New power play unveiled to supercharge Oxford-Cambridge corridor

The idea dovetails with the Government's dream of creating the Silicon Valley of Europe along the Cambridge-London-Oxford corridor.

The scheme was unveiled by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook. It aims to build on Greater Cambridge's global renown for Science & Technology innovation, he revealed.

The new body would fight what he called significant barriers to growth to achieve the massive potential of the region. The UK economy would benefit hugely if the plans work out, he added.

The Minister said: “If we are to realise the full potential of Greater Cambridge, to the benefit of its existing communities and the country as a whole, we must tackle a range of challenges including infrastructure deficiencies, commercial accessibility and housing affordability.

“These constraints are not new, and local leaders and institutions have worked hard to address them over many years. However, due to their nature, scale and complexity, overcoming these challenges in a way that enables the delivery of nationally significant growth in Greater Cambridge requires a delivery vehicle with the necessary powers, authority and access to finance.

“I am therefore launching a consultation today on proposals to establish a centrally-led Urban Development Corporation for Greater Cambridge. This Greater Cambridge Development Corporation would align national capabilities with local expertise and insight to drive further growth across the area at the scale and pace required.

“A centrally-led approach would provide the stability, capability and capacity needed to coordinate complex infrastructure delivery across multiple local authorities, landowners, delivery partners and agencies, and to secure the significant public and private investment required to unlock growth at the desired scale.

“Building upon the exceptional quality of place seen across much of Greater Cambridge, the objective of the Development Corporation would be to deliver exemplary development in the form of high-quality, well-designed, attractive, and sustainable homes and neighbourhoods.”

The proposal is intended to support the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

In its initial phase, the Corporation would build on the work of the Cambridge Growth Company, and work in close partnership with local authorities to increase both the pace and quantum of development at sites identified in that draft Local Plan. In the medium to long term, the Development Corporation would prepare a long-term spatial plan for Greater Cambridge, with a focus on providing major new strategic sites for growth.

The consultation invites general feedback on the government’s proposal to establish a centrally-led Urban Development Corporation in Greater Cambridge. It also seeks views on a number of specific issues, including:

• A proposed operational boundary for the Development Corporation that is aligned with the current combined administrative areas of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

• The proposed spectrum of powers that the Development Corporation could be granted, including plan making powers and development management powers for use in relation to sites of strategic importance.

• The proposed approach to embedding local democratic representation in the governance of the Development Corporation.