Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the first stage of the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. The consultation document clearly sets out the options for the area in the coming years and notes that it is envisaged that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan will plan for development up to 2041. At this stage, North Hertfordshire District Council does not wish to make any detailed comments about the options that have been put forward in the current consultation document. North Hertfordshire District Council is currently preparing a Local Plan for the period up to 2031. In a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2016, it was agreed that there are no significant strategic cross boundary issues which would affect proposed development in the period up to 2031. However, North Hertfordshire has not yet started planning for development in the period up to 2041 and it maybe that cross boundary issues will emerge in planning for development post 2031 in North Hertfordshire and the Greater Cambridge area. Our current Plan examination has required challenging decisions about the expansion of this District’s towns and villages. We recognise that continuous, incremental growth may not be an appropriate strategy in the future. This Council has already resolved to fully explore options for a new settlement in the longer term. We are also aware that a number of authorities in Hertfordshire are likely to be constrained in their ability to meet future development needs. This could result in further outward pressure for growth. The District Council would welcome further discussions about potential longer term cross boundary issues as the Greater Cambridge Local Plan and the North Hertfordshire plans progress.

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