Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 56833
Received: 07/12/2021
Respondent: Dr Martin Dewey
The council has not explained what are the ‘exceptional circumstances’ that would allow removal of the land from green belt. Pollution and traffic congestion have not been considered on a 20 mph road, and neither has the impact on an already exceptionally busy railway crossing (Hinton Way and Sation Rd). The development will be detrimental to the physical health of residents in Stapleford and Shelford, causing reduction in air quality and impact on social well-being and mental health. There appears to have been no consideration of impact on over overstretched local services, especially Schooling and GP provision.
This land is currently within the Green Belt and has already been considered in the last Local Plan, and then dismissed, as unsuitable. There are multiple reasons for this prior exclusion including: adverse impact on the Green Belt; dramatic changes to the character of this area of the village, resulting in encroachment into the transitional area of the fields that provide a softer edge of the village.
The Greater Cambridge Green Belt Assessment (GCGBA) report 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.
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 and have additional impact on traffic running through Great Shelford (an already exceptionally congested village) and additional pressure on local amenities in both Shelford and Stapleford, with considerable pressure on schools and GP services (already under strain). 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).
There is a great deal of local opposition to development of this 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 local residents.