Cambridgeshire County Council has issued a statement in response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s announcement of a new Greater Cambridge Development Corporation, with the intention of accelerating growth.
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said:
"Yesterday afternoon, government announced its intention to create a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation, focused on delivering new homes, jobs, and transport links to unlock growth in our region. This follows and builds on previous government announcements of £800M to be spent on developing the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.“Locally we are very aware of how integral Cambridge and Cambridgeshire are for the national economy, and for Britain’s place as a science and innovation leader on the world stage. We welcome government investment in our region, however, we are staunchly committed to ensuring that the growth, which is much needed, will materially benefit and involve local people.
“Earlier this year, we responded to the government’s consultation on proposals for the Development Corporation, raising our deeply held concerns across a variety of areas including, but not limited to: availability of water and sewage capacity, transport infrastructure and highways maintenance funding, flooding and environmental management, and energy capacity.
“Currently, it’s not clear how the Development Corporation will interact with the existing planning system. However, it risks disrupting effective partnership working, significantly reducing local democratic influence over decisions and possibly even slowing growth. It will also introduce another governance layer at a time when Local Government Reorganisation seeks to simplify structures.
"Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, states that all feedback received during the consultation has been ‘carefully reviewed’ and a comprehensive response has this morning been published, which sets out the government’s intentions in more detail.
“We will now take the time necessary to ensure we understand the many implications for our residents and on our diverse services, from adult social care to waste management and everything in between.
“We need the government’s support, and we will continue to work with our local partner authorities, with our mayor and with government to deliver for residents, communities, and businesses.
“We will continue to represent our residents to government, ensuring residents, communities and businesses are involved and their concerns are heard.”
