Consultation is open from 3 August 2026 9:00am to 25 September 2026 5:00pm
Policy GP/HD: Housing density
1. Development proposals must make efficient use of land through applying appropriate development densities that reflect local character and context through a design-led approach. In determining an appropriate density, a development proposal will need to demonstrate the following requirements:
a. Provides a balanced mix of housing types and sizes;
b. Positively responds to the prevailing character of the area, topography and the wider landscape and townscape setting;
c. Protects and enhances heritage assets and their setting through a thorough understanding of the impacts of higher density development on their significance;
d. Amenity spaces (including private, public and communal), outlook, daylight, sunlight, noise and disturbance can be satisfactorily addressed;
e. Other considerations such as car and cycle parking and waste storage can be suitably provided and managed; and
f. Proposals within or adjacent to the open countryside will need to provide transition between the character and openness of the wider landscape and the proposed built form including boundary treatments.
High density development in sustainable locations
2. Subject to satisfactorily demonstrating the above, higher density development that exceeds local prevailing densities will be supported provided the site is:
a. Within or within walking and cycling distance (800 metres) of Cambridge City Centre or a Town, District or Local Centre;
b. In close proximity (800 metres) to active travel provision including high quality walking and cycling infrastructure; and
c. Well served (1,200 metres) by existing or proposed high quality public transport such as the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, a transport interchange or railway station.
d. In these locations, higher density development proposals must:
i. Provide car parking at or below the adopted car parking standards, and
ii. Provide cycle parking at or in excess of adopted cycle parking standards.
Supporting information
7.25. The NPPF requires local plan policies to make efficient use of land. That land should be used effectively and appropriately, whilst being sensitive to local character. It also highlights that city and town centres and other locations that are well served by public transport provide opportunities for higher densities, promoting sustainable travel modes that limit future car use.
7.26. Across Greater Cambridge, the scale and character of settlements varies considerably including rural villages set within agricultural landscapes, modern new towns and the Cambridge Historic Core. Our existing housing stock demonstrates that higher density housing can be achieved through compact, mid-rise building types from the Victorian terraces of Cambridge to townhouses and flats within our new settlements. The policy requires proposals to carefully consider the prevailing character and context when preparing a design led approach to development which is important for placemaking.
7.27. Enabling more people to live in locations that are well-served by public transport and have good access to local facilities such as city, town and local centres will support the achievement of reducing road traffic, promote a higher quality of life and create a critical mass of people to sustain local services and facilities. Making the most efficient use of land will also help to minimise, both now and in the future, the need to release parts of the Green Belt or countryside encroachment to meet development requirements for housing. However, it is important that higher density development does not result in over-development and the policy sets out a number of criteria that need to be addressed.
7.28. In areas that are well served by public transport and local amenities, higher density housing should maximise the opportunities provided by the site’s location through the optimisation of development. This should include providing a range of high quality new homes with high levels of cycle parking provision and active travel connections. In these locations, a lower provision of private car parking will be sought.
Tell us what you think
For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.
All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.