Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

Greater Cambridge Local Plan: First Proposals Consultation 2021 - Shire Hall, Caste Street, Cambridge

I write on behalf of our client, Cambridgeshire County Council, in relation to the above consultation which forms part of the ongoing consultation on the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. As part of the ‘Call for Site’ consultation, on behalf of the County Council we submitted a red line Shire Hall Site Location Plan (reproduced at the end of this letter ATTACHED).

Cambridgeshire County Council as landowner subsequently confirmed their full support this submission. The property comprises five buildings, Shire Hall, The Octagon, Castle Lodge (Register Office), Old Police House and 42 Castle Street, and set within grounds of approximately 2.47 hectares. The site also includes the Castle Mound and Civil War Earthworks, both of which are Scheduled Monuments.

The site has been marketed by Strutt & Parker on behalf of the County Council and it is anticipated that it will come forward for development in the near future. A number of pre-application discussion have been held with the shared planning service already. It is considered that the site could be suitable for a number of alternative uses such as office, hotel, residential, specialist housing, student accommodation, retirement accommodation, potentially incorporating open space, retail, community/visitor facilities, as part of a comprehensive redevelopment.

We note that a larger site has been identified as an Opportunity Area (Figure 21) in the emerging plan under Policy S/OA/CH Shire Hall/Castle Park which states: “With the relocation of Cambridgeshire County Council to new offices at Alconbury, the Shire Hall building and the adjacent castle mound park provide an opportunity for suitable new uses for these important heritage assets. The draft plan will consider planning guidance for this central site.” For ease of reference, Figure 21 has been reproduced below (IN LETTER ATTACHED).

We believe it is important to be clear that the extent of the site being vacated and marketed by the County Council is limited to the southern part of the area shown in Figure 21 above. For clarity it only includes the extent of the land within the redline which was shown on our original submission Site Plan, which is again reproduced below for ease of reference.

The County Council are not aware of any proposals relating to the Castle Park area shown in the northern part of the site, or the northern frontage development to Castle Street. The majority of these buildings are reasonably modern and occupied. As such we consider it is unlikely that they will come forward for redevelopment during the plan period. Accordingly, we would suggest that the opportunity area allocation should be limited to the extent of the land shown on the original site location plan below.

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

It is considered that the growth of the more sustainable villages must be part of the development strategy for emerging GCLP, and particularly those villages that contain a good range of services and facilities, are accessible by a range of modes of transport, and where there is an identified need for affordable housing for those with a local connection to the village.

Paragraph 79 of the NPPF seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas and acknowledges that housing can enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and support local services.

Paragraph 69 acknowledges the role that small and medium sized sites can make towards meeting the housing requirements, and that such sites are often built-out relatively quickly. Small and medium sized sites typically only require limited new physical infrastructure and amendments to the access arrangements. The housing monitoring data from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire confirms that small and medium sites are delivered quickly i.e. within two to three years. It is considered that small and medium sized sites make a significant contribution towards the short term housing land supply and the five year housing land supply position in Greater Cambridgeshire.

Paragraph 104 of the NPPF expects transport issues to be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making. Those issues include opportunities created by existing or proposed transport infrastructure in terms of the scale, location and density of development, and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use. Paragraph 105 expects significant development to be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable.

The Greater Cambridge area includes many large villages (currently classified as Rural Centres, Minor Rural Centres and Group Villages) which have train stations, guided busway routes, rapid bus connections and greenway cycle lanes with link to employment centres and Cambridge city centre. They are accessible to a variety of services and facilities by realistic alternatives to the car. Further, these villages contain a variety of services and facilities which would be supported by new residents.

Paragraph 62 of the NPPF expects the size, type and tenure of housing needs of the community to be assessed and reflected in planning policies, including for example those with an affordable housing need, students, renters and self-builders. South Cambridgeshire District Council's 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' (December 2019) identified a need for a significant number of affordable homes in many of the District’s villages. This identified need would not be met without allocations in these villages, which would include housing and affordable housing.

