City to be asked views on development corporation

12 hours ago

Phil ShepkaCambridgeshire political reporter

News image — About £400m has been pledged to boost growth in Cambridge, but councils have raised concerns over housing, infrastructure and the affect on residents

Harriet Heywood/BBC A flat-bottomed punt glides along the River Cam beneath an ornate stone bridge with Gothic-style arches. The boat is steered by a standing guide using a long pole, while several passengers sit and enjoy the view. Another punt is visible in the background, and the scene is framed by the historic Cambridge University buildings. — About £400m has been pledged to boost growth in Cambridge, but councils have raised concerns over housing, infrastructure and the affect on residents

Residents of Greater Cambridge are being asked for their views on a planned government-led corporation aimed at speeding up development in the area.

The corridor between the city and Oxford has been termed as having the "potential to be Europe's Silicon Valley" by the chancellor, and about 150,000 homes have been planned for in and around Cambridge.

People are now being asked for their views on whether a development corporation should be established and the powers it would have to approve new houses.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said it would "provide us with the necessary powers, authority and access to finance to unleash ambitious and high-quality sustainable growth".

According to the government, development corporations may have powers to create development policies, and make planning decisions for a local authority area - something which usually sits with councils.

There have been 30 development corporations, including one designed to regenerate the part of east London which hosted the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £400m investment in Cambridge - one of the least affordable cities in the UK - to boost development with affordable homes, infrastructure and business expansion.

But Peter Freeman, chair of the Cambridge Growth Company, told a local council meeting last week that while the 150,000 homes figure was probably not "daft", it could include Tempsford, 22 miles away in Bedfordshire, and Haverhill, 17 miles away in Suffolk.

Upon the announcement of an eight-week consultation seeking views of residents and businesses, Freeman said: "We all recognise that Greater Cambridge has an incredible track record for delivering good quality and sustainable growth and, has even greater ambition to see its innovation economy power inclusive jobs and prosperity for all.

"But we also all know that there are significant problems to address which are increasingly holding the area back.

"We must make sure that we make Cambridge and all the towns and villages around it more liveable than they are today."

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