Policy S/AMC/GT: Optimisation of Gypsy and Traveller sites

1.

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 that optimise the use of land for Gypsy and Traveller pitches at Chesterton Fen Road (Milton) and Smithy Fen (Cottenham), as shown on the Policies Map, will be supported where: 

  a. Intensification, expansion or reconfiguration of authorised pitches creates a positive, balanced and attractive environment with a material improvement in health, safety, living conditions and amenities for the existing residents and neighbouring occupiers, and 

  b. An increase in pitches does not exceed the maximum practical capacity for the site, having regard to: 

    i. its layout, design and amenities. 

    ii. its vehicular access, and the space within the site for the safe movement of caravans, vehicles (including emergency vehicles and refuse/recycling vehicles), pedestrians and cyclists. 

    iii. at Chesterton Fen Road, the implications of additional traffic created by the proposed development on the Fen Road level crossing. 

  c. The landscaping and layout of the proposed development improves the appearance and quality of the environment in the area, and minimises unacceptable visual intrusion and other adverse impacts on neighbouring uses; 

  d. Appropriate ecological enhancement is included to deliver

The variety of life in all its forms. This includes the plant and animal species that make up our wildlife and the habitats in which they live.

Net Gain; and 

  e. The proposed development meets the requirements of Policy H/GT: Gypsy and Traveller pitches and

Members of a group organised for the purposes of holding fairs, circuses or shows (whether or not travelling together as such). This includes such persons who on the grounds of their own or their family’s or dependants’ more localised pattern of trading, educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, but excludes Gypsies and Travellers.

plots. 

Our evidence shows that there is an identified need for additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches within

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

, but that there are also existing vacant pitches and pitches that are not being occupied by those meeting the definition of a Gypsy and Traveller. It is therefore important that we optimise the use of our existing authorised sites at Chesterton Fen Road (Milton) and Smithy Fen (Cottenham), which have significant numbers of vacant pitches and / or Gypsy and Traveller pitches that are not being occupied by those meeting the definition of a Gypsy and Traveller. 

Within these areas, there is scope to improve the health, safety, living conditions and amenities for the existing residents as well as neighbouring occupiers and uses through the intensification, expansion or reconfiguration of authorised pitches, whilst also ensuring that the maximum practical capacity for each of the areas is not exceeded. The aspiration is to sensitively and appropriately optimise the use of land within these areas to create well-designed and appropriately used Gypsy and Traveller pitches that contribute towards meeting our identified needs, with an associated improvement in the ecology and appearance and quality of the environment in these areas, and the minimisation of unacceptable visual intrusion and other adverse impacts on neighbouring uses. 

This policy does not repeat the requirements for proposals for Gypsy and Traveller pitches or sites that are set out in Policy H/GT: Gypsy and Traveller pitches and

Members of a group organised for the purposes of holding fairs, circuses or shows (whether or not travelling together as such). This includes such persons who on the grounds of their own or their family’s or dependants’ more localised pattern of trading, educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, but excludes Gypsies and Travellers.

plots, however, the requirements relating to proposals for new Gypsy and Traveller pitches on unallocated sites set out within that policy also apply within these two areas at Chesterton Fen Road and Smithy Fen. Any proposals for Gypsy and Traveller pitches within the

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/or within areas of flood risk will be considered against the relevant national and local planning policies. 

The Councils will continue to explore whether there are other authorised Gypsy and Traveller pitches or sites that can also be optimised, and which this policy can apply to as part of the Proposed Submission

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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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.