The Councils are planning for relatively low levels of jobs and housing growth. Other job forecasting models predict much higher levels of growth, including a CPIER proxy developed by Cambridge Econometrics (but not endorsed by CPIER) of 92,100 additional jobs. The Councils’ preferred option is based on an employment growth rate to 2041 for life sciences and other key sectors as the lower quartile between the EEFM baseline and the historic growth rate between 2001-17, therefore planning for reduced economic development in those sectors. As a consequence, there is a likelihood that the Councils ‘preferred option strategy for the Local Plan is based on an under-forecast of employment growth and associated housing need.

We are concerned that actual employment growth to 2041 will not be matched by an adequate level of planned housing land, leading to an over-heated local housing market, increasing levels of in-commuting and commuting distances, congestion, loss of productivity, and harm to wellbeing and social inclusion.

We support the response from Cambridge Ahead.