Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: By 7 votes in favour (Councillors Anna Bradnam, Peter Fane, Corinne Garvie, Lisa Redrup, James Rixon, Heather Williams, Eileen Wilson), to 2 votes against (Councillors Ariel Cahn and Peter Sandford ) and 1 abstention (Councillor Tumi Hawkins), the Committee refused the application for the reasons set out below, with delegated authority to officers to make minor amendments to the reasons: ·         The proposal forms residential development outside of a development framework boundary that does not fall within any of the exceptions cited by Policy S/7, nor would the development be supported in principle by other policies in the Local Plan. The development would therefore result in encroachment into the open countryside and a form of unsustainable development that is not compatible with its location. ·         The fact that the proposed dwellings would be self-build dwellings would not be of sufficient benefit of itself in helping to meet identified need for self and custom build properties to override the presumption against the principle of residential development on the site or to warrant a decision other than in accordance with the adopted development plan policies. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S/2, S/3, S/6, S/7, S/10 and TI/2 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 that seek to prioritise the development of new homes as part of a spatial and sustainable development strategy that protects the countryside from encroachment and to help guard against incremental growth in unsustainable locations. ·         The proposed development would result in encroachment of built form into the open countryside, infilling a visual gap, which would be harmful to the character of the countryside and the rural transition from the village. The proposal would therefore result in significant harm to the existing character of the open rural landscape, village development character and village edge and would conflict with Policies S/7, HQ/1 and NH/2 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018. ·         The proposed development would result in the irreversible loss of Grade 2 agricultural land which is considered to be best most versatile land. The land is not allocated for development within the Local Plan and the need for self-build does not override the need to protect the agricultural value of the land. Subsequently the proposal would be contrary to Policy NH/3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018.