The County has sought to promote additional sites for development at locations in Cottenham (ref 40176), Histon (refs 40193 and 40192), Waterbeach (ref 40183), Willingham (ref 40179), Melbourn (ref 40199) and Foxton (ref 40148). All are ranked in the current Local Plan as either Rural Centres or Minor Rural Centres, and Foxton (currently a Group Village) has a train station and is potentially to become a rural travel hub. All of these villages contain a good range of services and facilities, including schools, shops and public transport links. Several of the sites benefit from close proximity to rail stations with links to central Cambridge and London.

For all these reasons, small scale housing allocations should be made in the more sustainable villages within the rest of the rural area because those villages are accessible by sustainable modes of transport, there is a need to support the existing services and facilities within those villages, and there is an identified need for affordable housing in those villages which would not be met via other means.

Requested Change

It is requested that the development strategy for the rest of the rural area includes additional allocations in the following locations:

Glebe Farm, Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham Glebe Fen Farm
• Site area of 6.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of significant new open space, including a buffer to the church yard
• Retain key views of the Church and Conservation Area and minimise harm to heritage assets

Land west of Cottenham Road, Histon (Buxhall Farm)
• Site area of 4.8 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing, to the front of the site along Cottenham Road
• Provision of new open space and potentially community land to the rear, with biodiversity enhancements and strategic landscaping

Land adjacent to Histon School, Glebe Way, Histon
• Site area of 2.32 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 60 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provision of new open space and landscaping, including links to Northern Buxhall Farm local green space

Land to the north of Cardyke Road, Waterbeach Cardyke Road
• Site area of 2 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 40 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Pedestrian and cycle links to Cambridge Road and Cardyke Road

Belsar Farm, Willingham
• Site area of 0.88 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 26 dwellings, including affordable housing
• Pedestrian and cycle links to neighbouring development and Sponge Drove

Tostock Farm, Cambridge Road, Melbourn
• Site area of 13.01 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 150 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Significant new open space and strategic landscaping
• New pedestrian links to Cambridge Road and Portway
• Enhancement of existing agricultural access to Cambridge Road

Herod’s Farm, High Street, Foxton
• Site area of 5 Ha
• Capacity of approx. 90 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build
• Provide open space and green infrastructure, including enhanced biodiversity and landscape buffer as requested by Neighbourhood Plan
• Upgrade existing vehicular access on High Street and provide new links to Rowlands Close

Cambridgeshire County Council as landowner supports the limited release of land on the edge of Cambridge. These allocations are mostly of a large scale, and are mostly already committed in the previous local plan. As noted in the representations to S/DS, North East Cambridge and Cambridge Airport both rely on the relocation of existing uses and the provision of significant new infrastructure. It is therefore important to continue to support allocation of greenfield sites, including smaller greenfield sites, which can be built out faster.

Cambridgeshire County Council requests the allocation of land at Chandos Farm (reference 40141) for employment uses. The site currently comprises low density development of residential dwellings, unused paddocks and a car workshop. It is surrounded by other more intensive and higher density uses including Arthur Rank Hospice and the former Focus School. It has no links to the wider countryside and is screened from the golf club to the east by mature trees. The site therefore makes little contribution towards the Cambridge Green Belt and could be better utilised as employment land. The County requests that the site is de-allocated from the Green Belt and allocated for employment development. It is estimated that the site could accommodate around 11,350sq.m (122,000sq.ft) of employment floorspace over a three floor development, similar to the scale of the neighbouring hospice.

Cambridgeshire County Council requests the allocation of land at Newbury Farm, Worts Causeway (reference 40139). This is a greenfield site that would be available for development in the short term. It is adjacent to land recently approved for development (site GB2 in the current Local Plan) and is close to the area proposed for expansion of the Biomedical Campus. As a result the site could provide new access links between Babraham Park and Ride, site GB2 and the Biomedical Campus. It could accommodate market and affordable housing, potentially including specialist and key worker housing for the Addenbrookes site. The site could also deliver new green infrastructure on the eastern parts of the site which are more visually sensitive, which would provide biodiversity gain and open up parts of the Green Belt for public recreation.

