A new organisation will deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, the government has announced
A new regeneration body will be set to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, transport links, and community services in Greater Cambridge, the government has announced. The government says the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will ensure transport and services are built alongside new homes and “not as an afterthought”.
The corporation aims to bring land together for development, invest in key sites, and unlock stalled and derelict land, according to government officials. The announcement follows a consultation over the plans earlier this year.
Speaking exclusively to Cambridgeshire Live, housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Cambridge East presents a golden opportunity to transform one of the largest undeveloped brownfield sites in the country. For years, this land in Greater Cambridge has sat idle and this government is putting its money where its mouth is by investing £100 million to now bring the site forward.”
The government said the development will attract millions more in investment. “This is about delivering real benefits for local people – tackling the region’s acute housing crisis and building a place where communities can grow and prosper, while backing Cambridge’s future as a world‑leading centre for science and innovation,” the housing minister added.
The leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, said she welcomes government investment in the region. However, she said the council is “staunchly committed to ensuring that the growth, which is much needed, will materially benefit and involve local people”.
She added: “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.”
Cllr Nethsingha said it is not clear how the Development Corporation will interact with the existing planning system. She said it risks “disrupting effective partnership working, significantly reducing local democratic influence over decisions and possibly even slowing growth”.
Feedback received during the consultation has been “carefully reviewed”, according to Mr Pennycook. He said a comprehensive response has since been published.
“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,” Cllr Nethsingha added.
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