Decisions

The purpose of this decision is to agree Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update (see Appendix A).

Local plans must be reviewed at least every five years from the date of a plan’s adoption.  A review of the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Local Plans has been undertaken and was published in June 2023.  Work began on the joint Greater Cambridge Local Plan (GCLP) in 2019, as set out in the adopted plans, and, consequently, a process for the replacement of both plans is underway.

The key purpose of the review agreed by Cabinet in June 2023 was to assess whether there were any relevant changes in national policy that might have a bearing on the weight accorded to adopted policies in determining development proposals.  A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in December 2024.  It is necessary, therefore, to update the original review to take account of any changes in the latest NPPF version that might have a bearing on the weight accorded to the adopted plans’ policies.

The outcome of the updated review is that the vast majority of policies in both adopted plans remain consistent with national policy and, therefore, can be given full weight until replaced by policies in the GCLP.  The small number of exceptions principally relate to subsequent changes to national policy, with a limited number of these arising from the most recent changes to the NPPF.

To agree Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update (see Appendix A).

Purpose

1.     The purpose of this report is:

a.     To agree the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply Report (Appendix 1 of this decision) to be published on the Councils’ shared planning service website. The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and housing land supply calculations have been prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council, consistent with the adopted Local Plans.

b.     To delegate any further minor editing changes to the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply Report to the Joint Director for Planning where they are technical matters.

Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply

2.     National planning policy requires all local planning authorities with an adopted plan of more than five years old to identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to deliver a minimum of five years’ worth of housing against their local housing need calculated using the standard method. National planning policy also sets out a requirement to provide a buffer of 5% or 20%, depending on historic housing delivery.

3.     The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory is used by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council to calculate their housing land supply and also to show anticipated housing delivery against their housing requirement in the adopted Local Plans. The Councils have prepared the Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and five-year supply calculations based on national planning policy and guidance for housing trajectories, five-year supply calculations, and the standard method for calculating local housing need.

4.     The housing land supply for Greater Cambridge has been calculated:

a.     based on their local housing need (from the standard method, published by the Government in December 2024), as the adopted Local Plans are now more than five years old,

b.     jointly for Greater Cambridge, as set out in the adopted Local Plans, and

c.     with a 5% buffer, as set out in national planning policy.

5.     The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and housing land supply calculations show that jointly for Greater Cambridge, the Councils have 5.5 years of housing land supply for the 2025-2030 period. The Councils have taken a robust and conservative approach to assessing the deliverability and / or developability of each of the sites in the Greater Cambridge housing trajectory.

6.     National planning policy and guidance sets out the circumstances where planning policies should be considered out of date when making decisions on planning applications, and this includes where the Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. On the basis of the housing land supply calculations in the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply Report (which is Appendix 1 of this decision), this does not apply to Cambridge or South Cambridgeshire, as the Councils jointly have 5.5 years of housing land supply.

7.     The Cambridge Local Plan 2018 sets a housing requirement of 14,000 homes to be delivered between 2011 and 2031. The new housing trajectory shows that 14,202 dwellings are expected to be delivered in Cambridge between 2011 and 2031, based on current information on anticipated phasing and delivery of sites. The South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 sets a housing requirement of 19,500 dwellings to be delivered between 2011 and 2031. The new housing trajectory shows that 24,096 dwellings are expected to be delivered in South Cambridgeshire between 2011 and 2031, based on current information on anticipated phasing and delivery of sites. Together the Local Plans set a housing requirement of 33,500 homes between 2011 and 2031 for Greater Cambridge. The new housing trajectory shows that 38,298 dwellings are expected to be delivered between 2011 and 2031.The Councils have already started preparing a new Greater Cambridge Local Plan, and as part of this the Councils are considering the appropriate level of housing need for Greater Cambridge, along with where development should be located and the specific sites to deliver new homes.

Next Steps

8.     Once agreed by the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council and the Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply document (April 2025) will be published on the Councils’ shared planning service website.

That the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning agrees:

(a) the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply Report (Appendix 1 of this decision) to be published on the Councils’ shared planning service website; and

(b) to delegate any further minor editing changes to the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Housing Land Supply Report to the Joint Director for Planning where they are technical matters.

Purpose

1.     The purpose of this report is:

a.     To agree the Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register 2024 to be published on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service website. The register will comprise a spreadsheet (Appendix 1 of this decision) and accompanying spatial data.

2.     The Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council is also being asked to agree the Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register 2024 via a parallel decision.

Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register and national guidelines

3.     The government’s Planning Practice Guidance sets out clear parameters for the compilation and publication of brownfield land registers.

4.     The purpose of brownfield land registers is to provide up-to-date and consistent information on sites that local authorities consider to be appropriate for residential development having regard to the criteria set out in national regulations. Registers should be published locally as open data and will provide transparent information about suitable and available sites.

5.     National regulations require local planning authorities in England to prepare, maintain and publish registers of previously developed (brownfield) land. Previously developed land is defined in Annex 2 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Previously developed land is also referred to as brownfield land.

6.     Brownfield land registers can contain two parts. Part 1 comprises all brownfield sites that a local planning authority has assessed as appropriate for residential development. This will include sites with extant full or outline planning permission, prior approval permissions, allocations in the adopted Local Plans and Area Action Plans, sites with permission in principle and other sites considered suitable for residential development. Part 2 is a subset of Part 1 and comprises only those sites in Part 1 where the local planning authority has decided that the land would be suitable for a grant of permission in principle for residential development. The Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register does not include a Part 2, as no sites were identified in the register where it was deemed appropriate to grant permission in principle.

