Policy H/HM: Housing Mix

9.32.  In order to deliver a wide choice of high-quality homes that help to satisfy a diverse range of housing needs and create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities, it is important that the plan promotes a mix of housing based on the needs of different groups in the community.

9.33.  The housing stock across Greater Cambridgeshire has traditionally comprised larger detached or semi-detached homes. The high cost of housing locally also affects the size of homes that people can afford to live in, even if they would prefer or have a need for a particular property size; it is important to provide for everyone’s needs in order to maintain mixed and balanced communities. Therefore, the policy sets out housing mix requirements for residential development of 10 or more dwelling units in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge, which should be used as the basis for the housing mix of new developments, unless an alternative mix can be justified. For proposals of 9 or fewer dwelling units, the Local Planning Authority will expect applicants to justify their proposals on the basis of local needs and circumstances.

9.34.  balanced mix of dwelling types within the affordable housing provision is important to ensure choice for applicants and to help foster stable, sustainable communities. In South Cambridgeshire, flats can be more challenging to let and typically have higher turnover rates, meaning it is rarely appropriate for the affordable housing contribution in a development to be made up predominantly of flats unless there is strong justification. When determining the appropriate mix, consideration will be given to any specific dwelling type needs identified by the Council and to the existing housing mix and character of neighbouring areas. For monitoring and consistency purposes, maisonettes are classified as flats, while duplex units are treated as flats unless they include a private garden, in which case they are considered houses.

9.35.  There are cases where the above housing mix may not be suitable in meeting a particular identified need; the housing mix may not be appropriate to apply to developments of a nature intended for a particular community need, including student accommodation, some residential institutions, custom and self-build housing, or other types of specialist housing for different groups in the community (such as older people, looked-after children, or other groups identified by national planning policy). Deviations from the stated housing mix may also be allowed if an alternative housing mix can be justified because of the site’s location and site constraints, such as within the centre of Cambridge where a higher density of development may be more appropriate or in locations where an alternative mix is needed to ensure the development is viable.

9.36.  Deviations from the housing mix stated within the policy will only be allowed where sufficient, robust evidence is provided as part of a planning application to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

9.37.  In some special circumstances, the Local Planning Authority may use planning conditions or other planning instruments to protect the housing mix of developments that have been designed to meet a particular community need.

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.