The new Greater Cambridge regeneration body follows £800m committed to bringing new homes, jobs and infrastructure
The Cambridge Development Corporation will work with local leaders and communities to drive sustainable growth, having being launched after a consultation in April.
Besides securing investment, this will include ensuring sustainability and quality.
Land and development policy at the heart of regeneration
As part of Greater Cambridge regeneration policy, transport links and services will be built alongside new housing to ensure they work in harmony, and key sites, stalled projects and derelict land will be brought together to bring as many projects forward as possible.
The corporation will aim to invest in critical infrastructure more quickly and efficiently, create thousands of jobs in the area, and create innovation spaces to contribute to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Housing secretary Steve Reed said: “Greater Cambridge is an area with huge potential that the new Development Corporation will help turn into more affordable homes, good jobs for local people and infrastructure that supports its communities.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “Greater Cambridge is a powerhouse for regional growth – and we’re unlocking its full potential as part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
“We have the right economic plan – by working with local leaders to unlock stalled sites and invest in infrastructure, this Development Corporation will deliver homes, jobs and opportunity at scale, driving regional growth and supporting our science and innovation strengths in Britain.”
Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor sees several projects
A consultation is in the final stages of information gathering regarding East-West Rail’s plans in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, who have proposed a line that will see five trains running per hour.
Aspects of the proposed plans include:
- A brand-new Bedford station
- Accelerating improvements on the Marston Vale Line to provide a new station at Stewartby to serve the Universal theme park – along with three new fully accessible stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, and Lidlington.
- A new entrance at Cambridge station and a new station at Cambridge East – subject to third-party funding.
- Connecting Tempsford to the rail network five years earlier than originally planned
- Hybrid electric/battery-equipped trains to support UK net-zero goals, and reduce emissions
- Providing new modern train stations that will support multi-modal travel with integrated bus and active travel connections, mobility hubs, and improved station access for walking, wheeling, cycling, taxis, and parking.
- Designs which aim to achieve sustainability goals by realising opportunities to enhance and strengthen green infrastructure networks, to benefit local people and nature along the line of the route.
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