This is effectively your final chance to let SCDC know what you think about its plans for 5,000 additional new homes over the next 20 years (and potentially 22,000 new jobs) – its public consulation finishes 30 September after the last of 16 road shows closes.
The draft Local Plan - which would see a new town built north of Waterbeach, a new village at Bourn Airfield and a major extension to Cambourne to support new jobs being created in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire - has been put forward after over 300 possible sites were assessed and 30,000 comments from residents, business, developers and parish councils were considered.
The new homes proposed in the draft Plan are in addition to around 14,000 homes already committed to in South Cambridgeshire’s current Local Plan. Some have already been built or are under construction, while a number of others have planning permission in locations such as on the edge of Cambridge and at the new town of Northstowe.
Public consultation events are being held across the district in July and September. All events run from 2.30 to 7.30 pm. Events marked with * are joint events with Cambridge City Council.
July 2013
19 - Sawston, Spicers Pavilion, Cambridge Road
22 - Linton Village College, Cambridge Road
22 - Trumpington Pavilion, Paget Road*
24 - Comberton Village Hall, Green End
25 - Waterbeach Primary School, High Street
26 - Great Shelford Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane
26 - Cherry Hinton Village Centre, Colville Road*
29 - Bar Hill Village Hall, The Spinney
30 - Cambourne, The Hub, High Street
31 - Cambridge, Meadows Community Centre, St. Catharine’s Road*
September 2013
2 - Sawston, Spicers Pavilion, Cambridge Road
3 - Caldecote Village Hall, Furlong Way
4 - Gamlingay Eco Hub, Stocks Lane
5 - Histon & Impington Recreation Ground, New Road, Impington
9 - Melbourn, All Saints Community Hall, Station Road
10 - Swavesey Village College, Gibraltar Lane
Earlier comments shaping the new plan
During two rounds of public consultation over the last year, the majority of local people wanted the Council to focus on a plan that would provide additional homes in a new town or village rather than spreading lots of them across existing villages.
Around 900 of the homes needed are planned in six of the district’s larger villages which have the best services and public transport links. These will also help make sure the Council has a flexible plan for the future as larger new towns and villages take more time to deliver.
Yes or no
During earlier phases of the public consultation, local people were asked to comment on options suggested for the plan – but in this final stage, residents, businesses and anyone with an interest in the future of the district will be given the choice of saying whether they support or object in a format set by government.
This will make sure views can be passed on to an independent inspector who will consider whether the plan needs to be changed before it is finalised.
All views will be considered at a meeting of all councillors next spring to review comments before the plan is submitted to government for independent examination.
New policies
The draft plan also includes a number of other policies to help guide development and protect green spaces in villages that are particularly important to local communities.
The Council has been working closely with Cambridge City Council on the overall development strategy and issues affecting both areas as well as Cambridgeshire County Council on its transport strategy to make sure that the places where people live and work or access services are linked up.
County Council's plans, too
The County Council’s draft Transport Strategy will also be consulted on at the same time, and sets out policies and proposals to address current transport challenges as well as improvements needed to support future growth to encourage the continued economic prosperity of this area. More information is online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/tscsc, and available at the exhibitions being held by South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council.
A new way money is secured from developments for local facilities is also being consulted on – known as the Community Infrastructure Levy.
The Levy will standardise the amount developments of different sizes will contribute on a price per square metre basis. This will mean developers and the community know the contribution from the outset rather than it being negotiated under current section 106 agreements.
Online and on show
Representations can be made online at www.scambs.gov.uk/localplan and 16 public exhibitions are also planned so residents can speak to officers to find out more.
Cllr Pippa Corney, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for planning policy and localism, said: “We are very grateful to all the people who have commented during the two rounds of public consultation as all the views we received have helped shape the draft plan we have put forward.
"We know there is a great need for more housing in the district to meet the needs of our residents into the future but recognise we must also strike the right balance between growth and protecting our villages and rural environment to keep South Cambridgeshire as one of the best places to live, work and study in the country.
”The Local Plan is about what is best for the whole of South Cambridgeshire and I understand that some people might feel that their comments have not been heard.
"I can assure you that we have listened to everyone who made representations on the issues and options for the new Local Plan but we may not always have been able to agree. I would urge everyone to take this final chance to tell us your views as this will also make sure these can be passed on to a government inspector for independent review next year.”
Contact South Cambridgeshire District Council
- Phone 03450 450 500.
- Fax 01954 713 149.
- E-mail scdc@scambs.gov.uk
- Website www.scambs.gov.uk
Your local District and County Councillors
- District Council List of all councillors
- County Council List of all councillors