Harston Neighbourhood Plan Made (adopted) Decision Statement
On the 2 October 2025 South Cambridgeshire District Council decided to make (adopt) the Harston Neighbourhood Plan under Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
The Harston Neighbourhood Plan as made now forms part of the development plan for South Cambridgeshire. All planning decisions in the neighbourhood area will need to be made in accordance with the development plan that now includes this Neighbourhood Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Reason for Decision:
South Cambridgeshire District Council has confirmed that the Neighbourhood Plan meets all the Basic Conditions within Paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and is compliant with legal requirements, including that the making of the Harston Neighbourhood Plan does not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU obligations and the Convention rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998).
The Harston Neighbourhood Plan was successful at its referendum on 4 September 2025 as more than half (95.86%) of those that voted were in favour of SCDC using the Neighbourhood Plan to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s full Council at its meeting on 2 October 2025 noted the results of the referendum and made (adopted) the Harston Neighbourhood Plan.
Viewing the Documents
If you wish to see hard copies of this Decision Statement and the Harston Neighbourhood Plan, please contact the Planning Policy Team (see contact details below) to find out how to make an appointment to view the documents at the South Cambridgeshire District Council offices in Cambourne.
The documents are available to view on South Cambridgeshire District Council’s website: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/local-plan-and-neighbourhood-planning/harston-neighbourhood-plan
The Neighbourhood Plan Journey –
The journey began back in 2014, when the Parish Council first discussed creating a Village Design Statement. As time went on, it became clear that a Neighbourhood Plan would be a more effective tool for shaping Harston’s future—but at the time, resources were limited, so the idea was paused.
That did not stop local residents, however. A group of committed volunteers came together as the Harston Residents Group (HRG) and began engaging with community issues. This included a parish-wide consultation day in October 2017, which laid some of the groundwork for what was to come.
Then, in October 2021, the Parish Council gave its formal support to move forward with a Neighbourhood Plan. A working group was quickly formed—made up of residents, Parish Councillors, and members of HRG. We began holding regular meetings, open to all, in the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground. Over time, a Steering Group formed to lead the work, supported by a wider group of dedicated volunteers who gave their time and skills depending on the task at hand.
Throughout this process, we put a strong emphasis on community engagement. Calls went out in local newsletters and magazines inviting people with specific skills—like mapping, ecology, or communications—to get involved. And many did. I became a Parish Councillor in 2022, as it became clear that combining my role as Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan group and editor of the village newsletter could help bring people together and maintain momentum and apply for funding to support. A key source of support and momentum throughout the process was the Vice-Chair of the Planning Group, Hilary Roadley, whose deep knowledge of Harston’s history added real insight and context to the plan. Her contributions helped ensure that the village’s heritage was fully reflected in our plan..
We made sure that at every key stage, the wider community had a chance to be heard. Consultations were held in the Village Hall, churches, and the school. The Parish Council held extra meetings to consider feedback from residents, statutory bodies, and other stakeholders. With support from our planning consultant, Rachel Hogger of Modicum Planning, we were able to document all comments and responses in a clear, transparent way. We made much use of AECOM technical support on a Village Design Guide, housing needs assessment and housing sites assessment.
The final plan reflects the priorities of the village whilst we still have some core aims to achieve like a community centre and a core to the village. We may not have a bypass; however, we have practical ideas to address some key issues. The plan adds local detail to the South Cambs Local Plan to help retain Harston’s rural identity while still enabling thoughtful development. It supports rural exception housing and includes a new community project to create a nature reserve (which we hope will appeal to our younger residents).
We are incredibly grateful to South Cambridgeshire District Council for supporting the plan through to referendum—and we are delighted that it was approved by local residents with a strong percentage in favour.
Looking ahead, we are excited to start implementing the policies and to continue working with others to ensure we shape Harston’s future.
Thank you again for your support.
Harston Neighbourhood Plan REFERENDUM 4th September 2025
It’s time for you to vote on your Neighbourhood Plan – the final stage of the Neighbourhood Plan process
Thurs 4th Sept 2025 Harston Village Hall 7am – 10pm
When you vote, you will be asked the following question:
Do you want South Cambridgeshire District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Harston to help decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?
You can vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
If a majority of people vote ‘yes’, the Plan will come into force.
This would mean in the future any planning decisions within our Parish will be made in accordance with policies in the Plan.
The Plan will help to shape the future development and use of land in our village.
Who can vote?
The referendum will be organised and paid for by S Cambs who will send out voting cards.
You will be able to vote if you are registered and entitled to vote in local council elections; ie live in village and over 18.
If not already registered to vote, you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you are unable to attend the polling station to vote in person, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy at:
https://www.scambs.gov.uk/elections/voting-by-post-or-proxy
Examiner’s report on Harston’s Neighbourhood Plan June 2025
The final examiner’s report on Harston Neighbourhood Plan checking that it met the basic conditions can be seen here https://www.scambs.gov.uk/media/t5npl4l3/2_har-np_examiners-report.pdf
The examiner felt the Plan sets out a positive vision for the future of the neighbourhood area. There is a very clear focus on safeguarding local character and ensuring that the Green Belt is respected. It identifies sites for residential development and proposes a package of local green spaces.
