Members of the public are being invited to comment on a new Neighbourhood Plan for the South Newnham area of Cambridge, to help shape future development there and ensure the local environment, homes, facilities, and community assets are protected and enhanced in years to come.
You can comment on the Submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan for South Newnham during a consultation which runs until Tuesday 18 June 2024. This is the first time a Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared and submitted in the city of Cambridge. The Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum and once finalised and adopted it will be used when making decisions on planning applications.
South Newnham Neighbourhood Plan’s vision is to ensure that “a balance exists between our natural environment, our economic and social infrastructure, and our mix and style of housing stock, supporting the transition to a low, and ultimately zero carbon society and making South Newnham a great place to live both now and for future generations”.
The consultation from Tuesday 7 May to Tuesday 18 June 2024 is an opportunity for the public to comment before the Plan is examined by an Independent Planning Examiner. The Examiner’s role is to test the Neighbourhood Plan against the basic conditions that are set out in national regulations. The Plan will then need to be passed by a referendum before being adopted.
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, said: “We are proud that the consultation for the first Neighbourhood Plan in Cambridge is underway.
“It is fantastic that the hard work of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum has now reached this point where they have a fully drafted Neighbourhood Plan and are inviting everyone to take a look and to share their thoughts on the policies.
“I hope that everyone will take part in the consultation, building on the brilliant local engagement that has already been seen so that the Neighbourhood Plan, once finalised and adopted, is something everyone in the community can support as a mechanism for ensuring their voices continue to be heard in local planning applications.”
Neighbourhood Plans are developed by local communities with support from the city council and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning. They have an equal status to the adopted Local Plan as part of the development plan for the area and once finalised and adopted will be used when making decisions on planning applications. Neighbourhood Plans must conform in general terms to the strategic policies in the Local Plan for the area and cannot propose less development overall than the Local Plan puts forward.
During the consultation, you can view the Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents online at: www.cambridge.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plans
Comments can be submitted to Cambridge City Council between 9am on Tuesday 7 May and 5pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024. Please comment using our online consultation system: https://consultations.greatercambridgeplanning.org
However, if you are unable to comment online, please email us at: neighbourhood.planning@greatercambridgeplanning.org
Or write to us at: Planning Policy Team, Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1BY
During the consultation, you can also view the Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents at Cambridge City Council. The reception is open between Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 5:15pm. Appointments can be made by calling 01223 457000.
It will also be possible to view the documents at Cambridge Central Library, 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge, CB2 3QD, during opening hours.
