issues report 2001

Introduction

The Issues Report 2001 was originally intended to inform the preparation of South Cambridgeshire Local Plan No.3. Due to the changes to the planning system at the national level, the District Council instead began preparation of Local Development Framework documents to cover the period up to 2016. Although the Issues Report does not constitute a formal stage in the preparation of the LDF, the representations that were made in response to the Issues Report 2001 were of some use in guiding the preparation of the Preferred Options Reports.

The full Issues Report was sent to Parish Councils, Statutory Agencies, service providers and interest groups in October 2001. A summary was sent to all households in South Cambridgeshire as an insert in South Cambs magazine. They were also available on-line. Consultation closed on 7th January 2002. Over 3000 responses were received during the consultation period.

Summary of Key Issues Identified in the Responses

A brief summary of the results is given below. Detailed analysis of the results is also available to download at the bottom of this page.

HOUSING

81% of respondents agreed that meeting local needs for housing should be a high priority. People were concerned that too many larger houses were being built, and they were being used by long distance commuters rather than local people. Questionnaire results showed strong agreement for allowing some infill development in villages where it would help keep local services going, or meet an identified local need, although some commented that a small amount of growth might not be enough to save local services. A variety of small villages were suggested as suitable for some limited development for these reasons.

84% agreed that new housing should be located close to existing or new employment areas, or where frequent public transport exists, in order to reduce traffic and congestion. Many comments were received highlighting the current infrastructure problems around Cambridge, and the need to improve roads and public transport before growth takes place. Opinion was divided on whether development should take place in larger villages close to Cambridge and the market towns, or in larger villages away from Cambridge and the market towns.

The results of the questions relating to the types of housing that should be built were that there was support for providing more smaller houses, flats, terraced houses and 3 - storey houses. There was disagreement that new housing should have smaller gardens, and 70% of those returning a questionnaire disagreed that new housing should include less car parking. Many people feared it would simply result in more cars parked on the streets.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Concern was expressed at the lack of affordable housing available to young local people, and that they were being forced to move away from expensive areas. Providing housing for key workers was supported by 69% of respondents. The most popular responses to the question 'who are key workers?' were health workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, police, emergency services and public sector workers, but a wide variety of occupations were suggested. There was strong agreement that key worker housing should be provided in the most sustainable locations, with best access to jobs.

The Council's policy of making 50% of new housing in smaller villages 'affordable' was agreed with by 69% of respondents, while a larger number of comments were received stating the importance of providing for young people and local families, or in order that they can afford to stay local.

GREEN BELT

There was strong agreement that the setting of Cambridge, and the prevention of coalescence of settlements should be major considerations when reviewing the Green Belt. A wide variety of areas were suggested where landscape improvements are needed, and similarly a wide variety of areas were suggested where improved access is needed. Many people pointed out the need for more footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways in the Green Belt. A larger number of people suggested areas where the outer boundary of the Green Belt should be extended.

EMPLOYMENT

There was agreement for providing employment sites in villages where employment opportunities are limited, or where a shortfall of employment would be created by new development. Opinion was mixed on the issue of providing for more manufacturing and warehouse jobs in new employment areas on the edge of villages, with comments concerned about heavy traffic movements and high land take for low number of jobs.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

93% of those who filled in the questionnaire agreed that the local plan should continue to resist the loss of rural shops and services. There was also agreement that where new development resulted in a need for more local shops and services developers should be required to build them, and this should happen at the earliest feasible stage of the development. The question on whether the local plan should continue to resist farm shops selling significant amounts of goods not produced on the farm or in the region resulted in mixed views. A number of comments pointed out the importance of these shops where there wasn't a village shop, but others argued that they take business away from village shops.

TRANSPORT

Giving priority to footpaths, cycleways and public transport priority over new roadbuilding was supported by 78% of respondents. Over 150 comments were received arguing that public transport needs to be improved, and over 50 comments stating that road infrastructure needs to be improved. There was strong agreement that the priority for new cycleways should be safer routes to schools, but disagreement with lighting all cycleways in the countryside. Opinion was divided on whether additional parking at railway stations should be used solely by those travelling within the Cambridge sub-region, many comments feared it would discourage public transport use or result in illegal parking.

RECREATION

There was broad support for continuing to protect open space in villages, and requiring developers to contribute towards providing more open space where a shortfall would be created by development. 90% of those who filled in the questionnaire agreed that appropriate recreation space should be provided for young people and teenagers as well as younger children.

LANDSCAPING AND DESIGN

There was strong agreement that the local plan should include additional measures to ensure appropriate landscaping, and adopt policies for higher standards of design and local distinctiveness in new developments. While 25% agreed that new development should include a contribution for public art, 42% disagreed. There was support for identifying and protecting historic landscapes of local importance, carrying out conservation area appraisals, and enhancement schemes.

THE NEW TOWN

Over 50 comments were received opposing the building of a new town. There were also comments on the merits and problems of potential sites. There was strong agreement that a new town should provide a centre for the part of the District in which it would be located, and that it should have a range of high street shops appropriate to its size. It was also agreed that the town should have a particular emphasis on the development of a sustainable, energy efficient modern lifestyle for its residents. Over 750 ideas on what the character of the new town should be were received. Most popular were that it should be in keeping with the local area, based on traditional styles.

From the links below you can download a summary of the key issues for the Local Plan No.3, the full version of the Issues Report 2001 which contains more detailed background information and explores the issues in greater depth, or the detailed results from the consultation.

Any Questions?

Contact the Planning Policy team on 01954 713183 or e-mail: ldf@scambs.gov.uk