The Plan meets all the basic conditions:
- Fits in with national policies and even seeks to add value to the different components of the (S Cambs) development plan.
- the Plan promoted an inclusive, thorough and detailed approach to seeking the opinions of all concerned throughout the process
- The Plan seeks to bring forward positive and sustainable development in the neighbourhood area.
- The environmental assessments provide assurance to all concerned that the submitted Plan takes appropriate account of important ecological and biodiversity matters
Most of examiner’s recommended minor modifications related to matters of clarity and precision, designed to ensure that the Plan fully accords with national policy.
The Neighbourhood Plan has been amended in accordance with the examiners comments, making it ready to be voted on by Harston residents. The referendum version of the NP can be seen here – https://www.scambs.gov.uk/media/gu0blbb5/1_harston-np_-referendum-version.pdf
All relevant information can also be found on S Cambs Neighbourhood Plan website: www.scambs.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/local-plan-and-neighbourhood-planning/harston-neighbourhood-plan
Harston Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 16 Submission Consultation 9 Jan – 20 Feb 2025
What is the Harston Neighbourhood Plan consultation?
Members of the public are being invited to comment on a new Neighbourhood Plan for the Harston area of South Cambridgeshire, to help shape future development there and ensure the local environment, homes, facilities and community assets are protected and enhanced in years to come.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a way for communities to take a proactive approach to deciding the future of the places where they live and work. Once ‘made’ (adopted) a Neighbourhood Plan has the same legal status as the district wide Local Plan, and alongside the Local Plan will be used in deciding planning applications that fall within its area.
The Harston Neighbourhood Plan sets out a range of planning policies which cover many issues that are considered important to the local community. The consultation is an opportunity for the public to comment before the Plan is examined by an Independent Planning Examiner. The Examiner’s role is to test the Neighbourhood Plan against the basic conditions that are set out in national regulations. The Plan will then need to be passed by a referendum before being adopted.
You can find out more information about the Harston Neighbourhood Plan consultation on the South Cambridgeshire website: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/planning/local-plan-and-neighbourhood-planning/harston-neighbourhood-plan/
When is the consultation?
South Cambridgeshire District Council will be running the consultation that begins at 9am on Thursday 9 January 2025 and will run until 5pm on Thursday 20 February 2025.
How can members of the public view paper copies?
We will provide 2x copies of the following documents with the Customer Service desk at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne, and members of the public can view the documents by appointment only.
- Submission version of the Harston Neighbourhood Plan
- Harston Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement
- Harston Neighbourhood Plan Basic Conditions Statement
- Harston Neighbourhood Plan SEA/HRA Screening Determination Statement
There will also be 4x copies of the suite of documents available at Harston Village Hall, during the consultation period. The documents will be available to view in the Small Committee Room, when the hall or large committee room are booked for activities. These times can be found on the Harston Village Hall calendar link https://www.harstonvillagehall.org.uk/calendar.htm. Appointments to view the documents outside of the Village Hall opening hours can be made by emailing clerk@harstonparishcouncil.gov.uk.
How can members of the public comment on the consultation?
Comments can be submitted to South Cambridgeshire between 9am on Thursday 9 January and 5pm on Thursday 20 February 2025. Please comment using our online consultation system: https://consultations.greatercambridgeplanning.org
However, if you are unable to comment online, please email us at: neighbourhood.planning@greatercambridgeplanning.org
Or write to us at: Planning Policy Team, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6EA
Harston Draft Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 14 consultation 22nd April – 11th June
Harston’s Draft Neighbourhood Plan has been produced based on comments and feedback made during earlier consultation events. See https://tinyurl.com/DraftharstonNP for more information on the NHP Draft.
Consultation on the Draft Neighbourhood Plan (NP) closed on 11th June with 110 local survey responses and 11 from statutory bodies. 78% of responses were from people age 40-79 and a further 15% from over 80s, with only 6% from 18-39s. 88% of responses agreed or strongly agreed with supporting the draft NP in general; only 5% disagreeing in general; some didn’t give an opinion. Most policy statements received between 84-97 % agreement in support.
Response comments have been collated and are now being checked carefully by the NP Working Group to discuss actions and see what changes to the NP might be necessary.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
The Draft Harston Neighbourhood Plan is being subject to a strategic environmental assessment (often referred to as SEA). An SEA is required for some types of planning policy documents. It is a tool used at the plan-making stage to assess the likely effects of a plan on the environment when judged against reasonable alternatives.
As part of the SEA process, an environmental report has been prepared. Prior to this, the SEA scoping report was prepared. One of the purposes of the SEA scoping report is to agree a methodology in undertaking the environmental assessment. The views of Natural England, Historic England and the Environment Agency were sought following the drafting of the SEA scoping report. Their views are now being sort on the Strategic Environmental Assessment produced in July. The Scoping report and SEA can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/DraftharstonNP
As part of the consultation on the NP you are also invited to give us your feedback on the SEA by writing to the parish clerk by September 3rd by email: clerk@harstonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Or to parish clerk at: 6 Hornet Rd, Trumpington, CB2 9GH
