Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

Nothing chosen

Steeple Morden borders North Hertfordshire District Council and the A505. The layout of road junction at Odsey is of serious concern and should be the subject of a priority upgrade by the Transport Authority, Hertfordshire County Council.

The following could improve Steeple Morden’s specific response to climate change: More frequent Bus service including a regular service to the Rail Station and support for a dial a bus. Cycle path to the Rail Station and other local amenities such as Village College. Support for community renewable energy schemes including possible joint schemes with neighbouring villages. Identification of county and district council land suitable for tree planting including roadside planting. Greater protection for mature trees that are providing carbon sequestration now. Community composing schemes. Support for increase in meadows and their management. High speed electric vehicle changing points.

The Rhee an important tributary of the River Cam flows through Steeple Morden Parish. All the chalk stream tributaries and springs that are supplied with water from the aquifer are under considerable stress particularly in the summer months. Therefore they need greater protection from over abstraction and enable them to adapt to climate change. Greater willingness of District Council to support Tree Preservation Orders for both groups of trees as well as individual specimens in the wider countryside as well as in the immediate village envelope.

Steeple Morden Parish Council continues to support an exception site policy while there is a requirement for local people to accesses social housing. The viability test should be rigorously applied.

Steeple Morden has a build Conservation Area. However it does not have a designation report and therefore is vulnerable to challenge. The District Council should provide the expertise to refresh this designation. The potential to extend the designation to cover the Odsey railway area should be pursued.

Due to the increase in commuters using Ashwell and Morden station there is an urgent requirement for additional car parking at the station. In addition increase in traffic using the A505 has made improvements to the Odsey Junction a priority.

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Steeple Morden is not a sustainable location for development. It has few facilities for example no doctor’s surgery, secondary school and very limited bus service. Its development framework has been tightly drawn around the village to protect the wider countryside from encroachment. The only reason to support development outside the framework would be for social housing for local people.

Nothing chosen

Steeple Morden has absorbed a sizable number of new dwellings within its framework over the past 20 years. There are few sites remaining that could accommodate a Group level designation of 8 houses exceptionally rising to 15. However the designation should remain to indicate its position in the sustainability hierarchy and the sensitivity of its character to development.

Development in villages is the least sustainable growth pattern and if essential should be limited to Rural Centres and minor rural centres and new settlements.

Siting development in transport hubs (not ribbon development along corridors) is potentially a more sustainable option than some other development patterns. However development should not be planned in the south of the district as it will encourage long distance commuting to London.