Policy S/AMC/FD: Fen Drayton Former Land Settlement Association Estate

1. Within the former Land Settlement Association estate at Fen Drayton, as defined on the Policies Map, planning permission for the redevelopment of existing buildings (excluding glasshouses) will be permitted provided that: 

  a. It can be demonstrated that the buildings are no longer needed for agricultural purposes; 

  b. The development would not occupy a larger footprint than the existing buildings that are being replaced; 

  c. Any new dwellings proposed should be no higher than two residential storeys plus a roof, resulting in a maximum building height of 9 metres.

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 for non-residential buildings should also be no higher than 9 metres; 

  d .

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 should have regard to the following key development and design principles from the Fen Drayton Former LSA SPD: 

    i. Be located having regard to their impact on the unique rural character of the LSA. 

    ii. Along the existing Cootes Lane, Middleton Way and Mill Road frontages, infill between existing dwellings with contemporary buildings will not be appropriate. Any new buildings should be located away from the road frontages, be a minimum of 10 metres from the rear of existing dwellings, and respect the height, massing, scale, rhythm and style of the existing buildings. 

    iii. Along Oaktree and Springhill Road, infill development along the road frontage will be permitted subject to any new buildings being designed to respect the architectural design, massing, scale, rhythm and style of the existing buildings. 

    iv. Each new dwelling should have a dedicated garden area and a separate dedicated area of land that could be used as an allotment. 

The Land Settlement Association (LSA) was created in the 1930s to carry out an experimental scheme for the provision of smallholdings for unemployed persons, with financial assistance from the Government. The legacy of the experiment is a network of smallholdings with dwellings along the road frontages, a collection of glasshouses and outbuildings in varying states of repair, and large areas of unused land. Earlier development plans for South Cambridgeshire identified the former LSA estate at Fen Drayton as a location for experimental and ground-breaking forms of sustainable living. As set out in the climate change theme, building standards across the whole area are now catching up, so new proposals will not be so ground-breaking. However, it is considered that a policy is still needed to provide a context for this area in light of the specific circumstances of the site. 

A Fen Drayton Former LSA Estate Supplementary Planning Document has been adopted providing further guidance on this site, including defining and explaining key terms within the policy and identifying eligible buildings. 

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.

Sites Topic Paper

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.