Two new Neighbourhood Plans for Stapleford & Great Shelford and Harston have been adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council, helping to shape future development in these neighbourhood areas.
Two new Neighbourhood Plans for Stapleford & Great Shelford and Harston have been adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council, helping to shape future development in these neighbourhood areas.
Both plans were prepared by local community Neighbourhood Plan steering groups, working with the parish councils and support from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning.
Referendums for the Stapleford & Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan and Harston Neighbourhood Plan were held on 4 September 2025. Residents voted in favour of both plans being made (adopted), meaning they will now be used to help decide planning applications in their villages.
On Thursday 2 October 2025, both Neighbourhood Plans were formally made (adopted) at a Full District Council meeting.
Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see both Harston and Stapleford & Great Shelford communities take such an active role in shaping their future. These Neighbourhood Plans reflect local priorities and will help ensure that development is sensitive to the character and needs of each village.”
Stapleford and Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan
The plan’s vision for 2041 sees Stapleford and Great Shelford as thriving, distinct villages where people live, work, shop and play. New development will be modest, sustainably and sensitively designed, and focused on meeting local housing needs (particularly affordable housing). The villages landscape setting will be protected, and biodiversity will be improved alongside reducing environmental impacts. Safe, sustainable travel networks and improved local amenities and infrastructure will support the needs of the local population.
The vision is supported by 10 themed objectives and 20 policies that seek to deliver it. The plan sets out a range of planning policies that cover many issues important to the local community, including policies which seek to:
- protect and enhance the existing landscape and settlement character of the neighbourhood area
- improve the provision and suitability of housing to meet the needs of existing and future residents
- ensure development proposals are of a high-quality design and positively contribute to the unique character of Stapleford and Great Shelford
- support active travel, with policies to improve walking and cycling routes
- encourage biodiversity enhancements, such as wildlife corridors
Jenny Flynn, Chair of the Stapleford & Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: "The Stapleford and Great Shelford Neighbourhood Plan represents 3 and a half years of hard work by a community resolved to have a role in shaping its own future. I am very proud that, at referendum in September 2025, it was supported by 95% of those who voted. Thanks are due to everyone who helped us get to this point, particularly the residents of our villages who shared their wishes, wants and worries for the future with us."
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