The proposed Vision for Greater Cambridge is set out at page 20 of the Draft Local Plan and states that:
“We want Greater Cambridge to be a place where a big decrease in our climate impacts comes with a big increase in the quality of everyday life for all our communities. New development must minimise carbon emissions and reliance on the private car; create thriving neighbourhoods with the variety of jobs and homes we need; increase nature, wildlife and green spaces; and safeguard our unique heritage and landscapes.”
Whilst Miller supports the Council’s objectives with regards to climate changes and protecting the environment, it is disappointing that the Vision as currently drafted makes no reference to the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
The Oxford-Cambridge Arc is an area covering Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, identified by the Government as a unique opportunity to become an economic asset of international standing. In July the Government held a 12 week consultation which closed on 12 October 2021 seeking views on the vision for the Arc. The consultation document ‘Creating a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc’ (July 2021) confirmed that it is still the Government’s intention to prepare a ‘Spatial Framework’, which will provide a national planning policy framework for the Arc.
As set out at paragraph 1.1 of the Government’s consultation document the Oxford-Cambridge Arc ‘is a national economic priority area’. Its world-class research, innovation and technology can help the UK prosper in a changing global economy. But success cannot be taken for granted. As advised by the National Infrastructure Commission, without urgent action, a chronic under-supply of homes could jeopardise growth, limit access to labour and put prosperity at risk.
If the Arc to reach its full potential local authorities will need to plan positively in their areas to deliver the transformational growth required. On this basis we would suggest that the Vision is revised as follows:
“Greater Cambridge is a leading UK and global hub of innovation, which plays a key role in the internally recognised Oxford-Cambridge Arc. We want Greater Cambridge to be a place of great prosperity and innovation where a big decrease in our climate impacts comes with a big increase in the quality of everyday life for all our communities. New development must minimise carbon emissions and reliance on the private car; create thriving neighbourhoods with the variety of jobs and homes we need; increase nature, wildlife and green spaces; and safeguard our unique heritage and landscapes.”