Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Strongly agree. It should be noted that some villages, including Histon, are also located in the Green Belt and are on transport corridors, and as such development options that include these locations are also supported. 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 Histon, 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 rear of 113 Cottenham Road in Histon would support the existing good range of services and facilities available in Histon. 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 rear of 113 Cottenham Road in Histon 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, Histon 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. As set out in the call for site submission, there are no significant constraints to development at land rear of 113 Cottenham Road in Histon. 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. Histon is a suitable village for additional development.