The government has launched a consultation about a proposed development corporation for Greater Cambridge. The development corporation would be a new growth body focused on accelerating nationally significant growth in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
The consultation will run for eight weeks and residents, businesses and local authorities are encouraged to respond.
The consultation will specifically seek views on:
- The case for establishing centrally-led (government-led) urban development corporation in Greater Cambridge
- Its objectives and activities
- The areas it would operate in
- The proposed approach to planning powers (plan making and development management) that the Development Corporation would be granted
- How it would engage with local leaders and people.
Responding to the announcement, Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: "We have said many times that, to be able to build desperately needed new homes and community facilities as set out in our draft Local Plan, we need government help to tackle key challenges facing our area, including water scarcity, transport issues, and sewage capacity. We are therefore very pleased to see the government's commitment to an infrastructure-led approach. That is where a development corporation could be very effective, by bringing forward new infrastructure which could make a real difference to residents' quality of life and our ability to plan for new communities.
"But I can see no justification for the proposal to take planning powers from the council. Our shared planning service was recently voted the best in the country, it has an excellent record of supporting the democratic involvement of residents in the planning process, is developing an exemplary Local Plan with extremely high environmental standards, and has approved 37,000 homes which are yet to be built out by developers.
"Local residents' voices must play a key role in this consultation and in any plans for the future work of a development corporation. I urge residents to respond to the consultation, and to get in touch with your councillors to discuss it — we're here to listen to you and to represent you as part of this process.
"As we plan for future growth in our area, we must remain focused on creating a fairer future for Cambridge. We need to make it more affordable to live here, we need local people to have access to good jobs, and we must ensure that the provision of schools, hospitals, and community facilities keeps up with the pace of growth, both for new and existing communities."
