Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Edge of Cambridge: Green Belt, Public Transport Corridors, Densification of existing urban areas, Edge of Cambridge: Outside Green Belt, Dispersal: New Settlements, Dispersal: Villages

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 options of focussing development in the Green Belt and along public transport corridors are preferred; the promoted development at land north of Common Lane in Sawston would be consistent with both of these approaches.

Strongly agree. It should be noted that some villages, including Sawston, 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 Sawston, 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 north of Common Lane 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 north of Common Lane in Sawston 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, Sawston 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, and planned improvements to walking and cycling routes proposed by Greater Cambridge Partnership. As set out in the call for site submission, there are no significant constraints to development at land north of Common Lane in Sawston. The parts of the site that contain buildings, the outdoor riding arenas, and areas of hardstanding would fall within the definition of previously developed land. There are no heritage assets that would be affected by development at the site. The site is located within Flood Zone 1 which means it has a low probability of flooding. The site makes a limited contribution to the Green Belt, and could be released to meet the needs for housing and affordable housing. The promoted development would include green infrastructure and strategic landscaping to avoid impacts on landscape character and important views, and to enhance the setting of the village. As such, parts of the promoted development would remain open. Overall, Sawston is a suitable village for additional development.