Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 208223

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

Both Bedford and Greater Cambridge are located within the Ox Cam corridor and this shared geography means numerous strategic matters have a cross-boundary dimension. These include housing, socioeconomic, infrastructure and water scarcity. It is noted that
there are established governance arrangements for the combined CPCA and within this area a local government reorganisation process is ongoing. It is expected that Greater Cambridge will look to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough geography for its strategic plan making context. There will however remain an important need to ensure that the Local Plan also responds to the drivers of growth originating in the sub region to the west particularly in relation to the following national projects: Universal Studios, the proposed Milton Keynes renewed new town, Tempsford new town and East West Rail.

Comment

Representation ID: 208224

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

The Universal Studios development should be included in the evidence base, with transport impacts modelled and mitigated. As with other partners in the Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes area we would wish Greater Cambridge to positively respond to the impacts on housing and employment demand.

Comment

Representation ID: 208225

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

Uncertainty remains about whether the housing completions in new town locations will be counted towards Local Plan housing targets but irrespective of this, assuming that Tempsford is confirmed the Greater Cambridge emerging evidence base will need to take account of the proposal and its impact both on housing and employment demand and the resulting population increases and transport impacts which will again need to be assessed through robust modelling.

Comment

Representation ID: 208226

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

the plan contains proposals for significant housing growth in the plan period but these needs are proposed to be met in full within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan boundary. Further engagement is requested on the Cambourne expansion (3,000 homes and 108,000 m² GIA) and its impacts.

Comment

Representation ID: 208227

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

The plan references the recently published CPCA Local Growth Plan. The plan seeks to meet employment needs in full including through the identification of the Cambridge Cluster aligned with the CPCA Local Growth Plan. We agree that there is a need for planning policy evidence and local plans to address the challenges which logistics development can bring and would welcome further joint working across the Ox Cam corridor to address this.

Comment

Representation ID: 208228

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

It is noted that the transport evidence base draws from the new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough transport model
The model does not currently take account of the impacts of Universal Studios or the two proposed new towns. The inclusion of Universal Studios impacts on transport will be essential to modelling for all plans across the Ox Cam region and should be incorporated in the modelling undertaken for Greater Cambridge’s emerging plan. Bedford Borough Council is working with National Highways and other partners to facilitate this and would advise that Greater Cambridge LPA liaise with National Highways to ensure that the impacts are fully and transparently accounted for on a consistent basis across the region where it is expected that there will be cross boundary movements.

Comment

Representation ID: 208229

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Bedford Borough Council

It is noted that Greater Cambridge faces significant challenges in respect of water scarcity and provision of wastewater recycling facilities. We share your concerns about this matter and consider it to be another area where there is scope for joint action and collaboration across the Ox Cam corridor geography.