Policy GP/LC: Protection and enhancement of landscape character

1. All new development proposals must: 

  a. protect, conserve and enhance the local landscape character as set out in the

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

Landscape Character Assessment (2021) Part A and Part B or successor documents; 

  b. consider the cumulative effects of development to avoid incremental harm to local landscape character; 

  c. protect, conserve and enhance features that positively contribute to the quality and character of the area so that any negative impacts on the landscape are avoided, reduced or mitigated on site; 

  d. protect and enhance the setting of Cambridge within the landscape by strengthening the well defined, vegetated edges of the city and by protecting and enhancing the green corridors which extend into the city and along the River Cam corridor; 

  e. protect and enhance the setting of the villages through sympathetic landscape design of the village edges and green spaces within village boundaries. 

2.

Important Countryside Frontages are defined as areas where land with a rural character either extends into or borders a built-up area, providing an interaction between the street area and countryside, or separates two nearby but detached parts of the built-up area.

are identified on the Policies Map and are in villages where land with a strong countryside character either: 

  f. penetrates or sweeps into the built-up area providing a significant connection between the built environment and the surrounding rural area; 

  g. provides an important rural break between two nearby but detached parts of a development framework; 

3. Planning permission for development will be refused if it would compromise these purposes. 

The

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

landscape is varied with intimate river valleys, open fens, wooded claylands and ridges, and rolling chalk hills. Cambridge is a distinctive historic university city, built around the banks of the River Cam and is surrounded by rural landscapes and the characterful villages of South Cambridgeshire. 

The policy aims to ensure that the varied and distinctive landscape character is properly considered in planning decisions. Developments should respond positively to the local landscape character and take opportunities to enhance and reinforce the landscape character. Applicants should refer to the

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

Landscape Character Assessment (2021) Part A and Part B which examined in detail the physical, human and cultural influences that have shaped the evolution and character of the landscape today. The assessment identified Landscape Character Areas, each with a distinct local identity and sense of place. Detailed information is provided about each character area, including the condition of the landscape, key sensitivities and guidance on landscape management and integration of development into the landscape. 

New development can provide opportunities to enhance the landscape on the edges of settlements. The edges of the villages are an important transition between the built environment and the wider, rural landscape and require sensitive design to protect and enhance the setting of the settlements and the countryside beyond. The River Cam corridor and other green corridors penetrate the urban area of Cambridge and are extremely important to the setting and unique character of Cambridge. Whilst these corridors are also protected by

A statutory designation made for the purposes of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns from merging into each other, assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, preserving the setting and special character of historic towns and assisting in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. Specific Green Belt purposes have been set out for Cambridge.

and open space designations, all developments adjacent to these corridors must provide high quality, sensitive landscape design to protect, conserve and enhance the landscape character of these important features. 

In many South Cambridgeshire villages there are places and features, defined as

Important Countryside Frontages are defined as areas where land with a rural character either extends into or borders a built-up area, providing an interaction between the street area and countryside, or separates two nearby but detached parts of the built-up area.

, where landscape with a strong countryside character penetrates the village or separates two parts of a village. Such land enhances the setting, character and appearance of the village by retaining the sense of connection between the village and its rural surroundings. The locations where this occurs are defined on the Policies Map to indicate that the frontage and the open countryside beyond should be kept open and free from development. In most cases the land adjoins the village built-up area but, in some cases, it separates two parts of the village, and the open intervening land therefore assumes an importance for the character of the entire village. 

• Great Cambridge

  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.

  : Great Places Topic Paper (2025)

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

  Landscape Character Assessment (2011) Part A and Part B

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.