Moves made on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc
The government is pushing for the growth corridor to be ready by 2035, with a number of changes just announced…
The Oxford-Cambridge arc has come into the spotlight, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ promise that she is going ‘further and faster’ in a bid to get the economy moving.
Reeves unveiled plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor by 2035, something that will, according to industry experts, boost the economy by as much as £78 billion.
The move is aimed at helping the UK make the most of the fact that it spearheads life sciences and artificial intelligence across the world. Reeves commented: “It has the potential to be Europe’s Silicon Valley. The home of British innovation.” She has appointed science minister Sir Patrick Vallance to help champion growth in the area.
What has changed?
Several factors have led to the announcement. First, the Environment Agency has removed its objections to a new development around Cambridge that could include 4,500 new homes, along with schools and leisure facilities plus office and laboratory space in Cambridge City Centre. Second, water companies have been able to unlock five years of investment totaling £7.9bn to improve water infrastructure – this includes a new Fens Reservoir that will serve Cambridge and the Abingdon Reservoir near Oxford.
Transport links will be improved by funding for East-West Rail, with new services created between Oxford and Milton Keynes this year, and reducing car journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge with work on the A428.
Finally, a new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will bring together Cambridge University, Addenbrookes Hospital and Cancer Research UK, and there will be new and expanded communities in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor as well as an East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford.
Future investment
While the planning experts have broadly welcomed the plans, they highlight that the planning system needs to benefit from investment to make this happen. Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), said: “Our members operate in a system established by the government and will adapt to reforms aiming to speed up the system. The RTPI has long been championing better resources in planning and to raise the public’s awareness of the issue.
“We urge the government to invest in the planning system through a long-term, dedicated and comprehensive skills and resource strategy. This will enable our members to support delivery of the affordable homes, public services, and critical infrastructure our communities need.”
And Nick Pettit, a senior partner at property consultancy Bidwells, told Construction News: “The Oxford-Cambridge region is the beating heart of British innovation. That the chancellor sees its potential is not only a significant validation of its critical importance to UK GDP, but a vindication of the tireless efforts made to promote its potential. Investors we work with have the choice to deploy capital globally. Despite obstacles to planning, or with procurement, they select the OxCam region over its alternatives. That is because there are few countries that can claim to have a knowledge cluster quite so unique.”
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