Policy J/RE: Supporting the rural economy

It is important that the plan restricts the scale of development in the countryside where large scale development would be unsustainable. Rural buildings, such as farm buildings no longer needed for agriculture, provide opportunities for conversion for employment uses in the district, and provide a way of supporting the rural economy and making best use of an existing resource.

The plan also needs to support land-based businesses and farms to continue to thrive. To do this many have diversified into other business areas. They also need to continue to adapt to respond to climate change and to new Government funding schemes.  It is important that diversification proposals are well founded in terms of effectively contributing to the agricultural business and the rural economy and integrating new activities into the environment and the rural scene.

Diversification and the re-use of farm buildings were not addressed specifically in our First Conversation consultation. However, we did receive feedback that supported market gardening and farming, including to produce local food and reduce food miles.

1. No policy – This is not the preferred approach, as not including a policy would not provide sufficient support to land based businesses, or the re-use of buildings.

2. Greater flexibility for residential uses of rural buildings – This is not the preferred approach. Current policy requires buildings for be effectively marketed for employment first. Removing this preference would reduce the opportunities to support the rural economy and encourage residential development in the countryside where there is greater reliance on the private car to access everyday services.

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

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 6: Jobs

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy E/17: Conversion or Replacement of Rural Buildings for Employment
• Policy E/18: Farm Diversification

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 - None

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.