Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Strongly agree. It should be noted that some villages, including Fulbourn, are also located in the Green Belt and are on transport corridors, and as such development options that include these locations are also supported. It is considered that in reality the development strategy will be based on a combination of spatial distribution options. As set out in the response to Question 39 national guidance allows the release of land from the Green Belt through the plan-making process, and that exceptional circumstances exist to release land which is related to the significant need for housing and affordable housing in Greater Cambridge and the need to support economic growth. The experience of new settlements and the redevelopment of previously developed land on the edge of Cambridge demonstrates that these options do not deliver policy compliant levels of affordable housing, and in the case of new settlements these types of development typically have much longer lead-in times than originally predicted. Therefore, releasing land from the Green Belt at the villages surrounding Cambridge, including Fulbourn, is a realistic option. Paragraph 78 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services. The promoted development at land off Home End in Fulbourn would support the existing good range of services and facilities available in the village. Paragraph 68 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short-term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridge. Therefore, it is requested that small/medium sized sites such as land off Home End in Fulbourn are allocated to meet the requirement for a mix of sites including those that are easily deliverable. Paragraph 102 expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 103 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable. As set out in the response to Qu.37, Fulbourn is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport, and the promoted development is well-related to the services and facilities in the village by sustainable modes of transport. It is considered that the current Important Countryside Frontage designation (Policy NH/13 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018) directly affects the opportunity for some villages to grow. It is requested that the current Important Countryside Frontage policy and designations are reviewed, including at land off Home End in Fulbourn, in order to determine the extent of the frontage that needs to be retained and whether some or all of the land to the rear could be developed. In most villages, including Fulbourn, there are a variety of designations that prevent or limit the opportunity for development including Green Belt, Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, Protected Open Space and Protected Village Amenity Areas. It is considered that the Important Countryside Frontage designation adds a further policy layer preventing the delivery of development in those villages where it applies. The land off Home End is surrounded by buildings and a car park, and is not an important countryside frontage. The site does not provide a ‘significant’ connection between the street scene and surrounding rural area, and there are sport and recreation facilities and associated car parking areas between the site and the countryside beyond. It is considered that the Important Countryside Frontage designation at land off Home End is not justified in this location. As set out in the call for site submission, there are no significant constraints to development at land off Home End in Fulbourn. Fulbourn Conservation Area will need to be protected, but careful and sensitive design of the promoted development would ensure that this heritage asset is protected. The site makes a limited contribution to the Green Belt, and could be released to meet the needs for housing, affordable housing and self-build plots. Fulbourn is a suitable village for additional development.