Policy H/HM: Housing mix

1. A varied choice, type and mix of housing will be provided to meet the needs of different groups in the community, including families with children, older people, those seeking their first home, people wishing to build their own homes, people seeking private rented sector housing, and people with disabilities. Unless an alternative mix has been justified as part of a planning application, developments of 10 or more units should provide the following housing mix: 

For Cambridge

For South Cambridgeshire

2. Deviations from the above housing mixes will be allowed where an alternative mix is justified, having regard to the location and character of the area, the built form of the new development, the nature or type of development being proposed, the viability of delivery given site-specific constraints or requirements, changes in affordable and market housing demand in the local area, and the existing housing mix in the surrounding area. 

3. The mix of homes to be provided on sites of 9 homes or fewer must take account of housing demand in the local area, the existing housing mix in the surrounding area, and the character of the local area. 

4.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

proposals will be supported where a mix of housing types (e.g. houses, flats and bungalows) are provided proportionally across all market and affordable tenures, taking account of the local character and built form and up-to-date evidence of housing need.

In order to deliver a wide choice of high-quality homes that help to satisfy a diverse range of housing needs and create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities, it is important that the plan promotes a mix of housing based on the needs of different groups in the community. 

The housing stock across Greater Cambridgeshire has traditionally comprised larger detached or semi-detached homes. The high cost of housing locally also affects the size of homes that people can afford to live in, even if they would prefer or have a need for a particular property size; it is important to provide for everyone’s needs in order to maintain mixed and balanced communities. Therefore, the policy sets out housing mix requirements for residential development of 10 or more dwelling units in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge, which should be used as the basis for the housing mix of new developments, unless an alternative mix can be justified. For proposals of 9 or fewer dwelling units, the Local Planning Authority will expect applicants to justify their proposals on the basis of local needs and circumstances. 

There are cases where the above housing mix may not be suitable in meeting a particular, identified need; the housing mix may not be appropriate to apply to developments of a nature intended for a particular community need, including student accommodation, some residential institutions, custom and self-build housing, or other types of specialist housing for different groups in the community (such as older people, looked-after children, or other groups identified by national planning policy). Deviations from the stated housing mix may also be allowed if an alternative housing mix can be justified because of the site’s location and site constraints, such as within the centre of Cambridge where a higher density of development may be more appropriate or in locations where an alternative mix is needed to ensure the development is viable. 

Deviations from the housing mix stated within the policy will only be allowed where sufficient, robust evidence is provided as part of a planning application to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. 

In some special circumstances, the Local Planning Authority may use planning conditions or other planning instruments to protect the housing mix of developments that have been designed to meet a particular community need. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Homes Topic Paper (2025)

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Housing Strategy 2024-2029: Homes for Our Future and Annexes 1-8
• Housing Needs of Specific Groups in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.