Residents, businesses and organisations across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire are invited to learn more about the Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan consultation through a series of Local Plan exhibitions.
The consultation, which runs until 5pm on Friday 25 September, is the final opportunity for people to comment on the Local Plan before it is submitted to Government for independent examination. The Plan will help guide how Greater Cambridge develops over the next 20 years, shaping where new homes, jobs, community facilities and infrastructure are located.
To help people understand the Plan, consultation process and how to make representations, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning is holding a programme of in-person exhibitions across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire during September. Members of the Planning team will be on hand to explain the proposals, answer questions and help people understand how to submit their comments.
Exhibitions are being held at locations across Greater Cambridge, including Cambridge, Whittlesford, Papworth Everard, Great Abington, Melbourn, Waterbeach and Bar Hill. There is no requirement to register in advance, although optional registration is available to help organisers plan for attendance:
- Tuesday 1 September, 2pm to 4pm: Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge, CB4 2LD
- Tuesday 1 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: Whittlesford Memorial Hall, Mill Lane, Whittlesford, CB22 4NE
- Wednesday 2 September, 4pm to 7pm: Marleigh Community Centre, The Hangar Building, 2 Jubilee Square, Cambridge, CB5 8BX
- Wednesday 2 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: Papworth Village Hall, Ermine St South, Papworth Everard, CB23 3RD
- Thursday 3 September, 2pm to 4pm: Gamlingay EcoHub, Stocks Lane, Gamlingay, SG19 3JR
- Thursday 3 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: Great Abington Primary School, 68 High Street, Great Abington, CB21 6AE
- Friday 4 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: The Old School Hall, St Barnabas Centre, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD
- Monday 7 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: Melbourn Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn, SG8 6DZ
- Monday 7 September, 3:30pm to 6pm: Bar Hill Village Hall, The Spinney, Bar Hill, CB23 8SU
- Tuesday 8 September, 4pm to 7:30pm: The Salvation Army, 7 Station Road, Waterbeach, CB25 9HT
- Wednesday 9 September, 4:15pm to 7pm: Nightingale Pavilion, Nightingale Ave, Cambridge, CB1 8SQ
- Wednesday 9 September, 4pm to 7pm: Great Cambourne Cricket Pavilion, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, CB23 6DZ
- Friday 11 September, 10am to 5pm: The Cambridge Room, Grafton Centre, Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, CB1 1PS
The consultation seeks views on whether the Plan is "sound" under national planning rules. This means considering whether the Plan has been positively prepared, is justified by the evidence, is effective and is consistent with national planning policy.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, South Cambridgeshire District Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "This is the final opportunity for people to comment on the Greater Cambridge Local Plan before it is submitted for independent examination. Our exhibition events are a great chance to find out more about the Plan, understand the focus of this stage of consultation and ask questions directly to officers. We want to help everyone who wishes to make representations on the Plan understand the process and ensure they have the information they need to express their views."
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Leader of Cambridge City Council and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Planning and External Partnerships, said: "Greater Cambridge faces significant changes, from meeting housing needs and supporting a growing economy to tackling climate change and ensuring the right infrastructure is in place. This Plan sets out how we see those changes being addressed. We want to encourage people to come along to one of our exhibition events and speak with the team about our process to date and help them to share their views on the Plan in this final consultation."
People can view the Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan, find details of exhibition events and submit comments online via the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website.
