Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Great Shelford Parish Council is concerned that the First Proposals do not demonstrate that this aspect has been fully considered. We see little evidence that there are detailed plans regarding the infrastructure to support well-being and inclusion as communities need more than homes and businesses to thrive, such as: green community spaces such as public parks, policing, schools, shops, hospital spaces (Addenbrookes is full), GP surgeries, dentists, community pubs, integrated transport infrastructure, sports and leisure facilities and the like. In Great Shelford, for example, our local dentists and GP surgeries are struggling to cope with demand. We have observed that many recent developments near Great Shelford have not delivered in this area, which pushes demand onto the services in our village, increasing stresses to the whole community.

It has been clear for a long time that one of the most valued aspects of living in or near Cambridge are the large areas of green space within the city. Obvious examples are Parker’s Piece, Jesus Green, Midsummer Common and The Backs, but there are numerous other small areas of green space that make Cambridge an attractive place to live and work.

In order for these green spaces to have survived for hundreds of years as Cambridge has grown, people have had to actively take the decision not to develop these areas, but to preserve them for future generations.

GSPC is concerned that many recent developments and many of those proposed in the First Proposals do not address this aspect adequately. Indeed, GSPC is very concerned that the developments in and around Great Shelford could threaten the very significant amount of green space and rural environment around our village. Two areas of particular concern are:
1. The ‘green finger’ between Great Shelford and the A1307 that extends from the Gog Magog Hills all the way into Cambridge at the Botanical Gardens.
2. The area of Stone Hill between Cambridge Road, Great Shelford and the River Cam.

Members would welcome proposals to protect these areas in perpetuity. Unfortunately, we believe that the developments in the First Proposals threaten these sites, if not directly then by a slow creep towards these areas.

Great Shelford Parish Council believes there is little about protecting the rural economy within this plan, but just new businesses in a rural setting.

More skills and families are leaving the rural economy as rural landscapes are developed.

There appears to be no other vision rather than commercialising, meaning no maintenance or protection of existing business.

The area needs much better broadband and mobile phone reception to enable remote and home working.

As per submission under Housing: General Comments, we need truly affordable housing for young families

Reiterating a point made earlier, Great Shelford Parish Council feels strongly that there is little joined up thinking when looking at the infrastructure projects for the area which various authorities are undertaking.

In addition, the planning authority is assuming approval will be given for transport infrastructure such as CSET, which has not yet gone for planning approval, which will not benefit the community of Great Shelford at all. Indeed, GSPC is opposed to the current CSET plans.

On a positive note, Great Shelford Parish Councillors felt that the Sustainability Appraisal was very good and if the LPA sticks to what has been written, it would be beneficial to the plan.

Members feel strongly that these should not be clustered in certain areas. By doing this there is a feeling that areas are lacking support needed. For example, a development of dwellings for the elderly means there may not be someone physically able to help another when needed.

Green space is needed around properties in rural settings. Developments in and around the villages should have gardens of a reasonable size.

As a village, Great Shelford does not wish to see high density development within its boundaries.

As a rule, the plan should respect the nature of the existing communities i.e. villages will be less densely populated than a new development.

Great Shelford Parish Councillors feel that there is too much emphasis on an unrealistic definition of affordable housing and not enough on truly affordable housing and social housing. Affordable at 80% of market value in Great Shelford is not affordable for the majority of people who wish to live there, close to family.

If possible, it would be good to see restrictions on buy to let.

We would also support action to prevent building of new homes whilst others lie empty, whether intentionally or through neglect.

Flats or houses for young, single professionals would be a boost as there is no post graduate provision by the Universities.

Cllrs feel that houses do not make community. It needs to have the infrastructure around it.