Have your say on the Stapleford and Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan consultation

Residents are being invited to comment on a new Neighbourhood Plan for Stapleford and Great Shelford to ensure the areas remain a vibrant community for everyone who lives and works there.

The Plan sets out a vision to guide future development while protecting and enhancing local homes, the environment and community assets like playing fields.

A consultation runs from 9am on Wednesday 18 December 2024 to 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025. Everyone is invited to have their say.

The Neighbourhood 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. The Plan’s vision includes:

• Stapleford and Great Shelford to become thriving villages by 2041, distinct from Cambridge, where people want to live, work, shop and play.
• Valuing and protecting the landscape.
• Improving biodiversity leading to a reduction in climate change impact.
• Modest new development that is sensitively and sustainably designed and focuses on housing needs, in particular affordable housing.
• New amenities and infrastructure to meet the needs of the population. including a safe and sustainable travel network supporting everyday journeys and healthy recreation.

One of the District Councillors for Great Shelford and Stapleford, Cllr Peter Fane, said: "The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, acting on behalf of Stapleford and Great Shelford parish councils, has done an enormous amount of work over the last six years to bring the Neighbourhood Plan to this stage. The group has held a number of consultations with the local community and local businesses, and we believe this document genuinely reflects local opinion about the future development of the two villages."

Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council, 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.

Neighbourhood Plans are developed by local communities with support from the District 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.

Neighbourhood Plans 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.

Neighbourhood 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 an opportunity 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.

Get involved

• Comments can be submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council between 9am on Wednesday 18 December 2024 and 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025. Please comment using the online consultation system.
  
  
• During the consultation, the Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents are available online or in person at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne by appointment only. Call 01954 713000.
  
  
• Write to Planning Policy Team, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6EA
  
  
• Documents can be viewed at Great Shelford Library, 10-12 Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, CB22 5LZ, during opening hours.
  
  
• Email planning@greatercambridgeplanning.org