3.6 The wider region

Figure 6: Regional Strategies influencing the Local Plan

We cannot plan for Greater Cambridge in isolation. We have a legal duty to cooperate with key stakeholders and surrounding areas on cross boundary issues, and Greater Cambridge also sits at the heart of many other cross-boundary structures and initiatives. These include:

• The key economic corridors – the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor and the Cambridge-Norwich tech corridor;
• The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and its strategies – the Local Transport Plan, the Non-Statutory Spatial Framework, Local Industrial Strategy and the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review;
• Greater Cambridge Partnership;
• Cambridgeshire County Council strategies, and
• Our neighbouring Local Authorities and their plans.

3.6.1 Key economic corridors

Figure 7 Key economic corridors

Greater Cambridge falls at the crossroads of a number of economic corridors. The two most important are the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, and London-Stansted-Cambridge.

Oxford-Cambridge Arc

The Government designated the Oxford-Cambridge Arc a key economic priority and asked the National Infrastructure Commission^[9] to analyse the actions required to meet the area's full economic potential. The Government has endorsed the Commission's report, Partnering for Prosperity: a new deal for the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Arc^[10] which includes an ambition for up to one million high-quality new homes by 2050. It has also committed to completing the East West Rail link and an Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, and to achieving sustainable growth in the Arc while improving the environment for future generations.

London-Stansted-Cambridge

The UK Innovation Corridor^[11], supported by the London-Stansted-Cambridge-Consortium, recognises the significant economic linkages in this area creating a world class hub of science and innovation. They offer significant opportunities through developing closer economic connections.

Cambridge-Norwich tech corridor

The Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor^[12] is an initiative to forge closer links between the two cities, and opportunities to support clusters of innovative businesses.

3.6.2 Working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Figure 8 Local authorities within the Combined Authority area

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority^[13], founded in March 2017, is made up of representatives from the seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and a Business Board. The Combined Authority is led by an elected Mayor; the Leaders of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, together with those of the five other authorities sit on the Combined Authority Board.

As the Local Transport Authority, the Combined Authority is producing the Local Transport Plan^[14] for the area. The Combined Authority also commissioned the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER)^[15], to explore what was needed to create a coherent economic growth strategy for the whole sub-regional economy. This has informed the Local Industrial Strategy^[16], which sets out how Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will maximise the economy's strengths and remove barriers that remain to ensure the economy is fit for tomorrow's world.

The Combined Authority is also preparing a Non-Statutory Spatial Framework for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Phase 1^[17] of this, reflecting the growth in our adopted 2018 Local Plans and how the Combined Authority will help achieve this, was published in 2018. Phase 2, providing a long-term strategy towards 2050 is being prepared, and will be subject to separate consultation. Although the Framework will be non-binding, whereas the Local Plan is a legal planning document, the aim is that they provide a complementary vision for the area, and draw the big picture of change across the wider area.

3.6.3 Working with the Greater Cambridge Partnership

The Greater Cambridge Partnership^[18] is the local delivery body for the 2014 City Deal^[19]. The partners are Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, the University of Cambridge and the Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. The Greater Cambridge Partnership aims to boost growth and accelerate the delivery of new homes by investing in local infrastructure, housing and skills. This includes the delivery of transport schemes supporting growth sites identified in the adopted 2018 Local Plans, and improving the transport network for Greater Cambridge to make it easier to access and move around Cambridge by public transport, by bike and on foot.

3.6.4 Working with Cambridgeshire County Council

Figure 9 Cambridgeshire County Council area

We also need to work closely with Cambridgeshire County Council^[20] on issues relating to its roles. For example, the County Council is responsible for managing the local highway network, is the lead local flood management authority and the Local Education Authority responsible for schools planning.

3.6.5 Working with our neighbouring Local Authorities

Figure 10 Neighbouring Local Authorities

Whenever we prepare a new Local Plan, we collaborate with our neighbours on strategic cross-boundary issues. For the next Local Plan we consider that these include:

• Assessing housing need, including Gypsy & Traveller accommodation needs.
• Wildlife habitats and green infrastructure.
• Carbon offsetting and renewable energy generation.
• Transport.
• Water, including supply, quality, wastewater and flood risk.

We will also need to consider the impact of planned growth on the edges of Greater Cambridge, such as the proposal for a North Uttlesford Garden Community in the draft Uttlesford Local Plan currently undergoing examination.

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