Adopted Development Plan - Overview

What is an Adopted Development Plan?

Planning policies and proposals that guide the development and use of land in the district are set out in the Adopted Development Plan. All planning decisions in South Cambridgeshire need to be made in accordance with the planning policies included in the Adopted Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Our Adopted Development Plans

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Local Plan

This sets out the planning policies that provide a framework for all minerals and waste developments in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and is prepared jointly by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.

The following document is part of the adopted development plan:

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted 28 July 2021)

There are other Minerals and Waste planning policy documents that do not form part of the adopted development plan, such as Supplementary Planning Documents and the Local Development Scheme. These documents are available to view on the Cambridgeshire County Council's planning policy.

South Cambridgeshire Local Plan

The South Cambridgeshire Local Plan was adopted in September 2018. It sets out the planning policies and land allocations to guide the future development of the district up to 2031. The Local Plan includes policies on a wide range of topics such as housing, employment, services and facilities and the natural environment.

Northstowe Area Action Plan

The Northstowe Area Action Plan was adopted July 2007. The plan sets out the planning policies to guide the development of the new town of Northstowe.

Cambridge East Area Action Plan

The Cambridge East Area Action Planwas adopted February 2008. The plan sets out the planning policies to guide the proposed development on the eastern edge of Cambridge around Cambridge Airport, and was prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council.

Cambridge Southern Fringe Area Action Plan

The Cambridge Southern Fringe Area Action Planwas adopted in February 2008. The plan sets out the planning policies to guide the development on the southern edge of Cambridge at Trumpington Meadows.

North West Cambridge Area Action Plan

The North West Cambridge Area Action Plan was adopted in October 2009. The plan sets out the planning policies to guide the development on the north western edge of Cambridge for housing, student accommodation, and new faculty buildings for the University of Cambridge, and was prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council.

Neighbourhood Plans

The following Neighbourhood Plans have been 'made' (adopted) and set out planning policies to guide development in their area:

Great Abington Former Land Settlement Association Estate Neighbourhood Plan (made February 2019)
Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan (made in May 2021)
Histon and Impington Neighbourhood Plan (made in May 2021)
Foxton Neighbourhood Plan (made in August 2021)
Waterbeach Neighbourhood Plan (made in March 2022)
West Wickham Neighbourhood Plan (made in September 2022)
Gamlingay Neighbourhood Plan (made in November 2022)
Fulbourn Neighbourhood Plan (made in March 2023)

Adopted Policies Map

The Adopted Policies Map illustrates geographically the application of spatial policies in the adopted Development Plan: the allocations for development and policy areas to which a specific policy applies.