20-24 Pierce Lane Fulbourn Cambridgeshire CB21 5DL

1. 1.The application seeks permission for the construction of 8no. dwellings on the site following the demolition of the pianos factory. As Fulbourn is a Minor Rural Centre, under Policy H/8 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan a housing density of 30 dwellings per hectare should be achieved, subject to the characteristics of the locality. The proposal would achieve a housing density of 34 dwellings per hectare(dph). The proposed development of 8no. dwellings is considered to provide for a quantum of development that is too large to be successfully accommodated within the characteristics of the locality and would represent an overdevelopment of the site that is not reflective of the character of the area. The proposed development to the rear of the site (plots 5-8), by virtue of its density, inappropriate design and scale, would result in a contrived form of development that is at odds with the established grain of development in the immediate area and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S/7, H/8 and HQ/1 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018; Policies FUL/06 and FUL/07 of the Fulbourn Neighbourhood Plan (2023) and the guidance within the Fulbourn Village Design Guide (2020).
2. 2.The development proposed to the rear of the site is not considered to respond positively to local context or the character of the Conservation Area. The layout is highly regular and the design of the rear dwellings (plots 5-8) is repetitive, appearing at odds with their surroundings by virtue of their design, density and scale. The design of the proposed dwellings fails to provide a high quality design that makes a positive contribution to its local and wider context or to preserve or enhance the setting of the Conservation Area. The proposed development would result in a low-moderate level of 'less than substantial' harm upon the Fulbourn Conservation Area that would not be outweighed by public benefits arising from the development. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies S/7, HQ/1 and NH/14 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018); the NPPF; Section 72(1) of the Planning LBCA Act 1990; Policies FUL/06 and FUL/07 of the Fulbourn Neighbourhood Plan (2023) and guidance in the Fulbourn Village Design Guide (2020).
3. 3.The design of the rear dwellings (plots 5-8) is unacceptable. The proposed dwellings excessive in scale and massing and would not emulate the appearance of neighbouring buildings. The cramped and contrived car parking arrangement on site is considered to dominate the site and is not an example of positive design, exemplifying the parking constraints on this site. The design of the proposal is contrary to policies S/7 and HQ/1 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018), Policy FUL/07 of the Fulbourn Neighbourhood Plan (2023) and guidance in the Fulbourn Village Design Guide (2020).

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CB21 5DL

Application type

Full Application

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Fulbourn CP

District

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Date validated

25 November 2025

Consultation expiry

10 December 2025

Last date for comments

15 January 2026

Target decision date

20 January 2026

Agent

Twenty-Nine Architecture Ltd

Architect profile

TWENTY-NINE ARCHITECTURE LTD

Agent address

25 Cromwell Road Cambridge CB1 3EB

Statutory period

56 days

Last advertised

10 December 2025

Site notice start

22 December 2025

Documents

55