Have a say on Stapleford and Great Shelford neighbourhood plan
Residents are being invited to comment on a blueprint to guide future development in Stapleford and Great Shelford.
A consultation on the neighbourhood plan is under way and runs until 5pm on Wednesday, 12 February.
The plan has been developed by Stapleford and Great Shelford parish councils and, once finalised and adopted, will be referred to when making decisions on local planning applications.
Cllr Dr Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s lead cabinet member for planning, said: “Neighbourhood plans are about building great places in our communities, so we want it to reflect the needs and hopes of everyone who lives or works here. This is your chance to tell us what’s important to you – whether it’s housing, parks, transport or something else.
“We want to hear your thoughts to make sure the plan works for everyone as best as possible. Please take a moment to share your ideas during the consultation. Every decision in the local plan affects our community for years to come, so it’s important it reflects people’s needs and priorities.”
The plan’s vision includes valuing and protecting the landscape, improving biodiversity and modest new development that is sensitively and sustainably designed, and focuses on housing needs, in particular affordable housing.
Neighbourhood plans are developed by local communities with support from the council and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning. They have an equal status to the adopted Local Plan and, once finalised and adopted, are used when making decisions on planning applications.
They can help communities influence development and protect biodiversity as part of the nature recovery network across Greater Cambridge, contributing towards the ambition to double the amount of land managed for nature in the area.
However, the plans must conform in general terms to the strategic policies in the Local Plan for the area and cannot propose less development overall than the Local Plan puts forward.
The consultation is a chance for the public to comment before the plan is examined by an independent planning examiner, who will test it against basic conditions set out in national regulations. The plan will then need to be passed by a referendum before being adopted.
During the consultation, the plan and its supporting documents are available online or in person at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne by appointment only.
Documents can also be viewed at Great Shelford Library during opening hours.
Email neighbourhood.planning@greatercambridgeplanning.org for more. Visit tinyurl.com/283ey6xh to respond to the consultation.
