S/RSC/HW Land between Hinton Way and Mingle Lane, Great Shelford
This land lies within the Green Belt. Already having been considered in the last Local Plan, it was rejected as unsuitable for a variety of reasons, including:
Adverse impact on the Green Belt changing the linear character of this area of the village; this is a backland development, and encroaches on the fields which provide a blended and softer edge of the village.
There must be "exceptional circumstances" for release of Green Belt land, and I can see no factors that justify a re-assessment.
Indeed, the Greater Cambridge Green Belt Assessment report (GCGBA) states the impact on Green Belt of use of this piece of land is 'Moderate-High'. It goes on to state 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). In conflict with all those purposes, this proposed development lies on the boundary between the parishes of Great Shelford and Stapleford, which clearly will lead to merging of the two villages into one continuous settlement.
Access issues: The proposed access from Mingle Lane is highly unsuitable for 100 houses. Mingle Lane is a narrow 20 mph restricted lane and accessed either through narrow roads through the conservation area (frequently narrowed further by cars parked for Stapleford Church, the businesses at the southern end of Mingle Lane, or from Hinton Way. The large increase in traffic on 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), and I can see no justification based on the previous paragraph.
Where is the assessment of the resulting impact on local services (e.g. schools, General Practices etc)?
There is a great deal of local opposition to development of the site.
There has been no convincing or well-argued new rationale for use of this site; it is against the findings of the consultation and the principles of the Local plan, and does not materially contribute to new housing stock, especially affordable homes.