Cambridge councillors oppose loss of planning powers

Posted byCambridge Town OwlPosted inUncategorized

Both the leader of the city council and his opposition shadow leader speak out against the proposed removal of planning powers from local government to a new Cambridge Development Corporation

(*Note some workshop and offline discussion ideas here)

You can read:

While I’ve not seen a published statement from The Greens, their 2023 manifesto was on the theme of ‘Thriving Communities, Not Top-Down Growth’.

See also the BBC Cambridgeshire news item here

Cambridge councillors to debate the Government’s consultation

“The Mayor of Cambridge [the civic one] has announced this morning that it will be held on 19th March, a fortnight before the government’s consultation closes.”

Above – Cambridge Liberal Democrats, 06 Feb 2026

“What was it the growth company is proposing again?”

The new consultation that I wrote about here which covers:

  • The long-awaited proposed boundaries of the growth company
  • The sizes of planning applications that the growth company proposes taking control of, and taking it out of the hands of local government (something that the councillors oppose)
  • The phased approach of bringing in the new powers rather than a ‘big bang’ approach.

“What’s the point on having a growth company if it doesn’t have any planning powers”

Exactly. But then there are a whole host of issues that need resolving. One big risk is that a proposed Development Corporation risks finding itself responsible for solutions to challenges that are not within its remit – eg getting more GPs and dentists in place to meet demand. While they can insist on the physical infrastructure being built, they cannot require individual medical professionals to work there.

“Local residents’ voices must play a key role in this consultation and in any plans for the future work of a development corporation. I urge residents to respond to the consultation, and to get in touch with your councillors to discuss it — we’re here to listen to you and to represent you as part of this process.”

“Get in touch with your councillors!” says Cllr Holloway

And not just your councillors – you can email your MP too. One way to phrase your correspondence/email:

Headline – what is the issue? Eg A new development corporation for Greater Cambridge

First paragraph: How does this issue affect you and those around you? What are your worries/concerns?”

Second paragraph: Ask your councillors/MP what their views are on the issue you are concerned about, and/or what their local party policy is. (Sometimes individual councillors will go against their party line)

Third paragraph: Ask your councillor or MP forward on a question you have that you’d like a decision-maker, eg executive councillor, the lead figure of an institution/partnership responsible (eg chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership), or a Minister of the Crown if you’re emailing an MP, for answer.

One I line of questioning I recommend for any policy area you are interested in is from a series of questions I sent to the old House of Commons Public Administration Committee in their open policy-making inquiry, where they crowd-sourced Qs from birdsite in 2012.

“There are a couple here from someone called Puffles, who sounds like an insider to me because of the questions. “Have you done a risk analysis exercise on the policy? What were the top risks and how will you handle them?””

Above – Hansard Public Administration Committee 28 November 2012, Q231

Above – Puffles the Dragon Fairy (*my old persona on Birdsite now retired)

The result?

“All policy-making carries risks and the risks in open policy-making need to be accepted and addressed if it is to succeed.”

Above – Recommendation No.30, 21 May 2013.

“So, when and where to meet to discuss these things?”

As mentioned at the top, I have some proposals here but if you have your own venues or suggestions, feel free to organise your own social gatherings. (And don’t restrict publicity to online only!) They don’t have to be set-piece events. Half of my events and gatherings have involved small numbers – around six people sometimes fewer, sometimes *lots* more.

Brand any meetings as being about ‘The Future of Cambridge’ rather than anything that sounds more technical and could be easily misunderstood or look over-complicated. (Eg Draft local plan for Greater Cambridge 2024-45, or draft proposals for a Cambridge Development Corporation consultation).

If you are interested in the longer term future of Cambridge, and on what happens at the local democracy meetings where decisions are made, feel free to: