URL: https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=12949

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: By unanimous vote of 9, the Committee refused the application as per the officer recommendation: ·       For the reasons set out in the officer’s report (with minor amendments to the reasons as drafted delegated to officers) namely: o   The proposed development, by virtue of the proposed site layout and exclusion of the eastern edge of the site, represents a form of development dominated by car parking and hardstanding failing to provide mitigation to the harmful impact on the landscape character immediately adjoining the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore harmful to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and fails to comply with Policy NH/8 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan and Policy FOX/5 of the Foxton Neighbourhood Plan. o   The proposed development fails to comply with the drainage hierarchy, by failing to demonstrate that infiltration of surface water is achievable, the proposal would result in harm through potential surface water run-off. The proposal is contrary to Policies CC/7, CC/8 and CC/9 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) and Paragraph 181 of the NPPF (2024). o   The proposal due to its layout would result in an unacceptable standard of living accommodation which would not meet the required standards for new properties. The proposal would experience a high level of noise disturbance from the nearby railway and highway, of which there is insufficient information to demonstrate suitable mitigation. The proposal would therefore cause undue harm to the amenity and living conditions of future occupiers and would conflict with Paragraph 135 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), Policy HQ/1 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) and the South Cambridgeshire District Design Guide (2010). o   The application currently proposes an unsuitable access arrangement for servicing vehicles, in addition to inadequate inter-vehicle visibility splays, Given the constrained nature of access, in close proximity to the A10, the development would result in harm to the safety of the existing highway. The application fails to comply with Policies HQ/1 and TI/2 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018, and Paragraphs 115, 116, and 117 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024. o   The development does not provide adequate parking to meet the needs of its intended use. As a result, the lack of sufficient on-site car parking may lead to overflow into nearby residential streets, increasing pressure on local parking and negatively impacting the living conditions of nearby residents. Therefore, the development fails to ensure car parking is integrated into the development and fails to protect the amenity of surrounding occupiers, contrary to Policies TI/3 and HQ/1 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018, the Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD and Policy FOX/18 of the Foxton Neighbourhood Plan. ·       Adding an additional reason for refusal regarding the scale of the building and the impact on the Green Belt and the countryside with reference to Local Plan Policies NH8(3) and HQ1 ADwith the specific wording of the reason for refusal delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee. ·       Adding an informative to provide information about the Design Review Panel to the Applicant and which the Applicant may consider using with the specific wording of the informative delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee.

Date of Decision: February 11, 2026