Regarding
S/RSC/HW Land between Hinton Way and Mingle Lane, Great Shelford
This land is currently within the Green Belt and has already been considered in the last Local Plan, and then dismissed, as unsuitable for. There are multiple reasons for this prior exclusion including:
Adverse impact on the Green Belt changing the linear character of this area of the village, resulting in backland development and encroachment into the transitional area of the fields that provide a
softer edge of the village.
There must be "exceptional circumstances" for release of Green Belt land.
What are the new factors that justify reassessment?
The Greater Cambridge Green Belt Assessment (GCGBA) report, which states the impact on Green Belt of use of this parcel of land as 'Moderate-High'. The report also states that the purpose of Green
Belt is to "prevent communities merging into one" (GCGBA page 9), preserve "landscape that retains a strong rural character" (page 26), "prevent further coalescence of settlements" (page 28) and
"prevent communities in the environs of Cambridge from merging into one another" (page 42). This proposed development lies exactly on the boundary between the parishes of Great Shelford and
Stapleford, which clearly contributes to the merging of the two villages into one continuous settlement.
- How have you assessed the poor quality access to this site?
The proposed access from Mingle Lane is not suitable for 100 houses. Mingle Lane is a narrow 20 mph restricted lane and accessed either through particularly narrow roads through the conservation
area or from Hinton Way. The large increase in traffic onto Hinton Way will cause further issues at the already congested railway crossing. I note GCGBA states that the impact of development should
consider the "degree of activity from the development (e.g. by traffic generation)" (page 16).
- What is the assessment of impact on local services (e.g. schooling, GPs etc)?
There is a great deal of local opposition to development of the site.
There has been no persuasive new rationale for use of this site, it is against the findings of the consultation, against the principles of the Local plan and does not materially contribute to new housing
stock. I would note that the uncertainty and changeability on the part of the council are contributors to significant stress for the local residents.