Comment

Gove’s plans for Cambridge – answers emerge, questions remain, clarity to come?

Following Michael Gove’s updates in the ‘Long Term Plan for Housing’ speech and the release of the updated NPPF discussed by Director, Planning, Steven Kosky[1], further details and actions have started to emerge. Associate Director, Planning, Donna Brearley provides expert insight into these ambitious next steps for Cambridge's development, uncovering answers to some of our previous questions and highlighting where more remains to be done.

Alongside the Spring Budget, the Government published a series of updates in relation to their aspirations for Cambridge. These focus on both seeking to resolve the immediate delivery issues being experienced as a result of the water supply issues, as well as their longer-term aspirations for growth in the area. This follows on from the identification of Cambridge as one of three English cities to see transformational change, with plans set for it to become the European Science Capital.

Water supply issues: turning on the tap?

As we have previously highlighted, a significant number of new homes, including on allocated sites, remain delayed as a result of the objections from the Environment Agency due to their concern that increased demand for water risks deterioration to the water bodies in the area. In a joint statement from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Defra, the Environment Agency and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, there is apparent hope of the position being resolved to allow allocated sites to proceed to determination. The statement advises that:

“There is now an emerging understanding amongst all partners of the impact of these important schemes, the potential water savings to be generated through Government’s additional spending, and the proposals still to be refined and tested alongside the WRMP^[2]. The Government is confident, based on the scheme set out below, alongside a published WRMP, that the availability of sustainable water resources need not be an impediment to the consideration of planning permissions for developments envisaged within the adopted local plans.”

Whilst the statement is clear that the role of the local planning authority will continue to include taking account of representations from the Environment Agency, it is hoped it gives some certainty on the actions to deal with the issues raised. This will therefore be a positive step forward to allow the determination of applications for allocated sites and enable their development.

It is clear, however, that significant work remains to be done to implement solutions to safeguard future water supply, whether that is to meet the councils own previously proposed growth levels through the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan, or the Government’s greater aspirations. A range of measures are identified by the Government as potentially working in combination to address the water scarcity issues being experienced in Greater Cambridge. We await further details on how and when these measures will be in place and the associated costs that will be attributed to them. 

Whilst much of the focus is on the development of new homes and how these can be mitigated, we support the recognition of the Government that there is also a need to look at reducing demand in non-households. This will be of particular importance given the clear aspirations from the Government for Cambridge to become the European Science Capital and the non-residential growth which will be required to achieve this.

‘The Case for Cambridge’ 

In parallel with the announcements on water resources, the Government has also published ‘The Case for Cambridge’. This sets out the Government’s ambitions for the growth of Cambridge. Key points include:

• outlining the economic rationale for the growth of Cambridge and its potential to enhance its position as Europe’s science capital.
• exploring the core design and placemaking principles that will underpin this endeavour.
• outlining the actions the Government and the Cambridge Delivery Group, working with local partners, are taking to deliver infrastructure enhancements and accelerate the development of key sites in and around the city.

In the Budget itself, the Government committed that the future development corporation in Cambridge will receive a long-term funding settlement at the next spending review (although clearly this may be dependent on the timing and outcome of the General Election). Funding was also announced to support the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s leading centre for medical research and health science.

Many of our previous questions remain to be answered with no further details as yet on where this new quarter will be located. The clear recognition of the range of supporting infrastructure required to support such proposals is, however, supported. The Case for Cambridge is clear that the proposals will take a longer-term view than the emerging Local Plans and it will be important that engagement continues and strengthens so the two processes operate in parallel. It’s clear from the councils’ joint response this is an area of continuing concern for them and they are unconvinced by the proposed Development Corporation.

The councils have recently considered papers including an update on their Local Plan timescales which advise they have not been able to prepare an updated programme at this time, reflecting the uncertainties around the water supply solution, the transport strategy, the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plan Development Consent Order (DCO) and the new national plan-making system. With the adopted Local Plans already over five years old, and the importance of the area to the country as a whole, it will be important that the authorities continue to plan proactively for future growth. The councils have indicated that they are considering applying to be ‘front-runners’ for the new plan-making process and this would seem a positive approach which is to be supported.

Time will tell how and when the emerging ideas will evolve into actions on the ground and how these will be impacted by the General Election. It’s clear, however, that there are significant opportunities being identified for Cambridge which will be of importance nationally and could potentially act as a template for other areas through how they are delivered. 

For advice or to discuss in further detail how we can best progress the opportunities available for Cambridge and the East of England, contact Donna Brearley or Steven Kosky.

15 March 2024

[1] What does the NPPF mean for Cambridge - Comment - Turley
[2] Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)