Requested Change
It is requested that the development strategy for the Edge of Cambridge includes an additional employment allocation at Chandos Farm, as promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council, with the following policy requirements:
• Site Area of 0.76 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 11,350sq.m (122,000sq.ft) of employment development (commercial, R&D, office)
• Provide open space and green infrastructure
• Upgrade existing vehicular access from Cherry Hinton Road

It is requested that the development strategy for the Edge of Cambridge includes an additional residential allocation at Newbury Farm, Worts Causeway, as promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council, with the following policy requirements:
• Site Area of 16.34 Ha
• Capacity for approx. 300 dwellings, including affordable housing and self/custom build plots
• Retain and enhance existing trees and hedgerows at site boundary
• New pedestrian and cycle links between Babraham Road, Worts Causeway, site GB2 and Cherry Hinton Road
• Provision of open space and green infrastructure

Cambridgeshire County Council as landowner supports the proposed allocation of Mansel Farm, Oakington (reference S/RRA/MF). The site is sustainably located and adjacent to the busway station. The constraints set out in the GCLP can be addressed and the site remains suitable, available and achievable for the allocation proposed.

It should be noted that at a density of 25dph (suitable for a rural context), the site could support around 35 dwellings. This would still allow for a landscape buffer whilst ensuring development relates well to Meadow Farm Close. The 'Housing Statistical Information Leaflet' for South Cambs indicates a need for 20 affordable dwellings in Oakington, and an allocation of 35 homes (as proposed by the County) could support a greater proportion of this need than an allocation for 20 homes (as is currently preferred).

Cambridgeshire County Council supports the allocation of land at Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey (reference S/RRA/BBP). The site is located adjacent to the existing business park and close to the strategic highway network, and would be suited for a variety of B-class uses. The constraints set out in the GCLP can be addressed and the site remains suitable, available and achievable. Access is to be achieved via the existing agricultural access from Anderson Road.

Requested Change
S/RRA/MF Land at Mansel Farm, Station Road, Oakington
• Site area of 1.4 hectares
• Capacity for approximately 35 homes
• Provision of pedestrian access towards the busway stop
• Provision of substantial landscape buffer on eastern boundary

S/RRA/BBP Land at Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey
• Site area of 2.1 Ha
• Suitable for Class B2 or Class B8 uses
• Development should include a detailed odour assessment related to the nearby Uttons Drove Water Recycling Centre
• Access to be via Anderson Road

Land at Thorpes Farm, Swavesey (reference 40191)
• Site area: Amend to 7.54 Ha
• Proposed employment floorspace: Amend to 30,160sq.m
• Landscape and townscape: It is acknowledged that development in this location would encroach into the countryside, and for this reason it is proposed to amend the site area to only include the land between Buckingway Business Park and the wastewater treatment plant. Development would therefore be contained to the immediate north of the A1307. Whilst the site is open, the southern portion now proposed for allocation is already heavily affected by the A14 roadworks and the existing development to the east and west (wastewater treatment plant, hotel/services, and the Business Park). It is bound to the west west by proposed allocation S/RRA/BBP and an existing hotel, to the east by the sewage treatment works, and to the south by road infrastructure and services beyond. It is requested that the score be changed to “Amber”.
• Site Access: the site is immediately north of the de-trunked A1307 and Cambridgeshire County Council is in discussion with Highways England regarding access to the site from the A1307. Access would also be possible from Buckingway Business Park to the west, through land within the County Council’s ownership. Development would have little impact on landscape. It is requested that the score be changed to “Amber”.
• Transport and Roads: Whilst the site is remote from any settlements, the nature of the use proposed (namely, a highways depot) is unneighbourly and is required to be a certain distance from residential areas. Moreover, the site proposed has excellent access to the strategic road network. It is requested that the score be changed to “Amber”.