RPG6, published in November 2000, indicated that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and in particular the southern part of the area, known as the Cambridge Sub-region, would be required to accommodate a significant level of growth.

The study, commissioned by SCEALA (Standing Conference of East Anglian Local Authorities) with support from the Government Office for the East of England, produced an independent and consistent appraisal of key options within the Cambridge Sub-region, to inform the preparation of a development strategy for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan Review and development plan work in adjoining counties, particularly Suffolk.

Key aspects of the study included:

• providing a validation of the urban capacity of Cambridge City;
• carrying out a fundamental appraisal of the Cambridge Green Belt;
• information on the market towns around Cambridge;
• assessing options for accommodating development in locations with good public transport links to Cambridge including market towns, larger villages, and previously established new settlements;
• giving an indication of the potential for developing a new settlement between Cambridge and the surrounding ring of market towns;
• identification of criteria relating to sustainability and capacity. assessment of alternative options against these criteria.

A paper copy of The Cambridge Sub-region Study is available for purchase at a cost of £15.00

Two Technical Reports for the study (Parts 1 & 2) are available on CD-ROMs at a joint price of £20.00