Policy GP/GB: Protection and enhancement of the Cambridge Green Belt

The Cambridge

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

plays an important role in maintaining the special qualities of Cambridge as a historic city and the surrounding area.

Whilst national policy sets of the purposes of

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

, the Cambridge

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

has particular purposes, and was established to protect the historic city and its setting. The 'Cambridge

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

Purposes', were established by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan (2003) and have been carried forward into subsequent Local Plans, including the most recent 2018 Local Plans.  The

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

Assessment (2021) considered that these purposes were still relevant and they were used to assess the potential harm of new development.

National policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework will be applied when considering proposals for development in the

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

.  This establishes that some forms of development are not inappropriate in the

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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 where development is inappropriate it should not be approved except in very special circumstances.

National planning policy also requires local planning authorities to plan positively to enhance their beneficial use, such as looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land. Such opportunities are being explored, in particular through the

Green Infrastructure is a multi-functional network of public green spaces and routes, landscapes, biodiversity and heritage. It includes a wide range of elements such as country parks, wildlife habitats, rights of way, commons and greens, nature reserves, waterways and bodies of water, and historic landscapes and monuments.

theme in this consultation.

Much of the feedback received in the First Conversation in relation to the

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

was about whether it should be released for development or not. There was recognition of the value it provides, providing a setting for the historic city, but also providing open space. Whilst many expressed strong views that it should be protected, others highlighted the potential benefits in terms of sustainability of releasing land for development when compared to other locations. This is considered further in the Strategy section of this consultation.

No policy– Not considered a reasonable alternative due to the need to provide a clear policy framework specific to the Cambridge

A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

.

• 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 5: Great Places
• Cambridge

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

  Assessment (2021)

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 S/4: Cambridge

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

• Policy NH/8: Mitigating the Impact of

  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.

  in and Adjoining the

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

• Policy NH/9: Redevelopment of Previously Developed Sites and Infilling in the

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

• Policy NH/10: Facilities for Recreation in the

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

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

• Policy 4: The Cambridge

  A statutory designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped, the Green Belt has five purposes: 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.

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.