I am writing in support of Waterbeach Parish Council's application for Neighbourhood Area designation.

This is an important time for Waterbeach with decisions being made about short, medium and long term housing needs for the area. It would appear that this part of the county and in particular the area north of Waterbeach is being viewed as the answer to all three and is suffering from the lack of strategy and joined up approach between local and national government planning policy as demonstrated by:

* Planning approval (under central government appeal) for multiple developments north of Waterbeach despite the land being proposed for greenbelt extension as part of the local plan.

* Local plan, and in particular the proposed new settlement at Waterbeach bought into question by inspectorate at the first review.

* Various government planning announcements which appear to encourage development close to existing employment areas.

Most sensible minded, pragmatic people appreciate the need for a significant increase in the housing supply and accept that Waterbeach should see it's fair share of development, but currently Waterbeach is at the mercy of multiple, short term speculative planning applications (with precedent set for approval on appeal centrally), and the prospect of a massive settlement as proposed in the Local Plan.

I am generally not in favour of adding additional levels of bureaucracy , but this Neighbourhood area application would appear to provide a much needed mechanism to help ensure sustainable development whilst maintaining the character of a much loved village. Additionally it will ensure some local accountability for the future of Waterbeach.

I therefore support the application.