The South Cambridgeshire District Council's Planning Committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, to discuss several planning applications and general enforcement items. The meeting was set to cover a range of developments, including residential projects, and alterations to a listed building.

Land to the rear of 38 Histon Road, Cottenham

The committee was scheduled to consider a reserved matters application relating to land to the rear of 38 Histon Road, Cottenham. This application, reference 25/00054/REM, sought approval for the appearance, landscape, layout, and scale of a development, as well as the discharge of several conditions attached to a previous outline planning permission, 20/04906/OUT. The outline permission was for the erection of up to 34 new residential units as a Social Housing Rural Exception Site in the Greenbelt and new pedestrian footway with all matters reserved except for access from Histon Road.

The report pack noted that the application sought to discharge conditions relating to:

• Low Emission Strategy
• Updated Preliminary Ecology Appraisal
• Construction Ecological Management Plan
• Water Conversation Strategy
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Plan
• Sustainability Statement

The report pack stated that amendments had been made to the proposed layout, appearance and landscaping following engagement with planners, urban designers and landscape architects. It was noted that the proposed development provided 47 designated parking spaces and 4 visitor parking spaces, with provision totalling 51 car parking spaces. While this was below the standards referenced in policy TI/3, the report pack stated that officers considered that, given the amount of facilities in Cottenham, the public transport and active travel links and car ownership levels in South Cambridgeshire, that the parking provision would be appropriate.

The report pack stated that officers had identified minor conflict with the District Design Guide in respect of the garden sizes for a few 3 bedroom properties.

The report pack stated that, when weighing the proposal in the planning balance, the benefits of the scheme far outweighed the minor conflict with the District Design Guide, and recommended that the Planning Committee approve the proposed development subject to conditions.

268 High Street, Cottenham

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss application 25/01395/FUL for 268 High Street, Cottenham, CB24 8RZ. The application sought permission for the subdivision of the property to allow for the erection of a single-storey dwelling, as well as associated works including the widening of an existing access.

The report pack noted that the dwelling would fall within the Cottenham Conservation Area. The council's Conservation Officer had raised objections to the subdivision of the plot, arguing that the site forms a historic burgage plot¹. However, the report pack stated that officers considered that, taking into account the surrounding context, the proposal would provide a neutral impact to the setting or appearance of the Conservation Area.

The report pack stated that the proposal would formalise an existing access off Eastlands to serve the dwelling, and provide one off-street parking space. It was noted that third parties had submitted comments regarding the existing highway situation, but the Local Highways Authority had not objected to the application.

The report pack stated that officers concluded that the benefits of the scheme outweighed the harm, and recommended that the Planning Committee approve the application subject to conditions.

Land at Hall Lane, Great and Little Chishill

The committee was scheduled to consider an outline application, reference 24/04191/OUT, for land at Hall Lane, Great and Little Chishill. The application sought permission for eight self-build/custom build homes, with all matters reserved apart from access.

The report pack stated that the land is outside of, but sandwiched between, two parts of the development framework boundary to the east and west with the open countryside to the south of the site. The new dwellings would be accessed from Hall Lane north of the site.

The report pack stated that the principle of eight self-build/custom build homes outside the development plan was a departure from adopted local plan policy. It was considered that the proposed development would result in a gradual encroachment on the edges of the two villages and incremental growth in unsustainable locations with significant visual harm to the landscape character and erosion of views of the countryside which could not be mitigated by way of a landscape condition.

The report pack stated that, taking all matters into account, officers recommended that the Planning Committee refuse this application.

St Johns Church, Station Road, Waterbeach

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss application 25/01627/FUL for St Johns Church, Station Road, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9HT. The application sought permission for re-roofing the existing flat roof with added insulation, a sedum roof finish, and the installation of an underground water tank, together with a rainwater harvesting system and associated drainage and pipework.

The report pack stated that the site forms St. John The Evangelist Church in Waterbeach, which is a Grade II* Listed Building. The church falls within the Waterbeach Conservation Area and Development Framework. Part of the rear of the site falls within green belt land and outside of the development framework.

The report pack stated that the proposed works had been assessed in relation to the harm to the Grade II* Listed Church. All works in this application are to the church hall and porch, which are both part of a 1970 extension to the church. The proposal was not considered to result in significant harm to the Listed Building or the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

The report pack stated that officers recommended that the Planning Committee approve the application subject to conditions.

Appeals

The committee was also scheduled to note decisions notified by the Secretary of State, and appeals received.