Decision Maker: Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 1, 2025

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to set out the results of the referendum on the Thriplow and Heathfield Neighbourhood Plan and make a recommendation to Council on whether the Neighbourhood Plan should be formally made (adopted) by South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC).

Content:

Reasons for the decision: Where a Neighbourhood Plan is successful at its referendum, national planning legislation requires that the Council ‘makes’ (adopts) the Neighbourhood Plan, unless the making of the Neighbourhood Plan would breach or is otherwise incompatible with EU or human rights obligations.   Officers have concluded that the Thriplow and Heathfield Neighbourhood Plan would not breach or be otherwise incompatible with EU or human rights obligations, as set out in the Considerations section.

Alternative options considered: Where a Neighbourhood Plan is successful at its referendum, SCDC has limited options in how to respond. National planning legislation requires that the Council ‘makes’ (adopts) the Neighbourhood Plan, unless the making of the Neighbourhood Plan would breach or is otherwise incompatible with EU or human rights obligations.   Officers have concluded that the Thriplow and Heathfield Neighbourhood Plan would not breach or be otherwise incompatible with EU or human rights obligations, as set out in the Considerations section.