Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

The plan references the strength of the cultural and creative industries in terms of employment and driving tourism to the city centre. We would absolutely support this and advocate for the role that University Cambridge Museums, Kettle's Yard, The Junction and Cambridge Arts Theatre have to play in supporting development/growth in this area. Arts Council England would also advocate for the role that arts and culture can play in helping to establish and develop communities in proposed new settlements. Indeed, this is something that developers like Urban and Civic already recognise and have, for example, supported local makers and creatives in Waterbeach in recent years. In Northstowe there is also evidence of demand from the new community there for a local cultural offer (ref. new organisations Northstowe Arts). At a base level, we would advocate for the inclusion of community facilities in new settlements that can support a range of community activities and groups to thrive, including creative activities. Beyond this we would advocate for access to local creative and culture offer be considered within planning proposals. We are supportive of the approach outlined, but would advocate for the role of arts and culture to be recognised in helping to develop great places and support wellbeing and inclusion. Cultural leaders are currently working with key stakeholders, including the City Council, to develop a Cultural Compact (known as 'Create Cambridge'). Cultural Compacts came out of the Cultural cities enquiry in 2019 (Cultural-Cities-Enquiry-web.pdf) which proposed them as a mechanism to provide strategic cross sectoral local leadership to maximse the civic role of culture. Once established as a new strategic body, Create Cambridge will offer the opportunity to work strategically with the cultural sector in the city to unlock a host of benefits for Great Cambridge.

Cambridge Junction is part of Arts Council's National Portfolio of organisations receiving regular, core funding from us. The organisation has strong impact both regionally and nationally. We see the redevelopment of this site as a fantastic opportunity to improve facilities and provision which would benefit both audiences and creatives alike. We would advocate strongly that new plans ensure that the organisation is able to thrive both artistically, financially and in terms of expanding reach.