The CamDevCo publishes a new statement of intent as it advertises for a successor chairman
The current Chairman Peter Freeman CBE was up in front of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier today.
Above – Peter Freeman (left) – you can view the meeting here, the link is at the top of the meeting papers
CamDevCo Press Releases
You can see the news items here, and also the statements/quotes from local government figures in Cambridgeshire here.
Above – latest news items from the CamDevCo (because three syllables is easier than 12)
The values to hold the CamDevCo to are stated in their press release and state that The Development Corporation has pledged that its work will be:
- “Transformational in ambition, quality and impact, with decisions informed by evidence and made transparently.
- Infrastructure-led, with clear pathways established within its first years of operation to address key infrastructure challenges.
- Inclusive, helping to tackle inequality and expand opportunity for local people.
- Sustainable, climate-resilient and nature-positive, supporting landscape scale environmental enhancements, nature recovery and adaptation to climate change.
- Innovative, using public investment to unlock significant private sector funding and accelerate delivery.
- Transparent, publicly accountable and collaborative, working openly with communities and partners.“]
Above – Greater Cambridge Development Corporation, press release 10 November 2026
These formed part of Mr Freeman’s presentation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.
We are still awaiting some significant reports to arrive, and decisions to be made that affect the above
- Local Government restructuring – what will the boundaries of the local council for Greater Cambridge be? (i.e. will it include East Cambridgeshire as recommended by Cambridgeshire County Council?) Ministers have to decide – and are long overdue in completing this.
- Cambridge Water Scarcity Group Report – awaiting sign-off from the Combined Authority
- Greater Cambridge Transport Plan – awaiting sign-off from the Combined Authority
- Cambridge Mass Transit Study – we’re still waiting for a first draft which should influence the Transport Plan above. Note the Government’s Mass Transit Taskforce is due to report in November 2026 as well.
- Greater Cambridge Local [Development] Plan – awaiting Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council to resolve the final issues in a meeting next week – read the officer’s recommendation at item 4.
Cambridge’s water crisis – new document drop by Water Resources East
I wrote about the Water Resilence Plan here but am not sure if those of you following/campaigning on water issues have seen the set of documents published recently about the state of our water supplies and hystrosphere more generally. You can see the documents here which also include the latest minutes from the last group meeting in September 2026. That set of minutes refers to something called: “Water for Cambridge: South Level Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Study – Catchment Conceptualisation and Water Balance Assessment.” See the press release by the Eastern Powerhouse here – and note their members too.
Greater Cambridge councillors to determine Cambridge Science Park intensification planning application
Wednesday 18 November 2026 at South Cambridgeshire Hall for anyone who wants to go along for the Joint Development Management Committee.
I’ve written a number of blogposts on this huge planning application that will change the skyline of North Cambridge. (The Officer’s recommendation is to approve, subject to conditions in Sections 28 and 31 at Appendix 5 of the papers)
Above – Detail from Design Codes Part 8 p11, which I included in a blogpost from 30 May 2026 complaining about the ruined skyline and the bulky mass of buildings with no detailing or interesting features.
In that blogpost I highlighted a couple of lost buildings that were not simply boxes.
Above – the old Cambridge and District Co-operative HQ on Burleigh Street, where Primark now is
Does anyone know where the original colour painting of the old historical Co-op building is?
Cambridge Past, Present, and Future’s issues on the Science Park application
“Design Code CA.08 must be strictly applied at Reserved Matters stage to guarantee an unobstructed visual connection between Great St Mary’s and Ely Cathedral, ensuring key historical sightlines are fully protected.”
Above – Officer’s report summary, Item 5 p29
Cambridge PPF also strongly object to the speculative Cambridge South application from Pigeon Land and co
You can see the display boards here
“In summary, Cambridge South is entirely contrary to the plan-led framework, threatens the integrity of the Cambridge Green Belt, lacks adequate infrastructure and water mitigation, and would impose unacceptable pressures on local heritage and environmental assets.”
Above – Cambridge PPF Planning Watchdog pages
The ball is in the developer’s court.
For anyone with questions about the local plan and local planning policy more generally…
Cambridge City Council’s Services, Climate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee is due to meet on Thursday 19 November 2026 should anyone want to table any public questions on those issues. (Papers will be here by the end of the week)
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