Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Paragraph 103 of the NPPF seeks to ensure that development is located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised. Therefore, the site selection process for potential allocations in emerging CGLP will be an important part of increasing travel by sustainable modes of transport. The promoted site at land off Cambridge Road in Linton is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport to the services and facilities within the village and to employment at Granta Park. The site would be well-related to the transport infrastructure improvements proposed in the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Cambridge South East Transport project, including cycle routes to Granta Park and Babraham Research Campus, travel hubs, greenways, and the new public transport route into Cambridge. Therefore, the site is sustainable in transport terms, and should be allocated in the emerging GCLP.

Nothing chosen

It is noted that the existing defined settlement boundaries for most villages in South Cambridgeshire have remained largely unchanged since the Local Plan 2004; although sites were allocated within and on the edge of some villages in the Site Specific Allocations DPD in 2010 and for the adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. It is very likely that most of the development opportunities within existing village boundaries would have been taken up by now. It is also likely that heritage assets within some villages, such as conservation areas and listed buildings, will constrain development opportunities. It is not clear whether the Council’s have undertaken an assessment of the capacity of villages to accommodate additional development; it is likely that such an assessment would demonstrate that the capacity is limited. On the basis of the above, it is considered that the current site size threshold limits in the adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 are largely irrelevant and ineffective e.g. there are few outstanding development opportunities for up to 30 dwellings within existing framework boundaries in Minor Rural Centres, and Linton is an example where there are few opportunities within the boundary. In any event, there are numerous examples between 2014 and 2019 when planning applications were approved and appeals were allowed on sites within and on the edge of settlements, including in Linton, that were contrary to the existing site size threshold limits. Therefore, it is considered that the emerging GCLP should seek to allocate suitable sites on the edge of existing sustainable villages, in conjunction with a general policy that supports development within existing framework boundaries but without specifying any size limits. This suggested approach would ensure that sufficient land is allocated for development at villages to support services and facilities and ensure that sufficient physical and community infrastructure can be planned, and would provide some flexibility about development within village boundaries so that the form and scale of development reflects site specific characteristics.

It is considered that the growth of villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and there is national guidance that supports this approach. 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 west of Linton could support the existing services and facilities within the village, including the primary schools, secondary school, convenience stores and post office, village hall, health services including a medical centre, public houses, cafes and restaurants, and bus services. The promoted site is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport to the services and facilities within the village and to employment at Granta Park. The site would be well-related to the transport infrastructure improvements proposed in the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Cambridge South East Transport project, including cycle routes to Granta Park and Babraham Research Campus, travel hubs, greenways, and the new public transport route into Cambridge. 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, and that such sites are located within villages in South Cambridgeshire. 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 west of Linton, are allocated in the emerging GCLP to meet the requirement for a mix of sites including those that are easily deliverable. Paragraph 102 of the NPPF 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, the promoted development at land west of Linton is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport, and would be well-related to the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s proposed Cambridge South East transport improvement projects including public transport route. A Vision Document has been prepared for the promoted development, which was submitted with the call for sites response. The key design principles for the proposed development are as follows: • To respect the heritage assets and the setting of the Grade II Listed cottages at Little Linton Farmhouse. • To protect the existing landscape character and existing habitats and ensure an acceptable impact on River Granta Meadows. • To maintain existing views across the site. • To provide a sustainable drainage system for the proposed development including attenuation ponds, swales and permeable paving. • To prove suitable access points and pedestrian connections for the proposed development. • To provide a noise buffer to separate the main road from dwellings. • To maintain an easement from the high voltage overhead cables and pylon. • To deliver a high quality development that is consistent with the character of Linton and the surrounding area.

No choices made

Response to Question 42 It is considered that in reality the development strategy for emerging GCLP will be based on a combination of spatial distribution options, including development at the more sustainable villages. The scale of development that occurs at individual villages will depend on the level of services and facilities. Linton is an example of a settlement that could accommodate additional development, as explained in the call for sites submission.

No choices made

Response to Question 42 There are limited opportunities and constraints to development within the urban area of Cambridge, there are limited opportunities for development on the edge of Cambridge which are not in the Green Belt and those opportunities require the relocation of existing uses, and new settlements are complex and typically do not provide policy compliant levels of affordable housing. The option of focussing development along public transport corridors, including within existing settlements which are well connected, is preferred. The promoted development at Land to the east of the Ridgeway and Old Pinewood Way, Papworth Everard would be consistent with this approach.