Decision details

The Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out the approach, policies and procedures taken by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council in respect of the use of planning obligations. It will supplement policies in the adopted 2018 Local Plans, detailing the planning obligations the Councils may seek through section 106 on a range of topics, and providing clarity on the processes to be followed, with an overall aim to speed up the planning process.

The report presents the results of a second round of consultation that was held in August 2025 on the draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD. The decision to proceed to a further consultation was agreed by each of the respective CCC and SCDC Committees. This report presents the final version of the SPD for members consideration and seeks agreement for its adoption.

The purpose of the Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD is to provide guidance on how the Councils seek to apply planning obligations, through the Section 106 process, to new development proposals. It supplements Policy 85: Infrastructure delivery, planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy of the Cambridge Local Plan 2018 and Policy TI/8: Infrastructure and New Developments of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018, alongside other policies within the adopted development plans that seek to secure infrastructure necessary to support the needs generated by proposed developments.

The document has been prepared to:

Aid the smooth functioning of the planning application process by making developers and landowners aware of the procedures for securing planning obligations, including the obligations that may be sought depending on the nature of the development proposal and site circumstances and assist in the timely negotiation and agreement of those obligations;

Clarify the relationship between planning obligations and planning conditions; and

Help to deliver good quality sustainable growth across the Greater Cambridge area that accords with the policies and requirements of the Development Plans

      i.         Agreed the draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD (attached at Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report) and accompanying Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) (Appendix 2) are formally adopted subject to any changes following the Cambridge City Council Cabinet; and

    ii.         Agreed that any subsequent material amendments following the SPD’s adoption to be made by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, and that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport.