensure the lasting protection and conservation of the green separation that is needed between the new town itself and the long-established settlements of Longstanton and Oakington. We are, though, rather concerned that there appears to be no specific wording for Policy S/SEA/NST available. We therefore trust that the following description of the protection this policy will offer, as laid out in Paragraph 8 of Policy S/NST itself, will indeed ensure that needed protection over the long term:
“Northstowe New Town will be planned comprehensively with the Northstowe Strategic Enhancement Area (S/SEA/NST) Policy Area. This area will ensure that there is sufficient physical and visual separation between Northstowe and neighbouring settlements and maintains a soft, green landscape to enhance the wider rural setting and relevant Conservation Areas. Where appropriate the SEA could also deliver other appropriate associated uses including drainage, habitat compensation and public open space.”

LDHS also welcomes the clear commitments made in Paragraphs 10 and 11 of Policy S/NST towards maintenance of the green separation and protection of the Longstanton Conservation Area (presumably as marked in orange on the Greater Cambridge Local Policies Map 2026 within Longstanton Parish). Specific reference to Longstanton Paddocks as a key landscape feature to be maintained and enhanced (point b. in Paragraph 11) is particularly appreciated.

LDHS appreciates the commitment made in Paragraph 12 of Policy S/NST for strategic landscaping around the boundary of the settlement including within the Strategic Enhancement Area that draws on “the Fen-edge landscape of the site and the adjacent heritage assets and their setting”.

LDHS very much supports the “design led approach and preparation of a Conservation Management Plan” that will “protect and enhance the setting of the Grade II listed pillboxes within the site, the Longstanton, Oakington and Westwick Conservation Areas and their associated heritage assets” as specified in Paragraph 13 of Policy S/NST.

LDHS appreciates the greater detail provided by Figure 70, the Indicative Spatial Framework for Northstowe, which is much more helpful than the outline Policy Plan used in the previous Draft Local Plan.

Finally, LDHS is further reassured by the contents of Paragraph 3.3.67 in the “Supporting Information” for Policy S/NST which reads:
“The new town is located very close to Longstanton and Oakington and strong landscape buffers, within the Northstowe Strategic Enhancement Area (S/SEA/NST) Policy Area, are required to retain separation between the settlements. This is also necessary to protect the historic landscape character of the Conservation Area at St Michael’s including the Local Nature Reserve and the important early ridge and furrow field system. Important views across the fields to other heritage assets should also be retained to protect their settings.”

We trust that this paragraph will feature in the final version of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan and serve to further ensure the long-term maintenance and conservation of the green separation areas between Northstowe and the neighbouring settlements of Longstanton and Oakington whilst also serving to ensure the long-term protection and preservation of key heritage assets that underpin existing communities and the developing community of Northstowe itself.

As we argued in our previous submission, the rich heritage with which Northstowe is endowed (including prehistoric, Roman, Early Medieval, Later Mediaval and 20th Century World War II assets) and is shared with neighbouring villages, can serve as a key foundation block for the development of a strong Northstowe community and for building vital social connections with existing local communities (while preserving distinctive local identities). LDHS hopes that recognition of this important role the Northstowe heritage can play will always lie at the heart of planning policy as the new town develops. LDHS will be very happy to support (and advise on) planning and development activities that embrace these principles.