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Landscape in New Developments SPD

Landscape in New Developments SPD  [PDF, 1.5MB]- adopted March 2010

This SPD was adopted by us to provide guidance to support previously adopted Development Plan Documents that have now been superseded by the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. This document is still a material consideration when making planning decisions, with the weight in decision making to be determined having regard to consistency with national planning guidance and the adopted South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018.

What are SPDs?

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are intended to expand upon policy or provide further detail to policies in adopted Development Plan Documents (DPDs). When adopted, SPDs form part of the Local Development Framework but do not have development plan status and are not subject to independent examination.

What is the Landscape in New Developments SPD?

The Landscape in New Developments SPD expands on district-wide policies included in the Development Control Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) and policies in individual Area Action Plans for major developments that may vary from the district-wide policies. These policies seek to ensure that landscaping is adequately addressed throughout the development process.

The Landscape in New Developments SPD also builds on national policy: Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, and Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning and the Historic Environment. These promote sustainable, well designed, development that ensures landscape and biodiversity are at the heart to help create green spaces for people and wildlife, to contribute to a high quality natural and built environment, and contribute to a better quality of life.

Landscaping should not be peripheral to the planning process but fully integrated into the design stages. The Landscape in New Developments SPD seeks to ensure consideration is given, wherever possible, to the retention of landscaping features within developments, or to incorporating new planting into new designs. Landscaping is a valuable addition to any development, often helping to create accessible green spaces for wildlife and people.

Adoption of the Landscape in New Developments SPD

We adopted the Affordable Housing SPD on 2 March 2010.

The adopted SPD takes account of any representations received during the six-week period of public consultation undertaken in October-December 2009. To see a summary of each representation received and our response to each representation, visit Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders Meeting - 2 March 2010.

Adoption Documents