Two new Neighbourhood Plans for Stapleford & Great Shelford and Harston have been adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council, helping to shape future development in these neighbourhood areas.
Both plans were prepared by local community Neighbourhood Plan steering groups, working with the parish councils and support from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning.
Referendums for the Stapleford & Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan and Harston Neighbourhood Plan were held on 4 September 2025. Residents voted in favour of both plans being made (adopted), meaning they will now be used to help decide planning applications in their villages.
On Thursday 2 October 2025, both Neighbourhood Plans were formally made (adopted) at a Full District Council meeting.
Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see both Harston and Stapleford & Great Shelford communities take such an active role in shaping their future. These Neighbourhood Plans reflect local priorities and will help ensure that development is sensitive to the character and needs of each village.”
Stapleford and Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan
The plan’s vision for 2041 sees Stapleford and Great Shelford as thriving, distinct villages where people live, work, shop and play. New development will be modest, sustainably and sensitively designed, and focused on meeting local housing needs (particularly affordable housing). The villages landscape setting will be protected, and biodiversity will be improved alongside reducing environmental impacts. Safe, sustainable travel networks and improved local amenities and infrastructure will support the needs of the local population.
The vision is supported by 10 themed objectives and 20 policies that seek to deliver it. The plan sets out a range of planning policies that cover many issues important to the local community, including policies which seek to:
- protect and enhance the existing landscape and settlement character of the neighbourhood area
- improve the provision and suitability of housing to meet the needs of existing and future residents
- ensure development proposals are of a high-quality design and positively contribute to the unique character of Stapleford and Great Shelford
- support active travel, with policies to improve walking and cycling routes
- encourage biodiversity enhancements, such as wildlife corridors
Jenny Flynn, Chair of the Stapleford & Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: "The Stapleford and Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan represents 3 and a half years of hard work by a community resolved to have a role in shaping its own future. I am very proud that, at referendum in September 2025, it was supported by 95% of those who voted. Thanks are due to everyone who helped us get to this point, particularly the residents of our villages who shared their wishes, wants and worries for the future with us."
Harston Neighbourhood Plan
Harston’s Neighbourhood Plan aims to preserve the village’s rural charm and historic character, while enhancing its green belt setting for all to enjoy. It promotes sustainable, well-designed development that meets local needs and supports biodiversity. The Plan also encourages improved community facilities and better transport links, including safe cycleways and footpaths to connect residents and support active lifestyles.
The vision is supported by 18 objectives across eight themes. The plan outlines a series of planning policies addressing key issues identified by the local community, including policies which seek to:
- protect and enhance the landscape character and setting in and around Harston
- preserve the character of Harston historic core and, conserve and enhance key views and heritage assets
- protect open spaces in the village and take opportunities to improve open space provision
- improve existing, and support the delivery of, active travel infrastructure to enhance connections to surrounding villages
- take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, ensuring that proposals within the village are designed to enable low-carbon living and reduce flood risk
Cllr Paru Naik, Chair of the Harston Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, commented: “We are so proud, as a village, to have come together to create and complete our Neighbourhood Plan. It truly reflects the spirit of our community - thoughtful, committed, and forward-looking. This plan gives us a strong foundation to build on, helping us protect what we love while shaping a future we can all look forward to.”
Cllr Lisa Redrup, a District Councillor for the Harston and Comberton ward, added: “This is a great achievement by Harston that reflects the huge commitment of those who have driven it forward to an adopted plan. It’s based on a positive vision for the future of Harston, including maintaining the village character, improving community facilities and connectivity, and creating affordable and sustainable housing opportunities, that achieved the support of over 95% of residents who voted in the Referendum.”
Neighbourhood Plans help communities shape development and protect, enhance and improve aspects of the neighbourhood area. They carry the same weight in planning decision-making as the Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire.
These Neighbourhood Plans join the Former Land Settlement Association Estate at Great Abington, Cottenham, Histon and Impington, Foxton, Gamlingay, Waterbeach, West Wickham, Fulbourn, Pampisford and Thriplow and Heathfield which have already been adopted in Greater Cambridge.
More guidance is available on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service website for those considering preparing a plan for their community.
View all news