Policy J/AL: Protecting the best agricultural land

1. Planning permission will not be granted for development which would lead to the irreversible loss of Grades 1, 2 or 3a agricultural land unless: 

  a. The land is allocated for development in 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.

or a

A plan prepared by a parish council or neighbourhood forum for a designated neighbourhood area. This is described as a neighbourhood development plan in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

; 

  b. Sustainability considerations and the need for the development clearly outweigh the impacts of the loss of the economic and other benefits of the land, and the development cannot be located on areas of poorer quality land. 

2. Uses not involving substantial built development but which take agricultural land will be regarded as permanent unless restricted specifically by condition including reinstatement to its pre-development quality. 

3. When considering proposals for the change of use or diversification of farmland, particular consideration shall be given to the potential for impact upon Priority Species and Habitats.

Agricultural land classification (ALC) is a system used to assess and categorise land based on its suitability for agricultural use. There are five grades, with Grades 1, 2, and 3a regarded as the ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land, which should therefore be protected. 

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

has a significant resource of good quality agricultural land. This is a valuable resource that needs to be protected. The sector is a key economic and environmental resource with the total farmed area of

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

just under 72,000 hectares in 2024. 

Much of the best agricultural land lies around Cambridge and the larger settlements, which may be the most sustainable locations for future development. The need to identify and maintain a supply of land for development means there is pressure for development of agricultural land. 

Farmland is also an important biodiversity asset for

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

. South Cambridgeshire being still a largely rural district has a large proportion of open farmland which has a variety of habitats on both high and low grade agricultural land. This provides an extensive biodiversity resource for the district. Due to the pressures of increasing land use and the past needs of intensive cultivation, the farmland of the district in places is under severe stress and this resource needs to be protected. 

Priority Species and Habitats are those that are identified within the list of priority habitats and species in England (‘Section 41 habitats and species’) and detailed more fully in the list of UK BAP priority habitats. 

• 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.

  Topic Paper 6: Jobs (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.