7.     Sites should be included in the register where they are at least 0.25 hectares in area or are capable of supporting at least five dwellings. Sites must also be suitable and available for residential development. Residential development of the land must be considered achievable (within 15 years). Local planning authorities should also have regard to the development plan, national policies and advice, and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

8.     Local planning authorities are not required to undertake consultation in relation to sites they propose to include only in Part 1 of registers. However, they are required to review and update the register at least annually.

9.     The information to be included in brownfield land registers is set out in national regulations. The format requirements are set out in the brownfield land register data standard published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Local planning authorities are encouraged to publish their Register in this format to enable compliance with requests for information issued by the Secretary of State.

10.  The Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register has been compiled in line with Planning Practice Guidance. It contains details of over 100 sites in each of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, that have planning permission or are allocations in the adopted plans. The previous registers have been reviewed. Existing entries have been amended as appropriate to reflect development activity on these sites. Recent planning decisions have been examined to identify new entries for the register. Where planning permissions have lapsed or been built they are not removed from the register, however a date is entered in the ‘End date’ column to signify that the permission is considered closed.

11.  The Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register contains two registers. One covers Cambridge and the other covers South Cambridgeshire. They will be published as separate spreadsheets to comply with government requirements.

Next Steps

12.  Once agreed by the Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council and the Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, the Greater Cambridge Brownfield Land Register 2024 will be published on the Greater Cambridgeshire Shared Planning Service website.

That the Cabinet Member for Planning agrees:

1. The Greater Cambridge Brownfield Register - spreadsheet (Appendix 1 of this decision) and accompanying spatial data - to be published on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service website.
2. To delegate any further minor editing changes to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development to ensure consistency of approach between the two Brownfield Registers.

South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) is submitting a Statement of Case in response to the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application for the Cambourne to Cambridge Busway. This scheme, proposed by Cambridgeshire County Council, includes a new segregated busway, a Park and Ride facility at Scotland Farm, and a multi-use path for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians along its route.

As the Local Planning Authority (LPA), SCDC has a key role in ensuring that the proposal aligns with local planning policies, supports sustainable development, and addresses potential impacts on Cambridge’s communities and environment.

While the majority of the proposed development lies within the South Cambridgeshire administrative boundary, it has important implications for Cambridge, particularly in relation to transport connectivity, environmental impacts, and integration with existing infrastructure. SCDC supports the principle of improving sustainable transport links between Cambourne and Cambridge.

The Statement of Case is required by the Department of Transport on the 19th of March 2025.

To approve the Statement of Case with any minor amendments to be delegated to the Director of Planning.

SCDC has an allocation of £200,000 to deliver the Improving the High Street Grant Scheme in South Cambridgeshire.

The project aims to improve the aesthetics of our local high streets and small neighbourhood shopping areas, to promote rejuvenation, encourage residents to shop locally, and to attract more local businesses to the area. This scheme will allow Local Businesses, Community Groups and Parish Councils in South Cambridgeshire to apply for grants between £5,000- £20,000 per project.

The CPCA is the lead authority for delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The scheme was open for application from the 13^{th of} November 2024 to the 18^{th of} January 2025 and 6 applications were received. Applications have undergone due diligence checks and were assessed by an Officer scoring panel as agreed by Cabinet on the 3^rd of December 2024. 

The Officer’s scoring panel have recommended the following applications to the Chief Operating Officer (as the delegated officer) for sign of;

1. Fulin Restaurant Limited trading as The Chequers Orwell, (JFBPRRTT) to be approved and funded £5,099  Tower Green Road, Orwell
2. The Pheasant Ltd (DFPPMCTB) to be approved and funded £12,881  High Street, Great Chishill
3. Longstanton Parish Council (LNXDQSXF)  to be approved and funded £17,351.16  High Street, Longstanton
4. Bechecombers Hair Salon Ltd, (CRCTRDKP) to be approved and funded £17,239  High Street Histon
5. Cambourne Town Council (JMTBRVSV) to be approved and funded £20,000, High Street Cambourne.

To accept the recommendations of the Officer Panel.

At their meeting on 27 February 2025, the Grants Advisory Committee reviewed a report setting out applications to the Net Zero Villages Grant scheme.

That the following applications be awarded funding in the sums shown below: 

That, in line with the report’s recommendation, no awards be made to the remaining applications listed below.

The purpose of this decision is to ensure flexible, small grants reach communities to help set up Community Growing projects. A report containing full details of the grant was submitted to the Grants Advisory Committee for their meeting of 25 April 2024.

To create a flexible, small grants fund totalling £5,000 to the end of the 2025/26 financial year. The scheme will be funded using money assigned by Cabinet from SCDC reserves on 23 March 2023 to support cost of living projects. This will cover the full costs. 

Applications will be assessed by officers within two weeks to ensure a quick turnaround.  Criteria, guidance, and an application form has been created.

The fund will result in small (up to £500) grants to Parish Councils, constituted community groups, schools, and informal groups (the latter where there is written support for the project from the Parish Council or the District Ward member).

On 27 February 2025 the Grants Advisory Committee reviewed all Community Chest applications received between 7 January 2025 and 7 February 2025.

Two applications were brought forward in ‘Appendix A’ of the meeting reports pack.

After consideration of the application, the Committee recommended to the Lead Cabinet Member for Resources that:

1.     The George Long Charity for Swavesey Memorial Hall (XDXJQTCM) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £456

2.     Ickleton Lion Community Pub (FJKJGGMM) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £1,844.25.

To accept the recommendations of the Grants Advisory Committee as follows:

1.         The George Long Charity for Swavesey Memorial Hall (XDXJQTCM) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £456

2.         Ickleton Lion Community Pub (FJKJGGMM) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £1,844.25.