These areas together with the redundant brownfield sites already mentioned in 1.2 should provide sufficient area to accommodate the required number of houses. We wish to see no further development to the north of the town along the A142 because we believe that these areas are too far from local services and such developments would not provide a basis for sustainability. We would not wish to see any areas earmarked for industry in the existing Local Plan changed to residential.

1.4 Exceptions to the Development Envelope

The provision of dwellings outside the development envelope should be allowed only for rural workers or for the diversification of redundant farm buildings. Appropriate development of infill sites in the satellite hamlets of Barway and Great Fen would be welcomed. No further affordable housing should be allowed outside the development envelope because these houses would be much too far from local services and would not provide a basis for sustainability.

1.5 Sizes of houses needed

Developments should provide a well-integrated mix of sizes. Using the figures provided by the Health Check, the proportions of dwelling sizes on every development should be.

53% one bedroom houses or flats
25% two bedrooms
22% three or more bedrooms

In each category 10% should be housing for special needs – i.e. for the elderly, disabled or as residential homes

1.6 Style of development

Use Soham Housing and Design Guide (to be prepared)

1.7 Parking

At least one car parking space should be provided for each double bedroom in the dwelling.

1.8 Security

For every development of 9 or more houses, a written statement from the Police Architectural Liaison Officer should be provided.

1.9 Access to Development sites

Safe and adequately lit pedestrian and cycleways should be provided to all sites. As far as possible suitable local transport services should be provided at least allowing residents the opportunity to get to the centre of town and to either Ely or Newmarket on a daily basis.

1.10 Affordable Housing

The proportion of affordable housing should be as high as possible on any one site and should consist of rental property and shared equity or similar. Key worker housing is not appropriate to the area. All development sites, which include 9 or more dwellings, should provide at least 40% of the dwelling units affordable housing. Affordable housing needs to be integrated in a pepper pot fashion as far as possible in any development so avoiding the creation of ghettos.

2. Community & Infrastructure

2.1 Planning Obligations.

All developments, dwellings or otherwise must make a proper and full contribution to the planning obligations for the provision of community facilities and infrastructure. There are particular concerns that sufficient provision for the population is being made for NHS doctors’ surgeries and NHS dentists.

2.2 Car parks

We are concerned to protect the two public car parks already in existence and to provide further public car parking close to the centre of town, ensuring that spaces are provided for disabled people.

2.3 Public open spaces

Provide fewer small open spaces within housing developments ‘pooling’ these together, to provide more useful areas of open spaces closely adjacent to developments. Also it is important to ensure that sufficient funds are put in place to ensure the ongoing maintenance of these open spaces under Section 106 agreements.

3. Economic Development

3.1 Sustainability

Although unemployment in the East Cambridgeshire District Council area is low – only 1%, this is because the majority of employees work out of the area, travelling to work in Ely, Newmarket, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and London. There have been recent losses of major employers in Soham with the closure of Clark and Butchers Mill and further job losses will occur when Griggs transport relocate out of the area. With all the numbers of houses to be built in Soham, some additional jobs will be created principally in the service industries e.g. Shops, schools. However, these will by no means provide jobs for all the people due to move into the new houses. Additional jobs in Soham would mean fewer people needing to travel long distances to work by car or by inadequate public transport, reducing the pollution in the area and the amount of traffic on the roads. Sustainability will not be achieved while the majority of the economically active out commute. A proactive attitude to encouraging more businesses to start up in Soham is urgently needed and this could best be encouraged by  East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC). Ideally we would like some form of financial encouragement to achieve this end.

3.2 Transport

Transport has a very significant bearing on the employment in the area. At present the public transport system provided for Soham is totally inadequate. This means, for those who live in Soham and work elsewhere, almost invariably the only way to get to their work is by car. This has meant that the possibilities of employment for young people have been severely restricted. More buses are needed which provide for intra-town and inter-village transport. At present it is impossible for anyone living or working in Isleham to get to or from Soham by bus or even for people living on the outskirts of Soham to get transport to the town centre for say the doctors or post office; let alone travel to their employment in Ely, Cambridge or Bury St. Edmunds. An integrated bus and rail service is urgently needed to enable workers to get to and from work on time. These services must be, above all, reliable and reasonably priced. As there is a perfectly good railway line through the town, we would very much like to see the rail station reopened as a railway halt, enabling passengers to reach Ely easily for onward travel to Cambridge, London etc. The site of the railway station must be protected from inappropriate development.

4. Retail

To try to prevent more retail units closing by offering an incentive to retailers to encourage them to move into empty shops and to discourage the conversion of retail premises to residential properties. As many small shops have closed recently in Soham we need to provide some incentive for retailers to move in and stay. Perhaps specialist shops would be more successful. No further premises offering food are needed or wanted. Developers should be encouraged to provide small retail units within large developments. The possibility of getting the market back or having a specialist market such as continental foodstuffs or a flower and plant market should be encouraged in any way possible.

5.Tourism & Leisure

5.1 Tourism

Soham is unique with its historical Commons and open farmed land and its vast network of footpaths- over 50 miles. These are under used tourist facilities. We need to advertise these together with other attractions such as the steelyard, the church and windmills to make Soham an interesting package for visitors. In addition we need to encourage the provision of Bed and breakfast facilities and other accommodation for visitors in the town.

5.2 Leisure

Soham is generally fairly well served with sports facilities and has an excellent Sports Hall, although it is still a disappointment that residents have to travel to Ely or Newmarket to a swimming pool. We do however, have need of a cricket pitch for the town (not one shared by a football club) and we have no rugby pitches for public use.
There are a number of different sized venues which can be used as meeting places for different events e.g. The Pavilion, The Viva Centre, School Halls, and some of the halls adjacent to Chapels. It is unlikely that any further such community facilities can be justified.

6. Environment

6.1 Historic Environment

It is essential that we protect and enhance the historic environments and ensure that all new development reflects the distinctive characters and appearances of the local areas through design, the use of materials and landscaping. Ensure that all buildings in the Conservation Area in the centre are properly protected and in addition other buildings which have architectural or local importance including St. Andrew's Church, the former Grammar School (Churchgate Street), The Old Vicarage (St. Andrew's House now converted into flats), The War Memorial, the public houses - The Fountain, The Red Lion and The Ship, Beechurst (one of the Village College buildings), The Pavilion. We must prevent their demolition or damage or inappropriate alteration and prevent unsuitable nearby development. In addition to the historical built environment, Soham is particularly fortunate to be surrounded by the unique and historically important Commons and Wet Horse Fens. There are five Commons – Qua Fen, East Fen, Angle, Broadpiece, the Shade and three Horse Fens - North, South and Wet Horse Fens It is essential that these green areas of historic importance are properly protected from all development, or encroachment. Any development adjacent to or close by these areas should be very carefully scrutinised before planning permission is given.

6.2 Natural Environment

We must protect the natural environment by ensuring that these areas remain in their natural state while at the same time making every attempt possible to enhance their amenity value for the community and their benefits for wildlife. The natural environment includes five Commons and three Wet Horse Fens, the Recreation Ground, the areas along the Lode from Fordham Moor to Barway and the long lengths of footpaths around the town and in the surrounding countryside. The lack of trees in the area should be addressed and Tree Preservation Orders used where necessary to prevent loss of any valuable trees. Tree and hedge planting should be encouraged wherever possible in suitable areas and using appropriate native species in all developments. Other green spaces in housing developments should also be protected but these must be managed properly.