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

Consultation is open from 3 August 2026 9:00am to 25 September 2026 5:00pm

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

1.  Development proposals that optimise the use of land for Gypsy and Traveller pitches on sites of half a hectare and above including sites Chesterton Fen Road (Milton) and Smithy Fen (Cottenham), as shown on the Policies Map, will be supported where:

  1. 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; 
  2. There is a minimum of six pitches per 0.6 hectares, with an optimal density of 12 pitches per hectare, unless robustly justified in exceptional circumstances; 
  3. An increase in pitches does not exceed the maximum practical capacity for the site, having regard to:
    1. Its layout, design, connections to and capacity of utilities, and amenities;
    2. 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;
    3. At Chesterton Fen Road, the implications of additional traffic created by the proposed development on the Fen Road level crossing;
  4. 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;
  5. Proposals are informed by a Flood Risk Assessment to determine the necessary flood mitigation measures for the development of the site;
  6. The development conserves and where appropriate enhances nearby Conservation Areas and their setting;
  7. Appropriate ecological enhancement is included to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain;

  8. The proposed development meets the requirements of Policy H/GT: Gypsy and Traveller pitches and Travelling Showpeople plots.

     

Plan of Site S/AMC/GT: Optimisation of Gypsy and Traveller Sites (Smithy Fen)

 

 Figure 104: Plan of Site S/AMC/GT: Optimisation of Gypsy and Traveller Sites (Smithy Fen)

 

Site Plan of S/AMC/GT: Optimisation of Gypsy and Traveller Sites (Fen Road)

 

Figure 105: Site Plan of S/AMC/GT: Optimisation of Gypsy and Traveller Sites (Fen Road)

Supporting information

3.5.42  Our evidence shows that there is an identified need for additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches within Greater Cambridge, 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.

3.5.43  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.

3.5.44  The purpose of optimising Gypsy and Traveller sites is to safeguard Gypsy and Traveller sites for use by Gypsy and Travellers. The policy’s purpose is predominately to reconfigure sites to provide an improvement in health, safety and living conditions for Gypsy and Travellers and to make pitches available for those meeting the definition of Gypsy and Traveller. This process may result in the creation of new pitches, however new pitches are also allocated on strategic sites to address the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers.

3.5.45  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 Travelling Showpeople plots, however, the requirements relating to proposals for new Gypsy and Traveller pitches on unallocated sites set out within that policy also apply within any proposals for site optimisation including at Chesterton Fen Road and Smithy Fen. Any proposals for Gypsy and Traveller pitches within the Green Belt and/or within areas of flood risk will be considered against the relevant national and local planning policies.

3.5.47  At Chesterton Fen Road, the proposal demonstrates compliance with Policy 16 of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Local Plan (2021) (or any successor policies) due to being located within the Consultation Areas for the Cambridge North East Aggregates Railheads and the Cambridge North Water Recycling Centre.

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.